Page 12 of My Fated Mate

The man I rescued is standing before me, his shirt discarded and his chest bearing a fresh claw mark. My gaze locks onto that muscular chest before rising to his piercing grey eyes that seem to penetrate deep into my soul.

Emotions become a maelstrom inside me.

There's lust, undeniable and raw, coursing through my veins, mingling with confusion and a hint of something else I can't quite place. Could it be... love? That’s absurd.

He flinches slightly, and my eyes drop back to his wounded chest. Anger boils up inside me, hot and fierce, at the thought of another set of hands touching him.

I want to snatch the healer's hand away, to replace it with mine, to tend to his wounds myself.

With all the force I can muster, I will myself to look away, to break free from his gaze. But somehow, my eyes find their way back to him, and he's still looking at me, his gaze unwavering, his presence like a magnetic force pulling me closer.

I grit my teeth in frustration, a bit embarrassed for feeling this way.

But deep down, I know there's no denying the pull between us, the undeniable connection that seems to transcend time and space.

As our eyes meet again, I feel something shift inside me. A spark ignites between us that threatens to consume us both. And at that moment, I know nothing will ever be the same again.

I remember learning about this rare feeling, this undeniable connection that signifies the bond between mates. And as the realization dawns on me, I realize deep down that he is my mate.But the knowledge fills me with a sense of dread, as this can ruin the alliance and safety of my people.

I'm lost in my thoughts, contemplating the impossible situation I am in, when someone clears their throat behind me. Startled, I snap out of my reverie to see Finn standing there, studying me curiously.

Turning to face him, I meet his weary gaze and can't help but feel a tad bit disappointed in myself for looking away from the man.

"Is everything okay?" Finn asks.

I glance at the guard standing behind Finn and ask if my father has been reached. The guard shakes his head, and I nod before turning back to Finn.

With a heavy sigh, I walk out of the healer's hut. Finn falls into step beside me. He looks at me expectantly, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Elowen, what's going on?" He asks. "I saw the way you were looking at that guy back there. It looked like you wanted to tear his clothes off."

"I think I've found my mate," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

Finn's eyes widen in shock. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead, he just stands there, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions that mirror my own.

I am flushed with embarrassment at his expression. I take a deep breath, meet his gaze, and begin to tell him everything, starting from the moment I saved the mysterious man in the woods to the overwhelming realization that he is my mate.

As I recount the events, Finn listens intently, his expression shifting from concern to shock.

"Your mate?" Finn repeats incredulously. "But what about Kain? What about the promise you made to marry him?"

I bite my lip, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I don't know, Finn," My voice is hoarse. "But I can't ignore this connection I feel. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before."

Finn nods, his expression somber. "I know you, Elowen," he says softly. "And I know you wouldn't make this decision lightly. But you need to be prepared for the consequences, whatever they may be. You know how Kain is. He will never let you go. Not now, after you’ve finally accepted his proposal."

I swallow hard, knowing that Finn is right. The path ahead is uncertain and fraught with danger, but I can't deny the pull of my mate's presence, drawing me closer with each passing moment.

Finn's questions echo in my mind as we walk, his words triggering my anxiety. Does that man even know who I am? Does he realize he’s my mate? And most importantly, is he going to fight for me?

I let out a sigh, shaking my head in frustration. "I don't know, Finn—but I'm about to find out."

With a determined nod, I turn back towards the healer's hut, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. But as I enter the room, ready to tell the healer to leave, I'm greeted with an unexpected sight.

The mysterious man stands alone in the center of the room, his back turned to me. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of a pair of eyes tattooed on his back. They look so familiar.

My heart pounds in my chest as I realize where I've seen them before— they're mine, the same eyes I've seen countless times in the mirror.

Before I can process this revelation, the man turns to face me, his gaze locking with mine. And in that moment, all thoughts flee from my mind, replaced by the overwhelming sense of recognition and connection that surges through me.

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