《Fate Mate》Chapter 22
Advertisement
"Ahem. May I have a turn?" A male voice sounded from behind me, and one finger poked at my shoulder.
I spun around. I'd been so engrossed by my conversation with Nolan that I hadn't noticed Dylan approaching. He stood behind me, a prize-winning smile painted across his face. But there was something else in his gaze-- an underlying urgency that beckoned Nolan and I out of our all-encompassing conversation.
My eyes snapped away from Dylan and took in the rest of the colonial-style gathering hall. A number of onlookers had their eyes glued on Nolan and I, turning towards one another to whisper unintelligible gossip. Dylan-- Moon Goddess bless him-- had interrupted our dance in order to keep up the ruse.
Nolan seemed to realize this at the same moment, for he quickly offered Dylan a curt nod. "Of course," he replied in a voice of gravel. My mate quickly cleared the emotion from his throat before he leaned down to press a chaste kiss to the back of my hand, "Have a good evening, Charlotte."
I instinctively opened my mouth to protest, but no words formed. Instead, I focused entirely on the electric burn that lingered on my hand long after Nolan had walked away. Thankfully, Dylan noticed my distraction and took the lead in our waltz, allowing me to repeat the past five minutes in my head again and again.
Nolan went to the Broken Valley Pack in an effort to throw the hybrids off of my scent. He never intended to court Savannah-- or any other female for that matter. Oh, and a group of rabid hybrids will try to mutilate me as soon as they know I exist. Great.
The image of a dozen hybrids gnawing on my bones sent me spiraling back into reality.
"You know, you could at least pretend to be interested in me," Dylan teased, a fake pout adorning his plump lips. "You're hurting my ego, Charles."
"Good. Maybe it'll shrink the size of your big head," I pinched his shoulder, but made a conscious effort to pay more attention to my 'mate.'
"Oh, I love when you're feeling feisty." His dark brows wiggled in a suggestive manner, like little bushy caterpillars on crack, and I laughed. An invisible weight lifed from my shoulders. I allowed the Black Lupis Delta to twirl me around-- once, twice. On the third whirl, however, I slammed directly into a foreign body.
Advertisement
"Oof!" The breath was knocked from my chest.Before I could even identify the man whom I'd collided with, Dylan yanked me back a few feet to stand by his side.
"My apologies, Alpha Sehan," Dylan spoke first, bowing his head in the smallest display of respect toward the Alpha of the Golden Walkers Pack. My former pack.
I blinked up at the man that I'd known for my entire life. Alpha Sehan had been my father's best friend for the better part of twenty years, and I'd always pictured the man as an Uncle of sorts. When it first emerged that I would have difficulties shifting, he offered me kindness when I'd come to expect mockery.
"Please, don't apologize," Sehan's smile could warm even the coldest of hearts, "I only thought I'd ask Charlotte for a dance before another suitor jumps up from the crowd."
"I'd be happy to--" I began, but stopped when I recognized another opportunity to plant a seed of my misidentity in the minds of any eavesdroppers. "I mean, only if Dylan, my mate, agrees..."
I batted my eyelashes up at him, an obnoxious display of female-obedience. Dylan wouldn't let me hear the end of this, but, if it kept our ruse alive for even a day longer, my efforts were worth it.
I fought the urge to barf in my mouth when a prideful, male grin appeared on the Delta's perfect features, and he squeezed my side. "Well, of course! But only one dance, and then I'd like you to myself."
I wanted to slap him but, somehow, managed to keep my hands to myself and my teeth aligned in a sweet smile. I did tear myself out of Dylan's embrace with more force than necessary, but Alpha Sehan didn't seem to notice.
My old Alpha swept me into his arms and carried me across the dance floor. We did not speak at first, and the silence prickled at the back of my neck until I found myself squirming for the dance to end.
I began conjuring excuses to leave the dancefloor when Sehan finally spoke, "You look different, Charlotte."
