Chapter 5
1492 Words
Paige’s POV
Wearing a simple white dress, I put my lipstick on and slightly tilted my head while staring at my own reflection in the mirror. I can't believe I forgot myself after I fell in love with Noah Hanson.
Tiana, whined softly in the back of my mind. She still yearned for our mate, despite the pain he had caused us. I pushed her feelings aside, determined to move forward.
"Paige, how long have you planned to make us wait here?" Ares' voice brought me back to my senses. I pursed my lips and heaved a sigh. That cousin of mine is so short-tempered and impatient.
"I'm coming!" I answered and grabbed my purse. Aunt Precy, our pack's respected she-wolf doctor, invited us for dinner. I think it's her way of helping me to recover. I'm really glad I have her and my cousins.
Ares' crumpled face and Alex's smiling face welcomed me. Achilles was the one who offered a hand to me when I reached the bottom of the stairs. I smiled at him. "Thanks."
He just nodded and let go of my hand. Just like Alex, I know Achilles and Ares cares for me. They treated me as their princess when we were young.
"Paige, darling." Aunt Precy kissed my cheek. "You are so beautiful. We're always here for you, okay? Don't ever forget that. Our family stands together, no matter what."
I smiled at her. We went out together. Ares was the one driving the car and Achilles was beside him in the passenger seat. I saw Alex wink at me. He's in the back while Aunt Precy and I are in the middle.
"Why did you suddenly plan dinner, mother dear?" Alex asked playfully.
I smiled after Aunt Precy smacked Alex's head. "Behave, Alex."
I laughed and stuck my tongue out. Alex rolled his eyes at me. I just shook my head and waited patiently. We stopped in front of a high-class restaurant. I looked at Aunt Precy. She just smiled and snaked her arm around mine. She guided me inside the restaurant.
I slowed down as I saw how a middle-aged man welcomed Aunt Precy. If I'm not mistaken, this man is Simon Andrews, the Alpha of our pack, The Lightning Pack.From what I know, he’s remarkably gentle and polite—unusually mild-tempered for an Alpha. He owns a pharmaceutical company called SVA Pharmaceuticals. Wait… I think my Aunt Precy actually works there.
I turned to Alex, then to Achilles and finally to Ares. I know Aunt Precy's story.Her mate died years ago in a pack war. She single-handedly raised triplet boys and me through all the hardships. After losing her mate, she struggled to find happiness—definitely the reason why my cousins hated every werewolf who tried to court Aunt Precy.
"Mom!" It was Alex.
Aunt Precy turned to us. There's a hint of sadness in her eyes as she slowly flashes a smile. "Can we sit first? I want to introduce you to someone."
Ares aggressively shook his head. "I'm outta here."
"Ares!"
Achilles heaved a sigh and sat on the chair. I turned to Alex, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to sit. I chewed my bottom lip and walked towards Alpha Simon. I smiled at him. "Hi, I'm Paige. Aunt Precy's niece."
He smiled gently and accepted my hand. "I'm happy to finally meet you, Paige. I heard a lot about you from your Aunt Precy. I'm Simon Andrews."
As we shook hands, I caught a whiff of his scent—fresh sage, comforting and steady, just like the warmth Aunt Precy carried with her.Alpha Simon and Aunt Precy must get along perfectly, I’m sure of it.
I smiled again and nodded. I held Aunt Precy's hand as we sat together.
"I'm Simon Andrews. I know you don't like me for your mom–"
"Glad you know," Alex cut him off, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
Alex was like that—sneering at any werewolf who got close to Aunt Precy, never mind if they were an Alpha.
"Alex!" Aunt Precy begged. Alex heaved a sigh and looked away.
"Let's just talk after dinner. Let's order first," Aunt Precy stated and I agreed.
Alpha Simon was about to call a waiter when Alex rose from his seat. He looked so pissed.
"Alex, sit down," Aunt Precy said angrily.
Alex laughed sarcastically. "I lost my appetite, mom. Just call me when you decide to go home."
Alex walked out, leaving me dumbfounded. Alex was never this rude to anyone. I think his hate towards Aunt Precy's suitors intensified over the years.
I looked at Alpha Simon and Aunt Precy apologetically. "I'm sorry. I'll just follow him."
Aunt Precy nodded so I turned to Alpha Simon again. "I hope we meet again for dinner again next time. Nice to meet you, Alpha Simon."
I left immediately to follow Alex. I was biting my lip while roaming my eyes around when someone dragged me to the dark.
"Who are–hmm! " I tried to fight back but the person dragging me was so strong. My resistance intensified after I smelled a familiar scent of a man. That whiskey-and-cedar with aftershave, the scent that used to pull at me like a instinct. Of course I recognized it.
Tears formed in the corner of my eyes. What does he want again?
"You remember my scent, huh? " Noah whispered in my ear after he cornered me between his body and the wall.
I sucked in a breath and looked at him angrily. My heart was pounding in combined anger and nervousness.I saw his smirk as he eyed me intensely. "Hi, sweetheart. Long time no see. What are you doing here, huh? Are you dating someone already?"
I pushed him but he didn't budge. He just looked at my hand on his chest and looked into my eyes again. As if burned, I pulled my hand back. He bit his bottom lip as he swiftly glanced at my lips. I clenched my jaws. He's a jerk!
"I have a proposition to make, sweetheart."
"Stop calling me that!"
He chuckled. "What do you prefer, then? Baby? Darling? Love? Honey? Or maybe...mate?"
I covered my ears in frustration. "Stop! Just stop, Noah! I don't want to hear anything from you!"
His jaws clenched. "The mating bond dissolution will be processed if you agree to give the pup to me, Paige."
I gaped at him. I can't believe this. How many times has he planned to disappoint me in this lifetime? Why does he keep on giving me reasons to hate him more? I want to continue my life and live in peace but he's not giving me what I want.
"Come on, Paige. I'll give you the mansion–"
I didn't let him finish. I slapped him so, so hard. I saw how his cheeks reddened. I quickly wiped my tears and looked at him with nothing but hatred. "You're a rotten asshole, Noah Hanson. Eat your money and your mansion. Do whatever you want. Stop the mating bond dissolution , I don't care anymore. I’ve already accepted your rejection. The bond between us is over—completely. That so-called mating bond dissolution is just a legal formality for the pack. We have no shared assets to dispute, so I couldn’t care less whether you file the paperwork or not. Just stay out of my life.And never ever mention my pup again. I hope you lose everything you have and suffer your whole life."
"You can't escape our bond, Paige," Noah growled, his eyes flashing with a predatory gleam. "We're mates. That pup is as much mine as it is yours."
Damn it！This stupid mate bond. Even though he rejected me and I accepted it, that didn’t mean our bond was severed. It wouldn’t be severed until he marked someone else.
I turned my back and was about to leave when he grabbed my wrist. He grabbed it harshly that I screamed in pain. My injured wrist hurts whenever it is forced.
"PAIGE!" I heard a familiar voice followed by curses. I don't know how it happened. It was so fast. I just realized that Alex is continuously punching Noah who's also punching him back nonstop.
Alex was no match for Noah. As an Alpha, Noah was way stronger. I saw Alex get badly beaten.
"Alex!" I screamed and tried to stop them but I felt something rolling down my legs. I looked down and cried in panic after I saw blood in my thighs. No! No, my pup! No!
The scent of my blood filled the air, causing both Noah and Alex to freeze. Noah's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening.
"Paige," he whispered, reaching out to me. But it was too late. The world spun around me as I collapsed, the pain and fear overwhelming my senses.
- Writer
