Chapter 8: Mate

“Thank you,” Alinta said gratefully, but Bellinor remained silent. He simply nodded and started walking toward the building. At the entrance, a bouncer looked Alinta up and down. However, when his eyes met Bellinor’s, he immediately stepped aside.

"Please fetch me a visitor tag for my guest," Bellinor asked in his serious business voice. The man instantly ran off and then returned with a tag moments later. Bellinor thanked him and then carefully draped the lanyard around Alinta's neck. He locked his arm in hers once more, and they continued deeper into the building towards the function.

The scene resembled a club lounge, filled with men and women enjoying themselves in a frivolous manner. Alinta shivered at the sight; it was far from her cup of tea. "Where is he?" Bellinor asked gravelly, pulling her away from her thoughts. Alinta concentrated on her bond and then pointed to a semi-enclosed area that appeared to be a VIP private lounge. Bellinor's eyes widened in shock, but just as quickly, his expression returned to its emotionless state.

He gently guided her and managed for her to gain entrance to the VIP party. It was a huge space, divided into separate private clusters. Alinta became self-conscious when some of the men were staring at her up and down as if she was part of the entertainment for their enjoyment.

"Disgusting," Angela growled, she could smell their arousal and hear their wolves catcalling them. Alinta was about to grab the tag around her neck when she froze.

There he was, their mate sitting on a large couch with three half-naked women all over him. One woman was sitting on him with her legs around his waist in a deep passionate kiss. He opens one eye to see Alinta staring at him, hand still clutched at her heart, but she shows no emotion.

"That's Eddison Dives," Alinta said to Angela. She felt extremely conflicted. Eddison was a wealthy and influential werewolf, often described as unapproachable and dangerous. He was famous for becoming a tycoon at just twenty years old, and now, at the age of twenty-four, his wealth has tripled. Why on earth would we be paired with this man? Alinta questioned herself. She could feel her wolf staring with great interest, even her tails were wagging enthusiastically.

Pretending that she was not there, Eddison groaned with delight, groped the woman's glutes on his lap and said loud enough for Alinta to hear. "Who needs to be shackled to a fated mate, when I can enjoy this?" The woman giggled enjoying the attention he was giving her, she grinded ever so skillfully and enthusiastically against him. He grunted pleased, then continued while cupping another woman's face next to him.

"I for one, believe if you fall for that deceptive spell, you are a weakling unable to think and control yourself. I am a powerful man, I rule my life and choose who I want to fuck." The three women giggled and sighed as he continued enjoying them against him.

Alinta was at a loss for words. She stood there like a helpless puppy, unsure of what to do or where to go. Tears filled her eyes as she felt a searing pain in her chest, a pain she had become accustomed to over the years and now understood its origins. Initially, she didn't want to believe it when she first experienced this feeling and assumed it was simply related to her heart following the loss of her mother. But now, it was crystal clear. It also explained why Eddison's poor health had been mentioned in the tabloids—it was because he had betrayed their bond countless times.

Bellinor gently tightened his arm around Alinta's and squeezed her hand, trying to console her in the best way he could under the circumstances. "My dear, come, let me treat you to a drink and something to eat," he coaxed tenderly, though his face showed anger directed at Eddison.

"Thank you, Mr. Crassus, but there’s no need. I’ll be on my way; I just need some time to process things."

"I completely understand, my darling. But know this: that man is an utter fool to disregard and hurt you like this."

"I think I was the fool for trying to find him," Alinta said with a bitter laugh, clutching at her chest as the pain worsened. "Could you please show me where the bathroom is?"

"Of course, right this way," Bellinor replied tenderly, leading her to the restroom.

"Thank you and you don't need to wait for me. I will see myself out once I’m finished," Alinta said, walking in without waiting for a response from Bellinor. She was heartbroken and lacked the energy to deal with him as well.

Alinta locked herself in the cubicle, tore off a long piece of toilet paper, crumpled it up, and pressed it against her tear ducts. She tried not to cry, but the tears flowed uncontrollably onto the tissue. Despite the tenderness associated with their bond, seeing her destined partner with other women and his refusal to acknowledge her so easily shattered her heart, making her hate him. Why would I be paired with such a man if the Moon truly understood his or my heart? Aninta cried in frustration within her thoughts.

There is no such thing as second chance mates, as fiction books often suggest. Fated mates will always be of similar age, if a werewolf falls in love with someone before they turn eighteen, they are blessed with twelve months' grace before they are paired with their true mates. They can choose to either wait for their destined partner or bond with someone they have chosen, allowing the Moon to change the other person's fate to their second-best option. However, each individual only gets one fated.

"What to do, what to do..." Alinta sang a melody of hopelessness as she reminded herself of the pairing laws and continued to catch her tears with the wet toilet paper in her shaking hands.

"Give me the wheel," Angela said calmly.

"What why? What are you going to do?" Alinta hiccuped anxiously.

"He is our mate, can I not talk to him?" Angela asked innocently.

"Talk to him or his wolf?"

"Oh, Indigo has his head on straight and is deeeply in love with us. I just spoke to him," Angela purred shamelessly.

"I see," responded Alinta disheartened, another wave of pain hit her chest. She knew her wolf would be loyal to her mate's wolf no matter what, and his wolf to her. The only problem was his human counterpart. How was it going to work? She can't keep Angela away from Indigo, it won't be fair to her wolf, but on the other hand, it won't be fair to her to be stuck with such a slut of a man.

"Oi! Earth to Alinta, let me take care of this," Angela barked with a smirk.

"I think we should leave Ange, but if you want to continue talking with Indigo I can wander in the shadows for you," Alinta proposed, desperate to avoid whatever her wolf was scheming.

“Hey, we’ve been together for six years. Have I ever failed you? You don’t trust me?” Angela asked in an almost broken voice.

"I do trust you! Always," Alinta exclaimed, feeling even worse for hurting her best friend.

"Then let me take over!" Angela commanded, entitled and untroubled.

"Boy, you sure know how to manipulate me." Alinta sighed, then closed her eyes and within a blink of an eye, Angela was in control.

"Heh, heh, I will do anything if it means ensuring your happiness. Sit back and enjoy the show, my dearest Alinta," said Angela as she loosened her hair.

"Oh fudge what did I get myself into!" Alinta cried, already regretting her decision.

Ignoring her person, Angela fixed her long red hair and unbuttoned two buttons of her dress to reveal some cleavage. She straightened her posture, and once she was happy she walked out of the bathroom. With large eyes on her prey, she made her way towards Eddison with the utmost confidence and a slight swing to her curved hips. Bellinor hid in the shadows not sure what was about to happen, but in his heart, he was praying for one miracle and one miracle only, as he observed the creature of his desires with void of expression on his face.