CHAPTER 166: CHAOS AMONGST THE ALPHA SUCCESSORS

Tristan’s POV

He calmed down a little after assessing me, "All that I’m saying is that having a mate now can be so much of a distraction. Not every wolf wants you happy, and a mate could be a weakness."

"Do you mean Mom was a weakness?" I asked, my heart sinking.

"Your Mom was a weakness. She was used as bait, and when they saw I was unyielding, she was poisoned," he said, his tone darkening, a shadow of sadness clinging to his countenance.

He was telling the truth. Aria made me weak; I could not stay a day without my mind drifting to her, especially after that day at the hospital with Mel.

"You seem lost in thoughts, son," Dad’s voice called me out of my thoughts. This was the first time in a long while that he had spoken to me in such a cordial and gentle tone.

"Well, you are right, Dad, but I have to return to Ashwood, at least for the forthcoming sports event. You cannot sponsor an event, and I wouldn’t participate in it," I reminded him.

Dad was involved in everything Ashwood; he had been one of the earlier volunteer sponsors for the sports events, yet he saw it as a youthful distraction.

He nods his head, as if realizing that he could not beat me in this argument, I would have my way regardless.

"It seems that you already made up your mind, and there’s no point trying to convince you. Safe journey back to school. Mason will drive you to school when you are ready," he said, turning his chair around so his back would face me.

It was apparent that he wasn’t having any more conversation on this matter or any other matter at all, so I just left for my room to gather my belongings and, of course, head to Ashwood.

**************************************

The drive back to Ashwood felt heavier than the last time I left. Mason didn’t say a word the entire ride; maybe he sensed it. The tension rolling off me wasn’t exactly subtle.

I tried not to think about what I was going back to, but the more I tried, the louder my thoughts got.

Damon’s kiss and Aria’s expression.

And that pull I felt back at the Guild, that unmistakable feeling that made me believe that they must have bonded.

Something about it didn’t sit right. Damon’s kiss was showy, impulsive, him trying to mark territory, maybe. But the bond flare seemed deeper.

It couldn’t have been from just a kiss.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to finish that thought.

When the car pulled up at the academy gates, I didn’t wait for Mason to park correctly. I stepped out, slamming the door behind me.

Students were still buzzing about last night’s talent show, the "kiss heard around Ashwood," apparently. Their whispers followed me as I passed.

"Isn’t that Tristan Belmont?"

"He wasn’t even here last night."

As usual, I didn’t know why I drew so much attention, even in times when I didn’t even need it, like now, for instance. Specs of being an Alpha successor.

The whispers continued. "I wonder how he would feel, finding out that Damon kissed Aria at the stage."

"They are mates too?"

"Aria is literally mated to the three of them. I think she’s even got other mates."

How right and fast some news spread across Ashwood, I just wanted to get to my apartment as soon as possible.

I found Damon first. He was sitting on the low wall near the training field, guitar case at his feet, sunglasses on like he was immune to shame.

"Tristan," he greeted, not even pretending to be surprised. "Didn’t think you would be back so soon."

I folded my arms, my voice calm but tight. "You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that."

He smirked, tilting his head. "You watched the show?"

"Oh, I watched it," I said, taking a step closer. "Got front-row access to you sticking your tongue down our mate’s throat. Bold move from someone who knows the meaning of the word ’share’."

The smirk slipped for just a second. "Don’t twist it. That wasn’t what it looked like."

"Really? Because it looked exactly like what it was, a performance that ended with you crossing a line."

He stood, his jaw flexing. "You weren’t here. You didn’t see how Aven paraded her in front of everyone like she was some damn trophy. I felt it, Tristan, before they walked in, my wolf was uncomfortable, so I had to do something."

"By kissing her?" I shot back. "That’s your definition of doing something?"

"It was revenge," he said flatly. "Aven was marking territory first. I just returned the favor."

Something cold sank into my stomach. "What do you mean by marking territory first?"

He hesitated.

That was enough to tell me I wouldn’t like the answer.

"Damon," I said, my tone sharp. "What...Do...You...Mean."

He looked away, running a hand through his hair. "You should talk to Aven."

The moment he said it, my pulse dropped into a darker rhythm.

My fear was confirmed; it wasn’t just a kiss, and Damon wasn’t the one responsible.

I took my luggage back to my apartment. I found Aven sitting on the couch watching something on the television.

He looked up from his desk, startled. "Tristan..."

"What the hell did you do?"

He frowned, standing up slowly. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I’m talking about," I said, stepping further in. "Don’t play dumb with me, Aven. My wolf felt it."

His jaw tightened, and that was confirmation enough.

"You bonded with her," I said, my voice quieter now but far more dangerous.

He didn’t deny it. He just exhaled, running a hand over his face. "It wasn’t planned. It just happened."

"It’s just happened," I repeated, laughing humorlessly and nodding my head. "That’s your excuse? Aven, even you know that’s a lame excuse. That’s not Aven, Aven loves to plan before executing, and the timing couldn’t be any better. I was gone for family business, and Damon was at the talent show, so you took that opportunity to mark her, how smart."

"Tristan, listen..."

"I leave for two damn days to handle family duty," I snapped, "and you decide that’s the perfect time to mate-bond with her?"

His eyes flashed. "You weren’t here, and I just got carried..."

"Don’t finish that sentence," I warned.