Chapter 138

Kenzo’s eyes burned with unrestrained fury. His breath came in short, heated bursts, so close to my face that instinct told me to step back—but I held my ground. I met his gaze, determined to maintain my composure. I had done nothing wrong. I didn’t belong to him. The only thing I owed him was an explanation, and that was solely because he was the Alpha, and I lived within his pack’s territory.

“I needed to speak with Commander Kroos. It was urgent,” I said evenly.

Kenzo let out a dark scoff. “You certainly looked like you were enjoying yourself.” His fingers closed around my wrists as he yanked me toward him. “Must’ve been a very... satisfying conversation.”

The unsubtle accusation pushed me straight to the edge of my patience. A dozen sharp retorts flooded my mind, each one tempting me, but I forced myself to take the high road. With a quick, practiced motion, I wrenched my hands free from his grip.

“Icarus is my friend. He helped me with something, and I felt relieved after we talked. Is that a crime?” I challenged, my voice laced with defiance.

“You call him Icarus?” Kenzo’s voice dripped with incredulity. Then he scoffed. “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. You acted very... friendly with your ‘friend’ at the welcome party, too.”

My patience snapped. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

Kenzo’s eyes darkened. “I let it slide when you threw yourself at him that night and made a fool of me, but sneaking into his tent? At this hour? That’s something else entirely.” His voice rose into a snarl.

Disbelief surged through me, hot and fast. My pulse pounded in my ears as fury flared to life inside me. I didn’t know whether to scream, slap him, or burst into hysterical laughter at the sheer insanity of his jealousy.

“You are insane, Kenzo.” My voice was sharp as a blade as I stepped past him, making my way back toward the mansion.

But he was quicker. He moved to block my path, his stance unyielding.

“You haven’t explained yourself,” he growled through gritted teeth.

I took a slow breath, forcing down the storm of anger raging within me. Somehow, I resisted the urge to lash out, choosing logic over fury.

“What exactly is your problem?” I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest. “I went to Icarus’s tent to talk. I wanted to know what happened in the vampires’ territory, and he didn’t want to discuss it in front of everyone. That’s the only reason I was there. Satisfied?”

Kenzo’s lip curled. “Oh, I get it. You were asking about your precious King.” His voice dripped with venom. “Were you so worried about him that you ran to that bloodsucker’s tent, desperate for news?”

My jaw clenched. Kenzo was pushing me too far, baiting me, and I was dangerously close to snapping. The “Don’t piss off the Alpha” warning blared in my mind, but my fury drowned it out. My tongue sharpened, ready to strike.

“Do you hate all vampires, or just Hadrian?” I countered, my glare unwavering. “For your information, Icarus is half-vampire. I don’t even know if he’s ever tasted blood in his entire life. And if vampires disgust you so much, maybe you should have thought about that before signing the truce and accepting the Royal Army’s help.”

Kenzo’s rage flickered, but his expression remained rigid. “I would hate anyone who laid their hands on you,” he snarled. “You are my mate. You are mine.”

The possessiveness in his tone struck like a dagger to the chest. Just like that, I was no longer a person—I was a thing, something to be claimed. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, mocking my own foolish idealism.

“Oh, I see. And does that mean I’m not allowed to be close to my friends while you get to meet Bopha in your room in the middle of the night?”

His body went rigid. The unspoken tension hung between us, thick and suffocating. His silence was damning.

I exhaled, shaking my head, an ironic smile curling my lips. “And now you have nothing to say?”

Kenzo’s growl was low and dangerous as he stepped closer, his body radiating searing heat.

“In case you forgot, I’m the Alpha,” he said, his voice a lethal whisper. “If a pack member needs me, it’s my responsibility to listen—at any hour. I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut. Just hours ago, I had allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, Kenzo saw me as more than a title or an obligation. The way he had held my hand at the meeting made me think I meant something to him.

But now? Now, I just felt used.

“Screw you, Kenzo.” My voice was thick with anger, my hands shaking as I shoved him back. “Do you really think I’ll accept you as my mate just because you keep throwing destiny in my face?”

“You are my mate.”

“I don’t feel like I am.”

The fire in his eyes dimmed, extinguished in an instant. A flicker of something raw and vulnerable flashed across his face—fear.

“Please… don’t say that.” His voice had lost its sharp edge, replaced with something quieter, something pleading. “I don’t know what I’d do if you rejected me.”

Hesitantly, he reached out, wrapping his arms around me, holding me close. And I didn’t pull away.

Something deep inside me twisted with guilt. His embrace didn’t suffocate me like before—it simply felt… desperate. I suddenly recalled Oberon’s grief when he spoke of the mate he lost. And when I looked up into Kenzo’s eyes, I saw the same aching sorrow, as if he had already lost me.

And that realization cut deep.

If I could force myself to love Kenzo, perhaps Hadrian could find someone else, too. Maybe he could move on, even if it took him years. But werewolves didn’t get second chances when it came to mates.

And the truth was, my heart already belonged to someone else.

I leaned back, just enough to meet his gaze. “Kenzo… you know I don’t feel the mate bond.”

He tensed, his fingers tightening slightly around me. “Thalassa, I—”

“Shhh.” I placed my fingers over his lips, silencing him. “If you want me to accept you as my mate, then make me feel something for you.” My hand moved from his mouth to his chest, resting over his heart. “Show me that you truly care about me.”

His eyes softened, flickering with something dangerously close to hope. His heartbeat quickened beneath my touch, and for the first time, he exhaled—really exhaled—as if releasing some of the weight pressing down on him.

He pulled me close again, burying his face in my hair, holding me like he was afraid I would disappear.

“I’m crazy for you, Thalassa,” he murmured against my temple. “I do and say stupid shit because I don’t know how else to make you mine. Just… don’t reject me.”

His voice cracked slightly, and my heart clenched.

I exhaled a quiet laugh. “Then… do and say less stupid shit,” I teased gently, rubbing my cheek against his chest. “And maybe—just maybe—I’ll give us a chance.”

His arms tightened around me. “I promise I’ll try.” His voice was softer now, almost tender. Then he pressed a kiss to the crown of my head.

And I closed my eyes, unsure whether I had just made a promise I could never keep.