ASTRID'S POV.
“Seems good enough; you can leave now,” I instructed the maid who had assisted with preparing breakfast. She gave a polite nod and exited the room, her soft footsteps fading down the hallway.
I began arranging the breakfast, carefully dishing out my portion as well as Dane’s.
Once the plates were ready, I moved over to the dining table, ensuring everything was in its place: the jugs of juice and coffee, the cups, cutlery, and neatly folded napkins.
Each item was set with precision, creating an inviting breakfast setting.
After making sure everything was perfectly arranged, I took a final, satisfied look at the table.
The meal was prepared, and now all that was left was to call Dane and enjoy our breakfast together.
As I started up the stairs to find him, I noticed someone standing midway up by the entrance. It was a male figure with his back turned to me.
I could see through the open doorway that Ivar was present, his posture unusually tense. But it was Dane’s deep frown that caught my attention and stirred my concern.
Dane's displeasure was palpable; his frown deepened, and the tension in his posture was unmistakable.
I couldn’t quite place the source of his discomfort, but it was evident that something was troubling him.
As I stifled a light yawn, I made my way toward the scene, my curiosity piqued by the unusual atmosphere.
My gaze remained locked on Dane, who continued to scowl. His mood was clearly affecting the room's ambiance.
“What’s going on here?” I inquired, raising my eyes to meet those of the male figure standing by the door.
“Ethan?” I called out, my voice tinged with surprise.
“Astrid?” Ethan responded, his own astonishment mirroring mine. The recognition in his voice was accompanied by an equally puzzled look on his face.
“Why are you here?” I asked, trying to piece together the situation. The last time I had seen Ethan, things had been chaotic, and his sudden reappearance brought back memories of those crazy days.
Reflecting on the past, I recalled how I used to accompany my father to every significant event; whether it was a pack meeting, a ceremonial occasion, or any gathering involving Alphas.
During one of my visits with my father, I unexpectedly ran into Ethan. He was looking quite well and seemed to be in good spirits.
He was dressed neatly and had a warm, welcoming smile. We talked for a few minutes, catching up on how things were going for each of us.
After a brief conversation, Ethan suddenly confessed that he had feelings for me. He described it as "love at first sight," which took me by surprise.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I tried to change the subject. At that time, I did have some affection for him, but looking back, it feels more like a youthful infatuation rather than something deeper.
It was quite a surprise to see how our relationship unfolded from that moment. However, after a while, our paths seemed to diverge, and I stopped seeing him around.
“What’s going on here? How do you know him?” Dane asked sharply, his eyes darting between Ethan and me, clearly confused and alert.
“He was my friend,” I said calmly, trying to make sense of the unexpected situation.
Dane’s expression shifted as he processed this new piece of information, his eyes widening as the reality of the situation began to sink in.
“And she is? Why are you here, Astrid?” Ethan inquired, his smile broadening as he looked at me, clearly pleased to see me again.
“She is my mate,” Dane replied firmly, stepping closer to me with a protective stance, his body language clearly indicating his desire to shield me from any potential trouble.
“Oh, now I understand,” Ethan said, his eyes lighting up with a mix of nostalgia and truth.
“Your mate is Astrid, but she happens to be my first love,” he declared, his voice carrying a mix of pride and sadness.
Even Ivar, who had been standing quietly, looked taken aback by this sudden and unexpected confession.
“What do you mean she’s your first love?” Dane demanded, his curiosity getting the better of him as he leaned forward, clearly agitated and defensive.
“You remember back when we were best brothers?” Ethan continued, his voice steady and full of emotion.
“I used to tell you about a girl I had feelings for. Well, here she is. The girl I always talked about—the one I loved. And now, she’s your mate,” Ethan revealed, his words coming out in a rush as he laid everything bare without holding anything back.
“Is this true? Is everything Ethan said true?” Dane asked urgently, his gaze shifting sharply in my direction.
His voice was filled with a mix of suspicion and hurt, making it clear he was seeking answers.
“It’s… well, not entirely. I think…” I stammered, struggling to find the right words as my emotions overwhelmed me.
I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me, making it difficult to articulate my thoughts clearly.
“How about everyone coming down to eat? Breakfast is ready, and I made just enough for everyone,” I suggested, trying to steer the conversation away from the sensitive topic.
I hoped that by focusing on something else, I could buy myself some time to think and compose myself.
I turned away from them, eager to escape the tense atmosphere, and started to head toward the door.
However, before I could make my exit, I felt a hand grip my arm tightly, pulling me back.
“Where are you running off to, Astrid? Why don’t you tell your mate the truth?” Ethan said, his voice carrying an edge of frustration.
“Tell him about the fun we had when we were younger. Tell him who your first love really is,” he challenged, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and insistence.
I turned to face him, fear creeping up inside me. I was worried he might misunderstand or misinterpret the situation.
My heart pounded as I approached him and forcefully removed my arm from his grip.
“Let her go, Ethan,” Dane said sharply, his voice filled with protective anger.
“She’s my mate, and you will treat her with the respect she deserves. Besides, I’m only allowing you to stay in the pack for a short time. Don’t start causing trouble now that you’re here. That’s all you ever seem to do!”
Dane’s words were laced with fury, his frustration clear as he confronted Ethan, making it evident he would not tolerate any more disruptions.
I could sense that the easy friendship Ethan had described no longer existed between them.
“Good enough, but that’s no way to treat or talk to your brother,” Ethan said with a hint of teasing, trying to lighten the mood despite the obvious strain.
“My brother?” Alpha Dane repeated, his tone sharp as he turned to face Ethan directly. The surprise in his voice indicated he was taken aback by the term.
“You’re not a brother of mine, Ethan,” Alpha Dane declared, his voice filled with steely resolve.
“If all you’ve ever done is cause trouble, the only reason you’re staying here is because I know you have nowhere else to go.”
“So keep your hands to yourself and watch your words. The moment I see you causing any trouble around my mate, I’ll cut all ties with you and make sure you face severe consequences,” Dane threatened, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.
He then pulled Ethan toward the door and out into the corridor, making it clear that the confrontation was over.
I stood there, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach as beads of sweat formed on my temples.
My heart raced as I tried to process the situation, not wanting to misinterpret what was happening.
While it might be better to address these issues now rather than let them fester, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
We had just begun to recover from our recent struggles, and now this new trouble threatened to undo any progress we had made.
“Astrid, I want you to know that I’m not going to judge you for any past fling you had with Ethan,” Dane said, his tone softening slightly. He paused, looking at me with a mixture of understanding and concern.
“You were much younger back then and probably didn’t know what kind of person he really is.”
He then added firmly, “But I need you to promise me you’ll stay away from him. He might appear calm and friendly, but believe me, he’s nothing but trouble. You need to be cautious.”
I nodded in acknowledgment, appreciating his concern as we continued walking together.
Despite my agreement, my eyes couldn’t help but glance back briefly at Ethan, who was trailing behind us. He was giving me a faint, almost melancholic smile.
As I turned my gaze back to the front, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Ethan didn’t seem like the trouble Dane described.
His calm demeanour and gentle smile made it hard for me to fully accept the warning, leaving me with mixed feelings about the situation.