Chapter 5

Shey's POV 

My head ache like hell. I am feeling a bit under the weather the moment I opened my eyes. I only drank a single glass of red wine last night and hurried home after the formal accession ceremony was over yet I feel like my whole body had been ran over by a monster truck. This must have been because of stress, jitters and fatigue from the recent event. It was crazy! 

I tried to communicate with Kaya inside my head but she was ignoring me. The profound sadness and despair was all over her. Perhaps that was the reason I was feeling sick today. Kaya's depression was manifesting on my body. 

The clock sitting at the top of my bedside table hit quarter after nine. Realizing it was almost 10 o'clock in the morning, I forced myself to get out of bed. I let the morning air inside my room by opening the windowpane. The sunlight that came inside had a hint of sudden warmth. The morning sunshine erased all the sleepiness that was left inside of me. 

I immediately took a bath and fixed myself. The office was closed today because of the event last night so I went towards my workplace at home to continue working. Today was my first official day as the new leader of the Scarlet Union. I won't let this day not to be productive as it should. No late night party, not even my succession ceremony, could slow me down. 

On my way there, I bumped into Jenny, our house helper. After we shared our morning greetings, I instructed her to bring my breakfast upstairs to my office. She complied.

 Once I reached the room, I started delving on some paperwork sitting at the top of my desk. To my surprise, everything was already accomplished. I carefully scanned every documents to make sure nothing was missed. Everything was flawless. Before I could even wrap my head around what was going on, I heard a mild knock on the door. Uncle Stan sprung out from it wearing his most charming smile. He immediately saw the dumbfounded look at my face as I am to figure out how the paperwork had completed themselves. 

"I already finished some administrative tasks for you. Good thing nothing is deemed too confidential so I was able to take over." Hearing this, everything had made sense.

 "You don't have to do that but I appreciate your help very much." I uttered as I tried to pose a grin. 

Suddenly, his face became serious. He looked at me straight in the eyes and asked, "What's wrong, Shey? Is something bothering you?"

I was caught off-guard by his question yet I tried my best to act natural. "What do you mean? I am perfectly fine, Uncle Stan." 

"Psh," he hissed as he pulled the chair in front of my desk and sat on it. "I had been with you all your life so I know when something is wrong. Don't try to deny everything, my dear. You know I wouldn't fall for any of your lame excuses." 

I held a deep sigh. He was right. There was no point of hiding what was going on to him. Uncle Stan knew me better than I thought I knew myself. Lying wouldn't work on him. 

I hesitated a bit yet decided to confess. "I woke up at the wrong side of the bed this morning because of Kaya." 

"What about her?" 

"She told me she felt the presence of her mate last night at the party," I continued. He was startled a little yet decided not to say anything. Like Kaya, he also knew about my refusal to acknowledge the existence of werewolf mates. My life was an open book to him. 

After a few minutes of awkward silence, he finally spoke. "Were you able to find and meet him?" 

My eyes grew wide as I heard this. "Of course not!" I exclaimed. "Why would I?" 

He responded with a nod, already expecting what my answer would be. "And Kaya?" He continued. "How did she take it?"

"Devastated." I retorted. "She is refusing to talk to me and completely ignoring my presence." 

"That was expected." He answered. "You knew from the start how your views in life would affect your wolf, right?" 

Instead of replying, I responded with a deep sigh. He was right. I am well aware of the consequences of my actions. And now, I was paying the price for it. 

I am not used to my wolf disregarding my presence yet I tried to understand. She was hurt and disappointed because of me; her best friend and life-long companion. Throughout the last five years of my life since the day I shifted to my wolf form and met her, we never had a misunderstanding. She knew my stand on wolf mating yet I never imagined my choice would have this overwhelming effect on her. Regardless, I would remain firm and choose to stand by my principles. Perhaps Kaya only needed some time alone and would be fine in the next few days.

Or so, I hope. 

Just in time, Jenny knocked and entered the room carrying a tray with my breakfast on it. I started to dive into the plate of bacon and pancakes while drinking a cup of hot chocolate on the side. I asked Uncle Stan to join me yet he declined. I am assuming he had taken his breakfast already as it was already late to have one to begin with. While eating, I couldn't help but to reflect on Uncle Stan's question earlier about who my mate was. I mean, I never saw or met him before yet he already had this deep-seated connection to my wolf. Would I feel the same way as Kaya once I met him? 

"Don't be stupid, Shey," I reprimanded myself. "There was nothing special about finding a mate. The mate bond was just a fancy term for attraction. It was just an overrated feeling. Nothing more," I continued reiterating this concept inside my head. For a moment, I felt like a broken record because of it. 

"So what is it gonna be?" Uncle Stan queried afterwards. 

"What do you mean?" "About your mate, for crying out loud!" He bursted in laughter. Confused, I arched my left brow trying to comprehend what he is trying to say. This made him laugh even more. "What I meant to say is, do you have any plans on meeting him in the future?" He explained.

"What for?" I scoffed. "I had lived without him for twenty plus years so I know I would be good for a couple of decades more." 

"I give up." I saw him raised his both hands as a sign of surrender. I shook my head smiling. "I just hope you would not change your mind in the future," he teased as he stood up and ready to leave. 

"Like I would!" I responded. He threw me a mocking smile as he slowly disappeared at the door. 

I rested my full weight at the back of my swivel chair stressing myself about this whole mate thing. I am at the point in my life where that last thing I need is both complication and distraction. I had greater things to busy myself with. Certainly, this chaotic scenario was a disaster in the making. I sure hope my wolf would get pass this heartache soon. The earlier the better. As the new head of the Scarlet Union, we couldn't afford to be slowed down by this trivial problem. 

For I am Shey Collins. And I don't need a mate in my life.