Mate 15 - Promise

Warning: This chapter contains mature content such as violence, sexual assault, abuse, foul words, and major graphic descriptions not advisable for minor readers and people with traumatic experience.

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Sage

The weight of the stares surrounding me became suffocating, their whispers threading through the air like an invisible noose tightening around my throat. My presence was drawing too much attention, and the last thing I wanted was to be the center of a spectacle.

"Excuse me for a while, I'll just get something to drink," I murmured, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Greyson's eyes followed me with concern. "Sage, are you okay? I didn't know my brother would escort Princess Rosana," he explained, his tone laced with guilt.

I forced a smile, even though it felt fragile, like it would crack at any moment. "I'm fine. My throat's just dry."

I turned away before he could press further.

The momentary solitude did little to ease the storm raging within me. After a few minutes, I decided to return to where I had left Greyson. But just as I stepped forward, someone bumped into me.

The impact sent me staggering back. My heart sank when I saw who it was.

Rosana.

Of all people.

"Rosana, are you okay?" Damien's voice rang with urgency as he rushed to her, his arms already lifting her from the ground as if she were made of porcelain.

I clenched my fists, swallowing the bitterness clawing at my throat.

"Sage, apologize to her right now," Damien ordered, his voice cold, cutting.

I frowned. Was he serious? Was he blind?

"It's not necessary, Damien. I was the one who accidentally bumped into Princess Sage," Rosana interjected, her voice as soft and delicate as spun silk.

"But she wasn't looking where she was going," Damien argued, his accusing gaze locking onto me.

Unbelievable. I was the one at fault now?

"No, it's fine. I'm sorry for being careless, Princess Sage," Rosana said, lowering her head slightly as if she were the victim.

"Don't apologize to her," Damien snapped, his protectiveness over her stinging worse than a slap.

"But—ah! My feet hurt," Rosana suddenly whimpered, her face twisting in pain.

And then, just for a second, she lifted her gaze toward me, her lips curling into a victorious smirk.

I froze.

She was acting.

Damien didn't hesitate. He swept her into his arms as if her life depended on it. His gaze darkened with unspoken threats. "If something happens to Rosana, I'll cut your head off."

As if I cared.

The moment they disappeared, another voice reached me.

"Here, let me help you up."

I turned to find Theoden standing before me, his hand extended.

I hesitated.

"Thank you, but I don't need your help," I replied sharply.

Besides, your sister was the one who made me end up in this situation.

His lips twitched, amusement flickering in his eyes. "The nobles are starting to stare. It would be embarrassing if you don't accept my sincerity."

I exhaled sharply, knowing he was right, and reluctantly placed my hand in his.

As he guided me away from the growing murmurs of the crowd, his voice lowered.

"Are you hurt? I can treat your wounds."

"No, you can leave me here now," I muttered, seating myself on a nearby chair.

His expression darkened. "It's better if you don't ignore my help," he whispered near my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine.

"I said, I don't need it," I hissed, but before I could react, Theoden scooped me up into his arms.

"You're stubborn," he mused, carrying me effortlessly. "Don't worry, this won't take long."

His strides were purposeful, his grip unyielding. A sick feeling twisted in my stomach as he led me toward a secluded chamber—a private room reserved for nobles. No guards stood outside.

Panic prickled at my skin.

He tossed me onto the bed.

My heart pounded violently.

"You have a beautiful face." His fingers traced along my chin, his grin predatory.

I recoiled. "What are you trying to do?"

His eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'm just wondering... would Damien still accept you as his mate if your purity was gone?"

My blood ran cold.

"Learn how to stop. If Damien learns about this, I don't know what he will do to you," I stated, trying to act bravely.

"Ha! As if he would believe you. The only woman he listens to is my sibling Rosana," he scorned.

Is there something about that woman to make Damien head over heels for her?

"No," I breathed, struggling as he pinned me beneath him.

"This will not last long, so why not stop struggling?" he said while kissing my neck.

