Page 2 of Unloved Mate

“I guess no one would have to pick you now you’re dead. I wonder why they haven’t disposed of you.” I spat, disgust hissing from my lip as I worked up the nerve to push back strands of his pale brunette hair. This time I didn’t pull back because of the cold, but something else… his heartbeat and the movement of his fingers.

Maybe I was just imagining things because I backtracked and got a good look at him; he just lay there, pale, immobile, just frozen in the space of time. Forever.

I pulled out the picture I had hidden in my black leather jacket. It was me and him at the clubhouse about ten years ago before I left the pack. I carried it, so I wouldn’t forget how helooked or how he smiled. I moved toward his body and took his hands, caressing it and looking down at him with nothing but an expressionless look in my eyes. He had the perfect brunette hair, the perfect body, the perfect eyes, but if only he hadn't ruined my life repeatedly. Everything about him was just what I desired, but I couldn’t have him. His death had nothing to do with this. It was something far greater than love or my past feelings for him rekindling.

I shook my head and clutched my grip around him. “Valor, I should have come earlier. I’m sorry you’d never get to know the truth, how much I love and hate you. I thought moving away from the pack would change everything, but I was wrong. It was stupidity to leave, and if I’d get another chance, even if it’s a sliver of a chance to do as I please with you. I promise to make you feel alive, then steal that life away from you, so you’d have nothing left.”

I knew I said that I was here to confess how I felt and my feelings were not from a place of love. And I’m willing to show Valor just how much, so I was hoping this witch’s intuition was a miracle.

As I let him go, I felt his finger move against my skin, earning an unanticipated gasp from me. If I was looking for a sign, then this was it. His heart drummed for a second. His fingers moved. Heat returned to his skin and he was no longer cold to the touch. I looked intently, hoping to catch another sign, but there wasn’t one. Nothing else happened.

If there was a chance that the moon goddess would give Valor a second chance at life, then I would ruin it all over again. I was here for revenge.

2

Valor

Months ago

It’s not news that I died. I mean, I basically did a long time ago when two of my fated mates rejected me for another man, and I'm uncertain if third chance mates truly existed. Anyway, I won't find that out. Cheers to that!

I was standing on the Bridge of Souls, my heart sullen from the act of betrayal that sent me here. I trusted Aiden. He was like a friend, maybe more than that, but he killed me without a second thought. I understood he wanted revenge for what Logan did to his father, but killing Logan wouldn't change his pain.

I was going to the other side. There was hope for me, right? At least I didn't have to deal with rejection or backstabbing friends anymore. I truly enjoyed the time I spent with Logan and my service to the pack. They would always remain my family forever.

Now I had to hope that Diana had the best for me, even in my untimely demise. Especially with the lore of the moon goddess pairing wolf bloods with their mates in the other world. In this case, the moon goddess only pairs mates that truly loved each other so they could continue their journey in the afterlife. Wolf bloods that didn't have mates or were treated badly by their fated were assigned new partners on the otherside or werewolf heaven as some like to call it. Perhaps I'd have a chance to change my life story regarding the part where I was unloved. I had to hope that someone was on the other side, waiting for me.

I sighed and smiled at the veil of light that was at the end of the bridge. A trembling sigh escaped my lungs, and I pushed my hands through the veil and stepped over to the other side. There was a blinding flash of light, and I shielded my gaze with my palms before it faded. I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, my eyes met the kaleidoscope of colored skies that spread over the horizon. I slowly rose to a sitting position, holding my temple to ease my headaches. Sighing, I glanced around the area, which was a clump of forest trees with the sunlight filtering into the dense cluster of nature. I regained my footing with a smile. Everything here felt magnificent… peaceful. It was perfect. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I scrutinized the field of evergreen woodlands and chuckled under my breath. A feeling of extreme happiness washed over me. I had never seen a place so heavenly. Its ethereal beauty transcended me and just when I was reveling in the excitement, a beam of light came from the skies shining down before me. I stepped back and shielded my face with my palms. The light disappeared, revealing a flawless woman standing in my presence. If I was correct, it was the moon goddess, Diana. She was in a white silky floor-length gown and her black long curly hair flowed down her back, accentuating her doe eyes. Her dark skin was a perfect feature of her. I tilted my head in submission before her and rose when she had asked me to. “Goddess.” I beheld her gaze.

“My sweet child. So much pain, so much has happened to you, Valor,” she cleared the distance between us and took myhands and held me. “I never wished for any of it to happen.” She comforted me with her words.

“I led a great life, although I'm feeling very accomplished but unloved.” I murmured, my tone laced with forlornness.

“But you haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg of the great things you'd become.” She said to me. I didn't know what direction she was heading, but I would do whatever the moon goddess asked of me without hesitation. I was her child and would do any good thing my beloved mother asked of me.

“Your place is not just in the Night Shade pack. There is a world that awaits your greatness,” she said. “You’ll go back.”

“Thank you, goddess, for giving me a second chance. I truly appreciate you and would never waste this opportunity,” I murmured, flushed with exhilaration and a new sense of life appearing in my eyes. I couldn't describe the level of excitement I was feeling at the moment. “What about my body? The pack must have buried me.”

“I asked the witches to preserve your body. Now it's time to go back home and find the path to your new destiny.” She explained, her lips stretching into a smile that warmed my heart.

“I won't disappoint you, goddess.”

“I know you won't.” She smiled and thrusted her hands into my chest, sending me into oblivion.

Present Day

“... I promise to make you feel alive...” Were the words I heard just when I felt the restorative power of life awaken through me. I didn't recognize the voice, but I felt the presence in the room. The feeling of our skin in contact. I didn't know the man who was next to my deathbed, but I felt questionable purityand sincerity exuding from him. I wanted to open my eyes and see who was confessing their feelings to me. But I couldn't.

As time passed, I didn't feel the heavenly touch again. It was like it was gone just the same way it came. But I heard footsteps departing from my room... hurried footsteps. I felt the power of life moving through my entire body, bringing back the essence of the living to every single bone and organ in me. I could move my fingers now and my eyes finally found the strength to open, beholding the dimly lit room. It took me some time to adjust to being back in my world, in my room, alive and well. I slowly rose to a sitting position, still readjusting to the rebirth.

Thanks to Diana, the goddess.

I rustled out of the bed, barely having the strength to stand on my own. But there was no one in the room. It was just me. My feet broke into steps, slow steps that led me to the exit. My body was still aching, but the pain subsided as seconds passed. I didn't expect pain to be the gift of life's restoration. I shut the door to the room after I had made it into the hallway, hoping to meet any of the pack workers or even the stranger who had infiltrated my room, but there was no one. Staggering down the hallway, I leaned on the wall to regain my strength when my legs grew weak. I managed to make it down the stairs, losing my step twice and holding onto the railing until I appeared in the common room.

“Is anybody here?” I called out. I heard incoming footsteps and turned in its direction, seeing the entire family hurry out of the dining hall, their eyes filled with astonishment to see me here. “Valor.” Gamma Alex murmured; he hurried toward me and pulled me into an embrace.

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