Dane's POV.
“Alpha Dane, we...” Beta Ivar, who had sprinted up to me the second I left Astrid's room, spoke up, but before he could finish his words, I cut in, halting his statement to me instantly.
“Why did you tell the enemy about my curse? Why?” I fumed as I asked him with a deep voice, my eyes piercing through his as I awaited his response.
From how he kept acting, there was no doubt that he was scared of me, and there was no doubt that he never expected such questions from me.
"Alpha, I...” he stuttered before pursuing his lips, obviously not sure about what he was going to say to me.
Well, he better retains a good explanation. Cursed by my father, I swore never to show it or reveal it. The plan was to conceal it till the end, till it was broken, but as it stands, Astrid, my enemy Mate, knew about it, and believe me when I say I'm convinced it wasn't protected anymore.
With time, everyone will know about it because she loathed me.
“Speak up this minute, Ivar! Why were you so careless!?” I snapped, my fist clenching as I stood at a spot, questioning him.
If I moved further towards him, then I would definitely do something crazy to him, and I was trying not to.
“I'm so sorry, Alpha Dane... I really didn't mean to tell her, but you leaped towards her, and you were about to kill her. She saw it all, and there was no way I could have hid the truth from her!” He responded, bowing his head to me.
“Come on, Ivar... Just because she saw it all doesn't mean she must know the truth! That doesn't mean you can't lie to hide the truth! You've made the worst mistake, Ivar. You don't know who will be coming for her next.” I ran my fingers through my hair; the frustration building up in me was evident at this moment.
“I apologise for doing such, Alpha Dane. I was thinking that because she is your mate, she should know the truth at least.” He expressed as he swiftly went to his knees, his eyes daring not to stare into mine.
“My plan has never been to put you in danger, and you know it, Alpha Dane... I just don't know why I kept assuming things.” He added innocently, his words instantly made me feel bad, and I couldn't help but feel guilt wash all over me.
Almost immediately, he went on his knees, his head still bowed to the ground.
If there was something I was uncomfortable with, it was the fact that Beta Ivar, my best friend, would kneel to beg me.
“Get up; you being that way disgusts me!” I commanded, and because he could sense the sincerity in my voice, he stood to his feet, a smile twisting on his lips.
He was only trying to make me forgive him, but that was something I had already done.
“Don't give me that weird look, Ivar... Just tell me what happened. Why were you running towards me earlier?” I inquired, as I gazed at him. He looked unsure at first, and it made me perplexed.
“Well, Alpha Dane… I still don't mean this, but the elders of the pack are coming, and I couldn't stop them!” He pointed out, making me more furious.
I was beginning to forget the fact that I had been raging for so long now, and here Ivar was, telling me about the pack elders, the same men that I disliked to the core.
“I know you are angry, Alpha Dane, but we...” he was going to say, but swiftly, I cut in.
“I'm not going to meet with them, and that's it! Tell them to head back. I never summoned them!” I turned on my heels to leave, but Ivar didn't stop speaking.
“Alpha, you know how cruel those men could be... What if they do something crazy to you? You need to see them, or at least hear them out. I bet it won't waste that much energy!” Ivar let out, convincing me at this point.
He knew how much I desired never to confront any of them, but yet, here he was trying to make me do it.
“Send them back!” I insisted, not wanting to listen to the words that he had to say to me.
I began to walk over to my study, and because Ivar had something to say to me, he didn't stop chasing after me from behind.
“What if they have something to tell you? important announcement at that, Alpha Dane?” He uttered, but I didn't say a single word to him. I kept heading for my study, not wanting to say a word to him about it anymore.
Whatever they planned on doing was never going to be any of my business.
“Come on, Alpha... I could be doomed if you don't join them in the hall the second they arrive.” The second he made such a proclamation, I halted before turning to look at him.
If there was something I didn't like, it was Ivar's position as my Beta to be threatened.
My fist clenched tightly at this juncture, making me shut my eyes briefly before opening them again.
“Fine! I'll go for their so-called discussion, but make sure that Astrid's doors are shut and properly guided.” I ordered before walking closer to where Ivar stood.
“Lock them properly; I wouldn't want anyone to lay a single eye on my bride. It won't soothe well with me if it happens!” I enunciated before I pivoted on my heels and went into my dressing room, ignoring the fact that I had planned on going to my study.
Seeing that they had informed Beta Ivar that they were on their way, there was no doubt that they were pretty close to the pack's mansion.
Just as I was half way closer, a strong grip held me from behind, halting me in my tracks. Turning to see who it was, I found Beta Ivar, cackling like a kid.
“What has gotten over you, Ivar?” I snapped, pulling my hand out of his grip.
“You were thinking she was the one, right?” He was obviously mocking me.
“Just go do what I asked you to. I won't be happy if it isn't done!” I warned him clearly.
“Just a single question, Dane,” he called me by my name, making me realise that he isn't speaking to me as my Beta at this point but as my best friend.
“You are jealous that she'd be taken away from you, right? You claim you hate her and her pack, but you really don't, right? You are beginning to fall for her, Dane.” He asserted, and the second he made his last statement, I sensed my heart racing, not out of fear but for the fact that maybe Ivar wasn't spilling shit.
“Never! I will never fall for an enemy, Ivar!”