The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate

This was Aster’s first time stepping into Gregor’s bedroom, and as expected, it carried his distinct scent—rich and unmistakably his. The atmosphere was calming, with an air of quiet elegance. The centerpiece of the room was a grand four-poster bed draped in pristine white sheets, its delicate curtains swaying ever so slightly.

"Take a seat," Gregor said, making his way toward the cupboard. As he opened it, he retrieved a small velvety box.

While he was occupied, Aster’s gaze wandered to the large paintings adorning the walls. Each piece was intricate and full of life, capturing her curiosity.

"Did you paint these, or were they commissioned?" she asked, intrigued.

"I made them," Gregor replied, closing the cupboard before walking back toward her.

Aster’s eyes widened slightly in admiration. "Oh. You’re talented," she remarked, genuinely impressed.

Gregor simply smiled as he took a seat beside her. She watched him intently as he lifted the lid of the velvety box, revealing a breathtaking diamond ring that sparkled under the soft glow of the room’s lighting.

"Do you accept me as your mate?" he asked.

Aster’s breath hitched as her eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she didn’t blink. She stared at the ring, then at Gregor, unable to form words as emotions surged through her. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and her vision blurred with unshed tears.

"Gregor, this... this is beyond anything I ever imagined," she finally whispered in a trembling voice.

"Why?" Gregor asked softly, his piercing gaze locked onto hers.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and exhaled shakily. "Because I never thought something like this could happen to me," she admitted. "After being cast out of my pack, I had no hope left, no future and no purpose. I was alone. I never dared to dream of finding someone who would truly want me. But you... you’ve given me something I thought I lost forever."

Her lips curled into a small, heartfelt smile as she wiped the moisture from her eyes. "Thank you, Gregor. For making me feel special. For giving me a place where I belong."

"You were never meant to be alone, Aster," he murmured. "So, what’s your answer?" Gregor asked, his voice low and unwavering.

Aster’s lips parted as she inhaled deeply, her heart hammering in her chest. "You already know my answer," she murmured, her gaze never leaving his.

"Say it," Gregor urged, his eyes darkening with intensity.

A soft smile tugged at Aster’s lips as she whispered, "Yes. I accept you as my mate."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Gregor’s face before he gently commanded, "Give me your hand."

She lifted her hand without hesitation, and he took it in his gentle grip. Sliding the ring onto her fourth finger, he ensured it fit perfectly. Then, bringing her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss against her skin.

Gregor lifted his head, his intense gaze locking onto hers. Before he could say anything, Aster reacted on instinct, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"I don’t have a ring for you yet, but I’ll buy one soon," she whispered against his mouth.

Gregor didn’t reply with words. Instead, he claimed her lips in a deeper kiss. His hand traced a slow path from her shoulder to the curve of her neck, his thumb resting gently against her cheek.

Aster’s breath hitched at the unexpected tenderness, her body momentarily frozen in surprise. But the warmth of his lips, the steady hold of his touch, melted away any hesitation.

Closing her eyes, she surrendered to the moment, letting the kiss speak the emotions neither of them could put into words.

~~~~~

"Nina, you’ve truly outdone yourself by impressing the Queen," Markal said with pride shining in his eyes. "One day, you will be the Queen of Nalveri." He spoke with certainty, already envisioning the future.

"I only did it because you abandoned me," Nina replied in a bitter tone.

"I never abandoned you," Markal countered firmly.

Nina let out a sharp scoff. "You handed me over to Radulf without ever asking for my consent, Father. You only did it to save yourself from death. Do you have any idea what I endured here in the beginning?" Her frustration spilled forth, which she couldn’t do for a long time.

"I didn’t know Radulf was unmarried," Markal said in a defensive tone. "But that doesn’t matter now. You should put it behind you. You have the Crown Prince as your fiancé," he added with a bright smile, as if that alone would erase her grievances.

Nina’s expression darkened. "I’m going to bed. Good night," she said curtly before turning on her heel and leaving for her chamber.

Once inside, she slumped onto the bed with a weary sigh, drawing her knees close to her chest. "Leon has already shown no interest in me. What did I do to deserve such a fate?" she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "If only Father had let me be with his beta’s son, I wouldn’t be trapped here."

Back home, she had admired a man, the strongest beta in their land. He was everything she had ever wanted. But her father, knowing her feelings, had sent him away to a distant border, far from her reach. She had been too weak then, too powerless to stop it. And now, she was paying the price, bound to a life she never chose.

"First Radulf, then Leon," Nina mumbled, annoyance creeping into her voice. "I understand that Radulf has a wife, but what about Leon? Why does he look at me with such disdain? Does he have a lover too? It does not seem like that."

She remained curled up in thought, the weight of her circumstances pressing heavily on her chest. After a while, exhaustion took over, and she lay down, pulling the duvet over herself. She didn’t want another headache, nor did she want to dwell on questions that had no answers.

With a weary sigh, she closed her eyes, willing sleep to take her away from it all.