Capítulo 14: Mate my foot
"Your mate?" I whispered, unable to wrap my head around it, a rush of disbelief washing over me like a shockwave. The revelation had landed with the impact of a speeding train, leaving my thoughts spinning and my heart heavy with ache.
Was this the moon goddess's cruel way of showing me the depth of her disdain? Just days after the man I had loved for most of my life, the man I had believed loved me in return, had publicly shamed and abandoned me as his mate—now I was confronted with this?
The man responsible for my capture was supposed to be my mate?
I cast a critical gaze upon him, taking in his features. This man, with his domineering aura and unpredictable demeanor, was meant to be my new other half?
I just couldn't believe it. It was impossible. It couldn't be.
"If you weren't, you'd probably be dead by now," he explained as if he could read my mind, his tone devoid of any humor.
"Don't think for a moment that I want this any more than you do. You're a liability, a weakling, a runt," Zane sneered, his words dripping with contempt. He loomed over me, spewing animosity from the depths of his soul. I clenched my fists, determined to hold back the tears that threatened to spill forth.
In the grand scheme of things, he was insignificant.
My mate bond had been broken before, and I was fine with it happening again.
Summoning as much composure as I could muster, I shot back, a facade of indifference masking the turmoil within me. "And you, my dear Zane, are nothing more than a loathsome piece of trash."
With those words hanging in the air, I spun on my heel and walked away, my steps quickening into a sprint as I left Zane behind and retreated to the solitude of my quarters. Him? My mate? It was a bitter disappointment, to say the least. The scent that had once held promise now reeked of despair.
~
It had been three long days since the Malefica's terrifying attack, and during that time, Zane had become a ghost, vanishing into thin air. As I pondered the strange turn of events, I couldn't help but connect the dots. The intoxicating scent that seemed to envelop him, the undeniable magnetic pull I felt towards him – it all made a terrifying kind of sense.
Yesterday, I had joined Jakayla, Jasmine, Anthony, and several other pack members to clear away the wreckage left in the Malefica's wake.
In the midst of the chaos, Sabrina and Jaxon had taken on the crucial responsibility of tending to Damon and the other injured guardians. They worked tirelessly, ensuring that they received the care and healing they desperately needed at the pack hospital.
I even made a new friend, Elaine. She was Jasmine's agemate and had the same warmth Jasmine emitted, despite her parents clear disapproval of me.
Within the pack, rumors swirled like a brewing storm. They blamed me for the Malefica's attack, insisting that their kind hadn't been seen in years. In their eyes, I was nothing more than bad luck personified, all because they thought I was a mere human in their supernatural world.
The night before, under the cover of darkness, eight formidable pack representatives, all brawn and muscle, had stealthily crept into my quarters with deadly intentions. Their mission: to end my life.
Somehow Jaxon found out and intervened. He chased them off with a stern warning and threat of death should they set their feet in my place again.
I hadn't heard of what happened to the Malefica after they took her, Jakayla was being deliberately secretive.
Today, Sabrina had taken it upon herself to guide me to her grandmother's dwelling, nestled at the very edge of the pack's territory. Elder Tali, as she was affectionately called, held the revered position of the pack's shaman and spiritual guide. Though I still felt like a stranger in this supernatural world, Jakayla, had suggested the visit, claiming I was already one of them.
On the way to Elder Tali's hut I was met with glares from pack members venturing into a human territory not far from here, disdain and irritation running amok in their eyes.
"Ignore them," Sabrina chirped, attempting to lighten my mood.
With a nod, I followed her up the worn path that led to the quaint hut. It was a tranquil place, surrounded by the whispering leaves of ancient trees, their branches forming a protective canopy over the abode. The scent of herbs and earth hung in the air, mingling with the faintest hint of magic.
"Come in," came the soothing voice of an elderly woman from somewhere nearby, and I immediately darted my head in the direction.
It came from the corner of the hut, and I could see a shadow emerging and it revealed an old woman. She looked like a healer and had a face marked with wrinkles from a long life, her eyes seemingly holding a lot of wisdom. Her hair, once dark, had turned silver, and she wore earthy-toned clothes with patterns and beads.
"Welcome, child," she greeted me, her voice like a melodic chant. It was then I finally noticed her emerald eyes which bore much resemblance to Sabrina's.
"Hello," I greeted with a weary smile.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Unatha," the elderly woman said, her smile warm as she gently cupped my face. How did she know my name was Unatha?
"You must be Tali-Talia," I hurriedly corrected myself, covering my mouth as she stared at me with amusement twinkling in her eyes.
Elder Tali extended a gnarled hand toward me, and I took it, feeling an unexpected surge of warmth and reassurance. "You have a great future ahead, one intertwined with the destiny of our pack," she declared, her voice carrying a weight that sent shivers down my spine.
Before I could respond, a sudden, chilling breeze blew through the hut, extinguishing the candles that had flickered softly. The air grew heavy with foreboding, and my heart quickened its pace. A familiar scent waffled through my nostrils and my insides turned as I realized who it was.
"He's here," Elder Tali observed, turning back to the corner from which she had emerged.
And then, as if materializing from thin air, Zane appeared in the doorway.
His jeans were rugged, as if he had been through rough terrain, and his boots bore the stains of dirt and mud. It was clear that he hadn't taken the time to change or rest since our previous encounter.
But it was his eyes that struck me the most. They looked weary, devoid of any life, as if he had carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. His eyes always looked dead, but today was different.
Sabrina bowed her head immediately, muttering 'Alpha.'
Zane's gaze remained fixed on me, his expression unreadable yet tinged with an urgency that left no room for pleasantries.
"Come with me," he declared, his voice firm and commanding.
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