The guilt we had

Owen's P.O.V.

I was on my way back to work from Jess's place. I felt relieved that I have something to wear to the ball but I just hope that the outfit will not be a disaster. I have faith in Jess's friend as I have seen his work before but the whole telling everyone that I am Jason's mate is kinda nerve-wracking.

I've been walking mindlessly. I've been too occupied with the thoughts about the ball and all things to pay attention to my surroundings. And suddenly I was pulled back because I banged into someone's back.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I should have seen where I was going." The person said. I think he was walking backward. I looked at his face and it was Aiden.

"Aiden!" I said.

"Hey! Hello, Owen."

"How have you been?" I asked. I can't believe it was the first time I'm seeing Aiden in the town. And he is Jason's BFF and the beta of the pack but I guess we just didn't cross the path. Maybe I did see him sometimes before with Jason but I was always too occupied by Jason to realize he was also there.

"All good." He said with a cheerful smile. "What about you?"

"I'm well too," I replied. And then there was an awkward silence. You know the one when you meet your old classmate after years and you say hi to one another and ask how have they been but then don't know what to talk about. Yup, that's exactly the case here.

"SO, beta. Huh." I said, trying to break the silence.

"Yup. Mr. Architect," he said jokingly. "Or should I say Mr. Future alpha?" he spoke lowering his voice so that people cannot hear it. He only let out air, there was not much sound. I felt my body tense as soon as I figured out what he spoke.

"Wait, how do you know that? Did Jason tell you?" I was not angry or scared like he has been Jason's best friend since forever so it is only natural that he knows but I was still surprised.

"Nah! I figured it out." he looked proud.

"Since when?" I was curious.

"Since high school." He said that it was not a big deal but it was at the same time.

And I was out of words to reply. Like, was it that obvious? I don't think so, I guess he is just sharp and smart.

"Wah. You are good." I said with a praising 'ah' tone.

"I know." and he then started laughing. "Don't worry I have not told anyone about this. My lips had been sealed and they will be sealed," he added and zipped his lips at the end.

"I know you wouldn't do something like that. I know you." I believed Aiden. He is a nice person and also thoughtful.

"Hey, Owen!" he said. His eyes changed. They looked sad and filled with regret. He was looking at the ground not making eye contact with me. "You see, I wanted to apologize," he added.

"For what?" I asked. I really did not know what he was talking about.

"You know..." he paused for a second. It was like he was gathering the courage. "About the high school. About bullying you," he added still not looking at me.

"I'm still not getting it. If I remember correctly, you never bullied me or hurt me." I spoke. It was true. Even though Aiden was Jason's best friend and was always hanging out with the people who were bullying me he never did something that would hurt me. He mostly refrained to talk with me. He would stay quiet in the back looking down or walk away when they did something terrible with me.

"Ya. But I was a bystander. And was friends with them. I should have done something, at least I should have tried." he was feeling really guilty. "I'm at fault too for not intervening." he was still looking at the ground.

"Ya, you should have. But I know why you did not. You were the future beta and how could you go against the alpha? You are supposed to follow his orders. That's probably what you must have thought back. I can understand. But I'm glad that even though you were not stopping them at least you did not join them. You are a nice person Aiden. We were all naïve then. We were still figuring things out, and we all made mistakes. But it's all right now." I said sincerely. "It took me a long time to realize that holding onto the past is only gonna stop me from having a better future. You should let it go too. I do not blame you." I added.

Sure, it would have been better if he stepped in. Maybe things might have been different. But I think he thought just like me back then. Just like how I thought that I have no chance against those bullies because Jason was the future alpha, he must have felt the same way. He must have been also scared, even more than me. Because he was the future beta and what would pack think if he went against his alpha.

"Ya, that's what I thought back then. But I do not think like that anymore." he was finally looking at me. He looked a little relieved. "after all these years, after what happened between you and Jason, I realized that being a beta does not mean following your alpha blindly. Being the beta means supporting your alpha. It is not only about receiving orders but it is also about helping the alpha make the right decisions." he added and I agreed with every word he said.

"Yes. And I'm so glad that our pack has such a great beta."

"I'm not that good." he was feeling shy. "Wow. Things got pretty serious," he said trying to light up the mood.

"Yes," I replied, and then there again was silence. "So what were you doing here?" I asked.

"Oh! You know the ball. I've been arranging the security for the event." he replied.

"Ah! Then you must be busy."

"Yes! Things have been hectic."

"I guess I should let you get back to work then," I said. "I'll see you around."

"Goodbye, Owen," he replied and I started walking past him waving to him.

"Oh! Owen! Um... which deo or perfume do you use?" he asked out of the blue.

"I haven't used one today. Why?" I was surprised.

"Nothing. You just smell nice," he said.

"Really? Thank you." I did not know what to say. "It must be the detergent." I was serious, I did not say that as a joke.

"Oh. Okay," he said.

We said goodbye again and went back to our work.

After that, the entire day passed swiftly. I was buried under the work and sure I didn't mind it but I really wanted to take a break. Finally, I completed everything and went home. It was pretty late when I left the office, it was already dark.

That night I got a text from Andrei. It was around ten when I read the message. It was a gif. A weird cartoon character jumps out of a cake as the confetti blows up and then he started to do some weird dance and a giant congratulation was hovering above him the whole time. And he also sent a text message.

"I have good news for you."

And that made me wonder what that might be. So, I asked.

                                                "???"

He replied in a second.

"You will love it."

                                                "What?" followed by the lost in thoughts emoji.

"You just won the ticket to spend four romantic days with the love of your life"

"The one and only"

"..."

"Drumroll please"

"..."

"Andrei Volkov, ME!!!"

                                                 "Huh!" I was still confused.

"I'm coming to Lahpiaro, stupid."

"I need to attend the ball but I'm coming early."

"And you're gonna show me around the town."

                                                            "REALLY!!!"

                                                  "that'd be amazing."

                                                  "When are you coming?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"Can't wait to see my sunshine." he also added the winking emoji.

                                                  "I can't wait to see my sweet pudding too." and I added the kissing emojis.

After that, we talked about different things until it was so hard for me to keep my eyes open. They felt like the entire world was hanging on them. So, I said goodbye and went to sleep. I need to make a list of the places I'm gonna take him the first thing tomorrow morning.