Chosen by the Goddess, cast side by the Alpha

Chapter 5

AMARA

Some truths cut deeper than any knife.

Marek walked beside me in silence. He didn’t touch me. He didn’t look at me. I could feel his anger. It burned the air between us.

"You should never have come," he said finally.

I looked at him. "I had to. I did not know if you were in danger. I just needed someone who was not my mother to talk to. You were the only person who came to my mind. So I had no choice but to trace the pull. You could have died if I had not saved you."

He stopped. His eyes darkened. "You don’t belong in my world. You could have died for your reckless attitude and foolish behavior. Sneaking into a house you know nothing about and seeing it was filled with deadly men, you still had the guts to stay back. What were you thinking when you made that decision? Who do you think you are now?" He paused and slammed his palms across his face and sighed dramatically.

He took another deep shuddering breath. "If you love yourself, if you care even a little, you’ll stay far away from me. Go back. Live your low life. Work at the inn. Listen to your mother. Be a good girl!"

He turned and walked away.

I stood there, heart breaking, feet frozen. I watched him go, but his words stayed behind, echoing in my head.

When I got back to the cottage, the door flung open.

"Amara!" Mom cried. "Where have you been? Where did you go? I have been searching every nook and cranny of the forest for you."

So thoughtful of her. She was searching for me when she was the one who chased me out in the first place. My sister ran to me, grabbing my arm. "We thought you were dead! We searched the forest!"

"I'm fine," I whispered, snatching my hand away from hers. "I just needed air."

Mama held me tight. I didn’t pull away.

Later that day, I walked to the local man. The priest, Ioan, had known me since I was little. Mom took me to him whenever my magic acted up. I thought it was just for medicine. I didn't know it was for something else. I trusted my parents then to not question their acts.

He was outside, tending to herbs.

He looked up and smiled. "You came. I’ve been waiting."

"You knew?" I asked. "You knew who I was?"

"Since the first time your magic broke through the seal," he said softly. "Come inside."

I followed him. The house smelled of old wood and dried herbs. He handed me a book. It was thick, bound in silver-threaded leather.

"What is this?"

"A gift from your ancestors," he said. "You are Kalyndri, Aurora. A bloodline of witches chosen by the Moon Goddess. The seal your mother placed was to protect you."

My hands shook as I opened the book. There were names. So many names. Some were crossed out. Some faded.

I saw something that caught my attention.

Kalyndri Amara Noir – Bonded to Alpha Stefan Carnuta

Again that name? Who in whatever that is holy is Stefan? Mother said I was bonded to the man I met at the first and that man was Marek. So?

As if that was not enough, underneath it, another name was written.

Dacian Carnuta ... Twin Brother

My eyes widened. "What...what does this mean?"

Ioan placed a hand on my shoulder. "There were never supposed to be two Alphas. But one was hidden. One was cursed. You are mated to both."

"Mated to two Alphas?"

He nodded. "You can choose one. Or mate with both. That will complete the bond."

I couldn’t breathe.

Stefan. Marek. And then Dacian . That was his real name. Yes, Stefan is Marek.

How could I be this forgetful after his explanation? And he had a twin?

I ran out of the church, clutching the book. I had to find Marek. Or Stefan. Whatever. I had to show him.

Maybe this would change everything.

Maybe this would change the way he sees me.

Maybe he would be grateful for unravelling this deep secret.

Maybe he would be able to look at me again.

Maybe he would learn to love me without seeing the betrayal.

As I neared the edge of the forest, happily, my mind playing an imaginary scene of how happy he would be to know of the news, he'd smiled and pull me into a hug.

I smelled wolves. Strong and very familiar. I saw them gathered in a field. I walked toward the guards.

"I need to see Marek," I said.

They looked at each other. "Why? Who are you? Who is Marek?"

Ohhh right! Marek in the human world. Stefan in the supernatural world. "It’s urgent," I said. "Tell him... the Alpha; Stefan ... that his mate seeks him."

They sniffed the air, recognizing me as whatever but I know I was not a wolf. "She’s one of us. Let her through."

I stepped into the open space.

I had barely taken a step when I saw Stefan. And Ravenna in each other’s arms.

He kissed her. She smiled up at him. He touched her face. My heart stopped.

Ravenna? My sister? That was not my bother. She was here. Among the wolves. What the hell was she doing with them? She was human for crying out loud, so why endanger herself? She had always been human.

Or wait...she wasn’t.

She was a wolf and mother had kept it away from me. They had sealed myself and kept it a secret Ravenna had lived freely.

The book slipped from my hand and hit the ground. The sound echoed and heads turned.

Marek saw me.

Ravenna eyes widened.

"Amara?" she whispered.

Stefan stepped forward. "What are you doing here? What do you want?" His voice was sharp.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"You keep following me," he said. "Why? What do you want?"

I still couldn’t speak.

He shook his head. "I’m tired. Tired of you always running after me. I don’t owe you anything."

The wolves watched.

Stefan looked me straight in the eye and said the words I dreaded. "I Alpha Stefan Carnuta, reject you Amara as my mate."