CHAPTER TWENTY -FOUR

~Aiden~

The next morning came too soon.

The castle was awake before dawn; servants moved quietly through the hallways, preparing for another day of royal routine.

My schedule was packed, meetings with the council, trade negotiations, and new proposals for the central border. I had no time to think, and maybe that was a blessing.

I fastened my cufflinks quickly, ignoring the faint tremor in my fingers. The fire at Dorian’s place still haunted my thoughts. I’d barely slept, replaying Father’s words over and over: Riya was unconscious.

Was she awake now? Was she even alive?

I shoved the thought aside, grabbing my folder from the desk. I was halfway to the door when I nearly bumped into Jayden, standing right in the doorway, holding a small black box.

He smirked. “Morning, bro. You’re up early for someone who doesn’t really care for the pack.”

I gave him a flat look. “Jayden, not now.”

He ignored me, flipping the box open with a flourish. Inside lay the pendant he’d sketched last night, silver, shaped like a heart, engraved with a crescent moon on one side and a rose on the other. Inside were two tiny pictures: one of Riya, smiling faintly, and one of her father.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

“It’s ready,” he said simply.

I blinked, almost tearing up. “Good. Send it today. And don’t forget to write Siarah’s name on the card. Make it look like it came from her.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Ah, the art of emotional subterfuge. You’ve learned well, brother.”

“Just do it,” I said, pushing past him.

He chuckled. “Yes, Prince.”

As I strode through the corridor, the smell of roasted fish and honey filled the air. I was almost at the main door when I caught sight of Father and Siarah sitting at the dining table, mid-breakfast.

“Good morning, Pops. Morning, Ma,” I greeted, half-walking, half-rushing past.

“Hold it right there,” Siarah said sharply.

I stopped.

She turned in her chair, her golden robe flowing around her like liquid sunlight. “Aiden, where do you think you’re going without breakfast?”

“Ehmm, I have a meeting in twenty minutes,” I replied, checking my watch.

“You can’t make pack decisions on an empty stomach,” Father chimed in without looking up from his plate. “Sit and eat.”

“Father…”

“No arguments.”

His tone ended the conversation before it even began. I sighed, dropped my folder onto a chair, and took the empty seat beside him.

A maid appeared immediately, setting a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced fruit in front of me. I picked up the fork without enthusiasm.

“Good!” Siarah said with a faint smile. “You work too much, Aiden. You’re turning into your father.”

“That’s the goal, isn’t it?” I muttered under my breath.

Jayden walked in then, whistling softly. “Ah, family breakfast. My favorite meal of the day, but not here.” He turned to leave.

“Sit,” Father ordered, not even glancing up.

Jayden groaned dramatically but obeyed, plopping down across from me. “Do I at least get champagne with mine?”

Siarah rolled her eyes. “You get water. Maybe some discipline too.”

He grinned, unbothered. “Harsh. It’s too early in the morning for insults.”

Father dropped his fork. “You two are grown men now. And yet, you act like pups.”

“That’s because you raised us to be exceptional,” Jayden said.

Siarah laughed softly. “Exceptional, yes, but maybe it’s time you both start behaving like men with mates.”

Jayden nearly choked on his toast. “Oh, please, not this again.”

Father looked intrigued. “Actually, your mother’s right.”

I groaned inwardly.

Siarah clasped her hands together. “It’s high time one of you settled down. You’re both old enough to have mates, perhaps even give us grandchildren.”

Jayden leaned back in his chair. “Grandchildren? You’re moving too fast. I still haven’t finished painting my emotional trauma.”

“Maybe if you stopped painting it and started dealing with it, you’d find a woman,” Father said dryly.

I rolled my eyes, sipping my tea to hide my amusement.

Siarah’s eyes shifted to me. “And you, Aiden? What about you? No woman has caught your attention?”

I set the cup down a little too quickly. “I’m focused on my work. The pack comes first.”

She arched a brow. “Ah, the eternal excuse.”

Father chuckled. “He’s right to focus, but your mother does have a point. It’s time we think about the future. Bloodlines, heirs, things that matter to the pack’s legacy.”

Jayden groaned again. “Here we go. The legacy talk.”

Ignoring him, Siarah leaned forward. “Maybe we should find a few eligible women. Daughters of Alphas, perhaps. It’s about time the both of you met some prospects.”

Father rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “No, that won’t do. It’s better we make it official, a pack-wide celebration. Something that gives the goddess a chance to guide the right bonds.”

Jayden frowned. “Wait. You’re not talking about the Moon Rite Festival, are you?”

Father nodded. “Exactly that. The Moon Rite allows the goddess to reveal fated mates to those ready to receive them. It would be perfect. A blessing for both of you and the pack.”

Siarah clapped her hands lightly. “That’s a splendid idea! A ceremony for everyone to find love and for our sons to find their true mates.”

Jayden’s phone rang, and he stood up. “Excuse me!”

I sighed. “Father, if we join the Moon Rite, it won’t be our special ceremony. It’ll just be another pack festival. Anyone could get mated that night.”

Siarah tilted her head. “And what’s wrong with that? The bigger the ceremony, the more blessings it brings. Imagine it, a night of fire, moonlight, and prophecy. The goddess herself uniting hearts.”

Father nodded approvingly. “Your mother’s right. It would be good for morale. The pack needs something joyous to look forward to. It’s settled then. We’ll begin preparations immediately.”

I swallowed the last sip of my tea and set the cup down with a quiet clink. “Wonderful,” I muttered. “While you all plan my love life, I'll actually run the pack.”

Jayden made a gesture that he was heading upstairs as he talked on the phone.

“I’m out of here,” I said, pushing back my chair.

“Don’t forget your file!” Siarah called after me.

I grabbed it from the table and turned toward the door hurriedly.

The guards bowed as I passed, opening the main doors. My car waited outside, polished and ready. I slid into the backseat.

“Office,” I told the driver.

As the car rolled forward, I glanced once through the tinted window, just in time to see Jayden step out onto the balcony, a wide smile on his face.

He raised a hand, miming the shape of a heart between his fingers. I rolled my eyes and looked away, but a small, rel

uctant smile found its way to my lips.

Jayden was not only my twin but my best friend, and I was grateful to do this life with him.