ZEKE.I wanted to stay at the estate, whenever I went there, I always stayed for two days or such, but something was prompting me to go back to the pack-horse, so I saddled Goliath and here I am.In a place where everyone is desperate for other things.The moment Gus took my cloak in the hall, I asked. “How’s everything?”“With your mate, you mean.” He responded dryly, but then he smiled. I never knew the problem with Gus. “She’s great.”We heard yelling, Gus told me not to bother and go to my room, but I did bother, walking over to the kitchen, I saw that pack-keeper jabbing a finger at my mate.My Mate.“Step away from her.” I growl to everyone present, they huddled closer, giving me space. Mrs. Perry stared at me with widened eyes, I don’t know what’s up with this woman.Astrid looks up at me with an unreadable expression, her golden eyes trailing me. She doesn’t say anything, just takes up the tray on the counter.“I can handle this myself, I don’t need your help.” She whispers, h
ASTRID.My father marked my mother, it isn’t a big deal. Right? So, why won’t he do it?“Zeke?” He’s facing back at me, not even bothering to look back. Anger fills me. “Zeke!”He turns back, “I am not going to mark you, Astrid.”“Why?” I told myself I am not going to cry, but I know my lies, pain is etched in my voice. He’s my mate, he’s supposed to mark me sooner or later, why do I have to be the one that doesn’t enjoy the privileges of a mate?“Why?!” I yell harder when he keeps quiet, not even bothering to spare me a glance. “We are mates.” I take a step closer. “Yes, we don’t like each other at all, but the mate bond can’t be abandoned, sooner or later, we are going to have to have to surrender.” I never planned my life like this either, I thought I would love my mate, have his pups, but not anymore, I don’t have those thoughts again.My mate is standing in front of me, and he’s unwilling to mark me, then what makes us mates? Why do we even share together?Why did the moon godde
ASTRID.When breakfast was over, I couldn’t be more than happy. I don’t want to see his face right now, I don’t even know if my wolf will explode.“Where are you going?” An Omegas asks me with a raised brow. “You are supposed to pick out the dress for the Alpha’s daughter, and she’s supposed to have tea with Alpha Zeke.”I nod my head, even though her words seem to hurt me. What else can I do?“Alright.” I say, walking over to the dressing room, I twisted the knob and went in. Lines of clothes fill the rack, dresses, skirts, gowns, tops. Shoes rack the lower part of the rack.I used to remember picking my clothes from here, not anymore though, life changes, things change, I guess I can’t still expect everything to be normal.“Darling.” Madam Yv appears behind me, with a cocky smile. My mood lifts, but something shallow fills my chest. Earlier in the dining room, I caught a peek of her and Cleo conversing. I had wanted to know what they were talking about, and my stomach twisted. What
ZEKE.“Alpha Zeke, it’s a pleasure having an in depth communication with you right now.” She says, before taking a seat, there's tea on the table bench and some scones, her hand which is covered with a glove is stretched out, just waiting for a kiss.I stare at her fingers like it’s a foreign object, before taking my seat, her eyes are still closed, still expecting the hand kiss, when she opens her eyes, looking at her outstretched hand, she goes red with embarrassment, before she sits.She smiles warmly at me, I don’t even bother to, it’s a tradition for the man to pour the tea into the woman’s tea cup first, I think she wants me to do that, but I don’t.I don’t even want to be here.She smiles, taking the kettle and pouring the seaming liquid into both our teacups.What happened last night envelops me, I just couldn’t do it, my father never marked my mother, maybe because they were never mates to begin with, maybe because I feel like I am betraying her one way or another.In the din
CLEO.I ain't a saint, I am not good, I lie, I always hurt everyone, I am bad, bad, bad.I can fight with swords, I don’t depend on any man, and I am not getting married to any man, when you appear clingy, they just assume you are in love with them.I don’t give a fuck of what anyone thinks about me, I rule my life, they think I will make the perfect wife with my good deeds and beauty, they just want someone dumb to stand there and do what they want.They assume I am in love with him, that’s why I want to get married to him, I don’t do love, I said that my father proposed marriage, but that’s not that truth at all, I proposed marriage to their pack, because with my plan, everything will finally work out, not just for me, but for her.My plan is finally coming back together. Being here in this pack feels like bringing old memories back, I smile at the mirror, staring at my reflection, my hand moves towards my necklace that’s dangling between my neck, and I rub the front, a giant smile
ASTRID.“Juniper!” I say startled at the sudden outburst of our bodies together, the book she’s holding falls to the floor, and before I can get a look at it, she kicks it away to the far end.“What was that?” I ask, startled. She turns away from me with a blush, and dust her gown.“Nothing. I was just cleaning up this room, so messy and stuffy. Ya know?”I just nod in understanding, she is keeping something from me, if she isn’t. Why then did she kick that book away? And, what was the book anyways? Reminding myself that I have to make dinner for the noble family, an Omega rushes towards me in a haste when I step out of the door.“Astrid.” Her voice is cold. “The Alpha’s daughter requests you to escort her to town tonight.”“Okay,” When I turn, Juniper is out of the halls, something in me is tired and weary, it’s like everyone is keeping something away from me. This pack-house was not the same I grew up in, love care and support were confined within these four walls, but now, only se
ZEKE.The first thing I heard was a scream, goddess What is wrong with this woman?I like the way her gaze lingers on my chest, her throat bobs as she stares at the dragon tattoo under the light, her golden eyes reflecting something darker, more deeper, like she’s trying to read me. “Zeke.” She whispers steadily, and my wolf seems to break at that moment. I let out a low growl, my legs tramping over to her side. I had every right to see her, to feel her, after all she is my mate.My hand catches the tip of her jaw, warm under my touch, I tip her jaw slightly, her eyes suddenly shifting to look at mine. Desire suddenly overcomes me. I can see it in her eyes.She wants me, so badly.Her eyes stare at me longingly, her breathing so hot against my grasp, I inhale her scent, filling my body, coursing through my system. Right then, I don’t want to think about anything anymore.My mate.“Zeke.” She steps away from my grasp, her eyes shifting away from my presence. “What are you doing?”“Is
ASTRID.“Is that what you want, Astrid?” There’s a sudden chillness in the room, cold air hits me, I struggle to find my place, to breath and when I cast my eyes up. I see dark blue eyes, like the deep ocean staring back at me.“It will make me trust you.” Even when I don’t, even when I know that what I am doing to him is not right, we can’t collide, even as funny as that sounds. We are of different souls, last time I checked, water and fire can never be mixed together.It pains me to know that I am doing this to him; Trying to get into his mind-link, and for a second, I wonder if he will let me in, can he read me? Does he know what I am planning to do? I wasn’t born as someone weak. I have my stance, and surely, for me to have my pack back, I have to hit two birds with a stone.“Astrid.” His voice sounded like a warning. “Are you sure you want to do this? My mind-link is as dark as my soul. I can’t let you in.”I inhaled heavily, I can do this. “Zeke, I want to trust you.”‘Mate.’ A