four

I pick myself up shakily, wondering if this is a dream.

Second chance mate? For me? That isn't a common occurrence.

I would have felt very ecstatic had it not been for the murder I just witnessed.

After what I've seen take place seconds ago, all I can think of is that my second mate is heartless.

The Alpha King has put me through so much trauma with his strange hobbies, and I know I don't need a mate like that. There's not much difference between this man and the Alpha King if he kills other wolves without proper reason.

In my opinion, there was no need to kill Dane, a mere warning would have sufficed. One look at this man and anyone would run in the opposite direction, and Dane wouldn't have dared to cross him.

I stand there awkwardly, while he stares at me, his expression one of great curiosity. I understand why immediately. He must be asking himself why the goddess decided to play such a joke on him this fine night.

"You are a boy. " He utters. It is not a question so I do not answer.

"Have you always been into other males?" he goes on to ask.

I am caught by surprise by this question.

"What do you mean?" My voice comes out for the first time since I've seen him. I am surprised by how calm I sound.

"Well, seeing as you came all this way with this man to have sex, I'd assume you've done this before."

What the hell?

"In case you didn't notice, I was about to be r*ped. I was trying to throw him off of me!" I say indignantly.

He cocks his eyebrow and crosses his arms on his chest, making me stare at them. Bulging, muscular arms. "Oh, yeah?You didn't appear to be struggling to me."

"You are joking, right?" I frown. "Then tell me, why did you attack and kill him? Huh?"

"Because he was touching you and you are my mate. That's why. It doesn't matter if you consented or not!"

What a strange man! I think to myself.

But at least he's acknowledged that I am his mate.

He pauses to give me a thorough stare from top to bottom and back. Then he shakes his head.

"I don't understand," he mutters under his breath. "So tiny. And a boy!"

I huff and cross my own arms on my chest. "If you are that displeased with having me as your mate, you are welcome to just reject me right here, you know! I have no problem with it!"

But my heart disagrees. It breaks just saying these words. I have a strong feeling losing this man would hurt ten times worse than it did when Titus rejected me. Titus, even with all his titles and good looks, seems like a joke compared to this man.

He is more graceful (probably son of a high ranked wolf in the pack. Hand of the King, perhaps?) bigger in size, and way better looking.

"Go back to your tent. I will find you there. I need a minute to clear this mess," he gestures with his head at the body on the ground. Then he gracefully walks towards me and puts a finger on my mouth, and I shiver as pleasant tingles wash over my body at his touch. He runs his thump along my lower lip thoughtfully, then let's go.

He plans to visit my tent, then? I may be afraid of him, but hearing these words causes hope to bubble within me for a moment, imagining that the only reason he'd want to visit my tent would be to seal our bond, or whatever it is fated mates do to acknowledge the mate bond.

Without saying another word, I leave him to take care of Dane. I decide in this moment that I will let the killing part slide. I won't let it stop me from having a mate. Anyone would probably do the same if they found their mate about to have sex with another.

My mate is nothing like the Alpha King.

As I walk further and further away, I begin to despair, like I am leaving a very important piece of me behind, and it is all I can do not to rush back and throw myself in his muscular arms. I'd die of mortification.

Turns out there was a reason I felt like I lost him already, because he doesn't show up. I sit up all night waiting for him, long after my sleep mates, Jordan and the other guy (whose name I have not found out yet) have gone to sleep.

I don't blame him, I think as tears pool in my eyes. After all, he believes I am a boy, when he probably hoped his mate would be a girl. I tried to look around for him before going to our tent, but he was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding from me.

Unlike Titus, he was too kind to reject me, preferring to let me think he'd accept me and then disappearing. Well, I think that's even more cruel.

Because none of us will have another chance at being with someone else unless we officially reject each other.

Some say you could feel what your mate was feeling if you concentrated hard enough. Yes, even a mate you haven't sealed bonds with yet.

I close my eyes, trying to see if I can feel anything related to him, but all I feel are my own unpleasant emotions; disappointment, anger and shame.

What will my father say if he finds out I am a rejected mate, not once but twice?

I only manage to drift off to sleep towards daybreak. What feels like seconds later, I am startled awake by the very unpleasant feel of cold water hitting my body.

"Wake up, lazy bastards! You, boy, the commander is waiting for you. Hurry your ass before you pay for making him wait! Up, now, out you go!"

Amidst all the worry about my second mate not wanting anything to do with me, I forgot I was chosen among the men to go with Titus to negotiate peace terms.

I spring to my feet like I have been stung.

"Yes, sir!" I shout, noting how good I've gotten at making my voice sound more manly.