Chapter 31 To find our life's mate
"Well thats why we're here right? To find our life mates" Greer spoke, watching the same scene as the other three girls.
"Or to bond someone else" Astrid added soon after, making the other girls stare at her with crease lines between their brows.
"You're not going to wait to find your mate?" Orchid asked Astrid.
"Why wait? What if he's already married someone else. Why be waiting like sitting ducks? We all know noblemen and men with titles are always out looking for heirs to succeed them, they wont wait around for their mates. They would claim anyone without a second thought im sure" Astrid stated, turning back to stare at Audrey and Darius speaking with the Duke of Chante.
"Not all men are like that Astrid. Some adore their mates and wait for them, its our natural instinct to wait for the right one" Anaise reasoned
"Or claim the right one" Astrid finished.
"It doesn't sound that absurd, my parents weren't mates and I'd like to believe they had a happy marriage" Greer supported Astrid
"But what happens to your actual mate when you claim someone else?" Orchid asks, looking at the girls. "What happens to that bond?"
"It breaks" Astrid asnwers almost robotically. "On your part but on your mates part they live with the pain. It would be like the pain felt when your mate dies" she continues
"Thats horrible" Anaise winces
"Its not for everyone Anaise, i know you would want a fairytale but not everyone gets a happily ever after" Astrid snaps, her voice slightly raised.
There was a story behind every word Astrid had just uttered, more than any of them would like to admit. Anaise was confused, shocked and a bit concerned for her twin. Astrid had never been the type to loose her cool especially not over something as trivial as the discussion they were having. She knew something was wrong, it was a twin thing. It was like their wolves were one, they could feel each other's heart ache and distress but when Anaise tried to tap into that link it was shut off,distant and cold.
"Excuse me, can i borrow you for a moment Astrid?" Anaise asked, standing to her feet.
The girls seemed confused but made no mention of it. "Be back in time for the next song, i would love to dance" Orchid smiled
"We will" Anaise gave a lump soded smile before snatching Astrid's arm and pulling her away from the crowd close to the kitchen hallway. "What's going on with you?" She asked harshly, staring strongly at her twin who seemed much less bothered.
"I don't know what you mean Any" Astrid lied, using her sister's pet name as a way to distract her from the issue
"You seem off, i dont like the look in your eyes. My wolf feels it too. You know we've known each other for 18 years. I know you and i know when you're thinking about doing something you shouldn't" Anaise sighed, the way Astrid looked at her like she was crazy.
She wasnt going to say anything even if she was thinking about doinf something wrong. Anaise knew jer sister very well, more than she knee herself to be honest. "Please just-just dont do something you'll regret. Grea ans Orchid have known you for four years but i know you better so please just dont" Anaise directed her pleading gaze to her sister, wrapping her hands around her sister in a hug.
"Dont worry Any, i won't do anything i would regret" Astrid said the last part more like a promise to herself than to Anaise.
Anaise still couldn't shake this feeling even when they walked back to their friends. Something was going on in her sister's head and she knew it. She just hoped it wasnt what she thought it was. Another song came up and the girls rushed to the middle of the hall as everyone cleared way for them.
Orchid walked over to Audrey and pulled her onto the floor with them. Laughter bounced off the walls as they spun around, their dresses gliding across the floor. Audrey and Orchid danced together, their hands locked as they spun one another and twirled to the sound of the instruments. Everyone clapped along, watching with glea.
Audrey stopped, a wide smile on her face as she looked to Darius's direction to see his gaze had already been on her. She let herself get lost in his gaze. Out of nowhere roses poured down to her feet, their petals landing everywhere on her hair, her dress and in her open hands as an even wider smile split acorss her cheeks. She looked back up at Darius to see his gaze had shifted to someone behind her.
Turning, her eyes landed on Sir Odin of Vilaz. She remembered him, the Baron of Vilaz- her hometown.
He had a very notorious name for being power hungry and dangerous. The way he looked at her made her insides twist. His red hair had been slicked back, his hazel eyes as piercing and as menacing as she 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 remember.
She turned back to Darius to see he was walking off with a guard. She felt trapped as he began walking towarss her. As a child Audrey had always been warned against meeting him when neither her parents were around. He wasnt to be trusted.
Whenever he came around the pack houses he always came to snatch their money in the name of tax for the king. She always hated it, he stole from them, all of them and no one had the courage to stand up against him, even the Alpha.
"My my Audrey" he gushed, looking her form over. "You look nothing like the little girl i remember from so many years back"
"People change" she answered vaguely, not really wanting to hold a conversation with such a person.
"The infamous mate to our king. I suppose i should bow right about now" he smirked, his eyes running down her form.
"That won't be necessary" she replied uncomfortably. Looking around her eyes fell on Anaise talking to Ryker at the other end of the hall, no one was paying attention to their exchange nor could they see how uncomfortable she was. Darius hadn't returned yet so no one could save her. "If you'll excuse-"
"If you dont mind" he interrupted her before she could walk away, his form coming to block her path. "Walk with me? " he offered his hand, staring expectantly at her.
She didnt have to go with him, neither did she have to condole his advances but she needed to see where this would go. Maybe he could help her, she thought. Looking back to her only escape it seemed Anaise was still talking to Ryker. Greer and Astrid were no where in sight. Looking back at him she inhaled deeply before placing her hand in his.