TASHA'S HATE

Chapter 6 

Natalia's P.O.V.

I drew the covers closer as I was curled up in a ball hugging my knees.

The covers felt cold, the breath against the back of my palm felt colder.

The cold wind outside was blaring in.

I should have closed the windows.

The word Mate still echoed inside my head, as I wiggled my head trying to shut it out.

Every heart beat repeated it and every breath seemed to mock me with it.

I stared at the closed door of the room, unable to move, I could only stay bent to my knees on the bed.

Could this really be real and not just some bad dream?

Out of everyone in the world, why them?

Why all three?

They destroyed me! four years ago!

Made me hate myself!

I laughed, but it wasn't funny.

I sounded broken.

"What kind of joke is this?"

Silence answered me.

My wolf whimpered instead of roaring now, as if she couldn't understand why I was rejecting what she wanted.

"You've got terrible taste," I muttered bitterly.

She growled.

I pressed both hands against my temples.

"Stop."

Another pulse of warmth spread through my chest.

I breathe heavily.

I've always thought the moment I found my mate would be magical.

That even if my mom and everyone around me hated me, there would be someone I cherish that'll love me unconditionally.

I never imagined this nightmare.

I hate this bond so much.

"I spent four years trying to forget them, forget what they did to me."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I continued.

"I rebuilt myself……I..survived..so why?" 

Why was I being toyed with, I can't accept this!

Why would the Moon Goddess choose the people who made me cry until I couldn't breathe?

My voice cracked.

"What did I ever do to deserve this?"

The room remained painfully quiet.

My eyes burned then tears flowed down my cheeks.

"I thought staying strong through all this was enough."

I sniffled.

"I thought coming back here was the hardest thing I'd ever have to do."

The door suddenly opened.

A slow clap echoed through the room.

"How beautiful your tears are."

I froze.

It was Tasha.

She leaned casually against the doorway, her arms folded across her chest.

A smile curved her lips.

"I don't think I've ever seen you look so pathetic before."

I glared at her.

“Oh wait! It was four years ago in school, right?” she laughed.

I wiped my face immediately.

"What do you want?"

She walked farther into the room,her slingback leather sole clicking softly against the polished floor.

"I wanted to see it with my own eyes."

"See what?" I asked confused.

"The look on your face." She laughed."So it really happened."

I frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Her eyes swept over me.

"You think you've been chosen."

My heart stopped for a moment.

How did she know?I'm sure the brothers hadn't even had time to process it themselves.

What am I talking about?

One of them must have spat it out to her in disgust.

Or she'd seen enough before walking into the room?

She smiled wider.

"You really are lucky."

"Lucky?" I questioned.

"I spent months earning their attention."

She stopped in front of me.

"And then you walk back into town....and suddenly the Moon Goddess hands them to you."

"I didn't ask for this..you think I'd choose any of this?" My voice rose.

"You can have them." I declared.

For a split second something dangerous flashed across Tasha's face.

She grabbed the front of my dress, pulling me toward her.

"Don't you dare act like you're giving them to me! They were never yours to begin with! you don't deserve them!!" 

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm not." I said while my hands were on hers now.

“You think since the moon goddess chose you then you're special now huh? You can't have them." Her eyes grew bigger as her nostrils flared.

"I don't want them."

"You expect me to believe you'd reject three sons from the Alpha king? Don't expect me to fall for these silly crocodile tears of yours, I know you're ecstatic"

"What are you saying?"

Her fingers tightened.

"Especially Cassian…Don't even think about him."

"You sound….",she cut me off.

"If I ever catch you looking at him..."She leaned closer. "You'll regret it."

I scoffed.

"You're ridiculous Tasha you really think I want Cassian in my life? I know he orchestrated the whole thing back then"

"I think women forget very quickly when handsome powerful men start paying attention to them, and besides what they did was nothing to make a big fuss about. Get over yourself!"

I finally pulled her hands away. 

"I've always known you knew nothing about me." 

She released a cold laugh.

"Oh I know enough about you, alright,you better stay away from Cassian….stay away from all of them."

I shook my head.

"You're acting like I have control over this, the bond isn't something I asked for."

"Oh you're always so helpless. Can't do anything on your own…poor Natalia. Fine, I'll make you a deal." She said softly.

"Cassian should have someone equally as perfect as he is."

She lightly touched her own necklace.

"Someone like me…as for Kade and Karl..."

She shrugged.

"They're not nearly as elegant or handsome either or even becoming alpha so you have them, I can share with my sister.” She chuckled, "and if you don't accept your stinky past will be out in the open.” 

My stomach dropped at her words.my mouth went so dry I couldn't swallow anything.

Was she really threatening me?

“In exchange for letting you have them and keeping your secret, you'll leave Cassian alone and I'll help you reject the bond with him.”

I raised an eyebrow, "That's insane."

"Is it?"

"You expect me to divide a mate bond like it's an inheritance?"

"I expect you to leave that part to me." She curled her lips into a smile again.

"This is the only warning you'll get, Natalia."

She shoved me backward.

Tasha straightened the wrinkles she'd made in my dress as though nothing had happened.

"If you get between me and the future I deserve..." Her smile returned, "...I'll make sure everyone sees you for who you really are."

My jaw tightened.

“An impure wolf." 

Tears started gathering in my eyes as she turned towards the door.

"You've always been selfish, I'm giving you two men and keeping your dirty secret and yet you look at me like this?" She clicked her tongue after speaking.

"How can you call me selfish, when you've always had it all!!! I've never asked anything from you!!" I screamed.

My throat burned hot as the words came out.

She paused for just a second.

Then she looked over her shoulder.

"No, you've always been in my way, and now I'll make sure I'll ruin you if you don't move!"

The door opened.

"This is your only warning."

It closed behind her.

The room became quiet once more.

I put my hands over my mouth as I could barely hide the sobs from escaping my mouth.

Tasha really hated me.

To think she could actually threaten me with what he did to me.

It wasn't my fault.

Everything wasn't my fault.

I'm in her way, she says…

I didn't ask for any of this!

I didn't even have the right to complain or ask for help.

I'm always worrying about being a burden to both of them and stay

ing out of their way and yet…

None of it made sense, how am I supposed to live in the same house as the people who want to break me?

She could have them all for I cared.

I'll reject the bond of three of them!!!

I don't want to be here…I need to leave