Aimee's POV
Alpha James's sharp gaze watched me as I arrived on the second floor. His expression was fierce and much colder than usual.
The questions echoing in my head made me determined to ask him immediately. After placing the plate of grapes down, I stood facing Alpha James.
"What do you want? Why are you standing here? Do you want to join us and tell stories about the werewolf world? Maybe you can join if you had your powers, Aimee. You know what I mean." Alpha James chuckled as he fed a grape into his mouth.
I felt a tightness in my chest. I took a deep breath and said, "We're mates, right? Why did you lie to me, Alpha James?"
Alpha James hit the side of the table and stood up, approaching me. "What do you mean, Aimee?! Are you crazy?"
"Yes! I'm going crazy, but you're even crazier, Alpha James! Why did you lie to me? Is it because I'm weak? Is it because I'm just an omega, so I'm not worthy of knowing if I have a mate?"
My voice rose, and in the 19 years I've lived, this was the first time I had been so angry at someone. What I felt now was far more painful than when my parents died.
I mean, Alpha James is so cruel. And the Moon Goddess hasn't been fair in giving me this life journey.
Of course, I cried. My eyes had been watery since earlier, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I stared intensely at Alpha James, ignoring how he clenched his teeth and his gaze that seemed to want to kill me.
"I still have things to do; you don't need to pressure me like this. Go away, Aimee. I'll explain everything later."
I shook my head and extended my arms, preventing Alpha James from moving. I did it out of panic, as Alpha James didn't make any movements at all.
"I won't leave until you answer, Alpha James! Enough with your lies and games!"
As a result of my actions, Alpha James grabbed my face. A cold sensation spread throughout my body as if I had been injected with icy fluid that could freeze me, and it was very painful.
"Let me remind you, Aimee. Leave and never bring up anything when I have yet to call for you, understand?! Don't think I enjoy doing all this; I'm forced to! So what if we're mates? Is there something you have a problem with? You should be happy to have a mate like me! Understand my words, Aimee! You're just an omega who will never get a mate, so appreciate that I'm still giving you a chance to experience the position of a mate! If you intend to reject me, I assure you that you will regret ever dealing with me, Aimee!"
Alpha James released his grip and pushed me away. At the same time, Alpha Vincent returned, instantly changing the heated atmosphere. Alpha James smiled widely, greeting his friend as if nothing bad had happened between us.
"Get ready, Aimee. After you finish all your tasks, you can leave with Vincent. No need to wait for dinner time. I'll set you free today to please my friend here!" Alpha James chuckled while patting my shoulder.
I just lowered my head and quickly walked away from them. My self-esteem felt torn apart. I've constantly been belittled, but never to this extent. I need clarification on what Alpha James is planning.
If he only wants my body, it seems unlikely. Then why does he still consider me as his mate and not reject me? I hate questioning this.
**
I locked myself in my room. I've been contemplating the answers to every question for over two hours. I don't know if Alpha Vincent is still in the pack. It's already past three in the afternoon, and I hope he's already gone.
I don't want to leave my room and go with him. But I also can't refuse, or Alpha James could become even angrier with me.
I swear, even if I die, I don't want to be reborn. I'm traumatized by life; I hate living it.
"Aimee, open the door!"
Alpha James's voice sounded outside my bedroom door. He knocked rapidly. I reluctantly stepped forward and opened the door, hoping he would come to explain everything that had happened.
As soon as the door opened, Alpha James immediately entered and slammed the door of my room forcefully, causing the walls to tremble. The fierceness in his eyes was not as intense as before, but the cold aura surrounding him couldn't be eliminated.
"Since turning 18, I've known you're my mate. Am I angry? Obviously, I can't accept having an omega as my mate. I've asked the Moon Goddess to make Emilia my mate. My anger peaked when I learned that you couldn't shift into a wolf form.
That clearly ruined my reputation. What would people say if an Alpha like me had a weak mate? If I only cared about physical beauty, I would choose you. I admit you are beautiful, Aimee. But that's not enough. I'm not interested in you at all; I despise weak women.
My love is only for Emilia. I kept you as my mate and accepted you so my relationship with Emilia could continue. We want to be together even if she's not my mate; she has to be my Luna. I did lie by randomly choosing you as my mate when Emilia left but know that I have my ego and self-esteem if I were suddenly honest with you.
I'm afraid you might suddenly reject me. I don't know what kind of mate I could accept if you were to reject me. I don't want to be involved with a new mate who might go crazy and harm me if I leave them. Everything I do is for Emilia, so I hope you understand.
The bitter reality is, you can't find your own mate, and consider me here to save you from men who could potentially endanger and treat you worse when they find out you're a weak omega, Aimee.
So, please continue to maintain our linked bond until Emilia returns. Vincent is the right man for you. I've told him everything, and he agrees to take care of you and approach you while waiting for Emilia to come back. My target is short, up to one year. If Emilia doesn't come back by then, you can reject me."
What he said felt so selfish. He only thinks about himself. I feel entirely cornered. Alpha James makes it impossible for me to decide just because I'm an omega.
"If I were to reject you now, Alpha James, what would you do?"
"You won't do it, and if you do, as I said before, you will regret ever dealing with me, Aimee. Accept this reality! Consider Vincent as the gift I've prepared for you! He can appreciate you much more! Besides, all this time you've been in this pack, do you want to repay my parents' kindness, who saved you, by opposing what I command?"
Alpha James's breath sounded so strong, making me nervous and afraid. Honestly, I'm not ready to die yet. Even though my life is miserable, I'm not prepared to accept something more terrifying than what has happened to me so far.
"I believe you understand and agree with everything I've said. Now, get ready. Vincent is waiting for you. We'll wait for you in the front yard!"
Alpha James walked away, leaving me petrified and trying to accept this bitter reality.