02. My Mate (b)

ELISSE

Uncle Henry grabbed my arm and dragged me away, trying to keep us from drawing any more attention.

“That’s enough, Elisse. Stop making a scene. Just because your younger cousin found her mate first doesn’t mean you can be jealous,” he said.

I struggled to make him understand. “I’m not jealous! I know he’s my mate! If he didn’t want me, he should’ve rejected me earlier, not ... not walked away and left me dangling like this!"

"Stop lying!"

“I’m telling the truth!”

"So you're telling me he lied earlier?"

"Yeah!"

“Why would he lie?"

"I don't know!"

"Besides, there’s no way you could be Alpha Dravenhall’s mate. You’re weak, Elisse. I’m even ashamed to admit you’re my niece.”

“Uncle …”

“Unlike Selena, my daughter, who’s brilliant and strong, she’s the one worthy to be his mate.”

“But, this isn’t about me choosing, it’s the destiny the moon goddess has decided.”

"Cut the crap with nonsense of yours. Leave my daughter alone while she prepares for her mating."

"Why won’t you trust me? It’s not fair, I can’t be left like this!"

"Go cry to the Moon Goddess about your worthless life and how unlucky you are that no one will ever want you."

I wasn’t hurt by his foolish words, more like annoyed. How could an Alpha speak so unwisely?

“Instead of embarrassing yourself and our pack here, you’d better go home," he said.

"I won't accept this! Until he gives me his word, I refuse to leave this place!"

"Enough from you."

As my uncle dragged me out of the area, a sudden commotion in the distance caught his attention.

Raised voices, hurried footsteps, something was happening out there. His focus shifted, and in that moment, his grip on me loosened.

“What was that sound?" He suddenly looked confused and alert.

Many people ran toward the source of the sound, the dark forest beside the mansion. Some of them shifted into their wolf forms along the way.

But, I didn’t care, I just didn’t want to waste this moment.

Slipping away into the shadows, I followed the trail of his scent, back toward the mansion’s dimly lit halls.

"That jerk …” I snarled under my breath. “Forgiveness isn’t coming that fast.”

This smell ...

... Rich mocha, laced with warm cedar and that faint, dark heat. Dario.

My feet carried me upward, up the staircase, every step pulling me closer to him. I knew exactly where he was headed.

My chest tightened, rage churning together until it was all I could breathe.

Finally, I stopped before a closed door.

The place where he would take Selena. The place where he intended to complete the mating process.

My hands trembled. My wolf clawed inside me, desperate to take control. Even if I had to break this door down, I would.

Dario Dravenhall was mine.

If he truly did not want me, then he should have rejected me as his mate before taking another woman!

***