HALFDAN'S POV.
Fueled by a seething anger that felt like fire running through my veins, I stormed out of the room.
My frustration reached its peak as I slammed the door behind me, the crash echoing like thunder in the silence of the mansion.
“Alpha Halfdan, are you…” Beta Drake began to call out, his voice trailing off as he caught sight of me.
I didn’t glance back, didn’t flinch at the interruption, and didn’t care about his concern.
Every step I took was driven by a fierce determination to avoid any further confrontation. I marched out of the grand mansion, my rage propelling me forward.
Once outside, I threw myself into the waiting taxi with a sense of urgency and purpose, eager to escape the suffocating presence of Camilla.
“Where to, Alpha?” The driver’s voice held a note of recognition as he glanced at me in the rearview mirror.
“Any closest bar!” I barked out, my voice sharp with irritation. Without a moment’s delay, he roared the engine to life, and the taxi lurched forward, speeding towards the nearest bar.
As the city lights streaked past, my mind churned with the anger and betrayal Camilla had caused.
Each thought stoked the flames of my frustration, making it burn hotter and more uncontrollable.
When we finally reached the bar, I threw some cash at the driver without a word and stormed out of the cab.
The bar’s entrance greeted me with a raucous laughter and loud music that only intensified my irritation.
I bypassed the bustling crowd, disgusted by the noise and commotion. Without hesitation, I approached the bar counter and reserved a private room.
Snatching the key from the bartender, I pushed through the clamour and retreated into the room, slamming the door behind me.
Once inside, I immediately ordered a collection of the strongest, hottest drinks they had.
As the bottles arrived, I felt a grim satisfaction. I planned to drown my anger in alcohol until the burning rage within me finally subsided.
******
“Sir, the bar will close in ten minutes,” the waiter said, his tone tinged with concern. “I don’t think you should have more wine. Should we call a cab for you? Your car will be kept safe until tomorrow,” he added, trying to be helpful.
“An hour. Keep the bar open for another hour; I’ll pay extra. And yes, bring me more wine, then leave me alone. I need my privacy,” I commanded, punctuating my words with a belch.
The waiter nodded, his expression sympathetic, and swiftly poured a fresh bottle of Scotch. He bowed deeply and retreated to his station, leaving me alone with my thoughts. A grim smile curled on my lips as I relished the solitude.
I dropped the cigarette’s butt into the ashtray and lit another one, the pungent smoke filling the air. I sighed deeply, savouring the burn of the alcohol as it slid down my throat. I was far from ready to face home; it would only amplify my distress, and I had no intention of embroiling myself in more complications.
I sank into the plush couch, allowing the pain to seep down my spine with every gulp of Scotch. The thought of returning to Camilla's presence was unbearable.
I had secured a private booth to avoid rumours and prying eyes from the pack. Making it clear that I needed peace more than privacy.
The suffocating feeling of being deceived made it difficult to breathe and even harder to silence the relentless rage in my mind.
I regret my choice now. With every passing second, my mind drifted toward Astrid.
I didn’t want to lose her; my thoughts were filled with her, but it didn’t change the fact that I had despised her now and she no longer belonged to me in my eyes.
I felt like a fool for making such reckless decisions to be with her in the first place. I had no idea this was the true side of Camilla, and maybe she was right about what she said.
Maybe I really did choose her because I believed the pack would be passed down to her.
I may have thought Astrid was weak, but seeing how bright and vibrant she suddenly became made me regret a lot of things.
Matching Dane’s brisk pace was nearly impossible for me. His unwavering affection for Astrid, combined with his fierce protection of her, left me feeling utterly powerless and sidelined.
Every glance they exchanged, every tender moment, was like a dagger twisting in my gut, fueling a deep, seething jealousy.
All I wanted was for Astrid to return to me, to undo the heartache that had become an unbearable burden.
As I attempted to rise from the couch, I stumbled, nearly losing my balance. A yawn escaped me, but I forced myself to push through the grogginess.
With effort, I rubbed my palms across my face, trying to clear my foggy thoughts, and made my way out of the suite.
After settling the bill, I stumbled outside, my vision swaying as I hailed a cab. I could barely see straight, the alcohol clouding my senses, but the urgency to speak with Astrid outweighed the drunken haze.
“The Red Moon Pack!” I instructed the driver, my voice hoarse but resolute. The driver nodded quickly, and the engine roared to life.
The cab jolted forward, speeding towards the Red Moon Pack as I slumped back, struggling to stay awake.
Each bump and turn in the road felt magnified, but my mind remained fixed on one goal: reaching Astrid and taking her back.
Several hours had passed, and I finally arrived at the grand entrance of the main mansion, my vision swimming in and out of focus as I approached the guards stationed at the gate.
“I’m here to see Astrid. Let me in,” I demanded, my voice thick with urgency and frustration.
The guard, his expression stern and unmoved, replied, “The Alpha has imposed a curfew. You’re not allowed to be here at this hour. They will not be seeing visitors.”
A surge of anger roared through me, the denial igniting my already frayed nerves.
“Do you know who I am? Tell Astrid that Alpha Halfdan is here to see her. Leave the rest to her. I swear, you’ll both regret turning me away!” I snapped, my voice sharp with fury.
The guard’s eyes narrowed in derision. “Yeah, right. If a drunk fool like you is an Alpha, then what am I? A Lycan King?” he mocked. The other guards burst into laughter, their scornful mirth echoing around me.
“Toss this man out, boys,” the guard ordered with a dismissive wave.
My arms were seized by the guards, and despite my struggles—kicking and thrashing—I was no match for their combined strength.
The alcohol had sapped my coordination and energy, making me weak and defenceless.
They threw me unceremoniously onto the cold, hard ground. My body was bruised and aching from the rough handling, pain flaring up from every hit.
I lay there, fists clenched and teeth gritted, my mind seething with rage and humiliation.
They had barred me from seeing Astrid, but I refused to be turned away. I had to find another way in, no matter what it took.
I stumbled through the mansion’s exterior, each step growing more precarious as my vision blurred from exhaustion and alcohol.
My resolve was unshakable; nothing was going to stop me from reaching Astrid.
Determined, I scaled the walls with unsteady hands, avoiding the patrols of guards. My mind raced as I scanned the doors, trying to locate Astrid’s room.
I noticed a room where maids were frequently entering and exiting, their movements suggesting it might be a place where she could be.
Heart pounding, I darted toward the room, moving quickly through the dimly lit hallways.
But my haste betrayed me; I stumbled over an unseen object, sending it crashing to the floor with a resounding thud that reverberated through the corridors.
“Damn it,” I muttered, wincing at the sound. I scrambled to my feet, but as I looked up, I came face-to-face with Dane.
“Sneaking around now? Do you really think my men wouldn’t notice someone trying to break in?” Dane’s voice dripped with a mix of mockery and satisfaction, his gaze piercing and full of disdain. His tone only fueled my anger further.
“I’m not here to deal with you. I need to speak with my mate, not waste time with you. Get out of my way,” I growled, my voice rough and edged with frustration.
Dane’s eyes narrowed, his expression twisted with scorn. “Your mate?” he echoed, his tone dripping with disbelief and derision.
“You’re here to see your mate? How charming,” Dane said with a mocking edge in his voice.
“But here’s the reality check: last I heard, you rejected her. That makes her off-limits to you. Leave now, or I’ll have my guards toss you out—roughly.” he warned sternly.
“I don’t care about your warnings,” I shot back, my voice filled with stubborn will.
“I’ll be back for her. Astrid is my mate, and she belongs with me. I promise you, I’ll return.”