Chapter 17

The mating ceremony had ended, and now it was time for the wedding reception. Couples paired off, hands clasped, making their way toward the venue.

Osborne’s arm was firm around my waist, holding me close—almost possessively—as though guiding what was his.

“She isn’t going to vanish if you give her space to breathe,” a deep voice teased from behind us. It was the Alpha.

I almost chuckled and we glanced over. The Alpha’s lips curved into a faint smile, surprisingly directed at me.

“Why don’t you mind your own business?” Osborne shot back. “You’ve got your mate right there.”

“Well,” the Alpha countered smoothly, “you should introduce the one who’s about to be added to my family, shouldn’t you?”

I instantly realized they were bantering. The way they tossed their words back and forth was almost like siblings teasing each other. I couldn’t help thinking how much I wished I’d had that kind of easy relationship with my own parents.

Before Osborne could reply, a gentle female voice cut in. “Oh, you two, stop it. The poor girl will find out soon enough how you both behave.”

It was the Luna. I laughed at her words, and she laughed with me.

“Don’t mind them, dear,” she said warmly, turning her attention to me.

I nodded politely. “I’m Aina Wilfred,” I introduced myself.

The Alpha’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of recognition passing over his features. “Is your mother Aria?” he asked suddenly.

The question caught me completely off guard. Judging by Osborne’s slight stiffening and the Luna’s raised brow, I wasn’t the only one surprised.

“Yes,” I answered cautiously.

The Alpha simply nodded and said nothing more.

“We’ll be late,” the Luna announced, steering the group forward.

As we moved toward the reception, my thoughts tangled. My mother had some explaining to do. How on earth did the Alpha know her name? And please… don’t tell me she was one of those women who— No. I wasn’t ready to finish that thought.

When we arrived at the reception, we were shown our seats. The tables were overflowing with food and drinks of every kind, so much so that I had to swallow back a bit of saliva.

Osborne reached for a plate without a word, filling it generously before setting it in front of me.

“Can you even eat in that dress?” he asked, glancing at my fitted bodice.

“I can manage,” I replied with a small smile.

He gave a short nod and poured me a drink.

“Ugh, I can’t keep watching these two lovebirds,” the Alpha groaned as he began teasing Osborne again with a chuckle, he stood up. And his wife rose with him.

“We’ll leave you two alone,” she said with a playful wink in my direction.

Once they were gone, the table felt quieter, almost intimate.

“Shouldn’t you go congratulate your friend?” I asked after a moment, breaking the silence.

He stilled, then looked at me, his expression sharpening. “I’ll punch him if I see him.”

I blinked, startled. “Why?”

“You should’ve seen the way he was looking at you,” Osborne muttered, his voice low and edged. “I was almost ready to pluck his eyes out—on his wedding day.”

I gasped. “Well, don’t do anything stupid,” I warned.

He didn’t reply.

“Promise,” I pressed.

“Promise,” he finally said.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught people glancing our way—curious stares, whispering. They must have been wondering who I was. The girl mated to the future Alpha of the Silver Crest Pack.

Suddenly, the groom appeared. He didn’t spare me a glance at first; his eyes were fixed on Osborne. Osborne rose from his seat, shaking his hand. Alex’s smile looked forced.

“Congratulations, buddy,” Osborne said smoothly, his lips curling into something that was almost a smirk.

“Thank you,” Alex replied.

Even without words, I could feel the tension buzzing between them, a taut line only they understood.

“And I believe this is the mate you spoke of?” Alex asked at last, his gaze shifting to me.

“Yes,” Osborne answered, his tone deceptively calm. “Meet my mate, Aina Wilfred. Of course… you know her.”

Alex swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as if to keep something in. “Yes, I do. She was my mate.”

Osborne didn’t flinch. “Hmm. Whom you rejected not too long ago.”

I knew I had to do something before they made a scene so I touched Osborne's hand, a silent plea for restraint. His eyes softened slightly as he looked at me, and he smiled.

“No worries,” he murmured. “I already promised.”

I nodded and returned his smile.

Alex cleared his throat. “I should go meet other people,” he said, already backing away before turning to disappear into the crowd.

Once Alex is gone, Osborne sits back in his chair, the stiffness in his shoulders easing.

“I didn’t tell him it was you,” he said. “He must be in shock. Sit here—I’ll go meet him and I am sorry I have to leave you alone for awhile my sugar plum”

I nodded, understanding. Whatever tension lingered, Alex was still his friend.

Osborne rose and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone at the table. I picked up my fork and began eating, focusing on the food to avoid the curious glances around the room.

That’s when I heard it.

“Isn’t that fat Aina?” a voice drawled, followed by a snicker. “So it’s true, huh?”

Ruth.

I kept my head down, chewing slowly as though I hadn’t heard. Silence was my shield. Drawing attention to myself now would only make things worse.

But who was I kidding? The moment I walked in as Osborne’s mate, every eye in this place was already on me.

Osborne

I spotted Alex making his way through the crowd, shaking hands and offering polite smiles to his guests. I let out a slow sigh before calling out, “Alex, we need to talk.”

He turned immediately, something unreadable flickering in his eyes—but I didn’t care to figure out what it was, he excused himself from the group, leading the way to where we could have a conversation .

We stepped outside, away from the noise of the reception.

“I know how you must be feeling—” I began, but he cut me off sharply.

“Her? Osborne, she’s a woman I rejected. Your friend’s former mate.”

I let the words hang between us, my jaw tightening. I hadn’t come here to quarrel, but to make sure he understood.

“I loved her before the Moon Goddess ever paired you both,” I said evenly.

His brows furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. “What?”

“Exactly what you heard,” I replied, my voice low but firm. “If you hadn’t rejected her then, I would’ve forced you to.”