29

Aunt Matilda was sipping her tea, while the maids packed her bags. She was setting out to the palace. She stared at her wristwatch and clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction. Amanda was running late.

Amanda was the daughter of her friend who is a member of the wildfire pack. They had known each other since childhood and had formed a deep friendship even though they lived far from each other. Matilda had told her friend she wanted to go to the palace for a while and had complained of the maids being slow. She didn't want to start shouting to all the maids to do every little thing for her. Her friend had suggested her daughter Amanda should come over and help her in doing all those little things. It would also be an opportunity for her to get to know Adrian. Matilda had agreed to this arrangement with a joyful heart. What she didn't know was the duo had their intentions.

Amanda rushed in panting. It seemed she had run. She went over and planted a kiss on Matilda's cheeks.

"So sorry I'm late," Amanda apologized.

"Let's hurry. You're still as beautiful as ever," she complimented.

Amanda smiled and picked up one of the bags. "Let's go then,"

*

Adrian walked into his study and frowned as his Aunt Matilda was sitting on the couch with her legs crossed. She seemed to have been waiting for him for a long time. She had company as a pretty redhead was sitting beside her.

"Oh. You're here," she beamed as she sighed at him. As

Adrian sighed and walked over to his seat. He didn't acknowledge her presence as he opened a file on his table and started looking through it.

"Why are you ignoring me?" she asked.

"I am not ignoring you, Aunt. I just have a lot on my plate," he defended.

"What's more important to you than your aunt visiting you?" she asked.

"What do you want?" he questioned.

"Nothing. This is Amanda," she began, pointing towards the redhead who hadn't said a word.

"I never asked for her name," Adrian spat out.

"Don't be so rash now, would you," she warned, making stern eye contact with Adrian.

Adrian didn't want to make his Aunt look weak in front of a stranger, so he nodded

"And Amanda, this is Alpha Adrian, my nephew," she said

"Nice to meet you, Alpha Adrian," Amanda bowed.

"You see. Amanda here is the daughter of a friend of mine. Although she is not from this pack," she spoke.

Adrian tried to make sense of what Matilda was saying but seemed to be lost. He didn't understand why Matilda was introducing him to Amanda.

"So, why the introduction?" he asked.

"She'll be staying in the palace for some time," she said

"What do you mean staying in the palace for some time?" he snapped

"Don't be so rash. I am the one staying in the palace, and she offered to tend to my needs so I decided to let her stay with me too," she explained.

"Well, I don't care. As long as she's with you," he shrugged

"Well, I wanted you to know. Don't want to catch you by surprise," she said and tilted her head toward Amanda. "You can go to the room I showed you earlier. I'll call you when I need you,"

Amanda, who had secretly been checking out Adrian, nodded and turned with a sly smile. She knew her plans would come to realization soon enough if she played her cards well. She slowly walked out the door.

Once Amanda left the room, Matilda turned to Adrian with a bright smile.

"How is she?" she asked

"Why are you asking me that?'' he questioned.

Matilda rolled her eyes.

"You can't tell me you didn't notice anything about her. She is a damsel," she chimed in.

"Well, she isn't bad-looking," he offered in resignation. He knew his Aunt wouldn't stop bugging him I told her to comment on her looks.

"Well, make good use of this opportunity while it lasts," she stated.

"What opportunity?" he inquired.

"Don't play dumb, you know what I am talking about," she said

Adrian rolled his eyes and sighed.

His Aunt has started her match-making skills again.

"If you think you can make me like her, then you're mistaken," he said

"Well, I don't know about that. Don't be so sure," she whispered.

"We don't have to do this,"

"Do what?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about,"

"I don't,"

"Aunt,"

"Ok. But you've been quite alone for some time now. You need a companion," she said.

"I am fine the way I am," he argued.

"You aren't fine. When was the last time you love someone wholeheartedly?" she questioned

"Wel, I love you and that's enough," he said

Matilda sighed.

"You have to let go of the past Adrian. We are in the present now. There is so much more you could experience," she whispered, lid enough for him to hear

"I am not holding on to the past," he gritted his teeth.

"You can deny it all you want. I saw the hurt in your eyes when I mentioned the past," she continued.

"I am over it," he said.

"Are you?"

"Yes,"

"You are lying, Adrian,"

"Some things are better left the way they are,"

"While some are supposed to be replaced with new things to outshine the old," she said.

"What do you mean?" he inquired.

"Move on, Adrian,"

"Can you change the topic?" he pleaded, his veins popping out of his neck.

"You see what I was saying? You aren't over that shit and it's hurting you. When will you admit it?" she snapped.

Adrian stared at her for a brief moment, his eyes speaking heavy words his mouth couldn't voice out.

"Please stop while you still have the chance," he said and continued going through the file

Matilda knew once he ignored her and went to his file, there was nothing she could say to

bring back his attention. She just sighed loudly and left the room.