Chapter 28
Sitting alone at the kitchen table. I bask in the warmth of the soft morning light streaming through the windows. The grip of my fingers on the edge of my toast tightens, but my mind is elsewhere, preoccupied with the resonating impact of Sammy’s words.
She called me a hypocrite, and her words stung with undeniable truth. I couldn’t help but judge her for succumbing to her True Mate’s advances, but now I find myself entangled in a forbidden affair with Axton, too. How could I have been so oblivious, so naive to believe that I was superior to her?
With each bite of my toast, I can feel the heaviness in my mouth, as if I’m ingesting the bitter truth along with the crumbs. Though Axton and I share intense sexual chemistry, the power of destiny casts a shadow over its importance.
At some point in the future, Axton will stumble upon his True Mate, the individual he is meant to share an everlasting bond with. And when that day comes, what will become of me? Will I be forgotten like a distant memory, left to fade away in the shadow of his newfound love?
Surprisingly, the thought lingers in my mind like a persistent itch, causing a gnawing discomfort in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps I’ve become too familiar with the soothing warmth of Axton’s touch, the security of his embrace, but beneath it all lies a web of falsehoods and trickery.
My appetite wanes as I push my plate away, the clatter of silverware no longer registering in my ears as my thoughts become consumed by uncertainty and fear. As I sit alone in the quiet kitchen, the unbearable thought weighs down on me, becoming a heavy burden that I can’t escape. I pretended that! could keep Axton all to myself, but deep down, I knew it was impossible to deny the truth.
There’s a searing anger bubbling up inside me, a fierce blaze of resentment that feels like it could consume me from within. It’s not fair. None of it is fair. The weight of betrayal bears down on my shoulders, squeezing me with an oppressive force that feels like it could crush me at any moment.
It was all set into motion because someone decided to take something that didn’t belong to them. How could someone betray my trust and take what was rightfully mine? The person I believed in more than anyone else. The question echoed in my head: how could Nadia do this to me? The hurt and confusion consumed my thoughts. How could she turn her back on our friendship so easily, showing no compassion or empathy?
Like a sudden blow to the face, the truth starts to dawn on me. While Nadia may have been the one chosen instead of me, there are others who share the blame as well. No, the true betrayal cuts deep within the confines of one’s own home.
Zeke. My True Mate.
The man I loved and trusted with all my heart. I can’t believe he would be so heartless towards me. I couldn’t understand how he could betray our unbreakable bond and connection by falling for the allure of my best friend.
Zeke’s betrayal hits me like a sharp blade, causing a deep and searing pain that I struggle to bear. His role was to safeguard me, treasure me, and be my unwavering support in moments of hardship. Despite everything, itwas him who tore my world apart, leaving behind shattered fragments that could never be fixed.
I trusted him. I believed in him. In a single moment, he shattered all that we had built, disregarding me as if I were insignificant, a mere pawn in his twisted game of deceit and betrayal..
Standing in the kitchen, I watch as the cook enters, bringing with them a sense of bustling energy. As I watch her, I am impressed by her effortless and accomplished movements. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, mingling with the scent of eggs and bacon.
Finishing my toast, I look up at the cook, who is now extending a piece of paper towards me, a look of annoyance in their eyes. I furrow my brow in confusion, my mind racing with thoughts of what it could possibly be. As I take the note from her hand, I notice the precise handwriting and quickly unfold it, revealing an enticing list of mouthwatering meals.
“What’s this?”
My question escapes my lips as a faint whisper, barely audible. With a bored expression, the cook’s eyes speak volumes of her irritation as she looks at
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“It’s a list of meals for the pack dinner later,” she explains. “Since the Alpha Ascension has concluded, all the packs aside from Blackacre will be leaving tomorrow. We need to make a feast to send them off.”
Nodding, I absorb the information with a detached sense of understanding. With a heavy sigh, I straighten my shoulders and nod to the cook, the clattering of pots and pans echoing in the bustling kitchen.
“I’ll get started right away”
As she exits the kitchen, Linhale deeply, preparing myself m n t a l l y for the upcoming task. Even though I felt a whirlwind of emotions inside me, understood that I had a duty to uphold. The needs of the pack must take precedence over my own pain.
As I tie the apron securely around my waist, the familiar scent of freshly laundered fabric fills my nostrils, heightening my sense of purpose. With each Ingredient I collect and every step I take to prepare the meals, the kitchen becomes a symphony of colors, textures, and enticing smells.
The smell of the fresh fish and shrimp fills the kitchen as 1 begin preparing the seafood dishes, chopping them with precision. The air is filled with the sharp scent of the sea, blending harmoniously with the tantalizing aroma of spices and herbs. Amidst the chaos in my mind, the familiar sights and sounds of the kitchen offer a strange sense of comfort, as I rhythmically chop and stir.
