Chapter 20 Visit
Chapter Twenty — Mina’s POV
Visit
I was sitting on the couch, staring at the television, but I wasn’t really watching it.
The sound was on. The pictures were moving. But my mind was somewhere else.
I kept thinking about Aiden.
About his face. His cold eyes. His strong presence. About how he was supposed to be mine.
I told myself to be patient. I told myself he would come back. An Alpha like him does not just walk away. He needed time. He needed space. He would remember who truly fit beside him.
I hugged a pillow to my chest and leaned back, my eyes fixed on the screen even though nothing made sense anymore.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
My heart jumped.
I froze.
Who would come at this hour?
The knock came again, firmer this time.
I stood up quickly, smoothing my hair, my heartbeat suddenly loud in my ears. Something inside me already knew. I didn’t know how, but I felt it.
I walked to the door and opened it.
And there he was.
Aiden.
For a second, my world lit up.
My breath caught, my heart racing with sudden joy.
Aiden came back for me.
I smiled instantly, my face warming, my body moving forward without thinking.
“Aiden—” I started, happiness flooding my chest.
Then I saw her.
Standing beside him.
Aria.
My smile froze.
Everything inside me snapped.
The happiness vanished so fast it felt like it was never real.
She stood there quietly, her head slightly lowered, her hands folded in front of her like she belonged there. Like she had every right to stand beside him.
Beside my Alpha.
My nails dug into my palm.
What was she doing here?
Why was she with him?
Anger burned in my chest, hot and sharp, but I swallowed it down. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t lash out. Not in front of Aiden. Not like this.
I forced my lips to curve, even though my jaw felt tight.
“Aiden,” I said, keeping my voice soft. “You’re here.”
He nodded once, his face calm, unreadable.
Before I could say anything else, footsteps sounded behind me.
My parents were coming down the stairs.
My mother’s voice reached us first. “Mina? Who is at the door?”
They stopped when they saw them.
“Aiden,” my father said, surprised. “Welcome.”
“And Aria,” my mother added, smiling gently.
That smile made my stomach twist.
They greeted them warmly, inviting them inside. I stepped aside slowly, my eyes never leaving Aria. She avoided my gaze, but that only made it worse.
They walked into the living room like they belonged there.
Like she belonged there.
We all sat down.
The air felt heavy. Too heavy.
Then Aiden spoke.
His voice was calm. Strong. Certain.
“I came to inform you,” he said, looking at my parents, “that the mating ceremony will take place next month.”
For a second, I didn’t understand the words.
Then they hit me.
Mating ceremony. Next month.
My chest tightened.
My ears rang.
The room spun, but I stayed still. I didn’t move. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry.
I smiled.
A perfect smile.
Inside, something broke.
So this was it.
This was how I lost everything.
I felt my parents’ excitement. I heard my mother gasp softly in happiness. I saw my father nod in approval.
No one looked at me.
No one asked how I felt.
Aria sat there quietly, her face calm, like she was already used to winning.
I wanted to scream at her.
I wanted to grab her and ask her how dare she take what was meant for me.
But I didn’t.
I sat there like a good daughter.
Like the girl who understood.
Like the girl who was not burning alive inside.
Aiden stood up after a few more words. Aria followed him.
They said their goodbyes.
My parents smiled at them.
I stood there, watching them walk out together.
Watching him leave with her.
The door closed.
And the silence crushed me.
I turned to my mother.
My strength disappeared all at once.
Tears rushed to my eyes, spilling down my cheeks as I rushed into her arms.
“Mum,” I cried, my voice breaking. “She took him. Aria took my man.”
My chest hurt so badly I could barely breathe.
“She came and took everything from me,” I sobbed. “My Alpha. My place. My future.”
My mother held me tightly, stroking my hair.
“Don’t cry, my child,” she whispered. “Please don’t cry.”
“How can I not cry?” I cried harder. “I did everything right. I waited. I endured. And she just walked in and took him!”
My mother pulled back slightly, wiping my tears.
“Listen to me,” she said softly. “Maybe… maybe I can talk to her.”
I stiffened.
Talk to her?
Inside my mind, my tears stopped.
My thoughts turned sharp.
Talk to her?
No.
Talking won’t fix this.
Talking won’t give me back what I lost.
I buried my face in my mother’s chest again, letting her believe I was still broken.
But inside…
Inside, I was already planning.
This is not over.
I will not let that ceremony happen.
She may have taken him for now…
But I will take everything back.