Why My Mate Cries
Chapter 56

ALIYAH’S POV

I came to a halt. My eyes rested upon the familiar man who had bumped me and was now taking his way forward to where the tents were. My entire body stiffened because of the dreadful feeling that washed over me. I could not be wrong… that man was the Beta of the Silver Moon Pack, and my brother’s best friend.

The memories of how my brother beat me up to death before I escaped lingered in my mind as if it all had only happened yesterday. My knees turned to jelly at the thought of Shawn being here with our father; that our paths would cross again at any moment; that they would hurt me again…

“Aliyah,” Reid called me, ripping me out of the terrifying thoughts that were slowly making me weak.

I turned to him. He looked at me worriedly. His eyes were seemingly trying to read my mind, and could see the terror in my face.

“R—Reid…” My voice quivered.

I wanted to say something, but the growing fear in my chest was unbearable, making it impossible for me to speak what bothered me at this point.

“You’re scared to death. What’s wrong?” he asked. His hands moved, caressing my arms as he tried to soothe me. “Do you feel any pain?”

“What’s going on?” Klaus curiously asked, but Reid told them to walk forward and leave us for a moment.

Swallowing my saliva, I tried to hide in Reid’s body like a child who did not want anyone to see her. I became too paranoid. I could never let my guard down, knowing that my family was probably here to attend the annual assembly.

I couldn’t understand why I hadn’t thought of that… As far as I could remember, my family loved forming alliances with the other packs to sustain our power and be on the top list of supreme packs. My father loved to be friends with the famous Alphas, as it provided the pack with a lot of benefits, from goods and services to even negotiations related to agriculture and weapons. With that kind of personality, of course, he would never miss an annual assembly where he could look for new allies. I should have realized better…

“You have to tell me what’s bothering you, Aliyah.” Reid’s voice was firm, and his gaze darkened in frustration. “It’s frustrating that I can’t get into your head and read your mind.”

“My family is here, Reid…” I let out a small huff and bit my trembling lower l*p. “The man who bumped me earlier is my brother’s Beta. They are here…”

I was shaking so badly when my eyes roamed around, taking secret glances at the people proceeding into the center aisle of the land. My hands were sweating in cold that I had to clasp them while I still tried to hide in Reid’s arms.

“Are you sure?”

I glanced up at him and saw that he had clenched his jaw tight. The need to protect me was visible in his pair of blue eyes, and I could also see the rage behind them.

I nodded as I gasped and lowered my head. “Y—You have to hide me.”

“You are my Luna. There is no reason for you to hide.” He made a low growl.

“No, Reid. I can’t show myself to them. T—They might hurt me…”

Reid began shaking his head before I even finished my sentence. He cupped my face and looked down at me intently. “That’s impossible. They won’t do anything that will ruin the assembly. Respect is a must in this place, Aliyah. Otherwise, they would be thrown out.”

“They can’t see me, Reid…” I almost pleaded. Tears formed on both sides of my eyes as I felt the all too familiar fear that used to haunt me at night.

“I promise that I will protect you,” Reid said, and it helped calm me down.

He looked around, seemingly trying to make sure no one was gawking at us, and then wrapped his arm around my shoulders. My head was still lowered, and it was a good thing I was wearing a hoodie that I used to hide my face even more.

“Let’s go, Aliyah. You will stay in the designated tent for us.”

“I—I will…”

After almost a five-minute walk, we entered a huge white tent. There I saw our members who were unpacking their things. The tent was so spacious that it could be compared to the combined space of the main living room and kitchen back in the pack house.

I sat on one of the wooden chairs and let out a long sigh, while Reid was still checking things outside before he entered the tent.

“You’re going to stay here until the assembly is done,” he declared.

Still shuddering, all I could do was nod at him. A small part of me was guilty that I had to do things this way… to be on the run so that my father and brother would not find me, despite them being my family, but a big part of me was scared for my life… it wasn’t just about me anymore. I had a child inside my womb that I had to protect.

“What’s happening? Why are you both so serious?” Liana questioned us, putting both of her hands on the sides of her lips.

Reid’s breathing became ragged. The other members walked up to us too, and were all curious about what happened.

“Aliyah’s former pack is here. His brother is the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack,” Reid explained.

Liana and Alice both gasped, and I could only let out a huff in both frustration and fear.

“It might cause a problem if they saw her,” Klaus remarked.

Reid nodded, still clenching his jaw tight. “That’s why she needs to stay here. I can reason out that she can’t show herself for the meeting tomorrow, and probably ask if we can go home ahead of time.”

“There’s no way her family wouldn’t find out that she’s here,” Cecelia interjected. “Her scent is so strong because she’s pregnant. Any shifter would be curious.”

“That’s what I need you here for, Cecilia.” Reid turned to her and continued, “Please look after her. No one outside the pack should enter this tent.”

“I got it, Alpha.”

Reid then knelt in front of me, holding my hands and squeezing them tight to assure me that everything would be alright. I was still feeling the dread curling into my spine, but I was glad I wasn’t alone anymore. I felt Liana’s hand on my back, and when I looked up at her, she gave me a reassuring smile.

“We’re going to protect you, Aliyah.” Liana caressed my back and it made me at ease. “So just stay calm. You can’t stress yourself. Your baby will feel it.”

“Thank you,” I said as a tear ran down my face.

Our attention was caught by the loud noise coming from the outside. It was like someone was announcing something regarding the assembly.

“To all the Alphas, please proceed to the red tent! Once again, to all the Alphas, please proceed to the red tent!”

Reid and I looked at each other. While I knew my eyes were radiating fear and worry, his were gleaming with determination.

“It’s fine, little wolf.” He squeezed my hand tighter. “Wait for me here.”

I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. That was enough to erase the negative thoughts in my head. I then nodded, completely putting my trust in him.