Furious, I walk back to the pack house, one hand clutches around the handle of my sword, the other on my gown, aching desperately to soothe myself, even though it won't be as good as his.
I stop to press my thighs together, too aroused to think straight. The weight of the whole thing bears down on me, almost leaving me in tears. Truly, I wish we would be fine at the end of it all.
Now that I think about it, I can't get any logical explanation for this whole shenanigans. Why the hell would I be mated to a human? There are a hundred and one eligible bachelors in my pack, a thousand and one alphas of great packs, and tens of thousands of great matches in the universe, still, a human?
And to think that I'm helpless is beyond me. Maybe I've lived so much in isolation that I crumble on my knees for the first man that comes knocking. His charisma pulls me further, the attitude that leaves me in awe. No doubt he's exceptional, but he's my boon.
To think that my papa's soft heart made him preserve the human boy, I wish he was as tough inside out as the lessons he gave to me. If only he had let him go, just maybe the moon goddess would have no strings to pull and his precious daughter would be fine.
Slowly, I keep walking, more like crawling. The cool evening breeze isn't helping my mood either, as goosebumps creep all over, buckling my knee from the untamed desire it ignites.
Crap!
I clap my head, that seems as though it would explode. It surely will... Well, it wouldn't if I get back right in time to claim my reward, and so it has me leaping, as I'm quite unsteady.
I sigh.
Straightening up, I manage to double my steps, then triple, until I'm running fully. Exercise they say is a good distraction, and it actually is. Right now, having fun, or being strapped in Hendrix's bosom isn't all that I think about, I too sincerely want to iron this thing out as Hendrix suggested.
On arrival, one of the guards opens the gate and steps aside so I can come in.
"Where's Dante?" I scream at the servants.
They look at me, confused as hell. Never have they ever seen me in this state, or perhaps it's been forever.
"Good day lady Natalie." They stutter and step aside.
"Damn it. That wasn't my question." I turn back to vent.
A little too high, I rush to the guest room where Dante has been lodging. I kick the door open without knocking and meet an empty room.
"Dante!" I breathe heavily. "Where are you?"
Not getting any response, I open the bathroom, check the balcony, and then the wardrobe...he's an impostor after all.
Still not seeing him, I go to my room and meet the same silence. Where could the idiot be?
My whole body quivers helplessly, not from fear of the confrontation, but for want of Hendrix, want of his safety, and fear of our fate. It's a mixed feeling after all.
I continue my furious search towards the main hall. Half of the way has me sprinting, caring less about etiquette or ladylike behavior.
When I launch myself in, I meet the surprise gazes of the three council elders and Beta Xavier, but as usual, Dante is not amongst them.
"Where's Dante?" I inquire from no one specifically.
"Lady Natalie, we need to address this issue."
"What we need to do is address Dante. What gave him the guts to think he could interfere in my life or worse still lay hands on a subject?" I prevent Beta Xavier from finishing.
"Did I just hear you say your life?" He scoffs. "At first, when Dante informed us that you went after the human boy, I argued, because why would you even stoop so low? I was wrong, sadly."
"Not like you've been right all your days." I bluff.
He stands to meet me in the middle. "Lady Natalie, that water is offensive and forbidden!"
"Why do y'all keep using water?" I heap my frustrated sexual energy on him.
Embarrassment flushes over me. Or maybe it's offensive coming from someone other than Hendrix.
"He's my mate, Xavier." Yet again, I spill, but this time not unconsciously.
The earlier we sort things out, the better for all parties involved.
"For your sake, I would remain ignorant. Your infatuation made you think so. And you can't go about acting stupid and delusional."
"Well, I'm glad no one gets to order me around, and certainly not you. Hence, it's best you don't cross the boundary."
"When Dante said this gibberish about Hendrix being your mate... Oh goddess, pardon me." He makes a sorry and irritated face, his arms crossed on his chest. "I was sure to make him taste my fist." He finishes.
"I'm glad you did that, he needs to be tamed, even though what he said is fact."
"You're stubborn, blunt, and blind. I thought this was a stunt to save the human, and if it were, you had better fix it."
"What if it's not?"
"If I were you, I would be wise enough to walk away with my head still high."
"Thank Goddess you're not me!"
"And so you know, you're yet to be alpha, which makes it easy to displace you." He snaps his fingers. "Which is why we give you three days to come to your senses or get pierced by the thorn. Roses have thorns too."
"You're not even smart for a start."
"The end is near, you would beg me for lessons."
I scoff.
"And if I don't give him up?" I dare, even though my voice is shaky and I hate that he can see right through me and can feel my fear.
"I hope we don't get to that extent, but I would gladly execute my role." He gives a nod and walks away.
"Lady Natalie, I hope you understand that it's for the collective good, and the life of one man can't be the priority right now, by one man I mean you. If things go south, we will save the pack from ruin, even at your expense, since you've chosen your course. I hope you don't find trouble navigating through it." Elder Gonzalo advises calmly.
I remain still and mute as I watch the elders leave one by one. Frustrated, I scream. I'm losing it... my mind, mate, throne... every damn thing!
I'm so sorry this chapter is quite small, I just wanted to deliver, so yall will feast on something alongside your popcorn 🍿
More so, do you love the book so far?