Chapter 23 A woman at the bar
Madison Smith - POV
A bitter smile crossed my face as I looked down at the ground. "Don't you believe me?” I asked him as I looked at him when he shook his head without a second thought.
“If you were his fated mate, he would never ask us to kill you. You know killing your ted mate would destroy a part of your soul?” Cedric asked me.
“So, if I tell you that I lied, would you take me back to your base and kill me?” I asked him when I saw something shift in his eyes.
“Do you really think I saved your life because you told me that you are Alpha Alastair’s mate?” Cedric asked me. “My mate was killed by a pack wolf for a crime she never committed. It has been three years since she died, and I am still struggling to get over it, but when I saw you for the first time, I felt like I was transported to the past," he said in almost a whisper as he averted his eyes but not before I saw that they were glistening with tears.
“I look like her?” I asked him when he nodded his head.
“I know that you are not her nor are you my mate, but I don't think I can ever lay a hand on you, Madison.” His voice grew deeper, and I felt something deep within me stir as he said my name. My heart tightened with an unknown emotion, and before I could stop myself, I moved closer to Cedric and got up on my tiptoes and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.
“Elijah is my fated mate. We found out exactly a month before he announced to the pack that Antonella was his fated mate. It shattered me, but I stayed quiet when he promised that I would always be his Luna and he needed Antonella to fulfill something. I never questioned because I know that I am his true mate, and he would eventually kill her and take me as his mate.” I paused waiting for my words to sink in. I have never told anyone the truth because Elijah made me promise.
“But you just have felt a constant pain whenever he is close to another woman?” Cedric asked me when a sad smile crossed my face.
“Alpha Alastair is no fool, Cedric. In order to make sure that the entire pack believed his lie, he broke his bond with me, but he promised that he would mark me as his mate again as soon as Antonella was out of the picture.”
“So she is his chosen mate?” Cedric asked me when I shrugged my shoulder. I have had the same doubt as well because I have never once seen Antonella behave like a chosen mate toward Elijah. Their bond feels real, and I have no idea what was going on between them.
“Why did he want Antonella in the first place?” Cedric asked me when I shook my head.
“I don't know. But I guess it must be because she was the daughter of Elijah’s previous gamma.”
“Did you…” Cedric trailed off when I saw his body stiffen, and before I could question him, he grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the nearest tree and hid me behind it. “Stay here, and no matter what happens, don't come out, all right?” He asked me, his eyes wide in panic, when I nodded my head.
He walked back out, and just as he passed the place where we were talking a few minutes back, he paused and quickly bowed. I slowly moved to the corner and peered out when I saw Ralph standing there. His clothes were covered in dirt and blood and were torn in many places.
His body was covered in cuts and stab wounds that refused to heal while a permanent scowl was etched on his face. “Where is that bitch?” he growled.
“I killed her as you asked me to.”
“Did you send her body to be kept at Alpha Elijah’s border?”
“I will be taking her out in a moment, boss.” Cedric replied when Ralph nodded his head. “Boss, why aren't you healing?” Cedric asked when I saw Ralph’s expression harden while his hands curled into fists.
“Bring me a bottle of whiskey to my office.” Ralph harshly dismissed him before he stormed towards the hut. My heart kept hammering against my chest when I saw Cedric’s eyes lock with mine.
“Go, I will meet you soon," he mouthed before he walked towards the hut. I looked around my surroundings, making sure that it was clear before I dashed towards the river.
It was not an easy path, but after two hours or so, I began to see the outline of the town that Cedric told me about. I walked faster and soon left the trees behind as I entered the town. The sky was pitch-dark, but the town was well-lit.
I walked out of the alleyway and continued walking downtown. People began noticing my disheveled appearance and torn clothes, but no one bothered to question me. I looked around the town when I spotted a bar.
That would be the only sensible place to be right now. People would be too drunk to question my appearance.
I walked into the crowded bar and soon found myself a spot at the far corner of the bar and ordered a beer. “Do you want anything else?” the bartender asked me as she placed the beer I asked for.
“No thanks.” I told her when she nodded her head and moved away to serve another customer.
“You look like you have escaped hell.”
“Excuse me?” I acted offended as I turned to my right to see a woman seated beside me wearing a hoodie that covered her face.
“When Alpha Alastair finds out that you aren't dead, it would only end up worse for you.” Her statement made my blood run cold while my heart kept hammering against my chest at the thought of being found.