CHAPTER 165: REJECT HER

Tristan’s POV

I quickly showered and dressed.

It’s going to be a busy day today. "Good morning, young Alpha," all the butlers and servants greeted with head bowed as I made my way to the car.

"Wouldn’t you eat before moving out?" Maddy asked.

"I’ll eat out, I don’t have much time left if I want to meet up with them," I replied to her calmly.

"Well, safe journey, kid," she said, patting my shoulders.

As I walked out of the building, Dad was already there waiting for me. "I thought you weren’t going to wake up, but I guess you are still Tristan after all. I’ll be heading west for other businesses. Make sure you sort the northern guild; we can’t afford to miss that deal, the kingdom will suffer," he said, before getting into his car.

No greeting as usual, straight to business.

I wondered how Maddy could think the same Alpha I witnessed every day could have an emotional side. Everything I ever learned from him was about manipulation in business and politics.

When Mom died, I never saw him cry or wait to mourn Mom. He carried on with his business. During those times, I noticed he killed a lot more saboteurs than he used to. Mom was his restraint most of the time, suggesting a better punishment rather than just outright killing.

But I guess, grief had the better part of him.

The engine purred as I slid into the backseat of the black SUV, the one my father insisted I use for "business-related appearances." It was sleek, bulletproof, and, in his words, "fit for an Alpha."

To me, it was just another reminder that everything about my life was calculated, even the car I sat in.

The driver, Mason, nodded at me through the rearview mirror. "Straight to the Northern Guild Headquarters, sir?"

"Yes," I replied, my tone as clipped as my father’s always was. "Let’s not keep them waiting."

The car rolled to a stop in front of the Guild’s steel-and-glass tower. The guards bowed slightly when they saw the crest on my jacket: golden flame and an anvil, the symbol of authority.

It carried enough weight to part crowds. I didn’t feel it anymore. It wasn’t pride; it was pressure wearing royal skin, specs of being an Alpha successor.

"Wait here," I told Mason as I stepped out.

The Guild’s main hall was full of men and women who carried themselves like predators. These were the kind of people who could start a war over a late shipment and sleep soundly afterwards. My kind of people, technically.

"Alpha Tristan," Gareth, the Guild head, greeted, flashing that calculating smile of his. "Didn’t think the trade Stronghold would send its golden boy in person."

"I’m not here for compliments," I said, setting my folder on the table. "I’m here to fix a problem."

That got their attention. I went straight in with no fluff or rehearsed pleasantries.

"My cousin Eryk was here some weeks ago on a negotiation which was a mess, I think he wasn’t accurate on some details and probably not quite updated," I started.

"Ok, if you have a more interesting deal to offer, then shoot," Gareth stated, his tone firm.

I told them what they needed to hear. The vampire threat was over. The traitors executed. The sigil resealed. The kingdom’s economy, safe again.

Half of them looked skeptical, the other half mildly impressed.

"And the assurance?" one asked.

"The assurance," I said, leaning forward, "is me. I came all the way from Ashwood to assure you of how true and important this is. Has Tristan ever made a deal that didn’t benefit both parties? At least you can hear the words on the streets and know for yourselves."

Silence. Then, I laid out my offer. "The Trade Stronghold is opening a new silver-forged alloy channel. Stronger than steel. Resistant to vampire corrosion. You get exclusive rights to it. No other guild will touch it."

Their eyes widened, a mix of greed and disbelief. Good. That was the sweet spot.

Gareth smirked. "You are your father’s son, very efficient."

"Now that is a sweet deal on top of that. Your cousin must have been misinformed." Luna Lila added.

Of course, everything has to be about my father. Is he the one standing before them? But they always find a way to shift my hard work onto him.

I nodded at them, gulping down. "Well, I’m his son after all."

A few chuckles followed, but I could already feel my wolf stirring. That low, uneasy rumble beneath my skin.

It grew suddenly into a sharp pain. My wolf was restless. ’Aria’

The bond flare.

