Fated Hearts

Chapter - 1

Alpha Kayden – POV

I woke up entangled in the sheets with Kate again. Rolling out of bed, I looked out the window; dawn was breaking, the first rays of the sun piercing the dark skyline. I sighed. It's been seven months since the soldiers were wounded by dark magic, and recovery has been slow. Healing them to their full strength takes time. I glanced at Kate's sleeping figure. She's been here through my grieving, and I'm grateful for her support. But last night's fight was the breaking point-she wanted the love I couldn't give, offering only physical connection instead of true affection. That wasn't the only reason we fought. Kate had failed the Luna test; she couldn't bear children, making her unfit to rule by pack standards. It's cruel, but a chosen mate for Luna must meet certain criteria, and the elders didn't see her health condition as compatible. Kate insisted I follow the pack elders' advice, as she wasn't happy in a relationship without love. We're going our separate ways, and Kate will leave the pack. I sighed, my head dizzy. I drank some water and got ready to hit the gym to vent my frustrations.

As I walked, I caught a familiar scent-one I'd longed for but had lost. I shook my head, sniffing the air; it was still present. I wasn't hallucinating like I usually do when I ask Kate to wear a scent like peonies.

"Kayden," a voice called. I turned to see a woman standing at a distance, cloaked in black, holding a child. My soldiers were escorting her towards me. I gulped as she pulled back her hood, revealing Stella. The sight of her brought up a flood of questions-had she finally left that asshole Damon? Did she come to her senses and want to be with me? My eyes fell on the cooing child in her arms, who looked so much like Stella.

"Can I talk with you?" she asked, snapping me out of my reverie, and I nodded.

"Did my guards cause you any trouble?" I asked.

"No, I think they know their Alpha considers me a friend," she replied, her words shattering the flicker of hope I had. I opened the office door.

"I came to speak with you," Stella said, placing her daughter on the ground. The child, a happy bundle of joy, wasn't afraid; she kept smiling and playing with the toy in her hand.

"I thought you'd never come to see me unless you needed help," I said, hating how angry and mean I sounded, but I couldn't help it.

"I don't need help. I came to apologize for my mistakes," Stella whispered, her voice low. I couldn't understand what she meant.

"Apologize for being with Damon? You should admit he was a mistake," I said, sounding like an asshole. Stella shook her head, saying I wasn't getting the point of her apology.

"Have you heard the hate and anger directed at me from both wolves and Lycans?" Stella asked. Her words reminded me of the newspaper slander accusing her of being weak, unable to use light selene .agic to revive people from dead which could have lessen the damage of war. News paper articles called her useless. I made sure that kind of news never made it into my pack.

"I'm sorry I heard you lost your parents. I... couldn't protect many soldiers, and many families lost their loved ones," Stella said. "Please forgive me. I know I came late to give my condolences." Her voice trailed off, serious and sad. I won't lie-I was angry, I hated that I couldn't save my parents, and for a while, I blamed Stella. She could've done better, I thought. But when I cooled down, I realized I was a fool to blame others for things that can't be undone.

"Stella, you were new to magic, and don't forget you were pregnant. I don't hold you accountable for my parents' death-that blame lies with your late husband and his mother, who..." I paused, not wanting to curse in front of the child. Stella's anxious expression showed her guilt.

"Stella, you don't need to apologize for things beyond your control. In war, many things happen, and we can only move past the pain," I said, trying not to show the depth of my grief. But Stella placed her hand on my arm, offering comfort. She gave me a sad, understanding look. I knew she had lost her adoptive parents and cared deeply; I remembered her silent cries at night during the brief time she stayed with us.

"I also came to meet you in person since you blocked me," she said.

"I didn't," I replied coldly. She chuckled, teasing me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to tease you. I came to show you my daughter, Olivia," Stella said, carrying Olivia in her arms as she played and giggled.

"She's beautiful, just like you," I said.

"Olivia is a Lycan wolf," Stella stated.

"I know," I replied.

"You don't hate her for being Lycan?" she asked.

"No, I don't think I could ever hate an innocent child," I said as I handed Olivia back to Stella. Stella paused, the way she always does when she wants to discuss something unsettling.

can you restore the alliance between the Lycans and wolves," she pleaded.

"Did Damon send you For this?" I asked, my tone icy. Stella flinched, and the child in her arms began to cry. Stella soothed her.

"No, he doesn't even know. I lied to him to come here."

"So, what's the real reason?" I asked, annoyed.

"Kayden," her soft voice replied, insisting she wasn't here to convince me of anything. "I came as a friend. You asked me to stay in touch. I'm just trying to bring peace. Do you really want to start another war and see more people die?"

"I don't, and there won't be a war unless the Lycans provoke us. I'm sorry, Stella, but I can't forgive the Lycans. I lost my parents because of them, and many in my pack did too. Forgiveness isn't my path anymore-it's only brought me more pain," I muttered, seeing Stella's eyes grow sad.

"I see, Kayden. I can't change your mind, but I wish you the best. I heard you're dating Kate; she'd make a good Luna."

"She can't be," I muttered. "We broke up because I couldn't love her. I still feel..." My voice trailed off, and Stella's eyes dimmed with sadness, her tendency to blame herself surfacing once again. "It's not your problem, Stella. It's mine. I'll move on. You should be happy with Damon and Olivia, that's all I can say. And tell Damon congratulations on leading the hybrid pack," I said.

"The hybrid pack could've been yours-you declined to be the Alpha," Stella said, sensing my anger over Damon taking the role.

"I've got enough on my plate, and unlike Damon, I don't have a Luna to help me," I snapped. Stella just looked at me with sympathy.

"Take care, Kayden. I pray you find your happy ending," she said before leaving with her daughter. I watched her walk away, the longing in my chest something I hated to still feel. Sighing, I headed back to the breakfast table to get coffee, only to find Kate with a suitcase in her hand.

"You were supposed to leave tomorrow."

"It doesn't matter, Kayden. I got orders from the pack elders to move out of your manor and stay away," Kate said coldly.

"Why leave the pack? You could work elsewhere, where you don't have to deal with me," I suggested.

"Kayden, you're the Alpha. I'd still see you at pack events. I need a change of pace, and the pack only brings me pain since you could never love me," Kate said with a tired, sad sigh.

"I tried, Kate, like you asked me to."

"I know, Kayden, you did try, but it just never worked for us. I think destiny has new plans for us," Kate said sadly before leaving the mansion. I sighed. Harris walked in with an envelope, and I drank my coffee, processing the morning's events.

"What is this?" I asked, annoyed, as I read the letter from the pack elders. It read: "Alpha Kayden, please select a she-wolf as your mate. You have exceeded the time limit to choose. Once you decide, visit us for the Luna test. Time is ticking, and our neighboring enemies grow stronger. We can't appear weak without a Luna." I growled. I hate being ordered around, but the elders were right. I can't afford to be emotional; I need to think rationally.