CHAPTER 3: DAMNED

VICTORIA

I think the goddess heard my complaints earlier and decided to fuck me over.

Why can’t you feel it? He’s our mate!

My wolf desperately tried to convince me, but I felt nothing except agitated by what my wolf was trying to say to me.

Everyone who experienced meeting their fated mate said that I would feel the bond no matter what once we laid eyes on each other, and it has already happened. I literally landed on top of him, but I wouldn’t even know if my wolf didn’t tell me that he was my mate!

It wasn’t even the largest question at hand. Why must it be this man above anyone that could be my mate?

Huge stories travel, not only within the pack but also to neighboring packs. The “juicy” gossips tends to travel faster, and this guy is the latest hottest topic of gossip within the packs.

Lucas Quinn is the new alpha of the Silver Crest pack. Also known as the most notorious womanizer alpha in the city.

I’m damned.

“Enjoying the view?” He tilted his head, still wearing a playful grin on his face that I’ve been itching to erase.

I could smell desire from him, and I just wanted to dig a hole and deposit him straight in it.

With a glare, I got up and left him lying on the ground. This can’t be right. Maybe this is some type of anomaly because I should be feeling something, like a strong pull, as they all described. 

I didn’t waste my time and walked away until my steps went faster until I was running away. Unfortunately, Lucas is more persistent than I thought.

“Wait!” He grabbed my arm, but I quickly pulled away. My wolf continued thrashing out in my mind because of how I treated this alpha, but I won’t have it.

“Do not lay a hand on me.” I forced myself to stay calm but didn’t care if he was an alpha. I choose who I respect, and he doesn’t deserve respect with that kind of rotten self-centered attitude.

He looked at me with confusion and surprise, almost making me scoff. If his people don’t complain about his attitude, then he can’t bring that to my pack. 

“Is there something wrong with me? I don’t understand why you’re acting like that.” His voice was lower, a bit hurt if I would assume.

I raised a brow, “I simply told you not to touch me.”

“But you’re my mate. You shouldn’t act like this.” He still insisted, and it took everything in me not to punch him in the face.

Is this guy for real?!

I shook my head, “First of all, there should be a mistake because I don’t feel it. You’re not my mate. Second, even if I am, that doesn’t give you the right to randomly follow me. I thought you were an intruder that’s why I attacked you. You can’t just touch me, either, especially when I specifically told you not to. If you think otherwise, then you should rethink your life choices.”

“I don’t get it. I know you are my mate. I could feel it. Your wolf was responding to mine. I heard it perfectly.”

There was a sudden pang in my chest after hearing his response. His concern might or might not be genuine, but I don’t feel that bond he’s talking about.

“Look, I’m sorry, but I’m telling the truth. I don’t feel the bond.” I uttered, leaving the detail that my wolf was snapping at me with the accusation that I was lying. 

I wish I was lying, but I really don’t. 

He didn’t follow me, but I kept running away and returned to the pack house. 

Lyle blocked my way, frowning because she knew I tried to sneak out.

“Tori, why did you run away? And you came back almost immediately. What happened?” She knows that I don’t easily change my mind. I would have made a way to leave our territory to escape this, but I can’t deal with what I learned today all alone. I need someone to explain this.

I pulled her inside my room, praying that that man won’t go straight to my dad and tell him what happened.

“Something out of the ordinary happened,” I mumbled, still feeling agitated because my wolf was still yelling at me for us to come back and reconcile with Lucas.

Lyle sat on my bed, “Okay, I’m listening.”

“I think… my wolf just found its mate,” I said in the lowest voice possible. 

Her eyes widened, “You found your- mhf!” I covered her mouth before she could yell the M-word.

I motioned her to lower her voice before removing my hand from her mouth.

“No, you don’t understand. It’s my wolf’s mate.”

She squinted her eyes, “Tori, I hate to break it up to you, but that’s the same thing. Your wolf’s mate is your mate. That’s how mate bond works.”

“Believe me, even though I hate it, I understand what you mean. This is differen. I swear, I don’t feel the mate bond.”

She was about to speak, but I beat her into it, “And no, I’m not in denial. I just don’t feel the spark, magic, whatever that you said you felt when the mate bond took effect on you.” My brother is a year older than us, so he felt their mate bond earlier. He didn’t tell Lyle for some reason, and because of that, they had several arguments because Ruis simply refused to talk about it. Knowing my brother, he just wanted it to be a surprise, or he wanted it to be mysterious for no particular reason. 

Lyle didn’t shut up about it, saying it was the most beautiful thing she had ever felt. She explained it to me in detail, and I don’t feel any of what she mentioned, aside from my wolf yelling at me that Lucas Quinn is my mate.

“But that’s… that’s just impossible, Tori. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m certain. I know he is somehow connected to me, but only because my wolf wouldn’t shut up about it. Other than that, nothing. Just a casual, irritating meeting with an irritating alpha.”

She loudly gasped before inching close to me to whisper, “I’ve only seen two alphas in there. Is it Moonlight or Westwood pack?”

“None of the above. It’s the alpha of the Silver Crest pack.”

“That jerk?!”

Ah, I almost forgot that it was Lyle who told me about her bad experience with that man. Ruis brought her to Silver Crest pack during a pack visit, and she accidentally found Lucas making out with a random woman. Instead of being embarrassed, he casually asked Lyle if she wanted to join them. She didn’t tell Ruis because she didn’t want to cause a ruckus, but gossips travel fast, and he wasn’t exactly being secretive either.

“This is why I tell you not to talk shit about the bond. Out of all the bachelors outside, why does it have to be him?”

She’s right. This is the Goddess’ punishment on me.