Nalya
I squeaked and clutched my chest in shock. I inhaled and smiled at Miss Nadia. She smiled back at me kindly, and I almost buckled. She scrutinized me up and down. Her hand caressed my cheek gently.
"You have lovely eyes, Nalya," she whispered. She almost sounded enchanted. She let go in surprise and shuffled uncomfortably.
"I heard you play and couldn't resist coming. I'm sorry if I interrupted you," I said.
"No, dear. Do you play?"
"Yes, but not as good as you," I said. Miss Nadia smiled at me, and warmness spread through my body. Miss Nadia held my hand and took me to a white bench while she sat where she did, looking so poised, and started to play for me. The music soothed me so much, and so did her scent. She felt acquainted with me.
Rhaegar's Pov
I was angry as the two old alphas were arguing in the meeting. I can't believe I left my mate for this bullshit! The Spring and Winter Moon pack didn't get along since the beginning of time, but their declaring war was something new.
"We are going to war, my Prince. I'm tired of that Buffon always encroaching, and blocking our traders!" The alpha of the Spring Moon Pack, Moses, hollers.
"I didn't, you did. And as for your traders, they need to find another route because we have closed our borders and seas. After all, your people are thieves!" The winter moon alpha shouted. I glared at my beta. He could have handled this without my need to come. He only shook his head as he watched the two men throw threats of war against each other.
"You old wench, how dare you! I challenge you in single combat!"
"Good, I'll skin you alive,"
The old egoistic alphas were throwing profanities at one another, and I couldn't take it anymore. I hit the table so hard that they almost jumped from their seats.
"This is getting old now, like you two. Are you not tired of these petty battles already? You are sending your men to their deaths because of your ego," I said.
"My Prince, Moses has been-"
"Enough. I refuse any acts of war against each other. Whosoever initiates it will be shunned from society and will suffer greatly economically," I declared, looking at the war generals from each side.
The meeting continued. No one threatened to cut open someone's neck. We discussed further about the welfare and economic growth in the packs.
Three days later, with a lot of reasoning, the Winter Moon agreed to open their routes for trade, and after concluding everything, I was ready to go back home to my mate. I wanted to hold her and tell her the truth of my feelings.
I left the car when we arrived at the packhouse, disregarding those waiting for us and going straight to Nalya's room. I felt the emptiness of her presence as soon as I entered the house. Dread filled me when she wasn't in her room, and my stomach twisted in anguish.
'Maybe she's working,' my wolf said.
'No, she's not,'
I didn't want to check the closet. I was afraid it was empty.
"Kendrick, where is she?" I boomed, entering his suite. The two women on his bed squealed.
"Get the fuck out!" I ordered. They quickly gathered their clothes and ran out,
"I was having a three-some, Rhaegar,"
"Where is my mate,"
He looked at me with something that resembled pity in his eyes and said, " She's gone,"
"W- What do you mean she's gone? Where?"
"Just that. Nalya didn't say,"
"Why didn't you tell me!" I roared. I was seething with anger. My mate was gone, and he didn't bother to stop her.
"She told me that you knew," he said.
My chest was rising and falling. I couldn't believe this was happening to me right now.
"She left me some letters, one for you, Ella, and Nate," he said, rummaging through his drawer.
I took mine with shaking hands. It didn't contain much.
"Prince Rhaegar, thank you so much for taking me in when I had nowhere else to go. You're a good man, and may you be happy always,"
I let the paper fall to the ground. I could hear the distant voices of my Gamma saying something. I felt tremendous sadness.
May you be happy? How could she say that? Did she know how much happiness she brought me just by watching her breathe or sit... Anything.
I couldn't breathe in this room. My wolf was whimpering. He was hurt and blamed me.
"Rhaegar, are you alright?"
I wasn't okay. I needed to find my mate and ask her to come back. I felt like I'd go crazy if she didn't come back. I wanted her when I found her, but I didn't know what it'd do to me.
Frustrated and angry, I let out a growl. I did it again and again, my wolf growling with me.
Roma and Nate entered the room, both worried.
"Rhaegar, you're scaring the whole packhouse. Is everything okay?"
I couldn't answer my little brother. My head was pounding. I wanted to wake up from this. Nate knew instantly. He stepped closer to comfort me, but I glared at him.
"Find my mate,"
I left my Gamma's room, and Roma followed me closely.
"Mate?" he asked.
I reached my bedroom and went to the bar. I grabbed a bottle of bourbon and looked him in the eye.
"She's my mate,"
He was confused, shaking his head, and finally, realization dawned, and his face paled.
"Nalya, brother, w... why didn't you tell me?"
"I rejected her," he confessed. Roma's face instantly changed from confusion to rage. He was growling lowly at me.
"You are a bastard," he spat and turned to leave. Only he could insult me and walk away alive.