Chapter 21 Chapter 21
Chapter 21
\- Natasha -
Jason threw a celebration for Aria as his new Luna and the entire park was invited
I planned the party as Jason requested but for the first time since I knew Jason, I did not have a part in the real celebration
Every time there was a pack gathering or celebration, I was by his side with his family and his late wife, Elena
This time I could not even bring myself to make an appearance
I was pained but not only that, I knew people would want to look in my face and probably mock me because everyone thought if Jason was going to have any wife, it would be no other than me
The people were shocked but they did not say it out loud
I heard the murmurs and gossip
"Who would have thought the Alpha would choose someone else?"
"I mean, after everything Natasha had done for him. They were so close."
I tried to ignore the side talks. Tried to act like I did not care but deep down it shattered me
Everyone knew, everyone expected. But Jason had his own plans
I snuck around the corners as the party went on, hiding my face
"But where's Natasha?" I heard one of the guards ask at the royal table. "She's one of the most important people to grace this ceremony. Isn't that so, Alpha?"
"Oh she's here somewhere," he replied casually. "She was actually the one who set the party up. I'm sure she's around making sure everything goes well."
I turned around and walked away.
I did not want to hear any further. Did not want them to mention how they thought Jason would choose me since we've been so close
But just then I bumped into someone and to my dismay it was one of the princesses of a pack in the region
Her eyes lit up in mockery as she saw me
Of course, she recognised me, and I did not imagine she'd leave without saying anything to me
"My goodness," she exclaimed dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "It's you. I have been wondering where you are. What are you doing here sneaking around like a thief?"
"This is my pack, I should be asking you that question," I threw back at her, not ready to let her have a go at me without fighting back
"You don't look so happy for your Alpha," she pointed out with a glint in her eyes. "I heard you were the one who planned the ceremony for him. Must have really been painful, being the servant for the man you badly wanted and planning his ceremony with a different woman."
"Unlike you, Princess, I am not someone who waits on a man to pick me and go crying when he doesn't," I glared at her. "I am not just a princess in my pack. I am a warrior, a defender of the throne and my people. I have noble titles I earned. You don't think you can speak to me that way, do you? I serve Jason out of duty to the pack and because I am worthy to be by his side. You? You couldn't even make it to being in his presence long enough for him to want you."
She looked flustered and I felt a bit satisfied.
"If you are only with Jason for the sake of duty, why did you do everything to make sure I don't end up with him since you don't want him for yourself?" She asked
Two years after Elena died, the elders thought it was time for Alpha Jason to get another wife. Since his mate left him no heir, he had to secure his legacy
They paraded different princesses from our pack and other neighbouring packs
She-wolves from noble and legendary packs, powerful and majestic
But Jason had rejected them all
He did not even seem to be attracted to a single one
When some tried to nitpick their way into his heart, I made sure to prevent it
This particular princess and her father tried to be cunning, to get Jason to marry her by all means, but since I was always by his side, I exposed all their schemes and they failed.
"That's because I was protecting him from you," I replied. "I know you are just a spoilt brat who doesn't have what it takes to lead a pack like this with a man like Jason. And Jason listens to me. That is how important I am to him," I smiled and she snorted.
"But did he listen to you on this new Luna?" She raised a brow at me with a scorn on her face. "Because I am sure if he did, you wouldn't be here sulking."
I folded my hands in a fist as I tried to control myself, my countenance calm
"Your sneaky ways around the alpha almost cost your pack its relationship with this pack," I told her. "You are only here by reason of mercy. Mercy that I can take from you. If you think it is fun to laugh in my face at what you don't know anything about, then I will show you how far my authority can get this night, and you will lose every form of access you have to the throne and this pack."
She stepped back fearfully and I remained unsmiling. I kid you not, that was not a threat.
I had tried to overlook everything but I have been pushed to the wall and I was on the verge of losing it
When she saw I was not having it, she was wise enough to walk away without another word
I sighed deeply as I tried to steady and assure myself that this whole thing was just for a show
At least, that was what Jason told me and I believed him
It's just a matter of time and the contract will be done with then Aria would step down from the position given to her, which should have graciously been mine