Page 26 of My Fated Mate

That fucking bastard.

The name sits heavy on my tongue with a bitter taste.

The arrogant wolf who dared to claim Elowen as his own. The memory of our confrontation earlier burns bright—the flash of his golden eyes, the snarl curling his lips.

He may have slunk away with his tail between his legs this time, but the threat hangs heavy in the air. And next time I’ll be prepared.

Let him come near my mate again, and I won't hesitate. He'll understand the true meaning of a challenge—the wrath of an Alpha protecting his mate.

The very thought sends a fresh surge of fury through me, propelling me forward with renewed ferocity.

Trees whip past, damp earth, and pine filling my nostrils. I don't care where my paws take me as long as it's away from the suffocating weight of this revelation.

She's mine.

The primal instinct roars in my wolf's voice, a fierce echo of the possessiveness clawing at my human heart.

Then I suddenly skid to a halt, the scent of damp earth strong in my flared nostrils.

My wolf whines deep within me, the anger replaced by a soul-crushing emptiness.

Elowen is my mate.

The bond sings between us, an undeniable truth.

But the harsh reality slams into me like a falling tree.

She's not the fated mate in the prophecy. The hope of saving the world seems to crumble in my grasp.

Every shared moment, every stolen kiss, feels like a betrayal.

I was so caught up in the euphoria of finding my mate that I blinded myself to the truth.

The possessive rage that fueled my run through the forest seems laughable now.

How can I claim her? How can I bind her to a life of danger and darkness when she's not the key to unlocking the light?

My wolf growls, a deep, frustrated rumble in my chest. This connection, this pull towards Elowen- it's real.

The way her laughter fills the air and her scent makes my head spin... it's undeniable. But what good is a mate who can't stand beside me in the coming battle?

Frustration morphs into bitter despair. The weight of the prophecy now feels like a crushing boulder on my chest. But even more agonizing is the thought of letting Elowen go.

The thought of letting her go, of severing this newfound bond, rips at me like a wolf tearing at its own flesh. But the fate of the world rests on my shoulders. The prophecy demands it. I can't allow my personal desires to jeopardize everything.

Letting her go.The words echo in my mind, each one a shard of broken glass piercing my heart.

But what then? What do I do?

I am an Alpha, a leader, and yet I feel utterly helpless. Torn between the duty to my pack, the responsibility of the prophecy, and the possessive ache for my mate.

Frustration gnaws at me like a famished wolf cub. Every step back towards the pack feels like a retreat, a surrender to a cruel fate.

Just the thought of seeing Elowen, of having to explain the impossible situation, sends a fresh wave of despair crashing over me.

I need to leave. The longer I stay, the harder it will be to leave my mate. That is the first step.

The air, heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, suddenly shifts.

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