Your Mate Is A Fool

Serafina’s POV

I opened my eyes to find myself in Nonna Lucia’s cottage, she was sitting by my side holding my hand with concern etched across her ageing face.

“Oh, my dear child. I was so worried. What were you thinking?” she fussed as soon as I tried to sit up. “Stay there, you have had a nasty shock.”

“Nonna,” I croaked, my voice was barely even a whisper. I wasn’t dead? The memories of the cemetery came rushing back to me, how I had planned to meet the moon goddess early amd end my suffering. My heart sank. I could not bare to be here any longer, my mate hated me and my mother wanted to fob me off to anyone that would give her a higher status. She didn’t care about me, nobody did. Other than Nonna and Matteo.

Matteo?

I gasped as his face popped up into my mind. It was him. He had saved me. But why?

Nonna’s grip tightened on my hand and I could see the worry in her eyes. “You are stronger than you realise, Serafina.”

“But, Nonna. I don’t want to feel this anymore, this pain and suffering.”

She gazed at me, taking in my sadness. “Serafina, listen to me. You are strong, you can fight through this. There is a light inside of you that is worth fighting for. You must not give into this despair.”

I could already feel the tears threatening to spill from my tired eyes. Nonna Lucia had always been good to me, I know she loved and adored me. She only ever wanted what was best for me. But this, it wasn’t worth it. I was nothing to those who I would have done anything for. And cursed. I was cursed. No wonder I wasn’t wanted or taken seriously.

“Your mate, Luca DeLuca. He has been a fool. He has been selfish and stupid, his choices have affected you deeply. More deeper than he could ever have anticipated.” She shook her head in disappointment. “You must not let his ignorance destroy you, you have power inside you. Believe in it.”

I swallowed hard, trying to process her words, she knew what she was talking about. Nonna was old, and wise. She had years of experience in the healing and knew everything there was to know, I trusted her words but I still felt an empty feeling deep inside me. I had always been bought up to honor tradition and my fated mate. I remembered my papa always telling me as a child that my mate would love and cherish me. Maybe that’s why I stood by Luca for so long because I believed that he could really love me one day, the way that I was supposed to be loved. But how long was I supposed to wait? I couldn’t take the suffering any longer, it was so hard and losing Lunaria as well. Every day she was fading away even more and I couldn’t live without my wolf. I needed her. But, how was I supposed to save her and stop this damn curse when my selfish mate was so cold and unloving towards me.

“Luca never wanted me. And now Lunaria is fading, she is getting weaker, Nonna. How can I be strong?” I wanted to scream and shout or something but Nonna hushed me, rubbing my shoulders and offering me a cup of herbal tea to calm my nerves.

“Matteo bought you here. Serafina. He saved you from losing your life out in the freezing cold. I would have been devastated if I had lost you.” Nonna sighed as she handed me a steaming hot mug. I bit my lip and nodded.

The warmth of the drink seeped into my palms as I gripped the mug tightly. I took a small sip, allowing the scent of chamomile soothe me.

“Matteo.” I whispered. “But, why? Why would he want to help me so much?”

“He cares about you, that much is clear. He was very worried when he bought you here, Serafina. He has to return to his pack for some important business meeting. He knew you would be in safe hands with me.” She replied, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. “He has your back, don’t allow yourself to shut off those who are willing to help you, my dear.”

I frowned and placed the cup down. “But, he’s not my mate, Nonna. He is not the one that I am supposed to be protected by, he is not supposed to matter this much.”

I looked down at my lap and twiddled my fingers, trying to make sense of the chaotic mess in my mind. Why did Matteo keep popping up when I was in danger? I couldn’t answer that one but I knew Nonna was right, I shouldn’t cut off those who wanted to be there for me. “He saved me, twice. But, I feel so lost. I don’t know who to really trust anymore. Why does it have to be so hard for me?”

“Serafina, strength doesn’t always come from being brave, it acknowledgement of knowing your vulnerabilities and understanding.” Nonna wiped a tear from my cheek with her thumb and smiled softly. It reminded me of when I was about nine or ten years old, I had fallen off and grazed my knee. Nonna Lucia had taken me inside and cleaned me up and given me a plaster. I smiled back knowing how she had always had my back.

“Thank you, Nonna. I would be lost without you.”

“Serafina, you’re awake.” My heart fluttered at the sound of that voice. I looked up instantly to see him standing in the doorway.

Matteo.