Chapter 8
“Alpha,” Nathan began cautiously, after a moment of silence between them, “you said Aurora did something… something unforgivable. But what could she have possibly done that would make you reject her, your fated mate, over someone from your past?”
Fenrir’s face darkened, as if dredging up painful memories. His gaze dropped to the floor, and his voice was barely a murmur. “It wasn’t easy for me to believe, either, Nathan. But Arianna… she told me that Aurora was responsible for her disappearance. Aurora did that so I could marry her, Nathan.”
Nathan’s face twisted with skepticism, his disbelief clear. “Alpha, with all due respect, that doesn’t sound like Aurora. She’s never shown a hint of cruelty or manipulation in all the time she served as our Luna. She’s always put you and the pack before herself.”
Fenrir’s jaw clenched. He had known Aurora as a loyal, gentle mate, but the seed of doubt Arianna planted had taken root and festered. It was hard to ignore.
“I know Aurora’s character,” he admitted, though his voice sounded uncertain even to his own ears. “But Arianna said it with such conviction. And she was the one I loved first—why would she lie?”
Nathan shook his head, disbelief hardening into frustration. “But you’re both fated mates, Alpha. Aurora is your destined Luna, the one chosen by the Moon Goddess. How could Arianna manipulate you into doubting that? She doesn’t have the bond with you that Aurora does. Arianna is nothing but a devil!”
Just then, the door to Fenrir’s office swung open, and Arianna appeared, her expression dark as she narrowed her eyes at Nathan.
“What did you just say?” she demanded, her tone laced with venom. Her gaze fixed on Nathan, who met her glare with a steady defiance, refusing to back down.
Nathan took a breath, his own eyes flashing with anger.
Arianna’s face twisted with fury, and in one swift motion, she raised her hand and struck Nathan across the face.
The sound of the slap echoed in the room, and Nathan staggered slightly but held his ground, his eyes blazing with contempt.
Fenrir surged to his feet, anger flooding his veins as he realized what had just happened.
“Arianna, enough!” he commanded, his voice cold and laced with authority. He stepped between her and his Beta, his expression darkening. “I won’t tolerate this behavior, especially not toward my Beta. Apologize, and leave us.”
Nathan took a deep breath, his expression softening as he saw the weariness etched into his Alpha’s face. “Fenrir, sometimes, the heart doesn’t choose based on reason. We can be led by emotion, by nostalgia, by promises that feel too powerful to let go. But Aurora was your true mate, the one chosen by destiny, and she loved you. That kind of bond isn’t something to be taken lightly.”
Fenrir remained silent, staring down at his hands as he absorbed his Beta’s words.
The memories of Aurora’s gentleness, her quiet loyalty, and her unwavering strength lingered in his mind, contrasting starkly with Arianna’s bitterness and selfishness.
“You still have time, Alpha,” Nathan continued gently. “Maybe it’s time you confront what’s really driving you, what’s really keeping you tied to someone who brings out the worst in you.”
Fenrir didn’t respond immediately, but the doubt and turmoil on his face spoke volumes.
He was beginning to question the path he had chosen, beginning to see the possibility that he had let go of someone extraordinary for all the wrong reasons.
And for the first time, he wondered if he could ever make amends—or if it was already too late.
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