Page 81 of My Fated Mate

"Elowen," Thorne continues, his gaze meeting mine, "was once my mate." A collective gasp rips through the pack.

"But fear," he continues, his jaw clenching, "clouded my judgment. I believed choosing the fated mate was the only way to ensure our pack's survival."

He hesitates, taking a deep breath before dropping a bombshell. "But the prophecy was flawed. She wasn't my true mate. It was Elowen all along."

Shock, confusion, and disbelief battle for dominance on the pack’s faces.

"I rejected Elowen, thinking that in doing so, I was saving all of you,” Thorne confesses. "And for that, I will forever carry theweight of my actions. I don't blame her anger. In fact, I welcome it. It's a constant reminder of the pain I inflicted."

His gaze sweeps back over the pack. "However," he continues, his voice hardening, "I will not tolerate disrespect towards her. She is my mate, the woman I love, and the key to our future. Anyone who dares to disrespect her disrespects me."

Silence hangs heavy in the air. The pack stares at Thorne. They've never seen their Alpha so vulnerable, so openly passionate about someone.

For a moment, time seems to stand still.

My emotions churn within me—anger, hurt, but also a hint of something warm and hopeful.

Thorne's confession, his unwavering support, washes over me like a cleansing wave.

No Alpha wants his people to gage him as vulnerable, but he did that for me.

For me. His Fated Mate.

Then, I see it.

Understanding dawns on Garek's face. He turns to his packmates, his earlier hostility replaced with a newfound respect.

He dips his head in a silent apology towards me, and one by one, the others follow suit.

The weight in my chest begins to ease, replaced by a fragile hope.

Can we truly move forward from this? Can we build a future together despite the scars of the past?

Suddenly, a wave of possessiveness washes over me. I can't bear the thought of anyone else questioning our bond. I need to show them, show Thorne, the depth of my feelings.

And to let him know I’ve forgiven him, I’m…

Oh, fuck it!

Without a second thought, I take a step forward and surge towards him. His eyes widen in surprise as I reach him and cup his face in my hands, drawing him down to meet me in a searing kiss.

It's a kiss fueled by a lifetime of unspoken words, by the pain of rejection and the joy of rediscovery.

It's a kiss that declares to the world—we are mates, bound by destiny and love.

The clearing erupts in a surprised gasp. Pack members stare at us, mouths agape, their initial shock quickly melting into understanding smiles.

Thorne freezes momentarily, and then his body melts into mine as he deepens the kiss. His touch is electric, sending shivers down my spine.

As we finally break apart, breathless and slightly dazed, I meet his gaze.

His eyes are filled with an adoration that makes my heart skip a beat. A single word escapes his lips. "Finally."

It’s almost as if I can’t breathe anymore, and I just want to be with him, around him, in him—or him in me.

After kissing Thorne in front of the other wolves, I can’t stop myself anymore.

That’s why I’m in Thorne’s room right now, breathing hard as we stare at each other after just pulling apart from a heated kiss.

---