Chapter 54: Hollow
A day turned into a week. A week into a month. A month into four years.
A bitter taste never left my mouth. I didn't stop eating. I didn't stop training. I continued to be a shell of the woman I once was. I was hollow inside.
Sure, our pack was still functioning. Actually it was thriving. We are recognized for having the most lethal Alpha of any pack. I took my husband's reputation and made it real. I am now the most feared and merciless of all the Alphas.
Life goes on. Although nothing notable has happened since I lost them. It honestly feels like I am the only one who has changed. Everyone else is right as rain.
The pack really doesn't need me unless we go into battle. Ignis and Aqua run the business side of everything. Even they are well versed in diplomacy and only make me attend preordained meetings. Which thankfully are few at best.
"Happy birthday, Augur." I said standing among the sunflowers in our garden. My hand gently brushing their petals.
The sunset paints pink and purple hues across the horizon. I am now 26 years old. Without my son. Without my mate.
*Not for long.* Praesul smirked.
To ease tensions and threats of war, I agreed to take a husband. Today is one day until the wedding. Indicum was next on the list. His neighboring land will merge with ours and we will be tied for the largest pack in the world. Good thing we're allies, otherwise they might feel threatened and think our union is a power play.
"Gin!" I heard Stella call.
I turned around to see her waddling toward me. Her pregnant belly feels like a double edged sword. I am happy to have another niece or nephew but I'm…I can't explain. Maybe, jealous? A devastated feeling lingers in my bones. I will never hold Augur as a baby again. Not only will I miss his first word, but many firsts in his life. If he is still alive. My heart tells me he is alive but by each passing second my hope fades.
"Yes Stella?" I turn and put on my practiced smile that doesn't meet my eyes.
"Your fiancé is here." I snort at this statement. "He's in the guest room as you ordered. He's brought a decent amount of soldiers with him."
This strikes me as odd. Our pack outnumbers his at least 10-1. Why would he tempt my wrath?
"They can sleep outside." Stella flinches but nods.
I look down at the sweats and baggy shirt I'm wearing. The sweats are tucked into my boots and I kind of look ridiculous.
I hear a snort and turn to see Ignis. Over the past couple years we've distanced ourselves. Ignis found a mate. A human named Carmen. I actually adore her but I didn't want to get too close. Especially since something would take her from us so Ignis and I could be together in the end. The thought makes my heart lurch in an unpleasant way.
I look away and begin walking back toward the pack house. Strong arms pull me back against a hard chest. I can feel the light caress of sparks where our skin touches. The feeling pains me knowing I had it tenfold with Rex.
"Release me." I growl; an Alpha order.
Reluctantly he lets me go. "Gin, don't do it."
"You have Carmen. Stop being selfish." I continue striding toward the pack house.
When I don't hear him following, I turn to face him. His grim determination tells me he's hiding something.
"What?" I ask.
"You will be mine one day." His eyes are no longer purple but gold.
"Maybe. Maybe not." He growls at my response as I walk in the doors.
Indicum's scent is musk and mint. A familiar and comforting aroma. How had I not noticed it as a kid?
I could feel his eyes on me because of the growing mate bond. Confusion crosses his face. After all, he knows Rex and I were mates.
As I move closer, he stiffens. In a low voice, one only I could hear, he growls, "Don't ever come near me smelling like another male, again."
Ignis' scent must've been on me from the awkward embrace.
"Don't ever talk to me like I am lesser and not your equal. Then we won't have a problem." I say quietly enough for him to hear.
His eyes change from the deep dark blue to a color but I blinked and missed it. As soon as I'd reopened my eyes they were back to the deep blue of space.
I turn to leave but he grasps my hand firmly. An electric current sends sparks from our touch. His eyes widen and he looks into mine.
"Mate." He says aloud for everyone to hear. The surrounding area gets quiet. "How can this be?"
"Second chance mate?" I act as surprised as he is. I don't think he's fooled.
"Come with me." I follow him up the stairs and into the guest room he's staying in.
Once the door is closed, he faces me. His eyes now a deep forest green.
"Indicum, calm down."
"I never would have guessed that the pain in my ass little girl from my childhood would be my mate." He pauses and I narrow my eyes at him. "This changes things about our arrangement."
"Not a chance." I cross my arms over my chest and his eyes follow the movement.
"I don't want a mate." He snarls, his eyes now a deep blue. Interesting. So it's Indicum who is hell bent on not having a mate. His wolf should automatically disagree to his human's opinion, mainly due the the bond. I wonder what his wolf's opinion is on the matter.
"Neither do I." I snap back.
*Gin...*
*Leave well enough alone Praesul.* She whimpers but I cut the connection.
"All I want is an heir and we can call this business transaction complete." Indicum seethes.
"Fat chance. Like I'd let your dirty paws on me." I growl.
"We will see about that." He smirks.
I storm past him and slam the door. Once inside my room I strip and take a long hot shower. Normally I can't stand to waste time but I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't realize how long I'd been in the shower. The water is cold and my fingers are pruny when I finally step out to towel off.
Subconsciously, I use a ward on my bedroom to make sure I didn't have any visitors in the night. I have to use a lot of power to enact the ward Malefica gave me. I fall back on the bed, still in my towel, and fall asleep.
I wake to a loud thump of banging on my door.
"What?" I snap.
"It's me, open up!" Stella calls.
"Why are you here?" I ask groggily, opening the door in my towel.
She side steps me and a few other people follow in behind her.
"It's already 9 AM and you're walking down the aisle in less than two hours!"
I groan, how did I oversleep?
*Thanks for waking me.* I hiss at Praesul.
*Whatever.* She sasses back.
Stella is busy ordering people around. There are a lot of people in my room. A few include the make-up artist, hair dresser, and photographer.
"I can't believe you're getting married!" Stella gushes.
With one look at my face, hers has guilt written all over it. This is the happily ever after I'd originally wanted with Rex.
Weekly Power Status
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