Page 53 of My Fated Mate

The air crackles with tension. My wolf snarls inside me, its primal rage yearning to break free.

But through the haze of anger, a sliver of understanding flickers. I see the pain etched on her face, the raw vulnerability. Her rage stems from the same hurt I feel, the hurt I inflicted.

Tears stream down her face, each one a searing indictment of my betrayal. My heart clenches in my chest, a fist squeezing with every ragged breath I take. The enormity of my mistake crashes upon me, leaving me breathless and reeling.

Elowen's face hardens with resolve. "I don't belong here," she states, her voice cold and clear. "Take me back to where I came from. Now."

The words slam into me, each one a shard of ice piercing my heart.

As Rylan and Zane step forward, I know the worst part of the punishment isn't her anger but the chilling indifference that replaced the warmth that once filled her eyes.

I've broken her trust, shattered our bond and the road to redemption stretches long and desolate before me.

I want to do everything to make her forgive me. I see a mate scorned and hurt.

The pack, however, sees only disrespect. Murmurs ripple through the gathered warriors, faces contorting into expressions of shock and censure.

Open glares are exchanged, their silent question hanging heavy in the air—why would their Alpha bring a woman like this to their pack, a woman who dares to defy him so blatantly?

Rylan and Zane, however, remain by my side, their gazes understanding.

Unlike the rest of the pack, they see beyond the outburst, recognizing the pain beneath the surface.

Elowen's cold voice shatters the tense silence. "I don't belong here," she repeats, her gaze sweeping across the room defiantly. "Take me back to where you found me. Now."

The words are like a punch to the gut. The thought of letting her leave, of letting her out of my sight, is unbearable. Yet, a part of me understands.

My pack, in their disapproval, confirms the doubts I'd buried deep—maybe she doesn't belong here after all. Maybe she's right.

But the wolf within me, ever fierce and possessive, refuses to back down. My mate. My fated partner. There's no way I can let her walk away without a fight.

Taking a deep breath, I push down my emotions, replacing them with steely resolve. "Elowen," I begin, "I’m sorry, but you can’t leave.”

The pack, sensing the shift in dynamic, falls silent once more, their gazes flitting between us.

Elowen's face hardens, her jaw clenching with determination. "And what makes you think you have the right to tell me what to do? Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"Because," I growl, letting loose a sliver of my Alpha power, "you're my mate, and this is your pack, too. But more importantly…" I pause, searching for the right words, "because you deserve better than the way I treated you. And I intend to prove that to you."

She laughs. “Mate? Alpha Thorne, did you hit your head or something?”

I narrow my eyes and growl at her, but she just lifts her brows. “I’m not your mate. Do not be delusional. I’m not your mate, and I’ll never be. How dare you think you can keep me a prisoner just to use me for whatever powers I have?!”

Chapter 16

ELOWEN

I glare back at Thorne, fury a burning ember in my chest.

The wolf, its obsidian fur gleaming in the dappled sunlight, nudges my leg again. This isn't a friendly greeting; it's a silent command to stay put.

Well, that’s what I think it is.

Thorne's wolf is a constant reminder of his betrayal.

"Is this another one of your games?" I spit out, my voice tight with fury. "Sending your pet to keep me on a leash?"

Thorne's jaw clenches, and for a moment, I think he might actually lunge at me. But he takes a deep breath, his broad chest rising and falling.

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