Chapter 7

Renna's POV

The whole, taking a new mate, and breaking of bonds were now over and I quietly left the study, wondering what was left for me out there. This was a whole new feeling for me, what I got from Kayden, the softness of his voice, the look of affection in his eyes, they were all new and it scared me.

I had just lost a mate I had known my entire life! Now I was forced to be with another and he didn't mind our new bond that has just formed. Instinctively, I rubbed the spot where his mark had been on me but I tried to remind myself that this wasn't real, this was a sham, a fake mate that was pushed over to me because the other pair didn't find him worthy. 

Two wrong pairs, that was what we were. Even as I walked away, I didn't realize that someone followed behind me until his hands grabbed mine to halt me.

“Renna! god, I've been trying to get to you but you just seem so distant.”

I blinked, trying not to get lost in those beautiful cerulean eyes that called for my attention. 

Argh! Snap out it! I tried to warn myself.

“I'm sorry, I didn't hear you calling.”

His lips darted out to sweep across the seams of his lips and he leaned down towards me when his towering height made me feel so powerless underneath his stare.

“It's fine.” his fingers suddenly lifted my chin up, his eyes holding mine. “I would like to talk about us. We're mates now and can't pretend there isn't a connection between us. Because of this bond that we now share. I know I sound selfish and it feels like I'm trying to force you to heal from the pain you're feeling but I want to be selfish, for you.”

I slapped his hands away. His words rang in my ears, reminding me of what I had just been subjected to, reminding me of my loss and a fresh wave of pain hit me. His words taunted me and my gaze hardened.

“What is this? You think this is some kind of love story? We were just dumped by our mates! In the most humiliating way! If this doesn't make you feel sad or bitter, it does to me so just leave me alone!”

I snapped at him and could see the shock and hurt in his eyes. I didn't mean to sound rude to him but I ended up making myself look miserable in front of him. 

I couldn't think, I ran away from it all, deep into the woods to the edge of the lake that supposedly held the Moon goddess's blessings. I shed off the dress I had on, diving into the lake without thinking it through. 

A shudder racked through me when the cold water touched my skin, the night breeze mocking me as it slapped across my face. I curled up into a ball, willing myself to shift. 

Hoping that somehow, my wolf would resurface and fill the emptiness that I now felt from the loss of my mate.

Reaching out for the link that connected me to my wolf, I reached for her and what I got in return was utter silence. As usual. All that was left was that hollow, empty feeling instead of my wolf.

I tried again, one or two times but a strangulated sound echoed through the woods, then I realized that the sound came from me. 

Sobs racked through me even as I shivered continuously, feeling my legs turning to mush where I stood. 

“I'm sorry you had to go through this,”

A familiar voice startled me and I looked over my shoulders hastily. It was Kayden! I just heard his voice echoing in my head as he mind linked me.

“Kay...Kayden?” I called out, glancing from side to side when fear gripped me.

“Hey, it's me. I'm right here.”

Squinting my eyes under the moon's glow, I noticed a silhouette forming from behind the tree. Eyes glowing a bright shade when it took the shape of the Omega. His slacks hung low beneath his waist and he had a checkered shirt on. That aura I had felt earlier washed over me, this time, soothing.

When he got right in front of me, I tried to cover the little that I could with my hands but he crouched low, handing me a silk robe then turning away from me to give me the privacy that I seek.

“Why are you even here?”

He growled softly, “Because we feel the need to protect you. My wolf and I.”

I suddenly remembered the emotions I saw in his eyes the moment our bond was sealed. I nodded. “Why? Because I saved you? Or....Maybe becsuse you're forced to protect me? Since I was tossed over to you like some trash.”

Or did he feel something for me? I fought back the excitement that suddenly fluttered in the pits of my stomach.

His pause hung for a moment then he took slow steps forward. “I owe you my life, Renna. I swore an oath to protect you. Do you understand? I need to protect you.“

I scoffed. 

