Chapter 37 Chapter 37
Chapter 37
\- Jason -
The annual summit was over and it was time to return to our packs
I couldn't wait to get back not because I missed anything in particular, but somehow, I found myself looking forward to meeting Aria
The last conversation we had before I left, she had so much determination in her eyes that I couldn't wait to see what she's made out of it in the past few days
I did not expect it would be anything tangible though, but I still looked forward to it
We were welcomed at the gates by a group of royal guards and some of my noblemen
I squinted my eyes as I had never received such a welcoming sight unless I had returned from a war
It was a simple yet thoughtful one. And I need not ask who had put that in place
Aria was standing before the small crowds with flowers
And she looked different....
Her face was soft and radiant and her dress was elegant
She was... beautiful
Ever since I had taken her in I have never seen her look this amazing
She stepped forward as my ride approached
"Welcome home, Alpha," she greeted and wrapped a small rounded flower around my neck, then hugged me
I stiffened, not expecting that
"Okay, what is going on?" I muttered. "What are you doing?"
"Welcoming my Alpha back from his trip," she smiled at me. "I hope it was not too stressful?"
"No..." I was still trying to process what the whole procession was about. It felt like a royal coronation and everything was carefully coordinated.
"You will tell me about it when we return to the palace," she said and led the way back
Despite myself, I couldn't help the small smile that appeared at the corner of my lips
The palace which we had not expected to be any better than the way I had left it, was very much put in place
To me, it felt like home. Warm and welcoming. I have not felt anything like it in...five years
Aria had prepared my bath and meal for everyone who had travelled with me
There was only one question that kept ringing in my head
Was this the same Clumsy Aria I had left three days ago?
\- Natasha -
Something was off. No. This is not right
Even though everything was in order, this was not what I had thought I would come back to
And I am sure everyone with me did not expect this
I saw it too, on Jason's face. He looked impressed!
What is this stupid Aria girl up to now?
Who helped her pull this up?
She came with the royal guards to welcome us back to the pack at the gates
When we got to the palace, she had done more
All kinds of dishes had been prepared and served at the dinner
She addresses us all
"Please my Lords," she said. "Kindly freshen up and come have a meal. I am sure you must be stressed from your journey. Welcome back to the pack."
Anger welled up in me. I had plans I put in place to make sure the Alpha is immediately displeased with Aria when he returns
I wanted to cause ruin and havoc to the palace in his absence and I paid good money for that
I knew Aria would not be able to handle it
But the reverse was the case. I immediately went in search of the men and maids I had instructed to handle things
"What the hell is going on here?" I asked them. "Why have you not done any of the things I asked you to?"
"Natasha..." The leader replied reluctantly.
"Speak!" I was impatient
"Look we tried," he said. "You told us she was weak and slow and that there was nothing she could do to stop us. But you never told us she had the Alpha's royal sceptre. And you know no one dares defy that."
"Yes Natasha," one of the maids whom I had stationed in the palace said. "Aria held out the royal sceptre and commanded respect while you were away. There was nothing we could do."
"Impossible," I frowned at them. "How dare you lie to my face? Do you think I am daft? I gave you simple orders and you fluked them. Now you think we can use that lie to cover up?"
"It's true Natasha. She..."
"Shut up!" I half yelled, interrupting the maid. "You think I don't know what the royal sceptre cost? The Alpha has never taken off that ring to give to anyone. He has never given it to his Late wife, Elena. And now you want me to believe he gave that same thing to Aria? Did she bewitch him?"
"Natasha we can never lie about such a thing," one of the men said. "If you still don't believe us you can see it for yourself or ask the Alpha."
I stepped back instinctively, when it seemed they were telling the truth.
"You are not lying?"
"Not at all."
"This is not possible," I muttered to myself. "It is not possible."
I ran back to the palace where everyone had gathered for the meal Aria had prepared beforehand
She was ordering the maids around, making sure everyone had something to eat
"Natasha dear, come," she motioned to me and I placed a finger on my chest without thinking
Was she talking to me?
"Yes, dear, come," she made the sign with her hand, opening and closing her fist like she was talking to a child. "Didn't you go to the summit? Come have something to eat."
And that was when I saw it. The royal sceptre on her finger!
My eyes widened. They were not lying.
She did have the ring. But how is this even possible? Alpha Jason has never done this before. No one had ever gotten the ring, not even Elena whom he loved above everything.
So what the hell is happening here?