Chapter 23: Chapter twenty-three - How could you? /2/

[REN]

It's almost 6 pm; I'm currently getting ready for our date night.

Azrael was nothing but perfect today. He was caring and sweet, real Prince Charming. I could see our future together; he has changed to so much better.

I sighed and looked at my reflection in the mirror. Azrael kept repeating how beautiful I am whenever he had a chance, and I started believing him.

I curled my hair and smiled. Well, it's not so bad, after all. I'm not a lost case then. Giggle escaped my lips; for the first time in a long, long time, I felt happy.

I wonder what his plan for today is.

He's been in his cabinet for hours now, must be some essential pack business.

"We should think about finishing the mating process, you know. It's your birthday today, and we're mated to an Alpha. We need to be grateful for him being so patient with us so far. I mean, he did keep waiting, but by all laws, he has rights to claim us now," my wolf spoke, explaining everything.

"I'm not sure am I ready," I answered.

I mean, I think I am, he's my mate after all.

Moon Goddess knew what she was doing when she paired us both. Maybe I should let him in; maybe I should give all of me to him, perhaps I even love him. Or maybe it's just our mate pull playing tricks on me.

"You need to get prepared because sooner or later it will happen. Alpha wolf in him is fighting for claiming what's his. He wants us; he needs us. Ren, he sees us as something perfect, he will do whatever to keep us for himself," her voice sounded excited. I knew that she loved her mate already, I knew she wanted to be with him, yet I'm not sure can I trust Azrael.

Yeah, he has been nothing but amazing lately, trying his best to impress me and be a perfect mate, but something seems to be off. I got this weird feeling, and it's not leaving. I can't explain what exactly is happening, but it's something terrible.

Something about my mate, I tried to mind-link him, but it was no use, he has put his walls up, and I couldn't get in.

"His wolf is silent; he won't answer me, strange," my wolf tried her best to reach her mate, but nothing.

"Let's go and check on him, something is..." just before I managed to say anything more; a scream came from me.

Suddenly my mark started burning; hickeys began appearing on my stomach. I collapsed on the floor and hissed in sudden pain.

"What... what is happening to me... I-it hurts s-so much," I barely stuttered in the hope that she knew the answer.

"I feel it..." something so insane happened. My wolf cried. She had never done that. Never. She screamed in agony, cursing the whole word.

"What?" I asked again before letting yet another scream escape my lips. The pain was unbearable; it felt like someone was trying to rip my heart out with their claws.

"He's claiming another one, he didn't bother to reject us, he's claiming her, while we still have our mate bound. Get ready, Ren, as soon as he's done; the pain will get worse," she cried, yelled, screamed, sobbed, everything you could think of. Nobody wants to feel their wolf being in so much pain. Nobody, nor do I. I'm going to kill that son of a bitch, even if that will cost my own Goddamn life.

I gathered all my strength and stood up. Slowly, opening my bedroom door, I left it. I was barely able to walk, had to hold onto my stomach, to keep the pain away, at least for a bit.

Guard, who stood next to the library, rushed to me.

"Luna, are you in pain?" he asked, obviously worried.

"I'm fine. What's your name?" I suddenly asked.

"Anthony, my Luna," he bowed down as he spoke.

"Stay here; I'll need you," I ordered and continued to head to my mate's bedroom, he must be there.

It felt like it took me hours to finally reach my mate's bedroom, but I didn't care. The pain became stronger and stronger with each step I took anyway.

I smashed the door open without thinking about the consequences. I am Azrael's rightful mate, and he has no right to treat me like a trash bag.

There he was, in his damn bed, leaned over woman's figure. Must be his future, Luna. She better be prepared to take a lot of shit in, because I will not tolerate this.

"How could you?" my voice cracked. I was in pain, a lot of it, I bet he could see hints of anger and betrayal drawn all over my face. Disgrace.

"Get the fuck out; I'm busy, can't you see that!? Respect your Alpha and Luna, bow down mutt", He suddenly yelled at me. How could he? After all, he has done to hurt me; he once again just made sure to do that. And now he's acting as if I was nothing but a speck of dirt under his feet. He is no mate; he is a monster. My father was right; I have to get back to him.

A loud gasp escaped my lips. I kneeled in front of him and looked at the floor, I was about to break down into tears, but I held everything in, and only a few sobs left my lips. I am strong.

"I'm sorry for my disrespect, Alpha; I shall go," I whispered under my breath and stood up. I didn't bother to look at him again or the woman under him. I just left. Completely broken.

The guard, Anthony, he was waiting for me just a few steps away from my "so-called mates" bedroom. He looked sad. Devastated, if I must say.

"Are you mated, Anthony?" I asked him.

The young guard shook his head in denial. So no.

"Help me to get out of here, help me to hide my scent, and get away from here. Azrael shall keep torturing me until I'll die and trust me, that might happen faster than I'd like," I whispered. Anthony seemed to be trustworthy, but at this moment, he had to betray his Alpha. He kneeled in front of me and spoke:

"I promised to live and die for my Alpha, but now, I give you my word that I shall give my life for you, my Luna," with that he picked me up on his arms and carried me out of the packhouse.

The pain was getting worse, especially since I was getting further away from my mate, the pull was still active and bound yet haven't been broken. Weird.

"We have to get to my father. Zane Snow, Alpha, he is an Alpha," I whispered, my head became dizzy and vision blurry.

"Sleep my Luna; I shall get you out of the territory unnoticed. By the time you'll wake up, you'll be in safety with your father, I give you my word," he caressed my hair as he spoke and with that, I closed my eyes...