With every dish I create, I devote all my energy and concentration, allowing my emotions to flow into the food. It’s a cathartic process, a way to let go of the pent-up anger and frustration that looms over me. I find a peculiar calmness descending upon me as I work, providing a much-needed break from the internal turmoil
As I finish preparing the last of the dishes, I step back and take in the sight of the perfectly arranged plates and bowls. Despite the turmoil raging within me, I take a moment to savor the comforting smell of success that lingers in the air.
As the day drags on, it feels like a weight on my shoulders, each passing moment bringing a growing sense of tension and anticipation. Moving through the kitchen, the clanging of pots and pans and the chatter of voices only intensify the inner turmoil I’m experiencing. More cooks and kitchen staff shuffle in and out, their frantic footsteps and whispered conversations contributing to the palpable atmosphere of chaos.
Sammy is there too, and her energy feels heavy and oppressive, like a dark cloud. Our eyes avoid meeting, the silence growing louder with each passing moment. I appreciate the temporary relief from our strained relationship, yet I also sense the lingering heaviness of sadness in the air.
Surrounded by the clamor and chaos, I can’t help but feel detached from the commotion.
With each passing hour, the mess hall grows increasingly crowded as people fill the space, their voices creating a cacophony of noise. I grab some trays and prepare to serve them, my movements devoid of emotion, as if I were a machine. As I hold the trays, their heaviness becomes a burden in my hands, making every step a challenge, yet I persevere.
As I navigate through the bustling mess hall, I am acutely aware of the intense scrutiny from the pack, their piercing gazes leaving me uneasy. I try to block out their watchful gaze, directing my attention solely to the task at hand. Everywhere I go, the whispers and murmurs seem to trail behind me, haunting reminder of the rumors that surround me.
Despite my best efforts to remain composed, I can feel the tension building inside me, causing my muscles to tighten like a coiled spring.
As I reach out to serve a tray of food to one of the tables, a strong arm suddenly wraps around my waist, pulling me back into a lap. As soon as the touch makes contact, a shiver runs down my spine, instantly tensing up my muscles. It’s a familiar sensation, one that I’ve grown accustomed to over the years.
Most unmated werewolves are nothing but trouble, and this one is no different.
Hollers and whistles erupt from the table, their laughter reverberating through the crowded mess hall. Their antics make me roll my eyes in annoyance, feeling the frustration building up inside me.
“Let me go.”
I snap, feeling the desperate need to break free/from the unwelcome embrace, but the arms around me only grow stronger, their grip tightening
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“Aw, don’t be like that, sweetheart,” I’m startled by the purring voice behind me, its false charm immediately apparent. “We’re just having a bit of fun. Since we’re going to leave soon, let’s make some unforgettable memories, shall we?”
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Suppressing my rage, I clenched my teeth tightly, refusing to let it consume me. It might have been fun for them, but for me, it was anything but enjoyable. I’m exhausted from constantly being treated like a toy, tired of enduring the leering gazes and objectification from the group. Despite my best efforts to assert myself, it feels like I’m constantly struggling against the odds.
His hands on my waist explore unchecked, each touch igniting a repulsive sensation that spreads through me. Despite my efforts to resist, their hold on me grows stronger, their fingers piercing my skin with a claw-like grip.
“Let me go,” I repeat, my voice low and menacing, “I don’t have time for this.”
Despite my efforts to speak, my words are rendered meaningless by the pack’s raucous laughter. They continue to stare and mock, their hungry eyes scanning my body with unmistakable desire. I feel trapped in a cage, my heart pounding with the sense of impending danger as predators close in.
Desperation rises within me, blending with the simmering anger and frustration that have been lingering beneath the surface. I want to let out a piercing scream, to unleash my anger on the pack and make them comprehend the agony they’re inflicting upon me. But I know that satisfying their twisted desires would only escalate the situation,
With each passing moment of unwanted attention, I become more overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, as if I am being pulled under by a suffocating wave. Closing my eyes, I strive to escape the jarring sounds and the uncomfortable brush of hands that sends a shiver down my spine. No matter how much effort I exert, the harsh reality of my situation remains inescapable.
Out of nowhere, a voice slices through the noisy chaos, its tone sharp and authoritative.
The voice, which I recognized instantly, spoke with authority and determination, making it clear that there was no room for argument. I open my eyes and find him standing right in front of me, his piercing gaze sending shivers down my spine. The pack falls silent, the echoes of their laughter fading into the air as they cower under his intense stare.
“That’s enough. Let her go.”
His voice carried authority, echoing through the air with the sharpness of a cracking whip. I feel the arms around me loosen their grip, causing me to stumble forward, my heart pounding fiercely in my chest.
With quick and purposeful steps, I gather up the tray of food, aware of the pack’s watchful silence. Without glancing behind me, I understand that looking back would only invite additional scrutiny and humiliation. However, I do glance back and express my gratitude towards him.