"Thank you..." I decided to take his observation as a compliment, since I couldn't quite trace the underlying meaning in his words. Did he hate the sight of me? Was he pleased to see me? I wished that I didn't care...
Advertisement
"Your father and brother will be pleased to know that I saw you." He ventured again, his grip on my waist tightening in the slightest.
"How are they doing?" I inquired, eyes glued to the Golden Walker Alpha. Things had been so crazy since arriving in the Black Lupis Pack that I'd scarcely had the chance to mourn the loss of my remaining family.
"Well," Sehan's lips tightened into a hard line, "Given the fact that you absconded in the night with the Black Lupis Alpha after the Summer Solstice, I'd say they are doing okay..."
Guilt washed over me like a wave of tar, suffocating and sticky. "I know I should have called... I just didn't think they would want to hear from me! Jeremy hates the Black Lupis Pack, and my father--"
Alpha Sehan lifted a hand to silence me, and I instantly stopped talking. His forehead crinkled and his eyes hardened, a look that I recognized as disappointment, "All of the Golden Walkers Pack felt the sting of your betrayal."
Tears sprang to my eyes as the weight of his words hit me like an eighteen-wheeler. I hadn't once thought of the effects that my actions would have on my pack-- the people that I had known since birth... Shame crept up my neck, and I kept my eyes trained on a piece of lent that clung to the breast of Stahen's coat.
He continued, "I counseled your father and Jeremy through their grief... I told them that you belonged with your mate."
"T-thank you," I breathed, still unable to look him in the eye. We were still dancing, but I hardly noticed where my feet moved on the floor.
"Let me finish," Stehan growled, and I flinched at the ire in his voice. "So you can imagine my confusion when Alpha Nolan arrived this evening without you. And you waltzed in on the arm of the Black Lupis Delta?"
I blinked back tears and furiously shook my head, "Dylan is my mate."
"You're lying!" He hissed, and I opened my mouth to protest but he continued, "I was there on the night of the Winter Solstice. I saw every second of your pathetic display of servitude to him!"
Blood pounded in my ears, and I immediately yanked my hand out of his. Our dance was over. "I don't know what to tell you, Alpha." Poison dripped from my words, "Dylan is my mate. Alpha Nolan only helped me escape from the Winter Solstice so I could be with him."
He laughed, the sound frozen over with disdain. "And yet, you remain unmarked?" Sehan's dark eyes stripped me bare, lingering on my empty neck. "I suppose neither of your so-called 'mates' wants you?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat, hands clenched into tight fists. "Goodnight, Sehan."
I turned from my ex-Alpha and stormed away. Dylan and Sophia stood on the edge of the dancefloor, eyes widened with concern, but I didn't retreat to my friends. I needed space. I needed to collect my thoughts and breathe.
My feet carried me toward the nearest exit, a pair of double doors that would lead to a back-balcony. I felt the eyes of one hundred party-goers burn into my back, and the heat of their whispered rumors and judgment scorched me like a branding iron.
Why the hell did I even come here?! I cursed myself as I flung open the balcony doors.
The cool whisper of a night breeze whisked against my flaming skin, and I closed my eyes in relief. A single sob edged itself to my lips, but the sound of feet shuffling in the darkness had me instantly on guard.
"Charlie?" A familiar male voice, a beautiful voice, called from the edge of the balcony, and I gasped.
"Dominic?" My eyes widened. No, not just Dominic. Dominic and Nolan stood in the shadows, engaged in some heated conversation. And two unearthly beautiful women stood with them.
******
Advertisement
My Sweetie,You're so hot
Shen Shu thought she was so lucky.Born in a wealthy family,she was arranged to marry Fu Shenyan,the guy she loved the most.However,she had never thought her husband would hate her so deeply.within the two-year marriage,he only slept with her once and never stayed with her for a whole night.all this tenderness was given to another woman,when she decided to give up this marriage ,she suddenly found she was pregnant.didn't want to lose her baby,she chose to hide its existence.but when she prepared the divorce agreement,Fu Shenyan refused to sign his name....
