Chapter 15

Davina’s POV

I heard the door creak open, and my heart nearly leapt out of my chest. Who could it be again? I was already exhausted. I was weak and hungry.

Instead of perceiving the scent I feared the most, I cut the scent of him. I listened carefully, I knew those footsteps. That scent. It was really him.

“Malcolm!” I gasped, spinning around. He had come to see me finally.

There he was, standing in the doorway, but something about him felt off. He wasn't smiling, in fact he didn't look happy to see me after days of absence. However, I tried to brush it off. Maybe it was all in my head. What mattered was that he had come. He was here. He hadn’t abandoned me.

I ran to him, throwing myself into his arms but before I could reach him, he shoved me back.

Misstepped. almost fell, as I tried to catch my breath. My mind refused to process what had just happened. I blinked and shook my head in disbelief.

I looked up at him, confused. “Malcolm?” widening my eyes. “What just happened? What did you do?”

He didn't look remorseful by his action, he was frowning his face and his posture was stiff. His eyes that once held warmth and love, were now cold, and angry.

“We can’t do this anymore,” he said, sounding emotionless and angry.

I blinked. “What? What are you talking about? Are you seriously?”

His jaw tightened. “It’s over, Davina. We can't continue again. This is so wrong and we shouldn't have started it in the first place.”

A sharp pain shot through my chest, like he’d reached into my ribcage and crushed my heart in his hands. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, you don’t mean that. You can't do this to me. You can’t reject me. I am your fated mate and it should count.”

He exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “My father has forbidden it. I know it hurts, it's not fair to you or either of us. I'm so sorry, Davina, we can't be together.”

My stomach dropped. “Malcolm, please,” I stepped forward, desperate to touch him, to feel something real. “Don’t do this. We can talk to Alpha. We have to tell him we are mates destined to be together by the moon goddess. He’ll understand. He's Alpha and knows how hurtful it is to be rejected by your true mate. Please let's talk to him.” I cried and cried but it seemed it was all in vain.

I wanted to scream, to shout but I couldn't do it. Maybe the mind link wasn't working. Maybe I wasn't expressing myself well. But that was the least I could do.

“I have no choice,” he muttered, avoiding my eyes. “I hope you understand. This is hard for me too. I tried my best but I guess it wasn't enough.”

“You do!” I insisted, reaching for his hand, but he yanked it away like my touch burned him.

“My father…” He cut himself off, inhaling sharply. “He won’t allow it. You know how he can be. He even threatened me, if I go ahead to mate you, he will cut my inheritance off.”

I let out a broken laugh. “Since when do you care about what your father allows? You are not to be Alpha, your words still stand, and we both know.”

Malcolm flinched, and for a split second, I saw the cracks on his face. He felt guilty. Or maybe he was in pain. But then it was gone and was replaced by that cold, detached expression again.

“I have responsibilities, Davina. A future to uphold.”

Tears burned my eyes. “And I was never a part of that future? Is that what you are saying? That your promises are all lies?”

He hesitated, just for a second. “No.You could've been but things have changed and you have to understand.”

A sob tore from my throat. “You’re lying. No! You can't say that. You can't do this to me.”

“Does it matter?” He said in a hollow voice. That made me want to go crazy.

“It matters to me!” I cried. “You love me, Malcolm. I love you, You know we do!”

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, gripping his hands into fists. He seemed like he was fighting the urge not to spill hurtful words to me. “Love isn’t enough. A lot is at stake.”

I grabbed his arm, holding on tightly. “It is! It’s more than enough! Malcolm, we’re fated! We are mates! The moon goddess wasn't mistaken.”

He exhaled shakily. “That doesn’t change anything.”

I shook my head furiously, tightening my hand. “You’re just scared. You’re scared of what he’ll do to you. But Malcolm, what about me? What about what I’ve already endured? What about the pain I have to go through? Huh! Do you even care?”

His eyes snapped to mine, and for a second, I saw the war raging inside him. “Of course I care,” he whispered, in a strained voice.

“Then fight for me,” I begged. “Please.”

His face twisted with pain, but he pulled away from my grasp.

“I can’t.”

I let out a sharp, ragged breath. “You won’t.”

He became silent.

“Say it,” I demanded, fearing for what I already knew. “Say you don’t love me.”

He turned his face away.

“Malcolm,” I whispered, with my hands trembling. “Look at me and say it.”

He didn’t.

Instead, he took a step back. Then another.

“Goodbye, Davina.”

My breath hitched. “No, please…”

He turned his back on me.

“Don’t do this, Malcolm!” I sobbed. “Don’t walk away from me!”

His body was tense like my words physically hurt him.

But he didn’t stop.

He reached the door, gripped the handle like he was going to break it.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. And then, without another word, he walked out and closed the door behind him.

I collapsed onto the floor, as my cries echoed in the empty room.

He was gone.

My mate. My love. My only hope was gone.