I quietly mouthed a few simple words of thanks, my gratitude unable to find its voice.
He mouthed some words back, silently forming them with his lips:
“Meet me later, when the sun starts to set, okay?”
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“Nevertheless, it would be wise for me to make my exit now.”
As I watched him, my brow furrowed in a frown, trying to make sense of the confusion that was slowly creeping into my mind. What had caused him to abruptly leave? My mind was a whirlwind of unanswered questions, leaving me wondering and pondering.
And then, as if sensing my unease, Uncle Gavvyn’s voice pierced the air, capturing my attention and leading my eyes to a figure standing just a few feet away. My heart leaped with excitement when I recognized the person standing there, a warm flush coloring my cheeks as our gazes connected across the room. I could sense his expectation as his shoulders remained tense, even though his eyes were fixed elsewhere.
My throat tightened as I forced down a gulp, my palms becoming increasingly moist with nervousness, as a surge of restless energy flowed through my veins. My conversation with Uncle Gavvyn had consumed my attention so completely that I hadn’t even realized Axton was there until this moment. The realization hit me like a lightning bolt, instantly triggering a surge of anxiety. My mind became a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
Through the haze of my thoughts, I heard Uncle Gavvyn’s voice, laced with teasing, as he pointed out the obvious tension between Axton and me. My cheeks grew even hotter as his words sank in, and a surge of annoyance welled up within me. I couldn’t help but notice that Uncle Gavvyn had been observing our awkward exchange.
“Come now, Maya,” He chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he regarded me. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed about it. Young love is a beautiful thing, like a blossoming flower, radiating warmth and sweetness.”
Suppressing a sharp response, my mind became a storm of conflicting feelings.
Young love?
A scoff escaped me, as bitterness welled up inside, spreading through me like a foul taste in my mouth. There was no beauty to be found in the jumbled web of emotions that swirled inside me, just a constant state of uncertainty and confusion.
“Is he the person you’ve been hoping to find, a potential True Mate? Are you considering mating with him?”
The weight of Uncle Gavvyn’s words hung in the air, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment, as if they were engulfed in flames. The impact of his question was sharp and painful, the underlying meaning behind his words causing an icy sensation to crawl up my spine.
My throat felt dry, causing me to swallow hard as I grappled with the challenge of responding. A thousand thoughts swirled in my mind, each one more tumultuous than the previous. Answering such a question seems incredibly challenging. How could I articulate the jumble of emotions that twisted and turned within me, leaving me in a constant state of uncertainty and confusion?
But even as I grappled with my own inner turmoil, a part of me shied away from sharing such private concerns with Uncle Gavvyn. He was my guardian!
“I… I don’t know,” My voice barely rose above a whisper as I stammered, struggling to articulate coherent words. I try to hide the blush that is probably giving away my embarrassment. “It’s not… It’s not a conversation I want to have with you.”
I could feel Uncle Gavvyn’s intense stare on me, his face a mask of inscrutable emotions as he digested what I had said. The weight of his scrutiny filled
the
space between us, suffocating the air and creating a suffocating silence. And then, with a heavy sigh, he nodded, his body language revealing his comprehension of the weight behind my reluctance.
“I understand,” he said softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and understanding. “If you ever find yourself needing to talk, Maya, know that I’m always available for you. I may not always have the answers, but I will always be here for you, ready to lend a listening ear.”
As I nodded, a lump formed in my throat, making it difficult to speak, and tears threatened to escape from my eyes. As Uncle Gavyn spoke, his words became a healing salve for my injured spirit, serving as a constant reminder that there was someone who truly cherished me, even during the most
difficult moments.
But even as I tried to take comfort in his words, a part of me couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain at the realization that Uncle Gavyn was unaware of the
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true nature of my feelings. It was a bittersweet moment. He remained blissfully unaware that my True Mate was none other than his own nephew, Zeke, the very person who had callously rejected me and shattered my heart.
The memory of Zeke’s rejection was still fresh in my mind, a constant ache that surged through me whenever his name crossed my thoughts. How could he have shown such indifference, such a lack of empathy? Without hesitation, he abandoned me, leaving me to plece together my shattered heart in
solitude.
Despite my resistance to the unfairness, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Uncle Gavvyn’s perspective held some truth. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was destined to be with someone who would truly cherish and accept me, just as lam.
Someone like…My head instinctively turns in Axton’s direction, and my heart flutters with anticipation. Yeah, no, I highly doubt it.
As Uncle Gavyn finally departs, his words linger in my thoughts, resonating like a haunting melody, and a weighty sorrow descends upon me, smothering like an oppressive blanket. His reassuring words, promising unwavering support regardless of my choice, provided a faint sense of solace amidst my inner chaos, yet they also served as a poignant reminder of the immense gravity of the decision I had to make.
