Chapter 35: Chapter 35; Bring back our mate

Aiden’s POV

"The pack is bleeding, Alpha Aiden," one of the chief council members barked, slamming his hand on the oak table. "These rogues are staining our soil with the blood of our own. It’s a disgrace."

I clenched my fists under the table, the leather of my chair creaking as I tightened my grip.

"Our stability is crumbling," another member added, his voice rising in a frantic heat. "For three years, we were untouchable. Now? Everything is falling apart."

"Lucian is the rot at the center of it," a third voice chimed in, and the room erupted in murmurs of agreement. "He’s the head of those scarred bastards. Take him down, and the rest will scatter like rats."

Every word felt like a lash against my skin. I hated that Lucian was the shadow over my life. It was bad enough that he was touching what was mine—my mate—but now he was dismantling the pack I had spent my life building.

"Enough!" I snapped, the authority in my voice silencing the room instantly. "We will restore this country to its former glory. I see the threats, and I am already moving to wipe these peasants off the map for good."

"And what of your wedding, Alpha?"

The question was sharp, laced with a rudeness that made my inner wolf snarl. The councilman lowered his head slightly, though his eyes remained challenging. "Forgive me, Alpha, but a pack is only as strong as its Luna. You need that power beside you now more than ever."

The room held its breath, waiting for my answer.

"Fine," I said, the word tasting like ash. "The wedding will be in two nights. Prepare the celebrations. And as for Lucian? Rest assured, I will execute him publicly before this moon cycle is over."

A howl of approval rippled through the council, a bloodthirsty cheer that followed me as I stood and walked out without another word.

I retreated to the sanctuary of my bedroom, ripping the tie from my neck and tossing it aside. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my open palms. The memory of the divorce papers—the memory of Alina’s cold, resolute face as she walked away—haunted me more than any rogue ever could.

You know you need her, my wolf whispered, pacing restlessly in the back of my mind. She is our fate. The only woman meant for us. Bring her back.

"She isn’t coming back," I muttered to the empty room. "No matter how much I want it. I made the mistake of letting her go. I should never have signed those papers, and now I’m living with the truth of it."

So you’re just giving up? my wolf snarled, his agitation boiling over. You’re going to let that scarred rogue keep her? You are Alpha Aiden! You’re the strongest there is. You don’t lose.

"I’m not losing," I said, though my voice lacked conviction. "But I won’t force her. I miss her—god, I miss her—but I won’t hunt her down like a criminal. I’ll get her back, but this time, it has to be her choice. She has to come to me."

I looked at the wedding invitation on my nightstand, the gold lettering mocking me. Two days. I had two days to decide if I was going to follow through with a lie, or fight for the truth I’d thrown away.

"We need our mate. We want our mate back." My wolf’s voice was a relentless spiral, dizzying and desperate.

A sharp knock broke the cycle. The door swung open, and Emily stepped in, her face bright with a triumphant smile. I forced my features to shift, pulling a practiced mask of affection over my face to mirror hers.

"Oh, Aiden! I love you so much!" she cried, rushing across the room. She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight embrace. "I can’t believe we’re getting married so soon! There’s so much to do—where do I even begin?"

"You don’t need to worry about that," I said, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. I gently untangled her arms from my neck. "I’ll have the staff prepare everything. Your only job is to relax."

She beamed, leaning in to capture my lips with hers. I kissed her back, but the moment her touch turned hungry and desperate, I felt a wave of resistance. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of my shirt, tugging at the fabric. I reached up, catching her wrists and firmly stopping her.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, her brow furrowing with genuine confusion.

"Not tonight, Emily," I said, trying to keep my tone steady. "Let’s save it. Let’s wait for our wedding night."

A small, knowing smile returned to her lips. "Of course. We should keep the excitement building. In that case, I should go—I need to start my skin prep so I have the perfect glow for the ceremony." She gave me a quick nod and hurried out, leaving me alone in a room that suddenly felt far too small.

I let out a heavy, jagged sigh.

"We don’t love her," my wolf hissed, pacing at the edge of my consciousness. "She isn’t our mate. There is no spark, Aiden. No connection. Nothing."

"She’s my childhood friend," I whispered to the empty walls. "I made a promise. I can’t just abandon her now. Besides, the pack needs a Luna. They need the stability of a joined leadership."

"We had Alina, and you let her walk away."

The mention of her name was like a blade to the ribs. "Enough!" I snapped, my voice echoing. "She isn’t coming back because I’m not going to chase her. If she wants me, she has to come to me."

I want her to want me, I thought, but the words tasted like ash.

"We are getting ready for a wedding," I growled, silencing the wolf. "Don’t speak to me about this again."

My wolf went silent, retreating into a dark, brooding corner of my mind. I stood there, staring at the closed door, the weight of my own decisions pressing down on my chest. This was so fucking frustrating. How did I let my life become this?

"Fuck!" I roared, slamming my fist into the doorframe until the wood groaned.