DANE'S POV.
I checked the time and saw that four long hours had already passed. I stood up and started walking around the room in circles. I didn’t know what to do anymore.
I had gotten about fourteen missed calls and text messages from Astrid, asking me to call her back.
I couldn’t just shake off the first message because I was worried that something might be seriously wrong and she could be in danger.
As soon as the call ended earlier, I got a text from Astrid. She said she was feeling eager to see me and wanted to meet me later, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I found myself at this place, unable to control my actions.
I planned to go after her, even though she had insisted she didn’t need my help. How could I just sit around knowing my mate was in pain?
I ended the call despite promising to stay put and was about heading to the hospital. But before I could get there, I received a text from an unknown number.
The message asked me to come to a tavern, saying they had important information to share.
Normally, I would have ignored a message from an unknown number, but it’s not easy to get my contact ID.
Even though I wanted to dismiss it as a prank, I couldn’t afford to take that chance after all the recent attempts on Astrid’s life.
I decided it was better to hear out whoever sent the message rather than risk missing an opportunity to help her.
The situation had gotten urgent, leaving me with few options. I dialled the number again, hoping for one last chance to get some information. I needed to find Astrid as soon as possible.
As I waited, I heard a phone ringing near the entrance. I frowned and saw a shadow approaching me through the iron-wrought doors.
“Finally, who are you and why am I here?” I asked, trying to keep my frustration in check. To my shock, it was Halfdan who stepped into view.
“Halfdan?” I said, struggling to control my anger.
“Seriously? You came all this way to talk to me about Astrid? You were the one who sent that text message? You made me waste four precious hours, and it turns out it was you behind it all?” I demanded, struggling to understand the situation. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
Halfdan finally spoke up, “I see you showed up.” I scoffed, seeing him smirking as if he was enjoying himself. It infuriated me even more.
“I don’t know what games you’re playing, Halfdan, but keep me out of them. I have no interest in whatever you’re up to. I’m leaving,” I said sharply, trying to push past him. But he quickly moved in front of me, blocking my way.
“Get out of my way!” I yelled, frustration clear in my voice.
“Calm down, okay? I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon. I had to travel a long distance from my pack, and to top it off, I had a flat tire. That’s why I’m late. So, would you like something to eat? Let’s sort this out like civilised men,” he said.
I couldn’t help but scoff again. The more he spoke, the more his explanations seemed unbelievable and irritating.
“Don’t act like we’re friends or anything,” I said sharply.
“What could you possibly have to say about Astrid? And why would I want to stand here and listen to you?”
“I’m serious, it’s about Astrid,” Halfdan insisted, trying to meet my glare.
“Then spill it! If you have something important to say, you’d better start now. I don’t have time for your silly games,” I demanded, my tone blunt and impatient.
“Fine then, what do you want to eat?” he asked again, as if trying to shift the focus.
“Are you kidding me? If you don’t have anything to say about Astrid, I’m leaving right now, Halfdan. I know you’re usually up to no good, and today doesn’t seem like it’ll be any different. So if you have something to say, just say it,” I retorted, my patience running out.
“Alright, at least give me a handshake!” he pleaded. His desperation to make peace seemed suspicious, and I could tell something was off about him.
“You’ve got eight seconds left, Halfdan. Either say what you need to say or I’m walking out of here,” I said firmly, standing up to emphasise my point.
My tone was final, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Fine… I want my Mate back!” Halfdan blurted out. For a moment, there was complete silence as I stared at him, trying to process his words.
Then, suddenly, a hysterical laugh burst from me, uncontrollable and loud.
“It’s not funny, Dane,” he said, but his attempt to stay serious only made me laugh harder. His boldness in making such a ridiculous claim was almost comical.
“Well, it is funny! You delayed me, sent me a message, and got me to meet you here, only to tell me this nonsense?” I shot back, my sarcasm clear in every word.
“Don’t act like you care about her now; you didn’t before. Now that she’s the Alpha of your Bluestone Pack, suddenly you’re interested?” Halfdan fired back, his words dripping with accusation.
His remarks made me feel nauseous. Was he really serious? Did he think I was with Astrid just because she had become the Alpha? The idea was absurd.
While it may have taken time for me to fall in love with her, his false accusations were starting to seriously annoy me.
“It’s you who shouldn’t be greedy, Halfdan. You should know your place in her life. You rejected her first, didn’t you? So why are you showing up now?” I said, my voice sharp and accusing.
“You should…” As I spoke, a sudden, sharp pain pierced through my heart, making me gasp.
I had to stop mid-sentence, feeling the pain stab into my sides and spread through my body. I leaned heavily against the table for support, trying to catch my breath.
“Mate,” I whispered faintly, clutching my chest, the word escaping my lips with a sense of helplessness.
“Astrid isn’t safe,” I mumbled, struggling to stand up and leave. But before I could move, Halfdan stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“Get the bloody hell away from me!” I snapped, frustration and anger boiling over. Despite my demand, Halfdan stayed firmly in place, obstructing my way.
Overwhelmed by a mix of pain and fury, I pushed Halfdan aside.
He stumbled and fell to the ground, but I didn’t wait to see his reaction. My focus was entirely on getting to Astrid and ensuring her safety.
“Don’t you ever block my path again or speak to me about Astrid claiming Astrid. Do you understand?” I warned, my voice low and dangerous, before turning to leave.
As I approached the car, Beta Ivar was already there, holding the door open. He eyed me with a mix of concern and suspicion.
Suddenly, a sharp cry of pain escaped my lips, causing me to halt abruptly. I felt a wave of agony wash over me, making it difficult to breathe.
Ivar rushed over, his eyes wide with worry as he looked at me closely. “Are you okay, Alpha?” he asked urgently.
“No… no, I’m not…” I said, panic creeping into my voice. My heart pounded uncontrollably, each beat feeling like it might burst through my chest.
“My mate is in danger,” I groaned, clutching at my chest.
“I don’t know what’s happening, but I need to save her! She’s in trouble, and I can’t let anything happen to her!”
The urgency in my voice was clear, as I struggled to maintain control over the fear and desperation rising within me.