All Chapters of Not Your Mate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Panic showed in Orion's eyes when he saw Dahlia and Emery. He unconsciously turned to look at me to gauge my reaction.He quickly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Elara—Dahlia is a hunter too, and her mate was killed trying to save my life. That's why I'm taking care of them." That explanation was really forcing it—the boy had Dahlia's eyes, but Orion's face.Just one glance was enough for me to be sure the pup was his.And before I could speak, Dahlia entered, crying with the pup in her arms, "I'm sorry, Elara—I didn't want to impose while you're preparing for your marking ceremony, but Emery keeps crying himself hoarse, asking for daddy every night. There's nothing I can do—" "It's a child's nature to look for their father. Are you his father, Orion?" I asked Orion, cutting Dahlia short."Of course not," he replied, shaking his head and shooting a warning glare at Dahlia. "We aren't even marked—how would we have a pup? I took care of them after Emery's dad saved me. An

Orion took Dahlia by the arm and dragged her outside, while Emery was bawling in fear.However, I couldn't spare the effort to care—the ring was all I cared about.Unable to hold back, I buried myself beneath the blanket and sobbed, crying myself to sleep after relieving all the tension.That was, until I was woken up by the knock on the door.I opened the door, but there was no one to be seen… only to notice everyone else sitting in the living room.Orion was on the couch, having his back to me while he carried Emery in one hand and read a storybook to him.Dahlia was lying on the couch beside Orion, listening to him reading with her eyes closed.They were the picture of a happy family, while I was just a stranger staying in the same house.As I started back to my room, I suddenly noticed that Dahlia was leveling a provoking glare at me.I understood everything then—she meant for me to see them as a family, to notice what was really going on between them.I simply hung my he

Elara's P.O.VWhen I got home, I cheered up considerably with my dad's company and comfort.I eventually took out my phone, and found a bunch of missed calls and texts—all from Orion.[Where did you go, Elara? I know you're in a bad mood, but just come back. I can explain everything.][It's okay if you don't want to see me. Just come home and I'll stay outside like a Beta. I'm begging you, don't go disappearing on me.][Did you return to the Red Moon Pack? Just talk to me, okay? I'm worried.][Come home soon, okay? It's going to be the Blood Moon Festival soon, and we're supposed to get marked on that occasion.]I stared at the texts, remembering the night before Orion left three years ago.He just won gold at the hunters' category, but while everyone was howling excitedly around him, he got away to reach me, kissing me passionately as he rasped, "Wait for me, Elara. We will mark each other here—and you will be my wife.]I was melted by the fiery love in his emerald gaze.But

Orion's appearance caught me stunned for a moment.His usually neatly groomed hair was left disheveled and dangling over his brow.Despite his loving gaze, his eyes were sunken and his chin was filled with stubble—a shadow of his formerly attractive self.Still, I remained silent and returned inside my house.Orion grabbed my wrist, right then, "It's been so long, Elara. Don't you have anything to say to me?"I stopped and said, "I have nothing to say to you, Orion."However, just hearing my voice left him at once thrilled, "Then just listen to me, Elara. I've sent Dahlia and Emery far away, and I understand I've made a mistake."Just give me a chance, and things will go back the way it was. That's why I came for you."I took a step back as I flung off his hand. "And where are you going to take me? And for what? To see you being happy with your family of three?"Orion shook his head and sighed, "Don't say that. It hurts me that you saw us, but I was really just taking care of