CHAPTER 004
ALPHA ALAN'S POV
“I'm yet to understand why you'd think of betraying Keisha in that manner, man. What came over you?” Jeffrey, my red-haired beta and best friend queried me. “She's been nothing but loyal, submissive and your fated mate!”
“Regardless of being an Omega, I saw the happiness in your eyes when you found out she was the one for you! Keisha is a damn hot chick with brains, Alan! And you're gonna need that to rule this pack!” Jeffery spat.
“Don't make me feel worse than I do. Besides, Aurora is not a bad choice either. She's got a Master degree in management and she'd damn well run my companies well too, unlike Keisha,” I sighed, pressing my forehead against my dressing mirror with my eyes closed. A playback of Keisha's face that night flashed in my mind, haunting me again.
“Urgh!” I stepped backwards, grunted in frustration. “You know my hands are tied Jeffery,” my face pleaded for him to see reasons with my actions even though it wasn't justifiable.
“I need an heir as soon as possible. Yes, Keisha is a good girl and I…I liked her genuinely,” I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders. “But my legacy is more important to me than some butterflies flapping their stupid wings in my tummy,” I scoffed. “I'm sure she'll be fine after a couple of weeks.”
“Fine?” Jeffrey interrupted. “Fine! If I hadn't known you, I'd say you're some cold hearted son of a…” he paused, clawing his hands in front of me. “You know what? It's your choice,” he said, holding his hands up above him.
I chuckled at his expression. “I know you're looking out for me and I appreciate it. But, I have this under control,” I assured him, tapping on his shoulder.
“If you say so, man. Hurry up, we are behind schedule for the ceremony. I'd be on my way now to make sure everything is set,” Jeffery stated.
We shook hands, pulling each other into a soft shoulder jab before he left the room. I picked up my hair brush, styling my hair when the door was pushed open. Aurora stumbled in, looking like horror. Clutching her belly in an obvious agony, tears streaked her face, smearing her makeup.
“My goodness!” My heart skipped. “What happened to you,” I hurried over, grabbing her before she collapsed into arms, crying.
I slid her arm across my neck, and gradually led into a seat. “What happened to you?” I asked again, my forehead furrowed.
She handed some sort of thermometer to me. I was clueless as to what it was. “What is this?” I asked, confused.
“It's a pregnancy test stick, Alan. I'm pregnant for you,” she said.
The shock made me fall back. My brows arched as my jaw slacked. Words failed me.
“I…I found out I was pregnant and I was on my way to tell you when…” she coughed, wincing as she clutched her side in pain.
“Sorry..sorry” I panicked. “Should I get the doctor to check you out?”
“No..No, I'm fine!” She forced a faint smile. “So, I was on my way to give you the good news when Keisha attacked me. She punched me so hard in my belly. If…If Emila and Aria weren't there, she intended to cause me a miscarriage,” Aurora broke into tears again, collapsing into my shoulder.
I didn't know how to react to this. Some seconds ago, I was lamenting to Jeffery and now I'm a proud father-to-be. My heart swirled with excitement until the thought of Keisha, trying to hurt my baby, came to distort it. I took the test stick from her, reading it to make sure it was true— and it was.
I got up to my feet with a scowl on my face. “Where is that witch of an Omega, Keisha?” I barked.
Aurora pointed towards the door. “She’s outside— two turns to the right,” she specified.
I picked two of my guards standing in the room and marched out.
“Hold on! I'd love to come with you,” Aurora insisted, limping towards me.
It was the second turn to the right when I saw Keisha, picking up her belongings on the floor. Emilia held Aria, putting together her torn dress. Aurora was right, that witch really attacked them! My chest pumped with rage.
“Keisha!” I barked, startling her. She trembled, scurrying to her feet. Her gaze lowered.
“How dare you lay your hands on Aurora,” I growled. My palm, colliding with her cheek. “Answer me! How dare you?” My eyes burned with fury as I yelled into her ears. “Was your intent to kill my unborn child?” my voice cracked. “You… murderer?!”
