Aries

Chapter 20

A/N: I think I might be having an update schedule from now on. When my schedule is stabilised, I will let you guys know

Since the princess asked and I did not know how to resist those eyes, I gave in. After paying for the chocolate and the frappe, we left the cafe.

Espoir was crowded and seeing that it was the season where the leather was sold cheap, I could understand. So many were fawning over the products that said 'buy two get one free'.

I sighed. Aurelia would have loved it here. That girl loved shoes and leather. Said leather jacket made her look badass. As if she needed something to prove it.

Biting my lips, I followed an excited Miguel and Ant and Brent followed me. While Ant veered and went straight ahead for leather jackets, Miguel and Brent went towards belts. And seeing the crowd, I knew it would take a while.

I looked around and found a chair near a rack of boots. The rack which Aspen was seeing. Could it be true? Could she have killed her mate?

If I was going to judge her for the rumours about her, what would people judge about me? The runaway mate. That was what they called me now.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the racks. But before I could sit, Aspen asked, "You're into boots? I never pegged you for that, Alpha."

I shrugged and sat down. "I am here for the chair."

Aspen picked a pair of black boots that reached till the knees and examined it. "Like this?"

This model was the kind of thing Aurelia would prefer. By the Moon! It was a wrong idea to come here.

"Would be better with higher heels," I replied.

She hummed. "So... what are you doing here?"

I leant against the chair. "Ant wanted to come here. So here we are."

She chuckled. "I asked your true reason to come today."

I gave her a sideways glance. "Honestly? I want your brother to stop pursuing me. It is irking me."

She shook her head. "Irking you? Have even shifted to your wolf, Alpha? I truly wonder how your packmates agreed to you as their Alpha when you haven't even shifted once."

This was a strong blow to my gut. All the while, Varian, Miguel, Aislynn, hell, even Aries had warned me never to force a shift. But on what basis was I worthy of being their Alpha?

What if I never shifted?

What if I was not a Shifter?

Was I different because I was a Shifter? But it did not seem too colourful now.

"Cat got your tongue?" Aspen asked, examining another pair of boots, with heels this time.

I cleared my throat and swallowed my pride. If there was one person who might have the chance to know what I was going through, it might be Aspen. She had been an Alpha, had she not?

"You are right," I admitted. "I have never shifted. I do wonder why my pack chose me."

She gave me a queer look. Then she checked the shoe size and asked a salesgirl, boots for size six. My size. Looking down at her feet, I knew her size was larger. Then why was she buying it?

I shrugged, it could be for Mina.

"You are one weird girl, Lyra," Aspen said suddenly. "I know what you are going through. Rumours that the winds carry. Whispers about you whenever you step out. The world will believe the one who opened their mouth first. The one with more power, more money. It is the law of this world."