I Am His Mate?!

Mate.

The word resonated inside my head like a haunting voice, echoing in a cave. I stared at him with confusion all over my face. He stared at me back.

I do not know what a 'mate' meant but why do I feel like it is some kind of bad news?

"What on Earth are you talking about? Are we still talking English?"

"Yes, we are. And you are my mate."

I probed my eyes around. The Weres were staring at me intently, watching every single movement of mine. Galland placed a hand on his shoulder and sighed.

"She doesn't seem to know anything about it, Sir Riftan."

Riftan took a deep breath and gazed at me. "Yes, I can clearly see it from here. Proves how much of a dummy these humans are."

I placed my palms on my hips and pointed at him. "Well, excuse me? It's not like I am a Were that would love to learn about your stupid culture."

"Culture?" Riftan sighed. "Well, if that is your perspective then I will leave you to it. Enjoy your rest."

"No, wait!" I reached out my arms to the air. "Wait, darn it!"

Riftan turned his heel and peeked a little bit. He gave me a look that signified that he was listening.

"I..."

I grit my teeth. But in order to survive this dilemma, I have to beg and lower my knees until I can find my weapons again. They must have kept it somewhere else.

"M-My hooded cloak... would you please return it to me?"

Riftan gestured at the other Weres (who had their tails between their legs for some reason), while keeping an eye on me.

"I had it scrubbed. It was soiled with blood. Do you ever wash your clothes?"

There he goes again with his insults!

"Of course, I do! I just happened to slay a wolf before you caught me."

Riftan's brow lifted. "A Were?"

"No. Just a wolf." I sighed. "I planned to give it to the lady. But it seems that I won't be able to."

"Of course, you won't be able to." he pointed at me. "That cage is your home, remember?"

"Shut up." I hissed. "When I get out of here, the coffin will be your home."

He walked towards me and I challenged him a look. "You looked so vulnerable a few days ago, when you were sleeping on my mattress. Had I not known that you were my mate, I would've skinned you alive and killed you already."

My throat became dry.

So, I slept in this moron's mattress, huh.

"So, you feel obligated to get something in return just because I slept in your bed? Don't forget that your kitty-goons are the ones who did this to me first."

"I'd rather if you behave properly, woman. You still do not know what we are truly capable of."

I let out a little snicker. "Tch. You can't even handle me even if I am in this cage. You crashed yourself in these bars like a pie."

A few minutes later, the Were tasked to retrieve my hood came with a fabric, folded neatly on his arms. Riftan takes the cloak and then threw it on the ground, just before my reach.

I clenched my fists.

He just threw it away like tissue papers. What a scumbag. This cloak had a sentimental value to me. I swear to God, I would've punched him now.

I crawled and stuck my hand outside the bars to pull it. I could feel their hungry eyes staring at me with hunger, bloodlust, and contempt.

I wrapped the cloak around my body and clutched it tight. The frost from my skin started to thaw and huffed a cloud of mist. What do I expect? I am in the Alps. Far away from civilization. Far away from help.

I need to get out of here before this crazy alpha kills me.

"Turn off the lights. Everyone, get back to your homes. The night is over. You may rest."

The lights turned off and I was left in the darkness. I could hear his footsteps fading away. I try to adjust my eyes, but I wasn't some kind of a nocturnal animal. No matter how I squinted my eyes, I couldn't see anything.

I sat on the cold floor and closed my eyes, with only my cape covering me from the cold.

Merciless bastard.

__

I woke up to the sound of yawning. I felt my body's fatigue kicking it.

I had no medicine, it must have fallen when I surveyed the mountains as I jumped from branch to branch. Back when I was in the Capital, I could refill it every time I lose the container. But it is much more crucial and different here.

I don't even have an idea how to make it. It was created by the herbalist that my mentor, Robyn had introduced me to.

If I challenge them into a fight, I would not be able to accomplish it. That's why, I would need to gather my strength and pour everything I've got into my escape.

And maybe perhaps, this is a good practice too. I might be able to build resistance against this disease of mine.

I just need to work a little bit harder.

A woman comes inside, holding a basin in her hand. I stare at her and I immediately knew that she was one of them.

So, they've finally retracted back to their normal form, huh. Fascinating. I should've seen the transformation, myself.

I examine her more. She seemed a bit timid and the water from the basin seemed to shake. It was probably because of her trembling hands.

"G-Good morning. I came here to bring you your clothes."

I stared at her. She doesn't seem to be harmful. "Just leave it there."

"Okay..."

The woman placed my clothes beside the cage where I can pull it. She then sat near me and gave me a worried look. She pulls out a loaf of bread and gives me the small basin of water. The container barely pushed through the bar. It spilled a bit, but it was fine.

"Drink this and eat this."

I took the loaf of bread from her hand. She smiled at me.

"We can't have you passing out again."

I nod at her and withdrew myself in the farthest corner, so as to keep our distance. I didn't want her to feel threatened because of me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

There was silence. The woman watched me as I consumed the bread and drank the water like a starving beggar. I needed it. My throat became so dry because of last night's ordeal. It was very cold too.

When I finished eating, I gave back the basin. She takes it and gazed at me with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about Sir Riftan's behavior yesterday. He must have offended you a lot."

My eyes widened a bit.

I was surprised to have this woman sympathize on me, despite our races being vile enemies. Wasn't she mad about me pulling that guy against this cage? She is an unusual one.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked her, my tone dead and stern. "Do you need something from me? Because I really don't have anything to give at this point."

