Chapter 3: Mate!

KATE

5 DAYS AGO

The courtyard buzzed with the faint hum of conversations and distant laughter, but all of it drowned under the hammering of my heart.

A sweet lavender scent wafted toward me, delicate yet overwhelming, curling around my senses like a siren's call. It was intoxicating and unmistakably sweet.

As if under the influence of an invisible power, the scent pulled at something deep within me, and before I knew it, I was following it out of the Omega Hostel in swift and quiet steps.

And then, I saw him.

It was Alpha Nath. Alpha Shawn’s only son and heir.

His massive shoulders carried the weight of an unspoken authority as he stood tall and stern. His short, dark hair curved gently at the borders of his forehead, revealing a sharp jawline that appeared to have been carved by the moon goddess herself.

His amber eyes, which were evidently capable of commanding armies or—my heart apparently shone faintly in the receding sunlight like pools of molten fire.

Between us was a thin, nearly invisible ruby line; it was not really visible, but it was undoubtedly there.

The mate bond!

My chest constricted as the realization hit me like a thunderclap. I bit down hard on my lip, hiding behind a cracked pillar as my hands trembled.

ALPHA NATH IS MY MATE!

Incredible right?

Yes I’m shocked too. Because how!???

But did he feel it too? He tilted his head, and his steps faltered briefly as though he had sensed something.

The honeypot in the middle of my legs swelled uncomfortably with hope as my heart jumped with joy—Finally, I would have a mate too and he’s not just any man but the Alpha of my pack. It seems the moon goddess has finally remembered me.

But then, his gaze shifted, and my foolish dream shattered before it could even take flight.

From barely within my line of sight, I heard a deep and authoritative voice. "Nath, we need to discuss the final details for your wedding."

My breath hitched suddenly. Wedding?

My mate is getting married? And not to me?

Alpha Shawn stepped into partial view, half his frame was hidden by the enormous doors leading to the central courtyard.

The severity of an Alpha who had carried the burden of leadership for too long was evident in his aged face and graying hair. However, his voice was still firm in contrast to his aged and weak body.

"Nath, that wedding must proceed without delay. Princess Amer is the key to securing our alliance with the Valley Pack. Her father has agreed to grant us military support in exchange for this marriage."

My mate’s amber eyes hardened, though his expression remained stoic. "I understand, Father," he said simply, his voice clipped.

And immediately he said those words, I felt my knees weaken, the ground swaying beneath me as his words drove into my chest like knives. I clutched the pillar for support, my nails digging into the stone as waves of rejection coursed through me.

It wasn’t the usual mate rejection—spoken aloud and severing the bond. No, it was worse than that. It was silent, unintentional, yet just as painful.

My chest burned, and a sharp, unbearable pain radiated from my heart. I pressed a hand to my ribs, gasping silently as tears welled up in my eyes. Desperate for acceptance and hope, I cried and clawed at my chest .

But none came.

Alpha Shawn's voice continued, oblivious to the pain that was being established a few steps away.

"Amer is beautiful, well-educated, and, most importantly, the daughter of a Lycan king. Nath, we’ve spent years preparing for this moment—don’t let emotions cloud your judgment."

“No problem father, Amer isn’t really a bad option.”

I bit down a sob, hating myself for even entertaining the thought that Nath might choose me. I was an omega— a nobody in this pack. Amer was everything I wasn’t: powerful, privileged and flawless..

“Fate must’ve made a mistake,” I thought bitterly, wiping at my damp cheeks. My mate was destined for someone else, and I had to accept it.

I turned away, retreating to the solace of my bunk bed, but the pain followed me closely until I forcefully cried myself to sleep.

~~~~~~

The cell I was in was as cold as a refrigerator, which stood in sharp contrast to the blazing heat of my anxiety. The image of Nath's apathetic face burned into my mind as I stared blankly at the ceiling,

“Wasn’t he supposed to feel it too?”

“Am I just supposed to lose my mate like this?”

My thoughts were interrupted by a faint shuffle of footsteps. My senses sharpened as I sat up abruptly.

With a creak, the cell door opened, and Slav, Lexi's mate slid inside. His dark gaze darted around the room before settling on me.

“Slav, what do you want?” With a scratchy voice from hours of silent sobbing, I asked.

He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “You’re not going to like this,” he began, his tone oddly hesitant.

I narrowed my eyes. “Just say it.”

Slav sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Lexi… might’ve betrayed you.”

What are you saying, Slav?” My voice trembled, and I hated how pathetic I sounded.

“I’m saying…” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You might be barking up the wrong tree, sweetheart. Sometimes the knife in your back belongs to the hand you trusted most.”

“I don’t believe you,” I said firmly, though my voice wavered.

“You really think Lexi’s innocent?” He was crouched in front of the bars, his eyes glinting like a predator’s.

I scowled, but my voice came out weaker than I intended. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

“She’s my friend!”

“Some friends.” Slav’s grin widened, his sharp canines gleaming. “Funny how her name keeps coming up whenever something nasty happens, don’t you think?”

“First, the rumors about the poisoned drink, I knew she gave the herb to you. Are you aware that last night Lexi slept with Alpha Nath?”

I opened my mouth to argue but froze when his words sank in. “WHAAAT?”

Slav shrugged. “Believe what you want. But I’m not here to argue.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I can help you.”

Grabbing my right breast with his right hand, he placed his lips against mine while using his left hand to grip my waist. My body betrayed me because I kind of liked what he was doing to me which made me feel sad.

I made an effort to break away from his firm grip, "Slav, you can't do this to me." Plea..”

The fact that Lexi slept with my partner after putting me in this cell is one thing. Nath was the answer to my long time dream and Lexi was once more enjoying what I was unable to have by sleeping with him.

Although it was terrible that her partner was attempting to get his way with me, I wouldn't have minded if Alpha Nath had claimed me, had sex with me, and then rejected me afterwards.

But now I find myself nearly defiled by the mate of the person who betrayed me.

Before I could say anything, Slav stopped suddenly and straightened, he used his hand to cover up his crotch which was already swollen due to his erection. “I’m sorry Kate.”

“I’m so sorry Kate, please forgive me, I don’t mean to.”

Painful tears from all the disaster happening to me were already visibly flowing down my cheeks. “But you know you really don’t have to do this to me.”

“I don’t mean to, I just don’t know what came over me.”

“Actually that’s not why I’m here.”

I frowned. “Then why are you here?”

Slav’s sorry face disappeared, replaced by something far more serious.

“Alpha Nath wants to see you.”

The words hit me like a slap. “What?”

“You heard me.”

I scrambled to my feet. “He’s back?”

“He just returned,” Slav confirmed, crossing his arms.

“He heard what happened to his father and requested for you.”

My stomach churned violently. This is the end of my life.

Nath knew. He knew about the accusations and now, he wanted to see me.

For what? To judge me? To kill me?

“I’m dead,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Slav said nothing more as he led me out of the cage with an unreadable expression.

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes as the heartbreaking realization dawned on me—My mate, the one person who was supposed to protect me, might very well be the one to end my life even without knowing me as his mate.

And the worst part? I couldn’t even hate him for it.