Chapter 6: I'm not going to lose her

Ethan's POV 

I was taken aback by her response. Reject her? Why would I do that? She's my mate, my partner, and everything. I didn't understand why she would think that way.

"Reject you?" I said, my voice softening. "Why would I reject you? You're my mate, my beautiful, stunning mate."

She opened her eyes fully now, a mix of fear and hope in them. "But... but I'm not like Jess," she stammered. "I'm not strong, not powerful. I'm just... a weak omega."

I took a step closer to her, my heart aching at her words. "You're not weak," I said, my voice firm. "You're cute and beautiful. And you're mine."

I reached out to her, my hand extending to touch her face. She flinched at first, but then relaxed, letting me cup her cheek. Her skin was soft, warm, and inviting.

"You're mine," I repeated, my voice low and husky. "And I'll never let you go."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. And in that moment, I knew she was mine, body and soul everything.

"Mine," I whispered, my eyes locked on hers. I could see the fear and a bit of uncertainty in her eyes, but also a spark that built something in me. I wanted to ignite that spark, to make her feel safe and loved.

Just as I was about to pull her into an embrace, a voice pierced the air.

"What the heck is going on here?"

I turned to see Jess storming towards us, her eyes blazing with anger and a look of betrayal on her face.

"Ethan, what's going on?" She said, "Who is this... this... person who dares take my mate?" She walked until she saw my mate, and her expression changed as she paused.

“Ava?” A teardrop fell down her face as she called. Jeez, they knew each other?

My mate took a step back, her eyes wide with some fear. I could feel her trembling, and I knew I had to protect her.

"Jess, calm down," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "This is my mate. My true mate."

Jess's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your mate? But... I'm your chosen mate. We're supposed to be together, and she's my friend."

I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. I had never meant to hurt Jess, but I couldn't deny my true mate, and how was it my fault her friend turned out to be my mate?

"Jess, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But this is my mate. My wolf has chosen her, and I cannot deny it."

Jess's face contorted. "You're just going to abandon me?"

My mate took a step forward, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I may be your mate, but I am her friend. And I will not betray her even if you do."

The air was thick with tension as the three of us stood there. “No one apart from Jess has ever spoken that way to me.”

"I am an omega of the unknown pack; you don't even know me; I am anything but a backstabber." My mate said, her voice steady; I couldn't make anything from her emotions. "I, Ava, reject you as my ma..."

I felt a pang of shock. Reject me? How could she want to reject me, the alpha of this pack, when we had just found each other?

But before I could respond, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed to the ground. I rushed to her side, catching her in my arms.

"Ava! Ava, no!" I exclaimed, and panic set in.

Jess's expression changed to shock. "What's going on? What's wrong with her?"

I ignored Jess, focusing on my mate. I could feel her heart racing and her breathing shallow. I scooped her up in my arms and rushed out of the hall, leaving Jess and the stunned crowd behind. I didn't care about them.

As I ran, I called out to my guards. "Get the doctor! Now!"

I burst through the doors of my room, laying Ava on the bed. I hovered over her, my heart racing with worry. I didn't know what to do.

"Ava, please wake up," I whispered, my voice shaking. I didn't know what I was going to do without her.

Slowly, her eyes flickered open. She looked up at me with confusion in her eyes.

"You? Why are you here?" She whispered.

I nodded, relief washing over me. "I'm here, Ava. I've got you."

She tried to sit up, but I gently pushed her back down. "No, no, don't move. The doctor is on the way."

“Jess?” She muttered.

“Just rest; she's aside. I'd get her for you, please.”

She nodded, her eyes closing again. I held her hand, my heart still racing with fear.

What was happening to her? Why had she fainted again?

And why did I feel so desperate to protect her?

Was this what it felt like to have a mate? To feel the mate bound?