8 2354The Proposal
When Seoul editor Jimin faces deportation to America, he convinces his assistant Yoongi to marry him in return for a promotion. A trip to Yoongi's hometown, however, brings many surprises Jimin's way.
8 166Babysitting the Demon's baby ✔️
If it wasn't for the rent due, Ria wouldn't have found herself caught in the dark lair of a demon named August Knight, the devil himself. In the pages of the contract, she didn't sign up for handling fire spitting babies or having to wipe tears that are onyx like the twilight sky. But as unusual as the world of August Knight's may have been, she finds herself quickly falling for the man.
8 230In His Hands (BxB)
"Your value can only be measured by the hands of someone who appreciates your worth." One year old Remington falls on the floor screaming in agony. His dad, Alpha Jamison, runs to him and picks up the thrashing toddler. He holds Remington into his chest as he rushes towards the pack hospital. Talon Williams is born premature. His mother struggles to console the tiny newborn as tears leak from her tired eyes. He is tiny but absolutely perfect. She holds him close to her heart as she thanks the Moon Goddess for her miracle baby.On the night of Remington's 18th birthday he lets a silent tear trickle from the corner of his steel blue eyes. His heart aches and the hollowness breaches. He lays in bed praying the Moon Goddess made a mistake.Talon wonders thru the territory of The Silver Moon Pack. Tiny pricks of discomfort sting his lonely soul. For 17 years he has been a "member" of one of the largest packs in the country. He has never been more alone than he feels at this moment. Talon knows he is a mistake. He prays the Moon Goddess will forgive him.***Mature Content***^^^^All my writings are completely my own. Please do not copy or share my content without expressed written consent. Any and all coincidences to any other story are purely unintended. Please do not use any portion of my writings in a manner as to claim it as your own.^^^^If you are reading this story on any other platform aside from Wattpad you are very likely to be at risk for Malware. If you want to read this story in its original, safe form please go to https://my.w.tt/EI5cuTpZ88. Thank you.ANY MUSIC, PICS OR GRAPHICS DO NOT BELONG TO ME. I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.
8 149Dark Saviour ✔
★BOOK #6 in the DARK SERIES★Zero was the most formidable alpha who dominated the world by using her intelligent skills and strong heart. Anyone that thought they could overrule her word was mistaken. No one and nothing stood in this alpha's way. No one told her what to do... No one ever dared. She was a force to be reckoned with and the whole world knew that, especially her enemies. Zero was her own leader and her own law. She wasn't any myth like some believed... the legend amongst wolves was real and undeniably dangerous. So, this begs the question of who stood a chance to mark Zero as their mate? Severin Salvatore, the son of a powerful businessman laid his eyes on Zero at a party and he knew that he had to have her. However, she wasn't going to come to him easily like everything always did. Severin realized quickly that his good looks, prestigious status or even his charming smile had no effect on her, he'd have to use different methods to win her heart. The influence he had on others was nothing compared to what she carried herself with. Although, that didn't scare him. He was ready to face the challenge and make the world's infamous hero his mate.However, an enemy that stayed hidden in the shadows for decades finally decided to emerge. Reaper has come to New York with a vendetta and it's to kill Zero. How will Zero face this enemy? Will she be able to save the city from Reaper's wrath? Or does a sacrifice need to happen, in order to, stop the madness in Reaper? But as an enemy appears, so does a new comrade for Zero. What will happen to them now?
8 159Quarterback's Study Buddy
Noelle Cartwright did everything by the book. Some call her 'stuck-up.' But, she never cared. She's a high-school senior with a lot on her plate and no room for romance. All she wants to do graduate high-school and finally start her life. That is, until Carson Holt, captain of the football team, Carson Holt flashes her a dazzling smile and begs for her help in Biology. Carson Holt is the stereotypical slutty footballer whose main concern is getting his grades up and getting off the bench. He needs help in Bio but he didn't think he'd get mixed up with a sweet, quiet girl. Who would have thought he'd actually care for her.
8 369