Page 32 of Unloved Mate

“You don't know that. You weren't there when he told me to leave. You didn't see the way he looked at me, the way he made me smile. I can't feel that way again, not when it won't be forever.”

“You have to. You've been alone most of your life, Valor.” She was saying, and I saw Kane step into the kitchen.

“Frey, you let him in. You shouldn't have let him in.”

“I’m sorry, but he wouldn't leave, anyway,” Frey shrugged. “He literally threatened the entire pack for you,” she turned on her heels and walked out, shutting the door behind her palm. “Look, Valor, you have to fight for your bond with him. If you don’t, no one else will.”

I hurried toward the door and tried to get out, but I couldn't. “Valor.” He breathed, and I stopped struggling with the door. I turned to him and shook my head with a trembling sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“That is not enough. You sent me away!” I roared at him, completely overwhelmed by anger.

“I know. I wasn't in my right mind.”

“You promised you would never hurt me.”

“I know.” He tried to step closer, but I warned him with a glare.

“You promised,” I cried. “Is it a crime to want love? Cause I've tried, and it doesn't always work out for me.”

“I know, little wolf. I know.”

“Don’t call me that when you hurt me.”

“I’m sorry,” he cried, his voice having a sense of urgency and fear. Fear that he would lose me forever. I had never seen that in any man’s eyes. Especially an Alpha that held power at the tip of his fingers. “Tell me what I can do to make up for it.” He stuttered, pleading with his eyes.

“Just go.”

“I can't leave you. Not like this. I don't want to,” he said and tried to touch me, but I sidestepped and shook my head. He dashed toward me and pulled me into an embrace. “I’ll do anything. If you want me on my knees, then I'll go on my knees,” he collapsed helplessly to his knees and looked up at me with nothing but complete forlornness and wanting in his eyes. “If you want me to take out my heart and hand it to you, then I'm ready to do it. As long as I get to be with you,” he choked, and his claws extended. He forced them into his chest and curled around the shape of his heart, blood spilling down his shirt. “I would do anything you want, little wolf. I am at your mercy.” He bowed his head and his shoulders shuddered as he knelt heavy-hearted.

“Kane, please, stop. You're hurting yourself.” I quivered and fell in front of him.

“For you, little wolf. I would do anything for you, and I would never let nothing drive us apart ever again,” he drove his claws deeper, and I pulled them out of his chest and brushed my hands against his cheeks. “From the moment I saw you, I knew it was… it was me and you,” he took my hands and placed it on his already healing chest. “And I know, I, I know that I messedit up, that it hurt you so much. But I promise I will never leave you again, and I'll protect you always. From him, from anyone who threatens our love. You don't have to be alone again. You have me. Me.” He confessed to me, and I just held him in my arms, the bond that tethered our wolves coming back to life once again. We stayed there for over an hour, drenched in our tears and blood. I wanted to be with him. I needed to be with him. He was the only one who didn't want something in return. He just wanted to love me, and he did. It was Zeke that wanted to ruin everything. I wouldn't let him. He didn't have that power over us, over our love. “I love you,” Kane muttered, with his nose buried against my neck. “You don't have to say it back. I just want you to know that your mate loves you.” He held my cheeks and caressed softly. I nodded and helped him to his feet.

“Come on, we have to go to bed. I'm not hungry anymore. I just want to be with you.” I smiled at him, and he sighed with a bittersweet smile. He curved his hands around my waist and lifted me from the floor.

Once we were behind closed doors, he carried me to the bed and laid me gently, covering me with the sheets. I sighed and watched as he took off his shoes and jacket, joining me and pulling me into a cuddle. He wrapped his possessive arms around me and laid a kiss on my neck exactly where he had left the mark of the bond, his beast humming in agreement to his claim.

“Our mate is here with us again.”Leo bubbled with excitement and I smiled.

“Goodnight, Kane.”

“Goodnight, little wolf. I'll be here when you wake up. I promise.” He laid a kiss, and I shut my eyes with the unwavering assurance that he would never, ever leave me again.

19

Kane

Before the crack of dawn, I left for the pack’s kitchen and whipped up a quick breakfast for Valor and I. I promised him we would wake up in each other's arms and I was intent on keeping that promise. As Valor grumbled in his sleep and rolled on his side, I glanced at him with a smile on my lips. He looked so beautiful when he was asleep, all cuddled up in my protective arms. I was never letting him go, never letting anyone come between us ever again. And if I ever find that bastard Ezekiel. I would rip his throat apart. Valor’s eyes twitched as he stirred awake and he smiled at me. I placed a kiss on his forehead, and he grinned. “Hey, beautiful.” I teased and brushed my knuckles against his cheeks.

“Hey, you're here.”

“Yeah, I’m not leaving your side ever again,” I reassured him, placing kisses on his body. He giggled and squirmed in my arms. “Come on, I made breakfast. Let's brush up, ok?”

“Sure.” He answered, and I rose from the bed, carrying him to the bathroom. I set him down in front of the vanity mirror and we took our time brushing one after the other. After we had finished, Valor sighed and leaned against my chest, taking my hands and putting it on his belly. “Do you feel that, our child?” he smiled, and I lowered my gaze as despair sneaked up on me. “Is there a problem?” The smile on his face slowly disappeared.

“No. I just wanted to tell you about the baby you know before everything, and we haven't had the chance to talk about it. If you want to keep it.”

“So that’s the reason for the odd excitement back then. Of course I want to keep it,” he faced me and held my cheeks. “It’s our child. Come on, we'll talk about it over breakfast.” I led him back to the room, and sprawled on the couch, held my hand out to him and pulled him onto my lap when he took my hands. I caged my arms around him and began to feed him the contents of breakfast. I started with the scrambled eggs and this time he didn't struggle. He let me treat him because he deserved it. “I’m really concerned about you having a child. It won't be easy. Your entire body will change and even after birth, you might feel different.”

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