Page 20 of Unloved Mate

“You have a beautiful home.” I told him as we entered the kitchen, my body still carefully wrapped around his arms.

“You said that the first time.”

“What did he do to me? Zeke?”

“He tried to implant memories into your head. When I brought you back, you couldn't even recognize me. Leda had to put you to sleep until your wolf fought back to the surface. Your lie detection ability gives you a greater fighting chance than others,” he said with a glint of happiness in his eyes, making me frown like he was trying to keep something from me. Maybe it's good news. Except there was nothing exciting about burning holes into my memories. “Why do you look so happy?” He set me back on my feet in front of the door, still holding my hand.

“I can't tell you now. I'll tell you, eventually.” He gave a toothed grin, leaving me to wonder.

“I’ll cook you something.” We stepped into the warm glow of lights above the center island of the kitchen. The lights casted over the polished surfaces, the dark oak flooring beneath my feet. Elegant hardware, white cabinets, drawers, a stainless steel refrigerator, microwave, farmhouse style sink, and a builtin coffee maker adorned the expansive space making it look aesthetically pleasing. He led me to the dining table and pulled out a seat for me. I sat down. He returned to the kitchen and worked his magic while I just watched him, reveling in the silence between us and turning over what had happened in my head. Some of my memories returned to me occasionally and it left me in my thoughts. Still in my head, the aroma of the food and the domineering aura of his presence pulled me back to reality. I smiled at him as he poured me a glass of juice, then he slid into the seat and gestured for me to eat. “I will answer all your questions truthfully.”

“You know, from what I recall, I wonder why he hates me so much. Why did you come for me, Kane?”

“Because I wanted to get back at Ezekiel for what he did to me. But when I saw you with your family, your dad, your Alpha. You were different, and my beast felt something about you. It made me second guess my revenge. I mean, Zeke shouldn't have that much power over me.”

“I knew you were stalking me,” he let out the words, his expression holding immense amusement. I rolled my eyes at his words, pulling myself away from any form of argument. He was happy, and I wouldn't ruin his mood. “Would you have changed your mind if I weren't your fated mate? If it was a different person.” He quizzed.

“I think at some point I would have realized that he wasn't worth my time. I got a second chance at life just like you, and I'd rather spend it on something worthwhile than hunting him down. I'd rather spend it loving you.” He grinned at me, the highlights of his eyes glinting.

“Now he's after me?”

“I’d kill him without a second thought. Whoever comes after what's mine won't live to tell the story,” he asserted without a doubt. “Come on, eat more.” He said, pouring me another glassof juice. I gave him a nod and continued with the food.

“You need to tell me what happened between you and Zeke in the past. I need to know.”

“You will. I'll tell you everything. I promise.”

12

Kane

I recalled vividly the first time I saw Valor, his first smile, the shades of the color of his eyes and the light he brought with his presence. It was so sad knowing that a man with so much love had suffered so much during his time of existence in this world. Yes, my original plan was to kill him and inflict the same amount of unbearable pain Zeke caused me. But that one encounter where I saw him in the woods and felt a connection with him changed everything. Now I was going to tell him everything he needed to know about my past, since he already knew the circumstances of meeting with him.

After having lunch, Valor and I took a walk from the pack house. This time I took my time to show him how big our territory was, and explained to him how I had only discovered this pack a year ago. I wouldn't lie to him. Everything that would come out of my mouth would be the truth and nothing but the truth because, at this point in his life, he didn't deserve the pain of another betrayal and mistrust, especially from me, his fated mate.

We settled in front of the lake; a body of crystal clear water surrounded by trees, which exuded a sense of calm that accentuated nature's ambiance. I brought him here because it was the place where I sensed peace. I came here very often after waking up from a coma Zeke had put me in.

I sat on the shores of the river, picking up stones andtossing them toward the water. He joined me and leaned against my shoulder. I smiled, knowing that I had my mate by my side as I was about to go back to one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. “Are you ok? I can feel your unease. If you're not ready to talk about it…”

“I am. How are your memories?”

“Returning slowly.” He shrugged.

“It’s just that ever since it happened to me, I've never talked to anyone about it.” I revealed, my tone laced with trepidation. He leaned off my shoulder and we locked our eyes together. Reaching out to my cheeks, he gave me a soft pet, and I reciprocated with a beam, seeing sympathy creep into those magnificent silver orbs.

“Valor. I've done terrible things to survive. I've killed people and I... I know I don't deserve someone like you...”

“Hey, don't say that. Right from the beginning, you've been very honest with me, and I appreciate that. I understand that you haven't talked about your trauma and it's ok if you don't want to talk about it now. But if you do, I'll listen to you and I'll hold your hand through every single moment. I promise.” I proclaimed and smiled bravely at him, and he gave me an affirmative nod.

~

As a Lycan blood who was never born into a pack, I had spent my entire life on the run, fighting for survival against hunters and other supernatural creatures that posed a threat to my existence. My only inclination was to live to see the next day as my life wasn't driven with any purpose whatsoever until I ran into the Eclipse: a group of werewolves that ensured every supernatural’s safety by helping them find homes where they'd be accepted for who they were and the powers they have.I joined the Eclipse because it was the first time in my life something felt right. That's when it all started; my friendship with Ezekiel Wolfe, the second in command of the Eclipse. But little did I know that these acquaintances would lead to a dark testimony in my life.

I spent over six months going to several adventures with my found family and established relationships with them until one day when I met the witch.

I was sitting alone in a bar under a bubble of music with a bottle of beer clutched to my palms. It was almost midnight and the bar would close in a few minutes. I had a fallout with the shifters back home and decided to take a break from everything concerning them by sitting this one mission out and spending some time alone. The Eclipse leader had instructed Zeke to stay back and watch over me just until they returned from their mission. I gulped down the content of the bottle and dropped a tip for the server, then I took my jacket, rose to my feet and walked outside the bar. Appearing on the sidewalk, I took a deep breath and walked over to my car parked on the other side of the road. I wore my jacket and unlocked the car, getting into the vehicle and putting the key in the ignition. I was about to step on the gas when I saw a shadow lingering in the dark path ahead. My eyes squinted through the dark pathway and the trees that lined the road. “Who’s there?” I called, watching as the darkness moved closer. I hurried out of the car with extended claws, ready to defend myself. The feeling of the darkness approached me and seized my wrist swiftly. I couldn't defend myself. All I could feel was the touch of the woman tightening her grip around my arms. “Meet me at the outskirts of the town three nights before the full moon.” She said to me. I saw a few strands of her black hair, the rest of her face coveredby a black hoodie.

“Who are you?” I managed to ask. Somehow, I couldn't fight her and I believed she was using some kind of supernatural ability against me.

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