Urdon Pov
I stood at the front of the great hall and looked out at the packed crowd. Every member of the pack was here for this meeting. The hall was so full that some wolves had to stand against the walls because there were not enough chairs.
"Thank you all for coming," I said loudly so everyone could hear. "I called this meeting to make an important announcement about the mating rites."
The crowd went quiet. Everyone was staring at me waiting to hear what I had to say. I could feel their excitement building because the mating rites were always a big celebration.
"The mating rites will happen in two weeks under the next full moon," I announced. "We will gather in the ceremonial circle as tradition demands. All mated pairs will renew their bonds. All new couples will be officially recognized. It will be a night of celebration and unity for our pack."
The crowd erupted in cheers. Wolves were clapping and hugging each other. Young couples were smiling and whispering excitedly. Everyone seemed happy about the news.
Everyone except Freda.
I found her in the back of the hall standing alone against the wall. She looked pale and sick. Her face had no color at all and she was gripping the wall like she needed it to hold herself up.
When my eyes met hers she flinched. Actually flinched like I had hit her. Then she looked away quickly and stared at the floor.
That flinch made anger flare up in my chest. Why was she acting like I was the bad guy here. She was the one who had let Kyran touch her during her heat. She was the one who had bitten him and made him bleed. But somehow I was the villain in her story.
I forced myself to look away from her and focus on the crowd. "We have two weeks to prepare," I continued. "The ceremony will be traditional. Everyone should wear their formal robes. We will feast afterward and celebrate until dawn."
More cheers. More excitement. The energy in the room was electric and it should have made me happy. This was supposed to be a joyful announcement. But all I could think about was Freda's pale face and the way she had flinched when I looked at her.
After the meeting ended people started filing out of the hall. Many of them came up to congratulate me and tell me how excited they were. I smiled and thanked them but I was not really listening to what they said.
My eyes kept finding Freda. She was trying to leave quickly without anyone noticing. Trying to slip out the back door before I could talk to her.
I watched her go and felt something twist in my chest. The mate bond ached but I pushed the feeling down. She did not want to talk to me. That was clear from the way she ran every time I got near her.
When most of the crowd had left I saw Kyran standing near the front talking to some of the elders. I walked over and waited until the elders moved away. Then I grabbed Kyran's arm and pulled him aside.
"We need to talk," I said quietly.
"About what Alpha," Kyran asked. He would not meet my eyes.
"About Freda," I said. "She looks sick. She looks like she has not eaten or slept in days. What is wrong with her."
Kyran shifted his weight and looked uncomfortable. "I think it is just heat pain," he said. "Some wolves have harder heats than others."
"Her heat should be over by now," I said. "It has been days since it started. This is something else."
"Maybe you should ask her yourself," Kyran suggested carefully.
"She will not talk to me," I said and the words came out harder than I meant them to. "She runs away every time I get near her. So I am asking you. What is wrong with my mate."
"I do not know Alpha," Kyran said. "I have not spoken to her much recently."
That was a lie. I could tell it was a lie from the way he said it. Too quickly. Too defensively. But I did not call him out on it because I did not want to fight with another pack member today.
"Stay away from her," I said instead. "I mean it Kyran. Whatever happened between you two during her heat is over now. You are not to be alone with her again. Do you understand."
"Yes Alpha," Kyran said quietly. "I understand."
"Good," I said. But then I looked at his face and saw something there that made me pause. His one good eye looked sad. Not guilty. Not defensive. Just deeply sad like he was carrying a weight he could not share.
"Is there something you want to tell me," I asked.
Kyran was quiet for a moment. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something important. Then he closed it and shook his head. "No Alpha. There is nothing."
"Are you sure," I pressed. "Because if there is something going on that I need to know about you need to tell me now."
"I am sure," Kyran said. "Everything is fine."
Another lie. I could feel it. But I was too tired to push anymore. Too tired to drag the truth out of people who clearly did not want to give it to me.
"You can go," I said and waved him away.
Kyran bowed slightly and left quickly. I watched him go and felt frustration building in my chest. Everyone was lying to me. Freda was lying. Kyran was lying. Even Rex had been acting strange and secretive.
I was the Alpha. I was supposed to know everything that happened in my pack. But lately it felt like everyone was keeping secrets from me and I had no idea why.
I walked out of the great hall and headed toward my office. I needed to be alone for a while. Needed to think without people watching me and judging me.