ASTRID'S POV.
"Who was that man who just left?" His voice cut through the silence like a blade, deep and cold, sending a shiver down my spine.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his piercing gaze as our eyes locked.
There was no mistaking the displeasure etched across his features; the sharp lines on his forehead deepened with a frown that made my heart race with unease.
His eyes narrowed as he repeated the question, his tone even more demanding, "I'm asking you a question: Who is that man to you, and why is he here?"
The intensity in his voice made it clear he wouldn't tolerate any delay. I hesitated, knowing that any response I gave could place Beta Drake in a difficult position.
My mind raced, searching for a way to defuse the situation without revealing too much, but I could feel the walls closing in around me.
I had hoped to manage everything on my own, to keep the complications at bay, but, as always, Alpha Dane was one step ahead, forcing the discussion I had desperately tried to avoid.
“Is that your lover? A new man?” he asked abruptly, catching me completely off guard. His question hit me like a splash of cold water.
I raised my eyebrows in confusion, trying to make sense of his sudden shift in tone and the accusation behind his words.
“Answer me, Astrid. Don't test my patience. Is this the reason you've been keeping your distance from me? Are you going back to the past? Is this man the reason of your anxiety during the entire drive?”
“The hallucinations? Is it because you've been having an affair with him?” Dane demanded, his eyes wide with a mix of anger and suspicion. His gaze was intense, almost burning through me, as if trying to extract the truth by force.
“Really? Is that what it looks like? You see a man next to me, and suddenly, you jump to the conclusion that I'm having an affair?” I shot back, struggling to keep my emotions in check.
I wanted to maintain a calm facade despite the storm of frustration and hurt brewing inside me.
“Yes, maybe. I'm not sure how I’m supposed to react. You lied to me, Astrid. You told me you were just going to the restroom, but then I see you talking and sneaking around with another man. It makes me question everything,” Dane continued, his voice tinged with betrayal and frustration.
I began to understand where his anger was coming from. My behavior must have seemed suspicious, but the speed with which he leapt to such a drastic conclusion was deeply upsetting.
It felt unfair that he was questioning my feelings and intentions so readily. I had hoped we could end things on better terms, but now, the situation seemed to be spiraling out of control.
“So please, tell me the truth. Look me in the eye and say it to my face right now,” he demanded again, his voice strained and insistent.
I remained silent, fully aware that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to grasp the full scope of the situation.
“Fine, if you’re going to stay silent, then I’ll just have to ask this man, whose identity you seem so intent on hiding. He can’t have gone far,” Dane said with a resolute tone.
Determined to get answers, he turned to leave, but I reached out and grabbed him by the wrist. I couldn't let him hurt Drake.
“Wait!” I called out urgently. He halted immediately, turning to face me with a mixture of frustration and confusion etched across his face.
“I’m sorry for not telling you earlier, but please, try to calm down. The man you saw was Drake; Beta Drake, from Halfdan’s pack,” I explained, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation while bracing myself for his reaction.
Despite my attempt at clarity, I could still see the anger simmering in his eyes.
“Halfdan's Beta? What’s he doing with you? Why were you meeting him in secret?” Dane pressed, his voice tight with suspicion.
I gave a slow, measured shrug, trying to suppress my own rising frustration.
In response, I rolled up my sleeve to reveal the mark from the cut. The sight of it seemed to deflate the tension slightly.
Dane's expression shifted, but instead of relief, it was replaced by a deeper anger.
“He did this to you?” Dane asked almost immediately, his voice rising with a mix of fury and concern.
“Camilla is up to no good again,” I began, but before I could elaborate, Dane’s grip tightened on my shoulders.
His eyes locked onto mine with an expression of sheer fear and urgency.
“What did she do to you? Did she hurt you? I’ll make her pay for this!” he growled, his voice low and menacing. His anger was palpable, but I shook my head, attempting to calm him.
“Listen to me first, Dane,” I said, trying to maintain a steady tone.
“Camilla wanted Drake to kill me, but he didn’t go through with it. He came to the mansion afterward, but see? I’m still here. I just want to make sure she learns a lesson she’ll never forget.”
Dane’s expression didn’t ease; he seemed torn between worry and rage. “Are you sure you’re okay? Don’t hide anything from me, mate!” he insisted, his voice laced with concern.
“I’m not completely fine,” I admitted, “but once I’ve dealt with Camilla and shown her what happens when she crosses me, I’ll be better.” My words were sharp, reflecting my own frustration and determination.
“What exactly do you plan to do?” Alpha Dane asked, his tone demanding clarity. I clenched my jaw, tapping my foot in frustration before letting out a heavy sigh.
“First, we need to go to the Bluestone Pack. I have to have a serious discussion with my mother about all of this,” I explained.
Alpha Dane’s expression remained troubled, clearly not pleased with the situation or the steps I intended to take.
“You’ve been injured; you need to rest,” Dane insisted, his voice filled with concern.
“Besides, Camilla might be plotting another scheme. We should head to the pack house first. It’s getting late, and we can leave for the Bluestone Pack tomorrow.”
Despite his valid points, I stood my ground. “First, we’re going to the Bluestone Pack, and then I’ll rest there. I’m not changing my mind, Dane. You can either come with me or stay behind; I’m not waiting,” I said firmly, my resolve unshakable.
Alpha Dane’s eyes widened slightly at my stubbornness, but after a moment’s hesitation and seeing my unwavering determination, he reluctantly agreed.
We set off on our drive to the Bluestone Pack. When we finally arrived, it was well past midnight, and the pack house was cloaked in darkness, save for a few dim lights that illuminated the path to the entrance.
As I approached, my mother stepped out to greet us. Her face was etched with concern and confusion.
“Is everything alright? It’s quite late at night,” she asked, her voice tinged with worry as she reached out to me.
“Everything’s fine, Mother. However, I need you to contact Camilla immediately and tell her that something serious has happened. She needs to come to the pack house right away,” I instructed, my tone leaving no room for argument.
“What’s going on? Is there something I should know about?” Mother pressed, her eyes narrowing as she tried to gauge the situation.
I shrugged, my frustration evident. “I’d rather not explain everything right now. Just get her here,” I said, my impatience growing.
After a few minutes of back-and-forth discussion, during which I insisted on the urgency of the matter, she finally agreed, though reluctantly.
Her expression was a mix of worry as she went inside to make the call.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Bringing the enemy closer” Alpha Dane asked, his voice filled with concern as he stood close by, his eyes scanning the room.
I felt a surge of frustration; I was tired of the constant second-guessing. I had reached my limit with Camilla’s schemes and stupidity.
“Yes, it’s necessary. Camilla has crossed the line this time. She needs to face the consequences of her actions,” I responded firmly, my tone leaving no argument.
I walked purposefully toward the ornate throne chair positioned at the far end of the grand hall.
I intended to use it to assert my presence. As I settled into the chair, I did so with a sense of finality, waiting for Camilla to arrive.
The room was quiet except for the occasional creak of the floorboards and the distant hum of the night outside.
Minutes ticked by slowly, each second stretching into what felt like an eternity.
Finally, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, growing louder with each passing moment.
I straightened in my seat, my eyes narrowing as I prepared for her arrival.
The door to the hall creaked open, and Camilla stepped in. Her confident demeanor faltered as soon as she laid eyes on me.
The usual smugness that covered her expression melted away, replaced by a look of shock and dread.
Her hands, previously steady, began to tremble visibly. She tried to regain her composure, but the sight of me in the throne chair, waiting for her, had clearly unsettled her.
“Scared to see me alive?”