Silent and still, 1 observe as Uncle Gavyn vanishes from sight, his presence diminishing until he becomes an indistinguishable speck in the distance. I feel an intense desire to cry out to him, to beg him to linger, and to assist me in untangling the intricate mesh of emotions that threatens to overwhelm me. But I know that I must face this alone, with no one by my side, as this is a journey that I must undertake solo.
With a heavy heart, I turn away from the fading silhouette of Uncle Gavyn, the weight of his absence lingering in the air. Suddenly, I find myself face to face with Axton, his vibrant energy clashing against the somber atmosphere that surrounds me. As his lips meet my cheek, a sense of familiarity washes over me, but instead of comfort, I’m consumed by a pr
ic k l i n g unease.
“Hey.” Axton says softly, his voice laced with concern. “You seemed off during your co
nversation with him. Is everything okay?”
ing out in a strained whisper.
1 force a small smile, trying to push aside the turmoil that threatens to consume me. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, my voice coming “Just… a lot on my mind. I guess.”
His gaze lingers on me, his eyes probing for any trace of deception as Axton studies me for a moment. But no matter how hard I try to conceal it, I know he can effortlessly see into my soul, sensing the inner chaos that rages within me like a violent storm.
“Chestnut,” he says softly, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair away from my face. “You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever’s bothering you, I’m here for you.”
someone who cherishes me profoundly, even His words provide a gentle solace, a reassurance that I am not alone in this vast world, that there exists during the bleakest moments. As I try to find comfort in his presence, doubts linger in my mind about whether I can trust him completely. I question the authenticity of his proclaimed pure intentions.
With a determined shake of my head, I cast aside the doubts that threaten to engulf me. This is the moment to push aside any doubts or hesitations. The time has come to concentrate solely on the task before me, digging deep into my inner reserves to bravely confront whatever trials await.
“I appreciate that, Axton,” I say softly, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “But I think I just need some time to sort things out on my own. I hope you understand.”
With a nod of understanding, Axton’s face softens with empathy and concern, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
“Of course,” he says, his voice tinged with sadness. “Just know that I’m here for you whenever you’re ready to talk.”
“How’s the training been?”
Despite my
best attempts to appear calm, my voice trembles slightly as I ask, diverting the conversation to a different subject. Weeks have passed since Sammy and I were forbidden from setting foot on the training grounds.
Axton’s laughter echoes through the air, filling the surroundings with a warmth that feels like a ray of sunshine breaking through the darkness.
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“Not much to report,” he replies, his tone light and carefree. As Axton clears his throat, his gaze drifts off into the distance, his fingers absentmindedly scratching his cheek as he ponders. “Just the usual drills and exercises. But uh, your ex, Alpha Zeke, has been keeping a close eye on us, especially me
I can’t help but laugh at that, a burst of laughter escaping me along with an unladylike short. Whenever Zeke gets upset, he falls into his usual pattern of micromanaging everything, leaving us with little autonomy. There’s a bittersweet feeling that lingers within me when I reflect on our time together, despite all that has transpired between us.
“He always did have a knack for being overbearing.” The corners of my lips curl into a wistful smile as 1 remark, a hint of nostalgia in my voice. “I guess that behavie: never really left him, lingering like a stubborn pest”
With a thoughtful expression, Axton nods in agreement, his gaze filled with warmth and affection directed towards me.
I feel Axton’s arms encircle me, his touch gentle yet firm as he draws me closer and presses me against the wall. As his lips meet mine in a fervent kiss, I feel a rush of heat and passion, reigniting a fire within me that I thought had long been extinguished. With a single touch, his warmth spreads through me, erasing the darkness that engulfs my soul.
“We’ve talked enough about the person who rejected you, let’s shift our attention to something else,” His lips brush against mine, and I can hear the husky and sweet sound of his murmurs. As his grip tightens on my hip, a primal moan escapes my lips, filled with a mixture of pleasure and pain. I feel Axton’s growl reverberate through his lips as they press against my neck, creating an electrifying sensation. “Just think about how long it’s been since I’ve tasted you…”
His words struck a chord deep within me, and despite the heavy emotions, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. I playfully swat his chest, teasing him
with a mischievous grin,
“You’re so annoying. Axton.”
“Instead of talking, Chestnut, why don’t we focus on kissing more, yeah?”
With every word I utter, I become increasingly powerless against the irresistible attraction that draws us together, melting into his warm embrace. I wrap
arms tightly around his neck, feeling the warmth of his body against mine as our lips collide in a passionate embrace.
With each deepening kiss, the world around us dissolves into oblivion, leaving us entangled in a passionate whirlwind of desire and yearning. Within Axton’s embrace, I discover solace and comfort, a sanctuary shielding me from the internal storms that threaten to overwhelm.