CARLYLE’S POV


    As ordered, Sidonnie stood in front of me, bowing her head respectfully. Then, I directed her to take her


    seat once again, and she did.


    “Who were those men?” I asked out of curiosity and concern.


    “I don’t know,” she lied, and I could sense it immediately.


    “You don’t lie to me, Donnie.” I warned with an authoritative demeanor.


    “They were sent to kill me by Alpha Raina.” She answered to my utmost surprise.


    “Do you mean Raina? Rex’s sister?” I was beginning to get angry. Just because I refused the marriage


    doesn’t mean they should act anyhow toward me–my person, my woman, my mate. How dare she?


    “Yes, the assassins confessed to it before you had them killed.” She paused, taking a moment to look


    at me as if scared that I might punish her.


    “Thinking of it, you caused all this for me.” She said with a bit of fear, keeping mute immediately I


    turned my gaze toward her.


    “Feel free. You can talk. I won’t bite.” My tone softened, realizing the fear in her eyes. I wanted her to


    understand that, despite the circumstances, she could trust me. I’m the one on edge here and I was a


    bit scared that she’ll continue to run from me.


    She took a deep breath before continuing, “I knew Raina wouldn’t take your disagreement lightly, you


    should have known better how desperate she was for her to tell Alpha Rex. Those men were her way


    of getting back at you, at us.” She expressed herself without restraint.


    I chuckled at her pronunciation of the word, ‘us‘ and Laryl was very happy. I knew the word meant


    nothing special to her, but it meant a lot to I and Laryl.


    “What made you think she’ll attack you?”


    “It’s so easy, Alpha Carlyle. The moment she could connect us together because of your actions, I


    became her target right away.


    Anger simmered within me as I absorbed the gravity of her words. The situation had escted beyond


    personal choices, and now it involved the safety of those close to me. Sidonnie’s fear was palpable,


    and I knew I needed to do something. But that would be


    18:47 Fri, 1 Mar 9027


    after returning rom Aridah. That would be after I sort out the war that threatens moon Shade.


    “I’m sorry if I caused your hurt. I apologized sincerely, staring into space but she chuckled loudly, and


    her chuckle manifested into a heartughter. Either way, it was nice to see her in that mood. It could


    only mean that she was bing morefortable around me.


    “What’s wrong? Did I say something to funny?” I asked.


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “That’s so expensive,ing from you. Thest time I checked, you were all high and mighty. Hearing


    you say sorry was nerve racking. She exined.


    “You forget one thing. Sidonnie. No matter what position I hold, I’m still someone with a soul. I can feel


    people’s pain, anxiety, and probably their nervousness and sadness. I could tell when they weren’t


    “Then why didn’t you put me in my ce for saying those words to you?” She asked with a heavy spirit,


    her countenance changing into a very serious one.


    “I can’t. Donnie. And that’s because you’re my mate. Mine! Moreover, we aren’t in public or the pack


    where utmost respect is needed. You’ll understand when we finally get mated and be my Luna.”


    “I never agreed to be your mate.” She fired back, standing to re at me.


    “Take it easy, Sidonnie. It’s not like you have a choice. The moon goddess had it fated already. I’m sure


    you can feel the connection between us; you don’t need to deny it.”


    “I could reject it, you know. I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” She was so defiant, with blood


    coursing through her veins faster. I could see it with the intensity of her anger.


    “Was that why you left in the first ce? Because you don’t want to have anything to do


    with me?”


    “I had to leave, Alpha Carlyle.”


    Now, that hurt. The tone at which she called my name and the honorifics she added made it sound like


    there’s some sort of distance between us and I really don’t want her to be like that. As Sidonnie stood


    there, her words lingered in the air, creating a tense atmosphere different from the one we began our


    conversation with.


    I could feel the weight of her defiance and determination not to submit to the destined


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    connection between us. The air seemed charged with unspoken emotions, and the room echoed with


    the underlying tension of our conversation.


    “You had to leave” I repeated her words, a mixture of surprise and hurt evident in my voice. It felt like a


    stab to the heart, knowing that she left because she wanted to distance herself from me. Though, I


    knew there were other reasons she left asides that and that was just her excuse but it still hurts,


    I could see the conflict within her. Her


    Sidonnie’s eyes met mine, and for a 11 ions that she struggled to conceal.


    gaze held a certain intensity, a battle of


    “Why did you have to leave, Sidonnie?” I pressed, my tone softer but stillced with the ache of the


    unanswered question.


    She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself for what she was about to say.


    “I had my reasons, Alpha Carlyle. Reasons that are personal and not open for discussion.”


    The air grew thicker with each passing second, and I could sense the wall she was building around


    herself. It was a barrier I couldn’t prate, leaving me on the outside, yearning for understanding.


    “Sidonnie,” I began, my voice a gentle plea, “we need tomunicate, especially if we’re bound by


    fate. Communication is crucial between mates.”


    Her eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions–defiance, vulnerability, and a hint of sadness.


    Sidonnie’s words echoed in the space around us, each sentence a reminder of the pain. we had


    caused each other.


    “I don’t want this to happen between us, Sidonnie. Fine, I admit that we didn’t start our rtionship well,


    but we could talk it out and move on,” I pleaded as my voice carried a genuine desire for reconciliation.


    Her silence spoke volumes, and I could sense the deep–seated resentment she harbored. The room


    felt heavy with the burden of our past, and I could tell right then that bridging the gap would not be


    easy, but I was willing to give it my all.


    “Is it that easy?” she finally responded, her words dripping with sarcasm. “If my memory serves me


    right, I could remember your words back then. Firstly, it was, ‘there’s not going to be a next time, ‘Stop


    stalking me and get out of my life, and the likes. You yelled, you were fierce, and you want me to stay?


    Who does that?”


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    “I’m sorry. Sidonnic. I had my reasons.” I admitted, my tone carrying a genuine regret.


    “Of course, you had veur reasons. Everyone has their reasons for the things they do,” she retorted, her


    gaze piercing through me.


    “I never knew you would end up being my mate after that night at the bar. If I knew…” I began. trying to


    exin, but she cut me off with a question that hung tensely in the air.


    “Do you have the right to treat every girl you sleep with anyhow because you’re an Alpha?” Her words


    were a sharp rebuke, challenging the very foundation of my actions. and responsibilities as an Alpha.