I fought, but he was stronger.

"You will never escape, Sage. This is the only way to make you mine," he murmured, his lips crashing against mine.

I twisted beneath him, but his grip was unrelenting.

Tears burned my eyes.

I'd endured cruelty my whole life, but this—this was too much.

I felt disgusted.

"Stop doing this, please," I sobbed.

"Even your crying face is beautiful," Theoden mumbled.

He didn't stop kissing my neck while trying to undress my underneaths, but when his lips touched mine. I bit it so hard that it made him flinch.

I shoved him with all my might and bolted.

I tried my best to run away as fast as I could.

"Help me!" I screamed.

My heartbeat thundered as I ran blindly down the halls.

The world around me blurred into a swirl of fear and desperation as my legs carried me through the dimly lit corridors. My breath came in ragged gasps, and my heart pounded in my ears. Every shadow felt like a threat, every step a battle between survival and despair. The suffocating air clung to my skin, heavy with the weight of my panic.

Then, suddenly, I collided with a solid form. Strong hands steadied me before I could crumble to the ground.

"Please, help me whoever you are," I yelled, my voice raw with terror.

A familiar voice broke through the haze. "Sage."

I looked up, relief washing over me like a tide. It was Damien.

Finally, I was saved.

But before I could even gather my thoughts, another voice slithered into the moment, making my blood run cold.

"Sage, why are you running away from me?" Theoden's voice was smooth, too smooth, like a blade before it strikes. His hand grazed my shoulder, and I recoiled violently, the ghost of his earlier touch still burning against my skin. I stumbled back, pressing myself against Damien's chest, seeking safety where there was none.

"D-Don't come near me, idiot!" I stuttered, my body trembling.

Damien's gaze flickered between us before settling on Theoden with practiced politeness. "Prince Theoden, it's nice to see you here, but did something happen between the both of you that made Sage tremble like this?"

My voice broke as I pointed at Theoden. "That man tried to r*pe me!"

A hush fell over the space between us. The air thickened with disbelief and accusation.

Theoden's expression twisted into mock innocence. "It's not true, My Lady. Why would I do that to you? I was merely trying to tend to her wounds after my sibling accidentally knocked her down. She looked so pitiful—I only wanted to help. I didn't realize Lady Sage would misinterpret my concern so poorly."

I shook my head violently. "He . . . he's lying! You should not trust his words, Damien."

Damien's stare was void of warmth, his expression unreadable. "Why would Prince Theoden lie about it?"

His lack of hesitation sent a sharp pain through my chest.

"But, he is—"

Before I could finish my words, Damien's hand cracked against my cheek with brutal force. The impact sent me sprawling to the ground, my vision swimming with pain. A sharp sting spread across my face, and the cold marble floor beneath me did nothing to ground my spiraling thoughts.

Damien let out a heavy sigh, as if I were a burden. "You're so desperate. Don't tell me that you created this fuss to ruin the Drottghes' reputation with me?"

His words sliced through me deeper than the slap ever could.

"I'm apologizing on behalf of my mate, Prince Theoden," he continued, looking down at me as though I were nothing more than dirt beneath his boot.

Theoden smiled, victory dancing in his eyes. "That's fine, Prince Damien. Maybe the lady simply mistook my actions."

I clenched my fists. He was making me look bad. Making me seem like the liar. My head spun with betrayal as I watched them exchange pleasantries as if my suffering were an insignificant matter.

Damien's voice was calm, indifferent. "I assure you this will not happen again. Princess Rosana is in the guest room. Why not visit her?"

Theoden nodded. "Then I'll excuse myself now." As he turned away, I caught a glimpse of his smirk—the same smug grin Rosana had worn earlier.

So, both of them planned this.

Damien's fingers suddenly tangled in my hair, yanking my head back cruelly. "I'm so disappointed with you, Sage. If you want me to accept you as my mate, then stop acting desperately."

A new voice cut through the tension. "What's happening here, brother?"

