2: Hope Perhaps?

CAMERON

I increased my strides, wanting to put as much distance as possible between me and my supposed mate. What more could the Almighty Moon goddess throw my way? It wasn't enough that she had ripped our parents from us, leaving us to fend for ourselves in a cruel pack, but she also had to give me an asshole for a mate. I surely must be her beloved creation.

I pushed the door to our room open more forcefully than I had intended, startling Juliet in the process. “Sorry,” I rasped grimly, sinking into the shaky bed with a heavy exhale. I slumped with my back on the said bed and just gazed at the dirty ceiling, contemplating my fate. “What happened?” My sister asked, slumping next to me. She shifted to her side, plopping her head up with an elbow, and loomed over me. I looked at her briefly, wondering if I will ever be able to give her a better life. “Cam…” she insisted, making me swallow nervously.

“He is my mate,” I blurted nonchalantly, but the goddess knew I was everything but that. I just didn't know how to act, or even what to feel or think about my situation. Finding one's mate is supposed to be the greatest moment in any werewolf's life. But there was nothing great or joyous about my moment. If I had turned eighteen, I am sure I would be in so much pain right now. My wolf is already feeling the rejection.

“What?” Juliet screeched, making me grimace at the sudden loudness. “Did you hear what I asked?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. At my nod, she went to repeat herself. “I asked what…”

“…happened with Carlos.” I finished her statement in a bored tone. “And I'm telling you he is my mate.” Juliet gasped, getting on her feet instantly. She began pacing, throwing her hands around aimlessly. I have never seen her speechless, but my news rendered her such. She stared at me, exhaled with relief, and got lost in her mind. “Before you overthink it, you should know we will not be mating.” I blurted, making her whip her head to glare at me.

“Why not?” She asked incredulously before a thought occurred, and she popped her eyes wide in alarm. “Did he reject you?” I didn't answer instantly. And she assumed the worst. “He did, didn't he?” She growled hatefully. “That bastard!”

“I encouraged him to,” I offered lamely. Juliet studied my face for a moment, trying to deem if I was telling the truth.

“Don't cover for him, babe,” she scolded. “He is not worth it.” I didn't have the strength to tell her what had really happened, so I let her keep her assumptions. It was better for me anyway if she doesn't harbor any kind of hopes for me and Carlos ever happening. She climbed back in bed and snuggled close to me, laying her head on my chest.

“One day you will get someone who will love you until you can't take it anymore.” She assured, draping her hand over my belly. I kissed her head with a sigh.

“I doubt that,” I confessed truthfully. “But it doesn't matter because I got you.” Juliet raised her head and smiled at me kindly.

“You will never lose me,”

“I know.”

A much-needed quiet fell over us. It allowed me to think back on Carlos. Would he have rejected me if I didn't push him to? I wondered, but that doubt cleared instantly. He was now the Alpha of the pack, and I am sure no one would let him mate with the pack's low breed. If anything, I saved myself a potential public humiliation.

“Let's run away,” Juliet blurted seriously. “Now.” She added. I groaned, knowing very well that this is not a good time because no doubt Carlos' eye will be on me. I told Juliet so and all she did was grumble that he might want us to get lost, so I don't keep being a constant reminder of what he is with no doubt would like to forget. And like always, she had a point. He might even aid our escape. I agreed to scout our surroundings the following day to see if we have a potential way out. All the exhaustion from the day's chores caught up with us, and we succumbed to sleep still clinging to each other

*****

I was jolted awake at dawn by a light tapping on my shoulder. I squinted my eyes trying to adjust in the dark when his unmistakable scent hit my nostrils. My eyes widened as I hastily got up in alarm. Though it was dark, I formed his figure. He shushed me instantly, probably so that I don't wake a snoring Juliet who had turned over at night, disentangling from my hold. He whispered for me to follow him, and without a question, I did. He stood on the stairs just outside our door and turned to look at me.

“I don't want anyone finding out you are my mate,” he said firmly, holding my gaze.

“You don't have to worry about it,” I snapped. “I wouldn't want anyone finding out you are mine, either.” His breath hitched and I instantly realized my mistake. I had out loud claimed him as mine, which must be messing with his wolf. “My mate I mean,” I added feebly, watching the change overtake his being. His wolf was there on the surface. He had taken over.

“You are mine too, little one,” he rasped huskily as his eyes shone gold making no mistake who was talking. “I want nothing more than to sink my canines in your pretty neck and claim you as mine, for the whole world to see.” His words caused my heart to skip a beat. I wanted what I heard, but I knew it was impossible without his human being on the same page.

“We rejected each other,” I reminded him calmly. “And I don't think anyone would like to see you mated to a nobody.”

He growled. A throaty warning growl. “Don't you ever call yourself a nobody.” I gulped nervously. “My stupid human might not see it yet, but you are what completes us. Our other precious half.” I smiled, stepping forward into his arms. I hugged him tightly, inhaling his intoxicating scent. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, dragging me close. “Give him time, please,” he begged, and before I could respond, Carlos took over again. I realized it, when he swore darkly, shoving me like my touch had burned him.

I glared at him briefly before I turned, ready to head back inside. “This doesn't change anything.” He growled, halting me in my steps. “I am still in charge, not him.” He regarded his wolf's claim over me.

“Then help me disappear,” I muttered, turning to look at his shocked face. “Forever.”