Mated To The Lycan Prince:The Runaway Mate

Chapter 7

Aliya's POV:

After that night, when Jayden held me in his arms, everything felt so surreal. It just felt too good to be true. Was I going on the wrong path? Who can I talk to about this?? I had kissed a man that wasn't my boyfriend, he was just a friend and I had heard stories of what he's turned into. What if Evan finds out? I said, lost in thoughts.

As I wandered through the aisles close to my chambers, my room to be precise, a pang of longing tugged at my heart, reminding me of the friend I had left behind—Raquel. She had been my constant companion, my confidante, my partner in crime, and I missed her more than words could express.

Raquel and I had been inseparable since our school days, when we first bonded over our shared love of music and dance. Together, we had laughed, cried, and shared countless memories that I would treasure forever.

I remembered the late nights spent practicing our dance routines, the adrenaline rush of performing on stage together, the whispered secrets shared beneath the stars. Raquel was more than just a friend to me—she was family, the sister I had always longed for.

Our adventures took us to the hottest clubs in Paris, where we danced until the early hours of the morning, lost in the rhythm and the music. Raquel's laughter was infectious, her energy boundless, and in her presence, I felt alive in a way I never had before.

But as much as I cherished our memories together, there was a shadow that hung over our friendship—a secret that I had kept hidden from Raquel, even as our bond grew stronger with each passing day.

When the time came for me to leave Paris, I couldn't bring myself to say a proper goodbye to Raquel. The guilt weighed heavy on my heart, knowing that I was leaving behind the one person who had always been there for me, without so much as a word of explanation.

As I left the streets of Paris, the memories of our time together flooded my mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of what I had lost. I longed to reach out to Raquel, to apologize for the pain I had caused her, but the fear of rejection held me back.

But deep down, I knew that no matter how far apart we may be, the bond between Raquel and I would never be broken. And as I gazed up at the twinkling lights of the corridor, I made a silent vow to one day reunite with my dear friend and make amends for the hurt I had caused.

As I stood there, lost in my thoughts of Raquel, a sudden wave of longing washed over me, compelling me to reach for my phone and dial her number. But just as my finger hovered over the screen, a knock at the door interrupted my reverie.

Startled, I glanced up to see Jayden standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. I quickly pocketed my phone, forcing a smile onto my lips as I greeted him, trying to push aside the memories of Raquel that still lingered in my mind.

"Jayden," I said, trying to sound casual despite the ache in my heart. "What brings you here?"

Jayden's gaze was cool and distant, his eyes betraying nothing as he surveyed me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "I came to see how you're settling in," he replied, his voice clipped and businesslike.

I felt a pang of disappointment at his cold demeanor, but I forced myself to remain composed, not wanting to appear vulnerable in front of him. "I'm fine, thank you," I replied, plastering on a smile that felt more like a grimace.

Jayden's expression softened imperceptibly, a flicker of something crossing his features before it was gone in an instant. "Good," he said, his tone betraying nothing. "I'll leave you to it then."

As he turned to leave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the warmth and familiarity of Raquel's friendship. But as much as I missed her, I knew that I couldn't dwell on the past—I had to focus on the present and the challenges that lay ahead.

And as I watched Jayden disappear down the hallway, a part of me couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the icy facade he presented to the world. Was there warmth and kindness hidden beneath the surface, or was he truly as cold and indifferent as he seemed? Only time would tell.

Feeling a surge of frustration and desperation, I hurried after Jayden, determined to confront him about my need to speak with Raquel. I caught up to him just as he was about to disappear around a corner, my voice sharp with determination.

"Jayden, wait," I called out, my tone tinged with urgency. "I need to speak with you."

He paused, his posture stiffening as he turned to face me, his expression guarded. "What is it, Aliya? I'm busy."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that was about to unfold. "I need to talk to Raquel," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. "I miss her, and I need to make things right."

Jayden's gaze softened slightly, a hint of sympathy flickering in his eyes before it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference. "I'm sorry, Aliya, but that's not possible," he replied, his tone dismissive.

Anger flared within me, frustration bubbling to the surface as I fought to keep my emotions in check. "What do you mean it's not possible?" I demanded, my voice rising with each word. "You can't just deny me the chance to speak with my friend!"

Jayden's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he regarded me with a steely gaze. "I'm doing what's best for you, Aliya," he said, his voice cold and calculated. "You need to focus on your duties on becoming the future crown princess, not on past friendships that serve no purpose."

My temper flared at his dismissive attitude, my frustration boiling over into anger. "How dare you dictate what's best for me?" I shot back, my voice laced with defiance. "You have no right to control my life!"

Jayden's gaze hardened, his resolve unyielding as he met my fiery glare with one of his own. "I'm not trying to control your life, Aliya…” he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I'm trying to protect you from making a foolish mistake."

But his words only served to fuel my anger, my resolve hardening with each passing moment. "Well, I have news for you, Jayden," I retorted, my voice steely with determination. "If you won't let me speak with Raquel, then I'll find a way to do it myself. And if that means running away from here, then so be it. After all, it was because of you that I lost contact with her in the first place."

“Aliya, you will do no such thing!” He retorted back at me angrily.

“Alright then, Be my guest.” I snapped back at him.

With that, I turned on my heel and stormed off, leaving Jayden standing alone in the hallway, his expression a mask of unreadable emotion. But deep down,

I knew that my threat had hit home, and that Jayden would have no choice but to reconsider his stance on the matter. For Raquel was more than just a friend—she was my lifeline, the one person who had always been there for me, and I would stop at nothing to find her once again.