93

93
Vanessa’s POV

Alfie's words cut through me like a knife, a wave of hurt washing over me, sending my guts churning and my heart tightening in my chest. Despite our fallout and his rejection, I never expected such cruelty from him. He knows my parents are forever a sensitive topic for me.

Evie, my protective inner voice, seemed to be working overtime, desperately trying to shield me from the pain threatening to overwhelm me. It was as if she didn't want me to feel anything, wrapping me in an emotional cocoon to shield me from the harsh reality of Alfie's accusations. I feel like she has been doing a lot of that lately, which is why she is always sleeping, drained. I've tried to talk to her about it, but she keeps evading the conversation. I don't know what to feel anymore.

Alfie has always been a sensitive topic because, in the end, he was my best friend. I used to be closer to him than Amelia at one point because she had other girls wanting to be her friends all the time. But no matter how hard I tried to push him away, to move on, Alfie remained a lingering presence in my life, a constant reminder of the love and betrayal we once shared. He was my first mate, the one I had foolishly believed I would spend eternity with, and his cruel rejection still haunted me to this day.

As I grappled with the conflicting emotions swirling inside me, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of resentment towards Alfie. Not only for his words and what he did, but for hurting Evie as he was doing now. His words had struck a chord deep within me, awakening a dormant anger that threatened to consume me. With each passing moment, I found myself hating him more and more, cursing the day our paths had ever crossed. I'm glad he isn't my mate.

Alfie's words continued to fuel the flames of anger within me, and I felt a sudden surge of power coursing through my veins. My eyes, normally a shade of stormy gray, began to flash with an intense golden hue, rimmed with silver, mirroring the fierce gaze of my wolf, Evie. Alfie narrowed his eyes at me, his expression hardening as he noticed the change. I'm sure he thought I would never even have a wolf the day he rejected me. I'm not sure he would have been with me even if I had changed.

It was a subtle but unmistakable shift, a physical manifestation of the turmoil raging within me. Though I had never transformed into my wolf form, my eyes had always been a telltale sign of my emotions, changing color in response to the intensity of my feelings. In that moment, with my eyes ablaze with the fiery energy of my wolf, I felt a powerful connection to my primal instincts, a reminder of the untamed spirit that lay dormant within me. It was a silent warning to Alfie, a testament to the strength and ferocity that lurked beneath my calm exterior.

I haven't changed into my wolf yet, but deep down I know Evie is going to be strong and fierce. And the day I finally transform, I will make sure I rub it in his face. With my eyes blazing like golden fire, I faced Alfie, my voice trembling with restrained fury. I tightened my hands into fists beside me, anger bubbling within me like never before. I hate Alfie Black.

"I am your father's mate, Alfie, not his whore," I spat out, each word dripping with venom. "I would never stoop to such despicable behavior if not for this reason. I'm glad I know how you view me now."

My hands clenched into fists at my sides shook as I continued, my anger boiling over. "We have tried to fight the mating bond, Alfie, but it didn't work," I declared, my voice ringing out with bitter defiance. "No matter how hard we tried to deny it, the bond between your father and me is undeniable. Moon Goddess made it happen. I hate your father with every fiber of my being, but the bond is still there. There is nothing he or I can ever do to stop it!"

I could feel the weight of his gaze bearing down on me, his eyes boring into mine with a mixture of disbelief and resentment. But I refused to back down, my resolve unyielding as I stood my ground against his accusations and condemnation. I don't know what I expected to feel after telling him that his own father is now my mate. And I have had good, amazing sex with him that still makes my body tingle. I wanted to add that last part, but I will let this blow settle first.

Alfie's eyes widened in shock, his features contorting with disbelief as my words struck him like a physical blow. He stumbled back, his hands flailing for support as if the ground beneath him had suddenly shifted. The color drained from his face, leaving him pale and shaken as he struggled to process the revelation I had just delivered. It was as if the very foundation of his world had been rocked, leaving him reeling with the weight of the truth that now hung between us.

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic reaction, unable to suppress a scoff. "Please, spare me the melodrama," I retorted, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'm more than shocked by your shock."

His expression twisted with confusion, and he stammered out, "But I'm your mate."

I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. I cannot believe he has the audacity to say that to me now of all times. My mate? He has so readily forgotten that he rejected me for Emily, and I accepted his rejection. "Yes, you were. But you rejected me, remember? Or do I need to refresh your memory?" I reminded him, the pain of his rejection still lingering beneath the surface.

"And the Moon Goddess isn't cruel. She gave me a second chance at a mate, even if he's not someone I would choose in a billion years. She gave me your daddy after you tossed me aside like garbage."