Chapter 4: Mate

Elara’s POV

I kept my head down all morning, repeating Alpha Rowan’s warning in my mind.

I told myself I’d avoid him. For the rest of my life if I had to.

I repeated it over and over as I folded sheets with trembling hands, forcing myself to focus on the rhythm. Just pretend your heart isn’t shattering, Elara.

But destiny has a cruel sense of humor.

“Elara.”

His voice wrapped around me before I could stop it.

My heart, traitorous as ever, jumped. And I turned.

Aiden stood at the end of the hallway, hands in his pockets, hair slightly messy like he’d been running his fingers through it. He always did that when he was thinking too much.

“Alpha,” I whispered, bowing immediately.

He frowned. “Why do you keep doing that?”

My fingers curled tightly around the sheet. “Doing what?”

“Acting like you’re afraid to look at me.”

Because I am, looking at you feels like playing with fire that already burned us both once.

“I’m not afraid,” I lied softly. “Just respectful.”

“It feels like distance.” He stepped closer, slow and steady. “I don’t want distance.”

My chest tightened. “It’s not my place to decide that.”

He exhaled sharply, almost frustrated. “Look, about last night… I owe you an apology.”

“I crossed a line,” he continued. “I shouldn’t have grabbed you. I don’t even know why I—”

“You were drunk,” I said quickly, eyes firmly on the ground. “There’s no need to apologize.”

“I wasn’t drunk enough to forget what I felt,” he murmured.

My breath faltered. No. No, please don’t say that.

“But I made you uncomfortable,” he went on. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s forgiven, Alpha. Truly.”

He stared at me for a moment, studying the way I stood stiff and formal, like a guard waiting for a command.

“Elara,” he said slowly, “I want to take you out.”

My heart stuttered. “Out?”

“On a date,” he said plainly. “A real one. And I want to do it openly.”

I swallowed hard. “A… a date?”

“Yes.” His eyes softened. “If you’ll let me.”

I bowed again so he wouldn’t see my panic. “I can’t, Alpha Aiden.”

He blinked. “Why?”

I forced my voice steady. “I’m just a servant. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“But I do,” I said quietly. “And so would the Pack, the elder, even your father.” Especially his father. He might order for my head to be separated from my shoulders.

“You’re not giving me a real reason.”

I kept my head down. “My answer remains no, Alpha.”

When I looked up slowly to meet his gaze. He stared at me like I’d slapped him. Shock, then confusion, then something wounded showed behind his eyes.

“I don’t understand you,” he whispered.

You’re not meant to. You lost a year of your memories because you loved me. I can’t let you break again.

Marcus’s voice echoed from the end of the hallway. “Alpha! We need you."

Marcus is Aiden's best friend and the next Beta. Second in command of the army.

Aiden didn’t move immediately. His gaze stayed pinned to me.

“This isn’t finished,” he said finally, and walked away.

Only when his footsteps faded did I let out the breath I’d been strangling.

The day dragged like a weight. I avoided every corridor he might walk down, kept my head lowered, drowned myself in chores until my fingers were numb.

By evening, my body ached.

I carried two large baskets stacked too high. Alpha Rowan insisted Omegas work twice as hard to “earn their place” and the hall was dark, making it difficult to see.

Just as I turned the corner, my foot caught on a loose stone.

Pain exploded through my ankle.

I sucked in a sharp breath and crashed to my knees, the baskets falling with a dull thud.

“Ow…”

The scream slipped out before I could choke it down.

The other Omegas nearby stopped sweeping long enough to stare.

One smirked. “Again, Elara?”

Another snickered. “She’s so fragile. A breeze could knock her down.”

“Embarrassing,” someone muttered. “No wonder she’s at the bottom.”

I swallowed the sting and reached for the baskets, but the moment I tried to put weight on my ankle, pain shot up my leg.

I screamed even louder now.

“Pathetic,” one whispered loudly. “It’s just chores.”

“Ignore her,” another said. “She breaks easily.”

I stayed quiet, blinking rapidly. I knew that showing pain only made things worse. They would mock and insult me even more.

I steadied myself, determined to stand. But a shadow moved across the floor.

The teasing stopped abruptly. I knew he was here, his mate was in pains after all.

Aiden's jaw clenched as he took in the scene, my twisted ankle, the pain on my face, the way the others were laughing.

His voice dropped to a dangerous calm.

“What’s going on?” Everywhere went dead silent.

He stepped forward. “I asked you a question.”

One Omega swallowed. “She just… tripped, Alpha.”

“And that’s funny to you?”

“N-No, we didn’t—”

“Speak carefully,” Aiden warned, “because I heard you all loud and clear.”

No one dared to say anything. Then he crouched next to me.

“Elara,” he murmured, his voice gentler than anything I deserved. “Why didn’t you call for help?”

“I can handle it,” I whispered. “I don’t want to bother anyone.”

“You’re injured,” he said sharply. “You shouldn’t stand on your own.”

He placed a supportive hand behind my back. My breath caught.

“Alpha—”

“Don’t argue,” he muttered. “Let me help you.”

I didn’t want to lean on him, but I had no choice. I wobbled as I stood, and his arm wrapped firmly around my waist, holding me steady.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, his body was too familiar.

“You’re not an inconvenience,” he said softly.

Those words nearly shattered me. All my life I've been made to feel like a burden for being alive.

But before I could pull away. A sudden shove hit my shoulder from behind.

I stumbled forward, my bad ankle unable to catch me. Pain stabbed up my leg.

The hall erupted in laughter.

I bit back a cry, but my face gave me away. Something snapped inside him.

His hand shot out, catching me before I hit the floor.

But the moment his fingers closed around my arm. He froze.

His entire body tensed violently. “Elara…” he whispered, voice strangled.

I stiffened. “Alpha? What’s wrong?”

His chest heaved. His pupils blew wide, swallowing the hazel of his eyes. One hand flew to his heart as if something inside was ripping open.

“Aiden?” I whispered urgently. “Talk to me!”

He didn’t hear me.

He collapsed to one knee, gripping the floor like the ground was tilting.

His breathing turned ragged, desperate.

“Alpha!” someone cried.

But he wasn’t listening to anyone. His gaze locked onto mine with a wild, terrified intensity.

And suddenly he shouted, voice raw and breaking,

“MATE!”

The hallway went dead silent and my heart stopped almost immediately.

Aiden’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed unconscious at my feet.