3.

E S T E L L E’S P O V

Darius’s eyes flickered to me the moment I went to meet him by the car. Relief washed through his face when he saw me. Apparently, the Alphas Summit was already over and he had been searching for me. Since I was human, there was no way he could mindlink me and from my side view, I could see Fato looking apologetic.

“I’m sorry, Darius… I—”

“No, Estelle. Apology not accepted.” He cut me off. “Did you know how worried I was about you? This is a foreign pack. A pack that was just recently attacked. Who knows if there are still underlying threats around and all you did was wander around till I couldn't find you?” His words were laced with the worry and something like fear he was feeling.

My heart constricted in my chest. I shouldn't have gone to the bar. I shouldn't have caused Darius to worry over me.

“And Fato? Fato will definitely be punished for letting you out of his sight!” He gritted out.

“No! I was the one who slipped away from him. I just needed to look around the pack and I got lost so… He has nothing to do with it!”

“And he is a warrior. He should have kept his gaze on you throughout!” He seethed, the anger so obvious on his face.

When I didn't speak again, his face softened and he came to me, reaching out to hold me by my shoulders.

“You know I was just worried about you.” Concern shone in his eyes and he looked down on me. “And I didn't—”

“Alpha Darius,” A voice cut through the tension in the air and he turned to look at the new person.

“Alpha Nile.” He greeted.

“I don't think you have been properly introduced before but this is Alpha Darius of Crimson Fang, his pack healer had done most of the work while she was around yesterday,” Alpha Nile said. I could see pride shine in his eyes as he glanced at me briefly.

A throat cleared, “And I am sure that you know that he is Castiel Vexthorn, The Alpha King.”

That name… I heard it this morning… As if on cue, I whirled around and went stiff. He… he was the Alpha King… He…

Immediately, I was acutely aware of him. My mate. Or rather ex-mate. As if he could feel my gaze on him, his eyes flicked to me and they widened for a brief moment before he slipped on a mask of boredom and indifference.

“Pleasure meeting you, Your Highness. I believe we will work well together in the near future.” Darius stretched his hand for a handshake and with a calculating glance, the Alpha King took it and gave him a firm shake.

“And oh, this is Estelle Frost, my pack healer and good friend,” He introduced me, his hands clamping over my shoulders as he pulled me in a warm embrace.

His smile widened. If there was one thing I was sure of, it was that Darius was proud of whom I had become.

Something akin to jealousy flickered in Castiel’s eyes but I think I must have imagined it. Alpha Nile smiled at me while Castiel barely watched me like I was nothing in his presence. As Alpha Nile and Darius continued to speak, Castiel’s eyes remained on the place Darius held me.

I tried to read in to his expression but all I saw was curiousity. I knew why he was curious. He wanted to know why he could not smell my scent as he came near us.

After the entire rejection scene this morning and having worked with wolves for almost half of my life, I knew their sense of smell was extremely sharp so I made sure to wash myself properly and mask Castiel’s scent with some other scent-masking herbs.

I didn't want Darius knowing what happened.

“Estelle,” Grace’s familiar voice called from the side and I turned away from Darius and Castiel's burning gaze to her.

“Grace,” A smile curled around my lips as I met her halfway.

“Darius was furious with me when he couldn't find you.” She told me like I didn't know my Alpha.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered, knowing fully there was no look of apology on my face. After a while of talking about meeting up, she told me that she would visit when her pack was back to normal and I nodded, wishing her well.

Darius called me and with a goodbye, I stepped into the passenger’s seat, right beside Darius. My gaze caught Castiel’s as he eyed us.

“Estelle,” Darius’s hand rose up to my face and I almost flinched but he used his finger to tuck a curl of my hair behind my ear.

I could feel my cheeks burn red and I slowly moved away. Turning my gaze away, I could see Castiel still watching us.

I swallowed hard and looked away. He rejected me.

The moment the car revved to life, reality dawned on me. I was returning back to my pack where I will get to see Mike and Lina again. He hadn't even messaged me since I came yesterday.

I should have thought about the signs. When was the last time he sent me some good morning text? When last did he care about what was going on in my life? Even when I had told him that Darius had suggested that I came with him, he only groaned in approval. Nothing less. Nothing more.

I swallowed hard, not knowing how I would handle the situation. On her way back to the pack, Darius tried to tell me about what Grace had told him about some supply of herbs. I tried to keep my attention on him but the images kept replaying in my mind.

Finally, we got to the familiar gate of the pack house and I stepped out of the car, dread churning my belly.

“I will be on my way home,” I told Darius. He wanted to say something but I was already on the move. I didn't want to see Mike or… Lina.

As I reached the door to my house, I paused briefly. The door was unlocked and… I pushed the door open, halting to a stop at the sight before me. Boxes of pizza lay opened and cans of coke splayed around, I moved closer and saw scattered pink panties and bra over my couch.

My couch!

The hell!

Overwhelmed with anger, I stormed into my room and the putrid smell of sex and lust hit me, making me halt.

I watched how the scene before me was unfolding…

“You should tell her about us before it is too late, Mike.” Lina said, pulling away as Mike reached to kiss her.

“I will. Now, stop denying me and let me taste you. You know how I've been looking forward to her traveling and I get to spend more time with you.” He leaned and captured her lips in a kiss.

She let out a moan as he rose above her, steadying himself with his elbows. He pushed into her and she gripped his shoulders, crying out. I could not watch any more so I took the vase beside the door and slammed it on the ground.

Immediately, they split apart and shock crossed their features as their eyes went wide.

“Estelle, when did you return?”

“E-Estelle…”

“What?” I asked him, a humorless laugh working up my throat. “It is not what I am thinking? Is that the flipping excuse you are about to make because no, you need to come up with a different one. And that too, quick and immediate.”

Lina glanced at him and let out a deep breath, keeping the sheets close to her chest. “Estelle, you need to—”

“Keep quiet! I took you in as my subordinate. I taught you because I wanted you to be independent in a world where females are seen as weak. And what did you repay me with? Cheating with my fiance few months to our wedding?”

“And not just that, in my own apartment?” I questioned her, glaring daggers at her.

I turned to Mike. “All of these… is over!” I pulled off the ring on my finger and threw it at him. “Clean up my house and move the fuck out before I return!” Tears threatened to spill as I spun around and exited the house.

Mike and I had met during a Thanksgiving. When he approached me and told me of his interests, I thought I had met the right one except I was clouded by the need to be noticed by someone. Not loved by someone. Not seen. Not heard.

Even when he had proposed, I wasn't expecting it and we hadn't discussed it either but because of the fact that he had done it in front of the entire pack, I had no choice than to say yes. I didn't want to embarrass him.

Brielle dragged me on the matter for months till she stopped. I contemplated going to the pack house but I settled on going to Brielle’s. The moment I knocked, the door opened and a apologetic look was on her face. I could not keep up with the strong facade anymore as I broke into tears in the arms of my best friend. “H-He… I caught him with her.”

What I didn't tell her was that I had been rejected twice by two different men.

One my fiance and second… my mate.