Greyson's concerned face came into view as he rushed to my side, his hands trembling as they hovered near my bruised cheek. His touch was gentle, a stark contrast to the cruelty I had just endured.

Damien scoffed. "Don't get involved, Greyson. I'm just trying to teach this woman a lesson."

But before I could react, Greyson's fist connected with Damien's face, the force of it sending him stumbling back. A sickening crack echoed through the hall.

"Are you out of your mind? Sage is a Princess of Battlerce!" Greyson's voice was raw with rage.

Damien's lips curled into a snarl. "I said, stop involving yourself!"

His sword was drawn in an instant, the blade gleaming under the dim light as he pointed it at his own brother.

Greyson didn't flinch. He grabbed the tip of the blade with his bare hand, blood trickling down his fingers as he glared at Damien. "She's your destined mate and you dare to hurt her? How absurd."

Damien's eyes darkened. "You disobeyed my command for her? Don't tell me that she's poisoned your mind?"

Greyson's jaw clenched. "It's not like that!"

Damien scoffed. "Did that woman flirt with you?"

"That's too much. Sage would never do something like that!"

Damien sneered. "Then why are you trying so hard to protect her?"

Greyson turned to me, his expression torn between pain and determination. "Because she's a . . . woman!"

Damien exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I didn't know you were such a pitiful person. But that's not enough to justify punching me. The law remains the same."

His voice turned cold. "Knights, take Greyson away and beat him thirty times for harming the Crown Alpha."

"No, don't punish him! It's entirely my fault!" I pleaded, but my cries fell on deaf ears.

Greyson forced a smile, his face contorted with pain. "I'm fine, Sage. Besides, a whip can't take my life."

I watched helplessly as they dragged him away, his blood staining the pristine floor.

It was always like this. Anyone who showed me kindness suffered. My life was a curse.

Damien leaned closer, his breath ghosting over my ear. "You should know your place, woman."

Then he was gone, leaving me in the suffocating silence.

Where should I place myself?

There's no place for someone like me.

My body moved on its own, carrying me toward the nearest lake. The wind caressed my hair, whispering soft promises of release. The water shimmered under the moonlight, dark and endless.

Maybe ending my life was a good decision.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I looked at the sky. "I miss you so much, Mom. Why did you leave me in this cruel world?"

Would my pain end if I ended my life here?

"I thought that if I found my father, we would share the same agony of losing you, Mom. But he's different from what I imagined."

My hope to be happy was gone.

"Now that I know the reason why he never came back to see us, it makes me mad at him."

The moon cast a pale glow over the rippling surface of the lake, its reflection shimmering like fragmented glass. The night air was cold, biting against my skin as I stood at the water's edge, my breath coming in ragged, uneven gasps. My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I made my decision.

But just as I was about to throw myself into the abyss, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me back with an unyielding force.

"Why did you stop me?!" I growled, my voice breaking as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

His grip didn't loosen. "Do you want to end your life?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with something deeper—an emotion I couldn't quite name.

"Yes, I want to end my life. So go away!" I screamed, struggling against him, but he refused to release me.

"Then take me with you," he replied, his words sending a jolt of confusion through me.

I blinked at him in disbelief. "Are you crazy?" My voice wavered as I tried to step away, but the ground beneath me felt uneven, my vision swimming. Before I could steady myself, my foot slipped on the damp earth.

F*ck!

Before I could hit the ground, his arms encircled me, pulling me against him. "I'm being serious. Let's jump together." His hold tightened around my waist, his body warm against mine despite the frigid night air.

My breath hitched.

"I will count to three," he said, his voice unwavering.

My chest tightened. "W-Wait, don't do it," I stammered, my fingers digging into his arms, but he didn't acknowledge my plea.

"Two."

"I said, stop!" I screamed and, without thinking, threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. "Please, don't end your life," I sobbed, my entire body trembling against him.

I had already seen too much death. I couldn't bear to witness another.

He exhaled slowly, his fingers tracing soothing circles along my back. "Then tell me—why do you want to die?"

