She Has a Name

Kael’s POV

The kiss lasted for only a few seconds; however, the moment I pulled away, I knew I shouldn’t have.

I have spent months convincing myself that being with Aria was the right thing and right now we are supposed to be together; celebrating together and standing close to a woman who isn’t my wife is not the right thing.

No matter who she is.

Guilt consumed me because my wife had just given birth and we were supposed to be naming our child together at the heir presentation ceremony tonight, but every time I see Serena, old feelings resurface.

She was my childhood friend and eventually became my lover. I had already thought she was the one I was going to marry until she told me she couldn’t bear children; we had been sleeping together since and she had never fallen pregnant.

She then told me about the curse, crying and it hurt me to see her cry.

When she came up with a solution to the child problem, I agreed with her.

We both understood the situation here. I am an Alpha and I needed an heir to cement that position; if I couldn’t get one within a stipulated period, my evil cousin Grey would become the Alpha of our Pack.

I would rather die than see that happen.

So I gave in.

When I met Aria for the first time, she was serving tea and her eyes drew me to her.

I was already looking at different werewolf options from different clans but rejecting whoever it would be later on when they become my Luna would be a problem for my pack.

It might even lead to a war.

So a human seemed like the safer option.

Our pack does not permit an Alpha to have two Lunas and the Alpha must publicly reject one before he can have another.

Serena was my chosen mate.

I had loved her since we were kids and I would do anything for her, during the first few months of my marriage, we still linked up a couple of times.

When I began to feel guilty about cheating on my wife even when there was no love in my heart for her, I began to create a distance between myself and Serena.

Along the line, Serena began complaining that she wasn’t fine with me building a relationship with another person. I understood because if I were the one, I would never allow any other man to step a foot close to her.

When she said she was going to travel to give me time to have my heir and decide, it came as a relief to me.

Because I wasn’t fine with cheating on my wife, and that was the truth.

Looking at her now, seeing that she had just caught me briefly kissing my ex.

A kiss I enjoyed.

The look on her face was unexplainable, but it was hurt plus disappointment.

I had disappointed her.

The mother of my child.

“Aria…” I pleaded but I did not know what to say apart from her name.

She did not wait for me to say more; she just walked away.

I turned to follow her when Serena held my wrist to stop me.

“The human has fulfilled her duty; it is time to let her go,” she said, her hand still on my wrist.

“She has a name, Aria and she’s my Luna.”

“No, she isn't. I am going to be your Luna, you made a promise to me and I know you to never go back on your words,” she said calmly with authority.

She looked at me with her big eyes, those eyes that I had fallen for since I could guess what love was. “I know, I haven’t forgotten my promises to you but Aria is the mother of my child; we have to respect that and accord her such respect, we will do everything one step at a time, for fuck’s sake, she just gave birth and she’s vulnerable.” I did not even know when I started raising my voice.

Serena sniffed, like she was holding back tears.

“I am sorry but I need you to give me some time, I also need to get back to the ceremony, okay?”

Without replying to me, Serena walked away.

Good, two ladies had just walked away from me.

I speedily walked back to the ceremony grounds where I had first met Serena tonight. When I got there, Aria was rocking my heir, she wasn’t looking at me.

Her expression was tight.

I know we needed to talk, but now is not the time for it; there are lots of faces here and we just needed to name our child so we can get out of this place.

My best friend, who is also my Beta, James, came to us, “mate, it’s time for the naming.” 

“Yes, let’s proceed with that.” I stretched my hand to Aria; she reached out to hold my hand while Pack Mother Mira helped with the baby.

We stepped out to the raised platform there; the crowd hooted, and some were clapping their hands. “Tonight, we celebrate more than the birth of a child; we celebrate the future of Valemont Pack…” I paused; no doubt I am happy about the birth of my son, the happiness showed in my voice as I continued, “…for years, this pack stood with me in every high and low, and tonight, you stand with me because an heir has been born. A son who carries the blood of our ancestors and the hopes of our pack. I thank every one of you for standing with us on this important night.”

I turned toward Aria and the baby as cheers erupted from the crowd.

“Now, it is my honor as Alpha to give my son his name; he shall be called Leo Stone of Valemont Pack."

The crowd hooted; some howled into the night, there were drumrolls too for a few seconds.

The ruling elder of the ruling council stepped forward, making everyone quiet. He is a stern-looking man, always straight to the business, “congratulations on the birth of your heir,  Alpha Kael…” he glanced at Aria.

I knew where he was going; he was one of the elders that do not like the idea of a human being their Luna.

I glanced at the crowd to look for James; he needed to walk this man away. “Thank you, Elder Klaus.”

“Alpha Kael, do you acknowledge Lady Aria as the mother of your heir?” He asked sternly.

“I do." my voice was sharper than I intended. I glanced around the crowd, where the fuck is James? He wasn’t amidst the crowd.

Instead, I saw Serena.

I was caught off guard.

I looked at her with a flicker of disbelief crossing my face; I thought she had left.

“Do you acknowledge her as your luna?” Elder Klaus asked again.