"No, no, no." she shook her head. "I just saw how he was being so rough to you yesterday."

"And?" I crossed my arms. "Isn't that to be expected? He already knew from the very start that I am his assassin. It's understandable why."

"Not really." she shook her head. "You see, we witnessed how worried he was when they brought you here.

Worried? Like I'd even believe that rubbish.

"Worried? He was the one who ordered those goons to beat me up anyway. Why the hell would he be worried?"

She was silent for a while. I took a deep breath. I need to know what's going on around me. "By the way, where in the world am I? What is this place? How did you guys find this?"

"Oh..." the woman grunted. "Well, you are at the top of the Alps. Sir Riftan found this place for us. It was abandoned."

"Abandoned, or he killed the real owners?" I demanded an answer.

The woman shook his head. "It was abandoned when we got here. There was no blood involved."

"What's a mate?"

She looked at me with bewilderment in her eyes and chuckled.

What? Is there something funny about what I asked?

"You do not know what a mate is?"

"Nah-uh." I shook my head. "I was confused when he said that. He didn't even bother explaining it to me, and instead- made fun of me not knowing it.

"Well, a mate is a soulmate. Both of you are destined to be together."

My jaw dropped. I place my hands on my belly and then proceeded to laugh like there was no tomorrow. "Ahahahaha-! Are you serious right now? Is this some kind of a made-up storybook theory that you found in the streets? Because that's hilarious!"

"What is?"

I jolted in shock and scooted backward when I heard that chilling, effortless tone again. Behind me, stood Zen Riftan, the alpha of the pack that I am trapped in.

And also, my prey.

"You think being soulmates is a joke?"

"Yeah." I stood up and contorted a mocking laugh. "I think all of these are stupid. I mean come on, mates? Are you kidding me?"

Riftan walked towards the cage and grabbed the bars. I stared at him while clenching my fists. His eyes were sharp and he was sauntering towards me dangerously.

All of a sudden, the front portion of the cage fell down. Fell down was an underestimatement. He ripped that portion open and those bars of metal were nothing compared to his strength.

He snapped them like you would with a twig.

 I gasped as the dust filled the air, my eyes wide open.

Just how powerful is he?!

I clenched my fists, my assassin instincts started kicking in. I composed a stance, ready to dash. He destroyed the cage, and now I am free to escape--

"I suggest you don't try anything funny, Ruby."

I spun myself back, only to see him standing behind me. His hands were on my waists, poking my skin with his claws.

"H-How did you get in here so fast?"

"I don't know." Riftan whispered against my ear. "All I know is that your scent makes me go crazy. I want to get inside this cage as soon as possible and strain you against the wall."

What the hell?! Is he crazy or something? Just how sad is his life?!

"What?! Strain someone else, psycho! It's not my fault that you do not have a girlfriend or something! Stop assuming that I am your mate!"

"The thing is, I am not assuming." he smirked. "You are my mate and there is no way that I am letting you go."

"You wish!"

I swung my body and felt his claw rip the cloth near my waists. With a quick motion, I swerved my body around and aimed to land a hit on his neck that will be sure to knock him down. He does the same thing and evades my attack.

I smirked.

"Not bad for someone who had slammed his face against the bars."

"I could say the same thing to you."

"Hah! Like I care! You will never be able to beat me-"

I launched myself. And at the spur of the moment, I felt my joints stiffened and I instantly tumbled to the floor.

'Damn it.' I cussed inside my head.

Ugh. This damn disease will really get me killed.

Riftan bent on his knees and grabbed my jaw. I proceed to slip my mouth and bite his hand. He quickly withdrew it away and shook it, spluttering blood across the cage.

"You're such a naughty girl. I cannot believe that the moon chose you to be my mate."

"I'm not your mate. And besides, I already have someone that I like."

"Oh? Do tell."

"I'm not gonna share any secrets with a wolf. You can read my mind, right? Why don't you take a guess?"

Riftan glared at me and grabbed my clothes. He lifted my limping body in the air.

"Who is it?"

I gulped.

I didn't know he would take it so seriously.

I felt his grip tighten my clothes until my chest started to suffocate. I stared at him and gritted my teeth.

"Answer me or I'll have my men kill that woman on the foot of the mountain."

"Okay, okay, fine geez." I hissed at him, irritated. "Whatever man. Just put me down. I'll behave."

"I don't want to keep babysitting a rabid woman like you, so I advise you to be on your best behavior."

"Okay, okay. Fine."

No. It isn't fine. There's no way that this is fine. I swear I'll be the one who'll kill you no matter what.

He then releases me and I plop down to the ground. My spine hit the cold floor and I immediately wince in pain.

"Give her a wash and dress her appropriately," Riftan ordered the other woman who had been there the entire time.

Her eyes widened as she went inside the cage to help me up. "Y-Yes, sir Riftan."

I felt her soft lift. Se looked at me with a worried face and sighed. I clench my fists and pivoted my head to Riftan.

Soulmate? What a bunch of crap.

There is no way that I am falling for this moron!

"Hey. Riftan." I called out to him.

He stared at me while dusting off his clothes. "What?"

I gave him my deadliest scowl and hissed.

"I may be your mate but do not forget that I will be the person to kill you."

"Oh, I'd love to see you try." he gave me a smirk, and I could instantly feel my chest skipping a beat.

What just happened to me?