I was foolish to think that he felt anything for me in short a short while. What was I even thinking?! The bond was beginning to mess with my thoughts and sense of reasoning.

Scuttling out of the lake, I hurriedly shrugged the robe on, tapping his arms to indicate that I was done. He raked his fingers through his hair in embarrassment,

“I'm sorry I made you go through all that earlier. It wasn't my intention. I was too excited to think.”

I arched a brow, “Why would you be? You just lost your mate.”

He chuckled, reaching out for my hand as he led me to a tree, helping me sit on the grass where he had carefully laid his jacket.

“Would I seem like a total jerk of I told you that I always had eyes for you?”

His words made no sense. He was mated to Leia, they had found their bond a year ago, and felt the connection when their wolves recognized each other.

“What are you..What are you talking about?” I swallowed hard. “I may not be able to explain what a mate bond is, because Kieran chose me since his wolf spotted our bond because I don't have a wolf. But I know what you and Leia felt was the true mate bond. So how is it so easy to switch sides for you?”

My words seemed to find a way to amuse him because he chuckled again. I noticed he’d wanted to put his arms around my shoulders but hesitated.

“I only bonded with Leia because she had your blood. My wolf caught your scent on her. I'd mistaken yours for hers, and it was only when you fed me your blood, that I knew the truth.”

A gasp left my lips, “How do you know?”

“Oh, I know a lot about you and your sister. I also know that you're been forced to give your blood to her. I saw the scars on you the other day.”

My expression fell. No one was supposed to know about this. He was just an Omega who had no real closeness to father except his bond with Leia, and I was pretty sure she didn't tell him this.

“You're not supposed to know any of these.”

He nodded, “I know. But I do. All I'm trying to say is, it's you that I should really be with. You're my mate. I can tell now that you really are. So,”. He shrugged his hands into his pocket, pulling out a small gourd. “Take this. It should help with your healing and the pain you feel. It's lotus oil.”

I gasped. Slapping a hand over my mouth when my eyes widened in shock.

“No, wait. You're not supposed to have that. I know every cure and poison in the Crescent Moon Pack by heart and I can tell there's no way you got that here so how did you get it? Who exactly are you, Kayden?”

He groaned, kneading the spot between his temples when he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I got it from a friend on the Outbanks. Can you not ask questions and just trust that I'll never hurt you?”

His gaze softened and I hesitated for a moment before nodding haplessly like I was under some spell. But I pushed the gourd back to him, “Thank you, but I'll have to refuse this. The pain has to do with Kieran cheating, and if I get rid of the scars, Leia would want to know how I did it. I cannot have you in the middle of this. So please, I won't ask questions but trust me on this one.“

He hesitated, nodding in agreement. “Alright. fine.”

“Promise me you'll never lie to me anymore. I know you have things that you cannot say, but from here on, I want you to be totally honest with me. Can you promise that?”

His lips curled back in a small smile, “I promise.”

†††

Had it been an hour or two? I couldn't tell because it was far into midnight when Kayden and I returned to the pack house, chatting and giggling when we did. My smile faltered when Leia approached us.

“And where the hell have you both been?”

“None of your business, Leia.” Kayden shrugged. “What? Breaking the bond wasn't enough? Now your keeping tabs on me too?”

She cackled, wagging accusing fingers at me, “So, you've been fucking him behind my back too. Right? Is that what this is?”

“What?!” I exclaimed.

“You're such a whore, Renna. No matter how you try to deny it, you always want what I want. No matter how hard you try to hide it, I know that you're nothing but a slut and a thief. I'll let the whole world know what a selfish, lying, deceitful whore you are.”

Kayden dashed forward, snarling and that aura he kept caged washed over Leia. She winced, dropping to her knees and reclining her neck.

"What is this?!”

He seethed, “The next time you talk to my mate in such manner, I'll make sure it's the last thing you ever do.”