Chapter 9

I stared at him like he had grown a second head.

Maybe he has.

“Mate,” he repeated, more surely this time.

I frowned and my hands fell on my sides.

I tried to feel it.

Yes, there was a stir somewhere deep inside me but nothing else.

I'd heard tales of how mates felt when they found each other but I felt almost nothing.

Was this a joke?

I wanted to laugh in his face but the look he gave me made even me hold my tongue.

Different emotions crossed his eyes at once from anger to sadness to pain and was that….regret?

“No,” I said inwardly.

This was the last thing I needed.

I didn't need a mate.

Not now.

And especially not one that was looking at me like he wanted to rain fire and brimstone over my head.

“Mate,” he said and this time, every emotion in his voice and eyes were replaced with just two.

Hate and disgust.

Right at that moment, I knew it.

I didn't need to be told.

I knew what was running through his mind.

It was as clear as day.

“I….”

That was my cue.

I cut him off and beat him to