“I…I didn't do anything, Alpha Alan. I didn't touch her!” Keisha pleaded, falling to her knees but I wasn't having her excuses.
I grabbed her by the hair, lifting her face to meet mine. “Are you trying to call my mate a liar?” I barked, pushing her back on the floor. “I know what to do,” I heaved continuously.
“Guards!” I called. “Seize her!” I ordered. They didn't hesitate grabbing her. “Take her up to the podium and keep her behind the stage until I call for her,” I ordered.
“Yes sir!” They chorused, dragging her carcass out of my sight.
I shifted my gaze to Emilia and Aria, who stood mortified. “I'm sorry about that. Tell the maids to get Aria into something more fitting.”
They both left, leaving Aurora and I behind. I turned to Aurora who looked troubled. “I'm sorry baby. I promise, I'd never let any harm come to you and my child,” I swore to her, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Go change into something more regal as the Luna of Nightbane pack,” I smiled.
“Yes your Highness,” she chuckled, bowing curtly.
There were howls of excitement as everyone clinged to their pairs. Their faces shone with eagerness to leave the gathering and proceed with mating and marking their mates. But I had some announcements to make.
“Its been a memorable day for everyone and congratulations to everyone who found a mate tonight. Please I'd urge you all not to tear your buildings apart while mating,” I teased. The crowd broke into a loud laugh while some gave a round of applause.
“With that being said, I have some important announcements to make,” I snapped my finger, the crowd went quiet.
The guard tossed Keisha out from the backstage. A loud gasp echoed through the crowd followed by murmurs from confused individuals. I held my hand up and there was silence again.
Clearing my throat, I began. “A lot of you must be wondering what is going on. Well, I'd save y'all the suspense and go straight to the point,” my gaze shifted to Keisha.
“This woman,” I pointed at Keisha. “Intended to murder the future heir of Nightbane—an innocent life growing in my chosen mate,” the crowd roared in shock. I turned towards Aurora, guiding her up to my side.
“Witch! Kill her! We should stone her! Murderer!”
Those words echoed from the crowd, tightening my chest. My eyes narrowed as I stared down at her. I don't know why I was doing this but I couldn't resist the urge to.
“You can't do this Alpha Alan,” Jeffery whispered into my ears. “Please! Think this through,” he pleaded.
I swallowed hard, though I dared not show that seeing her plead broke me. I'm sorry, Keisha. It's duty first before love. I pleaded for her forgiveness in my mind while keeping a straight look on my face.
“Please Alpha Alan! I'm innocent! I didn't hurt her!” Keisha wailed, crawling to my foot.
“Silence!” I barked, shutting off everyone. “Maybe I can banish you both if you care so much about her,” I growled at Jeffery.
He stood in my face for a while, his face twisted in a scowl but he wouldn't dare flaunt my order. He retreated.
I shifted back to Keisha. “Your punishment equals death. But because the Moon Goddess chose you as my fated mate, I will not take your life. For your crime, you and your father are hereby banished from this pack. You are never to step foot on Nightbane territory again. If you do, the penalty will be death.” My voice stiffened as I spoke.
The people murmured silently—faces dashed with astonishment. No one spoke, not even Keisha. Her hands trembled as she released her grip on my foot.
“Lift her!” I ordered.
The guards dragged her up to her feet. I hesitated, drawing in a deep breath before continuing my verdict.
“On that note, I, Alpha Alan Walker of Nightbane, reject you, Keisha Rollins, as my fated mate and publicly declare Aurora Brooklyn as my chosen mate.”
A sharp crack twisted the mate bond between us. Her body slumped as if the rejection physically struck her. While my chest tightened from the severing of our bonds, I clenched my fist, biting hard on my teeth.
Amidst the pain, Keisha rose to her feet, grunting through the pain. In her eyes were flames of rage from betrayal. Clutching her belly, she responded.
“I…I Keisha Rollins accept your rejection!”