Page 4 of Guarded
Unless my fated mate made their appearance, it wasn’t something I ever expected to experience.
Ezekiel growled at Gloria. “You won’t walk away from this, Gloria.”
“Ialwayswalk away, Ezekiel. How do you think I got here when so many others failed?”
Yep, this was happening. Those closest to Sam and Ezekiel raised their weapons, while the rest of us dropped into defensive positions.
I readied my power, preparing to unleash it. I could end this before she even spoke another word. Before I could do so though, there was something tugging at me, stopping me. The hair on the back of my neck rose, my skin tingling.
Wait,my instincts were whispering.Wait.
Like all other supes, I’d been trained to never ignore myinstincts. Gritting my teeth, I held my power tight and waited.
Four figures appeared from the shadows, swaggering forwards without a care in the world. A woman led the charge, approaching Gloria.
I didn’t hear what she said. I barely saw her, or the two others.
All I could see washim.
Bringing up the rear was a blond demon. His hair was cut close to his head, the sharp lines of his features making him appear as ruthless as he likely was. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, his jaw tight.
But it was his eyes that stopped me looking away. They weren’t on me. They weren’t so much as glancing in our direction.Like he didn’t want to see us.
He didn’t want to seeme.
The knowledge slammed into me, sending me stumbling back. Blood drained from my face as the truth settled into my bones.
Jeremiah was my mate.
I was the one he was running from.
He didn’t want me any more than Lyle did.
“Fuck,” I whispered. “Fuck.”
All around me, I knew the Seraphim were shooting me looks. Looks of pity. Empathy. Shock. Horror.
They knew just as well as I did what this meant. I wasn’t getting a happily ever after like Micah or Ezekiel. I was destined to walk a different path.
Nothing would be different. I wasn’t being chosen or chased.
I was being ignored.
Still, I couldn’t look away from Jeremiah.My mate.From the delicate bloom of colour that dusted his cheekbones atmy words. From how he stiffened, like he was stopping himself from running again.
The bottom of my stomach fell out. He knew, just as I did. He was feeling this pull. He knew I was his mate.
And he wouldn’t even acknowledge me.
Look at me,I wanted to scream. To demand.Fucking look at me, you coward!
Conversation was flowing, but I didn’t hear a word. Not until Jeremiah cleared his throat. His gaze flicked up, seeking mine out almost instinctively. His amber eyes held mine for barely a second before they darted away. It wasn’t long, but it was enough. Enough for me to know he was meant to be mine.
But that he didn’t want it.
Fuck, how I hated him for that.
Then he spoke. “The two are bonded. This is just a fucked-up power play that’s wasting everyone’s time.”
