22. Secretly In Love
ALPHA RAIDEN
a
Although there was a car behind Aurelia as she stumbled, Tristan dashed to her side, holding her as she regained
her balance. An unknown feeling swelled in my heart... or maybe the feeling was known after all. | just didn't
want to admit to myself that what | felt was jealousy.
"Are you alright, Lia?" He asked softly, his grip firm on her lower back while Larisa inhaled sharply beside me, her
face oddly pale.
Aurelia voiced in response, "Yes. Just a little bit dizzy. I'm sorry-"
Alpha Tristan facedbefore she could finish speaking and he asked rhetorically, "Can she be led to her room?
We're all tired from the trip and | was told we wouldn't be staying with other visiting Alphas." Fuck that!
If I could have my way, | would have kicked Tristan out of my pack the minute he got to the border but to take
Aurelia back, | must tolerate his presence and keep him close.
"Yes. We've prepared this building for you and your entourage, Alpha Tristan." Andrew answered Tristan, making
his way forward with a set of maids behind him. "They'll help you settle in."
Trust Andrew to save the day while | was burning with jealousy and though my eyes were glued to the spit where
Tristan's hand met with Aurelia's back, | could still see the shock on the maids’ faces as they peeped at Aurelia
who they must all remember. It's only a matter of tbefore the news of her arrival spreads through the pack.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTristan led Aurelia past Larisa and me, guiding her toward the door of the building that was right behind my
home. | chose this building for a reason and | was here to welcno one else but Aurelia back to the pack yet
we didn't get to have a moment.
"Thank you." A little masked boy with curly dark blond hair said to one of the maids before taking another
woman's hand. | didn't know what to think about the light blue face mask as my attention shifted to the little girl
| once saw with Tristan. "You don't seem surprised to see her." Larisa's malicious voice resonated in my mind
before | could get over my cloudy feelings. "That's Aurelia, right? You knew she was alive? Heck, you knew she
would be coming?"
The accusation in Larisa's voice was clear. She stood before me, her hands on her hips and her pale face twisted
in anger.
"You knew she would be coming yet you broughthere to welcher back? To humiliate me?" She shouted
atthrough the mindlink.
"| told you not to cbut you insisted." | chased under my breath and started walking back to my heven
though a huge part oflonged to stay in front of that building just so | could have a moment with Aurelia.
Larisa stormed afterbut she didn't say anything tountil she shut the front door of my hbehind her.
"How can she be back? She's supposed to be dead!" Larisa snarled.
"Well, she isn't dead. She went missing that's all." | stared at her blankly, hating the idea of Aurelia's supposed
death but | also didn't want to lash at the woman who had stayed by my side for many years just because she
was in shock. "Why is she back, Raid? Please tellshe's just here for the games and you aren't still longing to
be with her." Larisa murmured, her eyes searching mine as she moved closer to me. "Please, Raid."
Larisa held my gaze, silently accusingwith tears in her eyes.
Gosh, | didn't want to lie to her but heavens knew was still struggling with the truth myself. | was still in denial
despite the heavy feeling in my heart. | wanted Aurelia back. F wanted her back in my arms, back in my life... |
have missed the tasty
meals she used to prepasty
for just
| missed everything about my destined mate.
"While you're admitting your feelings, perhaps it's tto accept that you've fallen in love with Aurelia even
before she escaped and also
define your relationship with/Soe
Doing that will make life easier for us alt." Lex pointed out, feeling less cranky for the first tin a long time
and it was definitely because Aurelia was in our pack.
In love with Aurelia? | wasn't sure about that but | was certain my feelings for Larisa had gradually faded over
the years despite her efforts to run the pack withand take on the role of Luna even though | hadn't installed
her to that office officially.
"Say something Raid!" Larisa raised her voice, tears of frustration rolling down her cheeks despite her efforts to
stay collected. "Tellher return means nothing to you and-"
"She's is here to represent her pack in the games, Isa. There's no reason to cry from your assumptions." | lied
through my teeth without blinking.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
| wasn't sure she would take my
words for what they were as her eyes searched into mine. | could only hope that the newly discovered feelings in
my heart would remain hiddenfor Larisa's sake because as much as | craved to have Aurelia back, a tiny part of
"Pathetic. You're fucking pathetic and selfish!" My wolf gritted, scratching my mind just to express his
displeasure.
Larisa on the other hand, smiled and closed the distance between us, wrapping her arms around my neck as she
embracedtightly. She sniffed, "She should be punished for running away, Raid and why would Alpha Tristan
make her a member of his pack?"
It amazedhow Larisa could quickly switch personalities. One second she was a crying mess and the next a
scheming vixen.
"To use her against me," | whispered before | could think of how those words would sound to Larisa.
She pulled back from the hug, her brows furrowing, Obviously, she had questions but Andrew walked into the
living room with a bowed head, unknowingly savingfrom myself once again.
"Your attention is needed in the general pack house, Alpha," Andrew announced toand | seized that
opportunity to escape Larisa's questions. For now at least.
"Now that she's here, what's next?" Andrew asked, whispering as we walked towards the pack house.
With zero doubts, | answered, "Make sure she never leaves again."
But how do | achieve that without destroying Larisa and provoking a war? | asked myself but little did | know that
| would willingly sacrifice everyone else to reunite with the woman | was secretly in love with.