The Royal Alpha

Chapter 9: The Celebration.

"Open the door, Sierra," Tatiana calls from the other side, her knuckles rapping sharply against the wood. "We need to get ready. Aztec's birthday celebration starts in an hour."

Her voice is firm, but not unkind.

It's five in the evening.

An entire day has passed since the garden—since everything I thought I understood about my life unraveled in the span of a few breaths. I'm still sitting on my bed, knees pulled to my chest, staring at the wall as if it might offer answers I'm too afraid to ask.

I know, rationally, that Aztec and Avery weren't lying. Mate bonds aren't something you fake—not in our world. I know that.

Knowing doesn't make it hurt less.

The idea of walking into that hall, of seeing them standing together—radiant, complete—feels unbearable. His mate will be beside him, proud and protected, while I stand among the crowd as nothing more than a former mistake.

My vision blurs.

I press my palm to my mouth, trying to stifle the sound as my shoulders shake. I don't want anyone to hear me like this—fractured, undone.

"Okay," Tatiana says sharply, her voice closer now. "I'm done waiting. I can smell your tears from the hallway, Sierra. Let me in."

I squeeze my eyes shut.

"Whatever's wrong," she continues, softer this time, "you don't have to handle it alone."

Silence stretches.

Then her tone hardens—not angry, just resolute. "You have one minute. If you don't open this door, I will."

That snaps me out of the spiral.

I swing my legs off the bed and cross the room, unlocking the door just as Tatiana shifts her weight—clearly ready to force it open if needed. She freezes when she sees my face.

"Oh," she murmurs.

I don't say anything. I step aside and let her in, then retreat back to the bed, curling in on myself again. Tatiana closes the door quietly behind her.

She doesn't speak right away. She sits beside me, close enough that I can feel her warmth but not so close that it feels invasive.

Then, gently, "Tell me."

The words undo me.

"I—" My voice cracks. I swallow and try again. "I wasn't his mate."

Tatiana stiffens slightly. "Aztec?"

I nod, unable to meet her eyes. "He found his mate today. It's... it's not me."

The room goes very still.

She exhales slowly. "Who?"

"Avery Lowell. Moon Stone Pack."

Tatiana's brows knit together, then relax. "The quiet one."

I laugh weakly. "Yes. Her."

Tatiana doesn't say I told you so. She doesn't ask what happened in the garden. She simply reaches out and pulls me into her arms.

I break.

"I wanted it to be him," I whisper into her shoulder. "I wanted us. I wanted to be his Luna. I built my future around it, Tatiana."

She holds me tighter. "I know."

After a moment, she speaks again. "But wanting doesn't make it destiny."

Her words aren't cruel. They're grounded. Honest.

"You loved him," she continues, "but love without a mate bond is... incomplete. That doesn't make you foolish. It makes you young."