Page 41 of Masked Fate

“Know what?” Rave asks, brows furrowing.

“That Pandora is my mate,” I say, watching their reactions.

When Rave’s ice-blue eyes flicker with shock, I know he didn’t know.

But when Astrid winces slightly, I know she did and didn’t telleither of us.

“Why didn’t you tell me? How could younottell me?”

“I made a promise to Pandora. How did younotknow?” she asks gently, resting her hands on the table. “I mean, deep inside, Soren, deep in your soul. How did younotknow?”

“I guess I was blinded.”

With hate.

With bitterness.

With revenge.

My hands clench at my sides.

“You knew and didn’t tell me?” Rave asks Astrid, scowling.

“I promised my best friend,” she replies, reaching out to touch his forearm. “And I didn’t want Soren to be mad at you too. This is up to them to solve, Rave. We can’t force them to see how perfect they are for one another.” She turns to me. “How did you find out?”

“I used my magic to make her take off the necklace,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck.

Astrid whistles. “Off to a good start, then?”

“Where is she now?” Rave asks, drawing his queen closer to him by pulling her chair closer.

“She went home last night.”

She’d rather be around a sister who is trying to kill her than me.

My fists clench at my sides. I’m furious with her for keeping this a secret, but also, the guilt churns in my gut. I treated her badly, and I don’t know how to make it right.

Fuck, what a mess.

It’s a mixed bag of emotions I don’t know how to navigate.

“I can’t believe she is your mate,” Rave mutters, raking a hand through his dark hair. “And she hid the bond with her witch magic?”

I nod, pour myself some orange juice, and force myself to takea sip. “Yeah, that black diamond necklace she always wears.”

He scrubs a hand down his face. “Fuck, Soren. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m sorry enough for everyone,” I grumble.

He pauses, then asks, “So when are you leaving to drag her ass back here?”

Astrid rolls her eyes. “You alpha males are all the same. Whatever you do, don’t chuck a Rave and lock her in your room.”

“Chain her to your bed,” Rave suggests, ignoring Astrid’s gasps of outrage.

“He’s been an asshole to her,” she reminds him.

“Yeah, but she kept this from him,” Rave says to her calmly.

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