I was furious. Disappointed didn’t even begin to describe how I
felt. Asher’s words kept replaying in my head, making my
blood boil. I never imagined he would say something so cruel, so
dismissive.
I knew I should have told him before I went, but that didn’t
mean I had to tolerate this. And Grace–of all people–was the last
person I wanted near him. He knew about my attitude crystal
clear yet he still chose to ignore it. If that wasn’t called betrayal,
what was?
I was sitting on the stairs by the front door to cool my heat
down when I heard footsteps from behind me approach.
First I thought it was Asher coming to apologize. But then I
found it was the last person I wanted to see right now.
“Is it a good thing? Having a mate, I mean.” She sat down and
just started talking. How self–centered.
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”
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She shrugged, feigning innocence. “Just wondering. Seems like
a hassle.”
I scoffed. “That’s an odd question coming from you. Do you
have a mate?”
“No. And that’s why I asked you.”
“And of all people here tonight, you decided to ask me this
question? Why? Just because my mate is Asher?” I couldn’t help
but feel that she was targeting at me.
She let out a small laugh and tilted her head playfully, “Well,
you’re the only idiot who thinks sitting out here out in the open
is a good idea, knowing full well it’s dangerous. So I have no one
else to ask!”
I raised a brow. “Funny, because you’re here too.”
She smirked, then shrugged, looking out at the castle grounds.
Silence stretched between us before she broke it. “I know you
don’t like me, and I don’t blame you. But right now, you need
my help. Which means you’re stuck with me for a while.”
I frowned. “I’d rather not need your help.”
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“And yet, here we are.”
I exhaled, fighting back my irritation. “Why do you have to be here if you know you are welcome? What are you really after?” Somehow, I still felt that her motive was related to Asher.
She shrugged. “Believe it or not, the reason is simpler than you think. Because I’m a warrior. I lead my pack’s fighters. When something like this happens, it is my job to step forward and protect my people.”
That got my attention. I turned to look at her for the first time. and got utterly stunned.
“Your pack actually lets a woman lead their warriors?” Now that was rare. I couldn’t believe Asher had never mentioned it.
“They don’t like it,” she admitted, “but they don’t have a choice.”
For the first time, I saw past the bravado. It wasn’t easy being in her position–always fighting to prove herself, never given what she rightfully earned. I could relate to that.
“So what’s with the sudden curiosity about mates?” I asked. studying her.
“I’m just. curious,” she said, but her eyes told me there was more
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to it than that. She had stories that she wasn’t telling me.
I leaned back, thinking about my answer to her, “On a good day,
having a mate means sharing your life with someone who
loves you unconditionally. When you are loved back, it is the
most magical thing in the world. But some days.well it’s a
nightmare.”
Take now for an example. This very moment was one of those
examples of nightmare.
She hesitated before asking, “So is there a way to break the
mate bond?”
My brows furrowed. “Why would you want to? You already
found your mate and want to reject him?” ”
“Because I don’t need a man to validate me,” she said fiercely. “I
don’t need someone telling me how to live my life, what to do,
how to do it.”
I respected her reasoning. And I admired her ambition. But
unfortunately, things weren’t always that easy.
I sighed. “I get it. But it’s not that simple. The mate bond doesn’t
just go away because you want it to. It’s a destined bond given
by the Moon Goddess. It’s going to have an impact on you for
your lifetime.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “I wish we had a choice in the
matter. Not all people want to be mated or get married.”
I watched her carefully. “Well that is your decision to make.
But just remember this, if you ever reject your mate for
someone else, think clearly before you act. Because once you
reject him, there is no turning back.”
Her gaze flickered, “But let’s say if I’m in love with another
person, I shouldn’t accept the mate bond anymore right? That’s
irresponsible to the both of us.”
That put me on the high alert. The person she loved? I had a
feeling that it was Asher.
“Who are you in love with?”
She raised a single brow at me, “I’d rather not say.
That made me more certain that it was Asher. “It will be the
stupidest thing you ever do if you reject your own mate for
Asher. Because my mate will never betray me. I know you two
have a little history back and you probably think you are
special to him. But we have been through so much more.
Things you can’t even imagine. We might have some down
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moments but he will never leave me for you.”
She suddenly burst out laughing, “Oh god, who said I was in
love with Asher? Relax. That is not happening.”
My shoulder relaxed a bit because I could tell she was telling
the truth. But I found her stupid and pathetic for actually
thinking about rejecting her mate.
“Being your mate is such a tragedy. You are going to reject him
just because you don’t want a mate. That’s the most self-
centered thing I have ever heard.”
“Well, you are right. I should have never asked you the
question. Because you will never get it.” she stood up and
turned to leave.
“Who is he?” I asked, genuinely hoping it wasn’t someone I
cared about.
“That’s none of your concern.”
“Oh, but it is. Because if it’s someone I know, I’d rather warn
them now.””
She smirked, but there was no humor in it. “Don’t worry about it. My mate? He’s shrewd, self–centered, and smarter than I’ll
ever be. And that’s exactly what I need.”
With that, she walked away, leaving me more confused than
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before.
