Page 11 of Unloved Mate

“You are just going to leave the same way you left twelve years ago. You just left…” He frowned, anguish appearing on his delicate features.

“Well, that's because you found a mate, and there was no reason for me to stay. I couldn't compete with her for you.”

“A mate who rejected me. You told me you were going to come back after you left before and now you're leaving again,” I winced at his words. He's clearly confused from the memorymanipulation I had used on him, making him think I was Kane. But either way, it still hurt him like a deep knife wound. “You know what it's fine. Go, leave! After all, that's what everyone in my life has done. If they don't try to kill me or maybe even succeed, they fucking abandon me, so go! I don't need you!” he roared at me, his tone laced with annoyance. I was supposed to love seeing him in pain, but right now, all I wanted to do was comfort him, to hold him and tell him that I would never leave again. I shouldn’t feel this. Not for him. Not even in the slightest. But I did.

I cleared the distance between us and reached up to his face, but he swatted my hands off and barked, “Don’t touch me.” I leaned in so close that we could both feel our breathing moving in sync. He didn't struggle. He just let me hold him. I claimed his lips in a kiss and pulled him closer to me, deepening the affectionate embrace, my lips finding its way into his tongue and tasting his sweetness. I pulled away, watching his eyes, which were captivated in awe, and I played with his brunette hair, grinning at him.

“I don't want to leave you.” I mustered and leaned on his forehead. My eyes reflected the same turmoil that raged within me. What was I doing? This wasn’t part of the plan.

“I don't want you to leave either.”

“This thing between us. It's complicated, and I know we've spent these past days getting back to each other and putting the pieces of our lives together. I just want you to always remember that I care for you.”

“Please, don't leave me, Ezekiel.” He cried. I had to actually wonder if he felt something for me, if this was for real. Maybe his love was enough for me to let go of every horrible experience I've been through. Maybe I should find the strength to subdue the hunger for revenge and just love him. I brushed my knuckles on his cheeks and grinned. “Do you want to comewith me?”

“Yes, yes. I do.” He answered without hesitation.

“What about your dad?”

“Anthony is here. He'll care for my dad. He's been taking care of everything while I readjusted with my life. I can't lose you again. I want you.” He tugged at my shirt, but I could still see the uncertainty in his eyes, like he's torn between the decision he's making right now and not having to see me again. Or the fact that he felt something stronger with Kane and shared his first kiss with him. The thought of that monster having him sent a growl lodging in my throat. I had to ask myself again. Why am I feeling this for a man I had pledged to ruin his life? When I signed up for this, I wasn't supposed to fall for him. For a moment, I had to ask myself if he was so dumb that he didn't tell when his lie detection powers were working or the fact that I was telling him the truth. That I genuinely wanted him to come with me and that I enjoyed kissing him and would love to do more to his perfect body and make him cry out my name.

“You can come. But first you have to talk it over with your dad.” I agreed with a hopeful smile.

“Alright. I need you to go back home and get our stuff ready. We'll leave tomorrow morning.”

***

Through out getting ready to leave the pack, all I could think of was how Valor managed to run into the bastard Alpha Kane Creed. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be dead, but I guess he survived after I abandoned him in a pool of his own blood. What bothered me most was the uniqueness of the bond he felt with Valor. It was so genuine I felt it when I got into his head and manipulated his memories. That leech had crawled into his life and wanted to take him away from me.I grumbled under my breath. Valor was mine not his. He would never ever be his, and I would do anything to keep him away from Kane. I would make him see what I wanted him to see, twist his mind as much as I wanted it to be twisted. As long as he didn't end up with Kane and was always with me then I had no problem.

These thoughts moved back and forth in my head as I headed downstairs with our bags and put the luggage in the car. I had spent the rest of the evening getting ready for the journey while waiting on Valor to return from the hospital. He needed all the time with him because once we left, he was never coming back. I stayed on the hood of the vehicle as darkness encroached the earth and it was almost pitch black when Valor made it back to the pack house. “Sorry, talking with Logan and Anthony delayed me. My dad’s ok with it. Says we can visit from time to time.”

“Are you sure you're ready to leave all this behind?”

“Yes, yes. I am...am,” he stuttered. He wasn't sure what he wanted. I had to make sure. I moved toward him and placed my hands on his temple. “I want to go with you. I know it's sudden, but it feels right.” He proclaimed more excitedly than last time. I gave him a nod and proceeded to the other side of the vehicles, opening it and letting him inside. He thanked me and I crossed over to the bonnet, to the driver's side and got in. I turned on the engine of the vehicle, glancing at him. “There is something else,” I continued, and he leveled his gaze at me. “I want to apologize for leaving you years ago…” I was saying, but he interrupted.

“You don't have to.”

“No. Maybe if I had stayed, then I would have saved you from all the heartbreak you experienced.”

“Well, that heartbreak is what brought us together again. You see me for who I am without judgment, and I appreciatethat. And I love you very much.” The genuineness of his words still bothered me. I only smiled at him as I put the vehicle in reverse, drove around the fountain, and headed out of the house. Valor spent most of the journey telling me how his father approved and how his cousin was on board with everything. He also informed me about Logan and Frey’s agreement, and I chuckled at him. Most of the journey leaving the pack and driving half way through the country was spent with sharing our past life experiences. We had left the city by the time the clock struck midnight and Valor was already asleep after hours of his ramblings. I looked over at him, watching as he slept peacefully, with the feeling that he was protected in my arms. In that moment, all I wanted was to just hold him and never let him go, make him mine forever. I smiled and got my eyes back on the road. Maybe this revenge thing was wrong. Maybe I should just abandon the idea of killing him because the worst thing that could happen to me was Kane stealing him away from me. I couldn't bear the thought. I’d rather have him than anyone else.

I needed to get rid of that bastard because he was here to ruin things for me the same way he was the reason the Eclipse kicked me out.

7

Valor

The vehicle pulled into the mansion, settling in on the large acre of land. For most of the journey, I was sleeping, and we didn't stop at all. Ezekiel drove all night, and he was still awake until now. I woke up from my slumber a few hours from sunrise and all I could see since then was trees, making me believe we had already left the city since last night. I was happy to be here with Zeke. I smiled over at him and asked, “Don’t you think I should take the wheels? You've been awake since last night.”

“Don’t worry about me, Valor. I'll be fine. We are just a few kilometers from home.” He answered and gave me a wink. There was a sudden flash in my memories and I saw myself kissing a man in the woods in the middle of the night. This man wasn't Zeke. I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts and Zeke asked me if I was alright. I gave him an awkward smile and ran my hands over my thighs, letting out a deep breath.

We drove for a few more minutes, time that I spent watching the green of the forest, the blue of the skies and the golden yellow of the sun rising from the horizon. Being out here with Zeke was all I wanted. Nothing would ever separate us again. Sometimes I had to blame myself for not picking up the signs of him having affections for me that he had to leave, but that was in the past. We were together and where ever he goes, I go. I glanced at him again and gave him a warm smile. “I want us to try something.”

“What?”

“You know what.” I said, heat suddenly burning in my cheeks.

“What?” He pressed.

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