Chapter 149 The Alpha's Mistress
936words
"But what if I'm mated to an Alpha whose idea of fated mates is less than traditional?" she asks. I feel my palms begin to go clammy.
"Hmm, traditional?" I ask, cocking my head.
Sophia pipes up, "Like the idea of fated mates. You spend your entire life devoted to your one true mate?" Still, I don't respond. Instead, I swallow the lump now building at the back of my throat.
Sophia lets out an exasperated sigh. "Remember when we went to Alpha Christian's territory?" I don't respond. I simply nod my head ever so slightly as I try to make sense of what Sophia is trying to tell me.
"He may have brought up the idea of what would happen if we ended up being true mates. He made it very clear, Adeline," she admits.
"Make what very clear?" I question.
"He said the concept of fated mates shouldn't apply to Alphas. Alphas are above regular shifter law, according to him. He said he doesn't want one true mate. Like, don't get me wrong, he won't reject her because the pain would be unbearable, but he also doesn't plan to be faithful. Addie, he told me if I'm his mate, I'll be his mistress, among others. He already has his sights set on someone else as his chosen mate," she admits as a single tear falls down her cheek.
It's as if the missing pieces of the puzzle begin to click into place. "And that's why you went from head over heels for him one day to acting like he's irrelevant the next?" I press. She nods her head, and another tear follows, trailing down her porcelain skin.
I swear I can feel the pain radiating from her chest and into mine, the heartbreak throbbing inside. I knew he was a jerk, we all knew he was a jerk, but that's low even for him. I so badly want to admit everything to Sophia; every time he's made a move, every time he's looked at me like a piece of meat, every time he's made some pathetic pass at me. I bite my tongue though, knowing nothing good will come out of it.
"So let me get this straight, would you reject him if he does end up being your mate?" I ask, careful not to give away that I already know who her mate is.
Sophia's voice breaks as she pulls at the ends of her hair. "I-I don't know yet," she stutters. "I don't want a life like that. I don't want to be a second choice. I want my mate, whoever he may be, to love and cherish me completely, like my dad did with my mom."
"You know what they say, three is company," I say, desperately trying to lift the mood. When Sophia doesn't crack a smile, I know I have to try another angle.
"Look, you don't even know if he'll be your mate. It could be anyone!" I exclaim. "I had no idea my fated mate could be an Alpha. Never mind Alpha Jaxon!" I choke out in a laugh.
That manages to make Sophia grin as she turns to face me. "I guess everyone's got their own story, right?" she says.
"Exactly, and no matter what happens, your brother, your pack, and I will always stand behind you. Now can we get this party started already?!" I ask as I shoot a wink at Sophia.
Finally, a smile spreads across her face. A genuine, wide smile that warms my heart. I move towards the door, opening it to find a crowd of servants lined up down the hall.
"Sorry about that, ladies. Please continue. You've all done such a spectacular job," I say as my mind begins to race. I don't know how, but I know I have to find Jaxon. I have to tell him about what Alpha Christian said to Sophia. He should know before he lets his sister run off with a man with such impure intentions.
The women quickly enter the room and resume their duties. I sit back and continue munching on the muffin and fruit I selected as I watch one steam Sophia's dress while another begins to gather her jewelry. Every bite tastes more delicious than the last. I swallow the last strawberry on my plate as I feel my stomach begin to churn. I rush to the washroom, slam the door behind me, and can't help but throw up into the toilet.
The moment the door closes, I hear frantic knocking on the other side.
"Luna? Luna? Should we call the Alpha?" they exclaim.
I ignore it, emptying the contents of my stomach and moving to the sink to wash up.
I take a deep breath and walk back into the bedroom, only to see multiple horrified stares aimed directly at me. Sophia looks like she's seen a ghost, concern plastered across her face.
"I'm fine. Sheesh, can you all relax? It's been a long week. I must be catching the flu," I explain and return to sit down. Like clockwork, Sophia brings me a glass of water and I waste no time gulping it down. She doesn't say much, but I can feel her mentally ridiculing me.
"I'm fine," I repeat.
Sophia smiles, "Did Doctor Raymond ever confirm your results, Adeline?" she asks.
I shoot daggers with my eyes at her. "Uh, still waiting," I respond. I think about telling her that our darling pack doctor decided to elope late last night, but I know Sophia. I know she'd panic, and it would ruin her big day.
