CHAPTER 5

**Laura POV**

“I don't want a mate, I want to rule my park, myself.”my voice thundered in the room as Sonia gasped rapidly.

“I concur with them you know, you've already seen your mate, Alex my cousin is your mate.its unclear to me why you don't like him. Regardless of the mating bond between you two being conspicuous. He loves you and with him by your side, you'll need all the assistance you can get.” Sonia said, cupping my tender cheeks into her hands.

“I don’t feel anything for him sonia. I don't feel the mate bond” I lied.

“Your change is so sudden and alarming Laura” she scoffed. “ I thought you've always wanted this, why pulling out at the last minute?” she said through gritted teeth.

“I can do this myself Sonia, except you no longer have fate in your best friend” I said, tapping her shoulder.

“But Laura..” I cut her off abruptly.

“But what sonia… You’re no different from the elders, I thought you would help me in convincing them to see reasons with me. But it's obvious whose side you're on.” I rolled my eyes in disbelief.

“Don't say that Laura, I'll forever be by your side. What are friends for? My only concern is your safety, try to maybe give thought to the elders admonition.”she said with a smile playing on the corner of her lips.

“Thanks bestie, I'll think about it.” I said, pulling her into a tight hug.

“My bestie is back to her normal self,” Sonia squirreled, happily spanking me softly as we both giggled.

Later on, I went for pack training. I could feel the rage coursing through my body as my wolf screamed “Revenge, Revenge”. I went straight to the punching bag as my guards stood watch. I punched the bag with an astronomical strength, and the room shook. I was stronger than before in my past life, but I didn't show it to anyone. I punched harder this time as thoughts of my late parents flooded through my mind, my heart broke into a million pieces. I punched the bag again and again as memories of Alex betrayals also made its way to my mind. I blamed myself for being a fool then . I was beginning to lose control as I shifted into my wolf form, ripping every muscle in my body as I transformed. The experience, once painful, was no longer painful. I howled as I shifted back to my human form. I could hear footsteps walking towards me as I spun swiftly, landing two punches to the person’s face. I knew instinctively that it was Alex.

“Arrgghh, that hurts” he groaned in pain.

“What are you doing here?” I sneered at him. My anger is almost boiling over.

“I came to protect you as my mate, to prevent you from hurting yourself” he replied. “You’re not my mate,” I yelled at him. “ The sooner you get that illusion out of your head the better for you” I deadpanned.

“No matter what you do or how you treat me, I'll always be here for you. We have been fated as mates.”

“You’re sick in the brain.just get out of here now.” I yelled at him.

“I will leave but just know that I'll never stop trying to win you over.” he said with a smirk on his face.

“Arrggh, I told you to leave already” as I turned with another punch. I heard a shrill cry that made my heart skip a beat. It was none other than Maxwell.

“Ouch my Nose, what did you take?”

“I'm sorry, Maxwell” I snapped in a calm, loving voice. “I didn't see you coming,” I added, staring at his already bleeding face.

“You’re Alex, right, Sonia’s cousin” Maxwell enquired.

“Yes I am, and I'm also Laura’s mate. What business do you have here if I may ask?” Alex growled at Maxwell with a menacing look .

“She is my friend and I came to check up on her.” Maxwell replied. I stood there, looking at the two of them banter words.

“ You have no right to be anywhere around here. Seeing that she now has a mate.” Alex enunciated. “ Keep shut! the both of you.” I screamed running into the woods. I ran as far as my legs could carry me until I ended up at the river bank.

Lost in my thoughts for what seemed like forever, I was jerked from my reverie when a familiar scent hit my nostril. It was the scent from Maxwell. I smiled inwardly.

“Is everything okay Laura, what are you doing here all by yourself.”

I turned to look at him and our gaze locked. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as my heart pulsated ferociously within my chest. I gulped. Why was I feeling this way towards him?.

“ Nothing, I need some fresh air,” I replied. I could feel him walking towards me as he grabbed my arms into his. “Laura, we might not really be close but I want you to know that, you can always confide in me” his voice was soothing. It made my thighs warm as waves of mixed emotions washed over me. He slowly leaned in to kiss me. I just froze, I couldn't fight the feelings. It felt like he had a special bond over me.

His piercing green eyes swallowed me in, his scent gave me goosebumps. As our lips connected, I felt a surge of electricity course through me. His lips were soft and fluffy. His arms wrapped me into his warm embrace and I felt like melting under his dominating presence. What was I doing? The feeling was unexplainable. He smeared my neck with kisses as he slowly moved to my earlobes. “You’re very beautiful Laura” he whispered . His breath was hot on my neck.

I was almost giving in to my desires when I quickly pushed him away. “Sorry Maxwell, I can't do this, I'm sorry” I said as I ran back home through the woods.