Chapter 29 HIS TRUTH

Chapter 29 HIS TRUTH
Hazel P.O.V.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"
He's still smirking, like he has the upper hand. Which he does, unfortunately for me.
"Just spit it out already!" I snap. "Is it Lukas? Because I can assure you, he's not coming for me. He has a wife and child to take care of. He doesn't have time to waste on me."
He laughs again, shaking his head as if I've cracked a hilarious joke.
"Why would you think it's Alpha Walker? Do you still have the hots for him?"
He wiggles his eyebrows annoyingly. To my dismay, I blush. Not because I find him funny, and not because I still have feelings for Lukas. I blush out of shame—for what nearly happened between us. Luckily, we didn't go far.
"You know I don't. Stop teasing. Just tell me: who do you think will be idiot enough to come looking for me in this dungeon when they can't even feel my wolf, by the way?"
"It's kind of sad he's not the first person that comes to your mind. I mean, he's supposed to be the love of your life," he comments sarcastically, and maybe with a hint of disappointment.
Derek. He's after Derek.
"But… he was there. You were there. You had your chance. And you know he's not in his right mind. He'll never come here," I blurt out, trying to piece everything together.
"He might be under mind control, but he's fighting it. I've studied him closely. I've seen glimpses of recognition—the way he holds back when he's pitted against you. He's still in there, just beneath the surface. And that's enough for me. Enough to make him suffer, even if it's just an ounce of what I've endured."
"Where is he? Do you have him captive like me?" Maybe if he's here too, we can find a way out together.
Danny shakes his head. That small candle of hope flickers and dies.
"Sometimes you really are stupid. If I had him, why would I need bait?"
Now that he points it out, I have to admit it was a stupid question. But he didn't have to be rude about it.
"Look, I'm just confused, and you're not explaining anything. Why do you want Derek to suffer? Why did you pretend to be my friend all this time? What are you going to do if Derek shows up? Where are we?" I had so many more questions, but he kicks my cage harshly, making it tremble and shake.
"Just shut the fuck up!" he yells. "You don't get to ask questions. You're a prisoner. Act like one."
What a fucking jerk.
"It's not like the role came with instructions. Or maybe there's a manual somewhere in this cage. I'll have to check," I say mockingly, hoping to rile him up—maybe get him to kick the cage again, and perhaps it might break.
But to my astonishment, his mood shifts instantly. Angry one moment, now calm and collected. Screams psycho from every angle.
"Look, I don't have a personal grudge against you. I don't particularly like you, but I don't hate you either. To me, you're just a means to an end. And if you behave, you'll get food, clothes, maybe a blanket. Okay?"
As if those things would appease me. I'm stuck in a cage with a psycho jailer who apparently wants to kill my mate and make him suffer.
He's seriously bananas. But I don't voice my opinion out loud, because at the end of the day, I really do want the food, clothes, and blanket. He got me there.
I keep my mouth shut and lean back inside the cage, folding my legs to avoid exposing myself. Though at this point, he must have seen everything already.
"Good girl," he praises, making me feel like an obedient dog.
Good girl, my ass. I'm going to enjoy wiping that smirk off his face.
He places the tray of food on the floor near the cage—close enough for me to reach through the bars. A sandwich, a salad, yogurt, even a slice of cheesecake, and a bottle of water. At least the food is decent.
"Enjoy," he says as he walks back toward the stairs.
A thought suddenly crosses my mind, making the meal look far less appealing.
"Wait!" I call out. He turns, looking annoyed.
Before he can speak, I blurt out the question pressing on me.
"What am I supposed to do when I need to relieve myself?"
He stares at me for a long moment. Then he starts laughing like a madman. Still laughing, he climbs the stairs and disappears through the door, which closes with a loud thud. The lock clicks back into place.
As much as I feel embarrassed, I'm more furious. Couldn't he at least grant me the basic decency and dignity of a person? Does he have to treat me like an animal through and through? He's a wolf too—half animal, just like me.
I decide to leave the food where it is. I'm not so hungry anymore. Actually, I feel tired. I shouldn't be—I just woke up—but my eyelids are heavy, and I don't have anything better to do anyway.
I curl into a fetal position, trying to keep warm, and soon sleep drags me under.

"Stop following me!" I snap at whoever is with me.
Another dream. They're coming more often now. I wonder if it means anything.
"I'm not following you. I'm just taking a stroll in the forest."
Derek.
I turn to glare at him while he feigns innocence.
Goddess, he's cute.
I scoff, rolling my eyes like a little girl, and keep walking. His steps follow behind.
At a fork in the path, I turn left and slow down to see if he'll follow. Sure enough, he takes left too.
I spin around immediately, an accusatory finger pointing straight at him.
"See? You're following me!" I call him out on his lie.
He smirks, a spark of amusement in his ocean-blue eyes.
"I'm only going in the same direction as you."
"And where exactly are you going?" I fold my arms over my chest, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"I'm not sure yet."
I give him a dirty look. Of course he doesn't know—because he's following me and he doesn't know my destination.
"Stop lying and stop following me. I already have a shadow. I don't need another one."
He smiles as if I've said something funny, making me want to bite him—and not the mate-mark kind.
"Maybe I can take its place. I'd be a much handsomer version. Plus, I love hearing your witty remarks. It's entertaining."
I don't even know what to say to that. I just stare at him, hoping he'll catch fire or something.
"Look," he starts, taking a step toward me. I take one back. He smirks.
Then he continues, "Just let me accompany you. For peace of mind. I'm your mate. I need to know you're safe."
He takes another step forward. I take another back, but my foot catches on a rock and I nearly fall. Derek's arms immediately catch me by the waist, steadying me and pulling our bodies close.
My cheeks flame—from his closeness and from embarrassment. I don't dare look up to meet his gaze, which I feel burning a hole in my forehead.
"Look at me," he says softly, huskily.
Against my better judgment, I do. I raise my gaze to his and am immediately pulled into the depths of his eyes—those strong emotions shining through: love, admiration, longing.
His fingers cup my chin. And before I know what's happening, his lips are on mine. Soft. Gentle. Tentative.
I should pull back. Maybe even slap him. I made it clear I don't want him. We're at war. There's no time for distractions, for love. It's not in my cards. My duty is to protect my people. That's why Mother created me. That's why I'm here.
But I can't deny how good this feels. How right. Soft tingles race across my lips and on my waist where he holds me gently—the telltale signs of the mate bond. Why would Mother create a mate for me? Mates are dangerous distractions. A distraction I can't afford.
I pull back, ending the kiss. My eyes remain closed, wanting to cherish this sensation a moment longer, because I've already made my decision. I will never taste his lips again. Never feel the warmth of his body against mine, his hands on me. I can't afford this luxury. It's too dangerous.
I open my eyes and take a full step back. His arms fall to his sides, where they belong.
I inhale some courage and lock my eyes with his mesmerizing ones—feeling my wolf revolt at what I'm about to say.
"Never come near me again. I don't need a mate. I don't like you. And if you approach me again, I will reject you."
With that, I turn sharply and resume walking. I angrily wipe away the single tear that betrays my feelings—feelings that confuse the hell out of me.
This time, he doesn't follow.
I should be happy he listened. Instead, I just feel hollow.