I pulled away just enough to meet his gaze, my throat tightening. "Because . . . I can't answer your question."

He searched my face, his crimson eyes dark with an unreadable emotion. "If you say so, then I'll jump."

My breath caught. Was he serious?

"That's because all of them will be happy once I'm gone!" I screamed, my anguish pouring out in waves. My nails dug into my palms, my body shaking from the force of my emotions.

His silence felt deafening.

"I didn't wish to be born a half-blood, but why is everyone treating me like it's my fault? They all look at me like I'm nothing but trash!" My voice cracked, and I sobbed harder. This was the first time I had ever unleashed my rage on someone—on anyone.

My chest heaved as I wiped my tears roughly, turning away. "That's the reason. I'll go back now," I murmured, but my vision blurred again, and before I could react, my foot caught on a stray root. I tumbled forward, bracing for impact—

But it never came.

Strong hands caught me again, steadying me before I could crash into the dirt.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now, almost hesitant.

I tried to pull away. "Go away. If you involve yourself with me, something bad will happen to you."

His grip tightened slightly, his warmth seeping through my chilled skin. "I don't care about that," he murmured before pulling me into a firm embrace.

I stiffened, stunned.

"Release your pain with me. I will listen to you," he whispered, his voice so gentle it made my throat ache.

And then, to my horror, my tears began to fall again. I hated it. I hated that I felt safe in his arms, hated that he was offering something I had never been given before.

But . . . was it really okay to tell him?

"My father sent me here because of some oracle," I admitted, my voice small. "But ever since I arrived, all I've seen are their disgusted looks. It's the same as the empire where I grew up."

I laughed bitterly. "But I understand their hatred. After all, the Moon Goddess decided to make me the destined mate of their Crown Alpha." I sat down under the shadow of a tree, my fingers trailing over the damp grass.

The wind rustled the leaves, and as I glanced at him, something stirred in my memory. His face . . . I had seen it before.

He was the same man I had danced with on my debut. The one who had saved me from that vile nobleman.

"Wait. You—" My words faltered as he suddenly knelt beside me, taking my wrist in his hand. His fingers traced over the bruises blooming on my skin.

"Did someone hurt you?" he asked, his jaw tightening.

I hesitated. "Why are you suddenly asking that?"

"Because there are bruises on your wrist and face."

I forced a smile. "Ah. I'm used to it."

His expression darkened. "Tell me who hurt you. I'll make them pay." His voice was low, dangerous, as he pulled a small ointment from his pocket and began dabbing it onto my bruises.

"That's not necessary," I muttered, watching his hands move with practiced care. "Besides, it's just a bruise."

"A bruise?" His crimson eyes burned with anger. "It's physical abuse. I'll get you away from here."

I swallowed hard. "It's not a good idea to risk your life for a stranger like me."

"You're not a stranger to me," he said simply, his gaze locking onto mine. "Then I promise you that I'll get you away from here—without risking my life."

My breath hitched as I turned my face away. My cheeks felt hot, and my mind reeled at his determination.

"That's impossible. My father is the Alpha of Battlerce," I warned, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I know," he replied. "I'm not scared of him. But could you wait for me . . . until I take over the throne?"

My eyes widened. "But how can you do that? Starting a rebellion will totally—"

"It's not what you think." His lips curled into a smirk. "I will just take it away from my father."

A sense of foreboding settled in my chest. "Who's your father?"

He held my gaze as he spoke his next words, each syllable sending a chill down my spine.

"Zake Cooper Lobstrosfox."

My heart nearly stopped. My breath caught in my throat. The Alpha. He was the Alpha's—

"Then, you are his—" I mumbled, my voice trembling.

"Yes." He leaned closer, his crimson eyes unwavering. "I'm Chase Cooper Lobstrosfox. To be honest, the position never interested me . . ."

His fingers ghosted over my wrist, his grip gentle but firm.

"But when I met you again, I will take that title away from him."