James's POV
Aimee's sad expression from earlier kept replaying in my mind. I couldn't shake it off. It bothered me, even though I had already downed several glasses of red wine to try and find some peace during my leisure time.
"According to me, it's a sign of love."
I was sick of hearing my inner wolf speak, always talking about a love that would never happen between me and Aimee.
How foolish.
I decided to leave the room and find something to occupy myself with, to push away the image of Aimee in my head.
"Alpha James."
Aimee's voice reached me as I stood in front of the mansion, and I saw her approaching with lowered eyes.
"What is it, Aimee?"
Something trapped my heart, a mixture of hatred and restlessness. It all blended together.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving me. I can never repay your kindness, Alpha James."
"You will never be able to repay it. Don't think I'm protecting you. I am only being fair to my pack members who acted up, and she proved to be a danger, as you have mentioned, to me and some other members who witnessed your altercation."
Aimee nodded softly and offered a tight smile. I could see her beauty, which was undeniably perfect, but she remained a weak and useless wolf.
When I looked at her up close like this, I sometimes doubted The Moon Goddess who had given her to me as my mate.
"I understand, Alpha James."
"Okay, is there anything else you want to talk about? I was hoping you wouldn't converse with me like this too often. I don't want the pack members to perceive any closeness between us. Remember, no one knows about you being my mate."
I turned my body around, shifted into a wolf, and headed towards the forest. I left Aimee with her lingering pleading expression. My restlessness lessened slightly. Perhaps the cause was nothing more than my fear of the pack finding out about our relationship.
Yes, I didn't want Aimee to become conceited and think I cared about her.
My body and mind feel much fresher now after diving into the lake in our forest territory. In fact, I'm still content playing around the lake, even as the moon rises.
Yes, there's nothing more enjoyable than sitting at the bottom and training my strength to become stronger.
"What's your plan next? Looking for women to have fun with tonight?"
"I don't think so, Diz. I'm tired and want to sleep."
"I thought the party would continue every night. A party for the Alpha with girls ready to serve and betray their mates."
I smile at my wolf's banter. It's true; every woman accompanying me is a pack member. Some of them usually have fun with me when their mates are not in the mansion.
I don't want to sound arrogant, but my charm is unbeatable. And it makes sense that some pack members want to control me using magic spells.
The moonlight is quite beautiful and bright tonight, making me enjoy each step as I head back to the mansion. The air feels so cool, and I've never experienced such peace of mind when I'm around the mansion.
For the first time, my heart and mind are calm without being haunted by thoughts of Emilia. One could say that today is my first day without regretting our separation.
I hope to continue to endure my current feelings. Although I will still love her and wait for her return, having feelings that don't drive me crazy and restless is something I need.
"James, there's someone other than you in this forest."
I stop in my tracks, and Diz is right. I catch a strong foul smell and the sound of footsteps masked by the rushing wind.
I recognize this smell; it belongs to a rogue. Yes, a rogue is entering my forest territory. How is that possible?
"James, behind you!"
"Hello, Alpha James."
I turn my body and come face-to-face with a man with long hair and a face full of scars, flashing a smile. His teeth are black, and he reveals a wound on his arm.
"Do you remember me?"
Yes, I remember this man. He used to be a member of my pack, or rather my beta, two years ago. I expelled him from the pack for a grave mistake—attempting to seduce Emilia. A foolish act he should have never done.
"Of course; what do you want, loser?"
"Hahaha, you still call me a loser. You should be self-aware, James! You destroyed my life so easily; you made my mate dump me just like that! Do you forget I was a loyal beta and always the first to protect you when others attacked our pack? Doesn't that hurt?"
"Don't beat around the bush; just say what you want before I kick you out of here."
The man named Ronald laughs out loud once again. His voice echoes in the silent night.
"Why did you have to banish me? I just visited to reminisce about the pack I used to belong to. I will leave soon after finishing what needs to be done, James. My revenge."
Ronald claps his hands, and surprisingly, five other men surround me now.
"What do you want, Ronald? Don't act foolish and rash. I hope you still remember who I am. You know my strength and reputation among the other Alphas, right?"
"Of course, I know, James. I already told you I am your most loyal Beta. I understand your strengths, including your weaknesses. Don't worry; this won't be painful. Even if you don't die, at least you'll be crippled. That's enough to satisfy my revenge that has been wasted and ruined because of your foolish trust in Emilia's words, the whore."
My anger escalates when he speaks ill of Emilia. I clench my fists and prepare to shift into my wolf form.
"What did you just say? Take back your words, or you'll regret it, Ronald!"
Ronald approaches me and smirks cynically. "I said, Emilia is a rotten whore. She seduced me, and you were the fool who fell for her words. She is a whore, James."
I can no longer hold back my anger. I let out a loud roar as I transform into a wolf. However, suddenly, my vision turns black, and my body falls to the ground.
What? What's happening?
I collapse on the ground, and now Ronald and his gang surround me with fierce gazes. They even step on my legs to prevent me from moving. How is this possible?
"See? I understand your weaknesses. Goodbye, James."