Chapter 25 Eiden
Eiden's POV
I'm sure I was happy yesterday. Waiting for Liam at the playground, watching the kids play, and having lunch with Celeste, Liam, and Levi.
I even asked Omega to make them lamb sandwiches.
The only annoying part was having to sit in the rogue clan's border office while they checked my identity and made sure I hadn't done anything bad in their territory.
That day, I visited the elder's residence.
An hour at the rogue clan's border was like a minute in this residence, sitting on the sofa in front of the elders, who were staring at me with sharp, curious expressions.
Maybe I was here because I stole some time yesterday and made Beta Serena cover for me more than what we’d agreed on.
"You look fine. You take care of yourself well," said the youngest elder. I didn't know whether he was complimenting me or teasing me.
“Yeah, of course. It’s not hard to take care of myself,” I said casually. “And I won’t forget to mention the omegas who cook great food every day.”
The elders gave me different reactions—some were impressed, while others clearly didn’t like what I said.
"I have a lot of work to do." I glanced at my watch before turning back to them, begging for their understanding in expediting our meeting. "What exactly is it you want to tell me?"
"We only want to know one thing: have you started looking for your mate, or have you secretly already found one?" another elder asked, hopeful.
This is why I've been reluctant to meet with the elders. These past few years, all they've asked me about is my mate. They're worried the Moon Goddess won't give me one.
"Stop dating women who will never be your mate," said the elder sitting next to the oldest. "You should focus on finding your mate." He glared at me as if that would change my habits.
I laced my fingers together and rested them on my thighs. They had no idea I had met my mate six years ago, and even had a son with her.
I wondered if they'd have a heart attack when they found out I'd rejected my mate the morning after we'd slept together.
They shouldn’t be upset that I had a son—even if I didn’t know whether Liam wanted to become my heir—but at least I was building a father-son bond with him.
“You understand how important a mate is for you, right?” the oldest elder finally spoke, joining the others in lecturing me. “An Alpha must have a Luna—and your Luna has to be the one chosen by the Moon Goddess.”
“You can’t just pick any woman to be your mate or Luna. The Moon Goddess has a much more beautiful destiny prepared for you,” the youngest elder said.
"I understand." I nodded. "Don't worry, I'll find my mate."
I felt guilty seeing the bright smiles on their faces.
I had lied to them.
I’d already stopped dating, and I didn’t go to clubs or bars anymore. Turns out I can live just fine without alcohol.
But I wasn’t out there looking for a second mate. That thought wasn’t even in my head right now. I was still too stunned that my ex-mate had a child with me.
“You must find your mate soon and then have children with her. We need a future Alpha.”
I hated the way they talked, like a Luna’s only purpose was to get pregnant and give birth to her Alpha’s kids.
‘Alpha, I’ve got good news and bad news.’ Beta Serena mind-linked me. ‘Our spy warriors caught the Mountain Grass Pack spies. Can you guess what information they got?’
'Thanks for letting me know,' I replied. 'I’ll meet them.'
My jaw clenched. Damn it. I didn’t say what I was thinking. I didn’t want my guess to be correct.
"Alpha?"
I turned my attention back to the elders. Their faces were filled with questions about what was happening to me.
The elders just kept going on and on, asking if I’d found my mate yet and rambling about the future Alpha.
I’ve only been Alpha for eight years, and I’m not even old. It’s not “late” for me to find a mate or have kids. Why are they acting as if I’ll never see her, as they’ve already lost faith in the Moon Goddess?
“I have to go.” I stood up, glancing at my watch.
“Our conversation is over, right? You only wanted to talk to me about that.” I didn’t give them a chance to respond. “I’ll take my leave.”
I hurried out of the elders’ residence and got into the car that took me to the warrior camp. Staying there too long would only make me more annoyed with them.
‘You’re actually mad at your past self,’ my wolf said, always making my regret worse.
A rush of anticipation spread through me the moment I stepped out of the car. I walked past the warriors with a firm stride as they paused their work and bowed in greeting.
“Alpha.” Beta Serena waved at me with a broad smile as I approached them. She and Gamma Nolan were talking in front of the head warrior’s office.
“The head warrior and two warriors are interrogating the two people,” said Beta Serena.
"They don't want to speak up yet," Gamma Nolan growled.
“Okay. Let’s go meet them.” I couldn’t wait to see the faces of the Mountain Grass Pack spy warriors.
We made our way toward the dungeon, irritation and satisfaction twisting together in my chest.
The sound of whips and a dim hallway, suffocating air, welcomed us. The smell of old blood clinging to the walls, the damp atmosphere, and the absence of fresh air made the place feel even heavier.
Still, none of that kept us from entering. This place was important. It was where we kept the enemy warriors who had dared to interfere with our lives.
“They were warriors who were spying on you, Alpha,” said the head warrior.
“We saw them following your car when you took Celeste, Liam, and Levi home to their clan three days ago, but we just caught them today,” the head warrior whispered, his face frightened and his head lowered. “We’re truly sorry, Alpha.”
“Yeah, you guys are slow,” I sneered. “But I really appreciate your hard work dragging them down here.”
I enjoyed the scene inside the prison cell. Two of my warriors were torturing the two enemy spies, who were sitting in chairs with their hands and feet shackled. Their bodies were covered in blood, but they were stubborn; they had refused to talk.
This prison hadn't been occupied for a long time. This pack only had three enemies, never attacked rogues or lycans, and almost no Alpha werewolf from another pack wanted to provoke us. We lived a peaceful life, far from war.
"I just remembered I haven't used my beloved knife in a long time." I stepped into the prison cell, bringing tension to the two enemy warrior spies.
“It’s not my job to make you tell me everything you already know about me.” I sat down across from them as the warrior set down a chair for me.
“I’m sure whatever you told Alpha Jackson made that bastard think he already beat me,” I said, turning a small knife in my hand, a slow grin forming.
“Okay. Let me hurt your worthless bodies.” I chuckled happily.
“Let’s get started.” I pressed the blade against one of the man's hands. “There’s only one rule. You don’t move, and don’t make a sound.”
I let the knife trail across their arms and legs, but not deep enough to kill. I was beaming at the sight of the flowing blood and the pain on their faces. Those two spies, Alpha Jackson’s pride, became nothing more than subjects for me that day.