Page 54 of My Fated Mate

"No, Elowen," he says through gritted teeth. "Shadow is here for your protection."

Protection? From what? My own escape attempt?The absurdity of it all is almost comical.

"My protection?" I scoff. "From whom exactly? Your pack mates who seem hell-bent on making me feel unwelcome?"

As if on cue, one of the wolves who'd snickered at my outburst earlier swaggers towards me. He's a hulking figure with fur the color of burnt umber, and his eyes hold a cold, calculating glint.

"So, this is the fiery mate the Alpha brings home," he sneers, circling me like a predator. "Heard you weren't very receptive to his... advances."

Before I can retort, a female wolf steps forward, her sleek black fur rippling with suppressed anger. "Leave her alone, Bjorn," she hisses. "She's the Alpha's mate, whether you like it or not."

Bjorn chuckles, a sound devoid of humor. "Alpha's mate, huh? Seems more like his captive to me."

My hand instinctively goes to the small dagger tucked into my boot. I may not be a trained warrior like these wolves, but I am not defenseless either.

"Perhaps you should rephrase that," I growl, taking a threatening step forward. "Unless you want to test the bite of a raging she-wolf."

Bjorn laughs again, a booming sound that echoes through the clearing. "A great challenging from a tiny wolf? Now I've seen everything."

"Enough!" Thorne's voice roars, silencing everyone instantly. His eyes blaze with a primal rage held barely in check. "Bjorn, You will not speak to her like that! Back down. Now."

Bjorn doesn’t move but eventually shuffles backward, muttering under his breath. I glare at him, my anger still simmering, but I tuck away the dagger.

Thorne turns to me, his expression unreadable. "Elowen," he begins, "I get it that you're angry. But you need to understand—"

"Understand what?" I snap, cutting him off. "That you can reject me, then shower me with fancy trinkets as if that somehow makes everything alright? That I should be happy to be a prisoner in your pack?"

"Prisoner?" Thorne's voice rises a notch. "This isn't a prison, Elowen. You're free to leave if you want."

"Free to leave?" I echo, incredulous. "With a giant wolf trailing me and your pack mates ready to pounce? That's your idea of freedom?"

He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up a hand, silencing him.

"Look, Thorne," I say, calmer now. "I appreciate that you… regret what happened. But right now, all I want is to leave. Go back to my life, wherever that may be."

A flicker of pain crosses Thorne's features, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability that surprises me. Then, he squares his shoulders, a mask of stoicism back in place.

"I can't let you do that, Elowen. You're in danger."

"Danger?" I scoff. "From what? A pack of wolves I barely know?"

"No," he says, shaking his head. "From the darkness that's rising. You… you're the key to stopping it."

I roll my eyes. This whole thing is ridiculous. Darkness? Keys? It sounds like a story a child would make up.

"I guarantee you don't need to remind me," I snap, my voice laced with irritation. "I know that very well."

The weight of the revelation, the burden he's placing on me, sits heavy in my chest. But right now, it's overshadowed by a more pressing need—escape.

I stand up abruptly, brushing imaginary dirt off my jeans. Every second spent here, with Thorne, with these wolves, feels like a betrayal to me.

"I appreciate the… explanation," I say, my voice tight. "But I think I need some time alone."

Thorne opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "Don't worry," I say coldly. "Shadow can keep me company, can't he?"

The black wolf sits on its haunches, its intelligent eyes locked on mine. It feels like a constant reminder of my captivity, a physical manifestation of Thorne's control.

Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and walk away.

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