Page 26 of Mated to the Wolves

It made sense he wanted to become a keeper of our oral history.

“Since they showed up at my graduation and forced me back like a rabid dog.”

“No. Alpha wouldn’t do that.” Fell’s voice holds a hint of doubt. I double down.

“Yet, he did.” I refuse to argue.

Fell’s always held the high-up members of the pack in great esteem. I hated how they blinded him to the injustices done.

“I don’t understand.”

“Then I suppose you’re feeling how I did that night,” I whisper as melancholy settles in.

“Ylva,” his voice shakes.

I ignore his beseeching gaze. “The elders are not perfect.”

“Shh.” He steps closer and I scoff.

“They may lead, but they’re also still just human. People who sometimes make shitty choices.”

He frowns and my eyes drop to his perfectly formed mouth. His fuller lower lip still begs to be nibbled and sucked on.

By some other girl. The thought still stings.

“No faith.” The disappointment in his voice chafes. Who is he to judge me?

“It died with the rest of my family in a freak fire and once more when the love of my life walked away without looking back.”

“Don’t be like this.”

Sorrow softens his voice, and mutes his rosemary, lemon, and salt scent.

This isn’t the same boy who’d stood by my side against bullies. He bought into the brainwashing and it soured our connection.

I can’t cling to the memory of the boy who’d made me feel like the most important person in his world.

“I can only ever be myself. It’s nice to see that’s still not enough for you.”

“Ylva.” Fell reaches out to grab my wrists.

I step back. “I need to go.”

“You look beautiful in your clan’s garb.” We all have family colors, symbols, and preferred runes.

“Thank you.” Turning, I jog to catch up to my uncle and aunt.

I know where I stand with them. Which is better than the wild ride Fell put me on.

The sweet bookish boy with a sensitive soul had caught my eye from the time we were children devouring the required reading in class.

When they paired us for a science project in fifth grade we’d clicked. I thought he might be my mate, but that wasn’t to be.

Silly for me to expect a true match when it had become a rare connection. I hear the crackling of the fire before I see it.

Flames jump high, flickering in a wild dance. The seats are full of people as far as the eye can see.

Alpha sits in the place of honor beside the fire and his daughter sits behind him. Ignoring the whispers that include my name, I take my place beside my uncle and aunt on a log on the perimeters of the group.

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