Zander’s POV.
The morning after the gathering, I woke up to find the castle unusually quiet. The usual sounds of morning-the soft hum of servants bustling through the hallways, the clinking of dishes as breakfast was prepared, and the occasional murmur of conversations-were muted, almost nonexistent. It felt as if the castle itself was holding its breath, reflecting the weight of the night before.
The silence wasn’t comforting, though. It pressed down on me, amplifying the thoughts swirling in my mind. The gathering had been exhausting, and the emotional weight of choosing someone had left me feeling hollow. For a moment, I stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing the day ahead could be avoided entirely.
Helena. Her name echoed in my mind like a decision I wanted to forget but couldn’t. I had chosen her, but not because it felt right. It wasn’t a choice made out of connection or desire. It was because I had to choose someone.
The gathering had been a spectacle, a show of leadership and strength meant for my pack and advisors to see that I was moving forward. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t about the pack. It wasn’t even about me. It had been about Aria. Every conversation I’d had, every decision I’d made-it all came back to her in some way. And now, even as I told myself I was moving on, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of her absence.
As I prepared for my first official “date” with Helena, my thoughts continued to drift back to Aria. I hated that she still had this hold over me. I hated that no matter how hard I tried to focus on what was in front of me, she was always there, lingering in the corners of my mind.
Every decision I made, every step forward, seemed to orbit around her, as if she were the center of my universe-even though she wasn’t here. It was infuriating. It made me feel weak, and I couldn’t afford to feel weak. Not now. Not ever.
But I couldn’t let myself dwell on her. I forced those thoughts into the background, pushing them down as far as I could. This wasn’t about Aria anymore.
This was about taking the next step, about proving to myself and everyone else that I could move forward. If I kept holding onto the past, I would never become the Alpha King my pack needed me to be. This was about doing what was right, even if it didn’t feel that way.
Helena arrived exactly at noon, punctual and composed as ever. One of my staff escorted her to the private garden behind the castle, where I was already waiting.
The garden was vast, stretching across the back of the castle with winding stone paths that led through vibrant flowerbeds, neatly trimmed hedges, and towering trees that provided shade.
At the center of the garden was a fountain, its soft trickle of water adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
The space was serene and meticulously maintained, a place designed for moments like these. It was the perfect setting for a first date, or so I told myself.
When Helena stepped into view, I had to admit she looked stunning. She wore a flowing emerald-green dress that matched her striking eyes, the fabric swaying gently as she walked. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves down her back, catching the sunlight in a way that made it almost glow.
Every step she took was deliberate and graceful, her confidence evident in the way she carried herself. She looked every bit like the Luna one would expect to see beside an Alpha King.
“Alpha Zander,” she greeted warmly, her voice smooth and controlled. A smile spread across her face as she approached me.
“Helena,” I replied, keeping my voice steady and offering a polite nod. I allowed myself a small smile. “You look beautiful.”
Her smile widened, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw a flicker of genuine warmth in her expression. “Thank you,” she said, her tone light but sincere. Her eyes flicked over me briefly before she added, “And you look… well, exactly like an Alpha King should.” The playful edge in her voice softened the formality of her words.
I inclined my head, gesturing toward the small table that had been set up near the fountain. A white tablecloth draped over it, and the staff had gone all out, arranging an elegant spread of fruit, pastries, and tea. “Shall we?” I asked, motioning for her to take a seat.
She nodded, gliding to the table with the same deliberate grace she’d shown all afternoon. Everything about her seemed polished and perfect, her every movement intentional. She sat across from me, her posture impeccable, her back straight as if she’d been trained for moments like this.
“This garden is breathtaking,” she said after a moment, her eyes sweeping across the colorful flowerbeds and the way the sunlight filtered through the trees. “It’s clear that a lot of care goes into maintaining it.”
I nodded, watching her as she spoke. “It’s one of my favorite places in the castle,” I admitted, my voice quieter. “It’s… peaceful.”
She tilted her head slightly, her sharp green eyes studying me with interest. “You don’t strike me as someone who seeks peace,” she said, her tone light but curious.
Her comment caught me off guard, and I raised an eyebrow. “And what do I strike you as?” I asked, leaning back slightly in my chair.
She smiled, a playful glint in her eyes as she considered her response. “A leader,” she said finally. “Someone who thrives on challenges. Someone who’s always looking ahead, always planning the next move.” Her words were diplomatic, carefully chosen, but I could tell she was trying to get a read on me.
“And what about you?” I asked, shifting the conversation back to her. “What drives you, Helena? What is it that keeps you moving forward?”
Her expression grew serious, her gaze steady as she answered without hesitation. “Family,” she said, her voice firm. “My pack has always been my priority. Everything I’ve done-training, studying, even coming here-has been for them. To protect them. To make them proud.”
I respected her answer. It was honest, grounded, and full of conviction. There was a passion in her eyes as she spoke about her pack, a fire that made it clear she meant every word.
We talked for a while after that, our conversation flowing easily enough. She told me about her upbringing, her training as a warrior, and her aspirations for the future. She was intelligent, driven, and everything one would expect from someone vying for the position of Luna. On paper, she was perfect. She was exactly the kind of woman I should have been looking for-someone strong, capable, and dedicated.
But no matter how hard I tried, I felt… nothing. The longer we sat there, the more apparent it became. There was no spark, no connection, no pull that drew me to her. She was poised and polished, but she wasn’t *her.*
The ache in my chest grew sharper, the realization settling heavily in my mind. Helena wasn’t Aria. And no matter how perfect she seemed, she never would be.