My chest clenched, and my hand froze midair. The unmistakable pull of the mate connection is surging alive. My pulse kicked hard, almost choking me.

She is bonding with one of them.

It was instinct. The wolf’s way of knowing. Aria’s wolf had just connected with one of them.

I swallowed hard, fighting to stay composed as I signed the documents. My vision blurred for a second, my heart pounding out of sync, anxiety getting the best of me.

"Is something wrong, Alpha Tristan?" Gareth asked.

"Nothing," I managed through my teeth. "We’re done here. Send the signed copy to my stronghold. I’ll finalize it from there."

I left before they could say another word. My wolf was pacing like it wanted to tear through the Guild walls. I barely made it out of the building before the phone in my pocket buzzed.

I pulled it out. A message from Ashwood’s news channel.

Trending: Damon Noctar kisses Aria Wolfsburn onstage at the talent show!

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. ’Damon?’

Did Damon just bond with Aria and dare to kiss her on stage still?.

The video auto-played, and there it was. I couldn’t even dare to read the comments below the video; my wolf was restless within me. Was I jealous? Yes, I was.

My throat went dry. My wolf growled low and dangerous.

Of course. Damon. I should have known.

I put my phone away before I could throw it across the street. The air felt too thin.

"Mason," I said as I stepped into the car. "Back to the trade stronghold, now."

"Sir..."

"What were you expecting? I’m done here."

By the time I reached the stronghold, my control was hanging by a thread. Every thought was of the incident on the stage with her and Damon.

I didn’t stop to think. I stormed straight to my father’s office.

He was there, as always. Neat suit. Cold eyes. The smell of cigars and his back to the door, legs crossed on top of his work table.

"Tristan," he said without looking up. "I assume the meeting went well."

"It’s done," I replied. "The Guild signed the deal; they will be sending some documents for you to complete the signing."

"Good." He turned off the hologram screen and leaned back. "Then you’ll stay here for a while. There’s still the southern alliance to negotiate, and we can’t risk sending Eryk again. He botched the last one."

"I can’t stay," I said. "Maybe you should consider doing it yourself, or getting some other wolf to carry this one out."

His brow arched slightly. "Excuse me?"

"I need to return to Ashwood. The sports festival is next week. I’m signed up, and..."

He cut me off with a sharp laugh. "Sports festival? Don’t be ridiculous. You think I trained you your entire life for school games?"

"It’s not about games," I said tightly. "It’s about representation. You said yourself, the stronghold’s strength is in its visibility."

"Visibility is my job," he snapped. "Yours is to learn. And right now, you will learn here."

I clenched my fists. "You don’t understand. I..."

He stood abruptly, his presence swallowing the room. "Careful, boy. I understand everything. I built this stronghold on sacrifice. You think I had time for youthful distractions when the entire economy rested on my back?"

The word ’distractions’ hit harder than I wanted it to.

He stepped closer, voice dropping low. "I know why you want to go back; you must have a female wolf on your back again."

I froze. Why would he suddenly think that way?.

He smirked faintly, like a man who had caught a lie before it left your mouth. "Don’t bother denying it. You are your mother’s son after all. Too much heart and not enough steel."

My wolf growled, angry, defensive. "Why pretend you don’t have a heart? But this is not about that, Dad."

"Then tell me, what is it about?" he challenged. "Sports? Please don’t humor me, son. You want to tell me that you suddenly feel so enthusiastic about sports?"

I exhaled slowly, trying to keep the storm inside from spilling out. "She is my mate."

That stopped him cold.

He stared at me for a long time, and something unreadable flickered behind his eyes. Maybe a memory, but he looked so sad.

Finally, he spoke. "Then reject her."

It was like someone had punched the air out of me. How could he be so ruthless?.

I blinked, once. Twice. "What?"

"You heard me," he said calmly, turning away. "Reject her. You can’t afford the distraction. Mates are liabilities in our position. They make you weak."

"But you accepted mom. Why are you asking me this?"