I watched my mate walk away from me without uttering a single word in reply. I had a thousand questions rushing through my mind. Fear took over me as my wolf whimpered for her mate.
I felt hands wrap around me. I could feel people talking, whispering, and laughing…but everything was in a blur. Pain was all I felt. It felt suffocating. Like elastic over a wound. I needed to cry my heart out. So that's what I did.
I cried like a child. I heard someone saying things to calm me down but nothing worked. Nothing could ease the pain. I wanted my mate. I needed my mate.
I was dragged somewhere else. My vision wasn't clear because of the tears so I couldn't see.
"Ivy…" I heard my mother's broken voice as she pulled me to sit on the bed. I hugged her close, taking in her faint scent as I wept. "Sleep, my child…Everything will be alright…" She said in her usual assuring voice. It used to calm me down but it didn't work this time. Because I knew…nothing was going to be alright this time.
____
I didn't know when I fell asleep but I woke up the next day from a nightmare. I was panting and sweating. Last night's events rushed into my mind like an avalanche and I couldn't help but feel that familiar heart clenching pain coming back again.
"Ivy, you woke up…" I looked up to see Mrs. Ansaldo in the room. She had a worried expression on her face. Next to her was my mother who looked like she had the last bit of life sucked out of her. Her eyes were puffy and red as she stared at me with a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Drink this water, dear… You must be thirsty…" The former luna said as she gave me a glass of water. I was thankful for it. My throat was extremely dry.
"C-Cassian…Where–Where is he? I need to—"
"I know, dear. Why don't you freshen up and eat breakfast? We can go talk to him after that. You look tired...You need to get some energy…" She patted my shoulder.
"No, you don't understand. I need to find my mate. I need to talk to him," I felt tears brimming my eyes. "P-Please…I need him…" I looked at her pleadingly.
"Dear…I understand but you're really weak right now. Your body needs energy. It's better if we talk to Cassian after eating breakfast…"
"Ivy, please listen to her…" I heard the weak voice of my mother before I looked up at her. Her eyes were begging me to listen to the former luna.
"Okay…"
____
We were standing in front of Cassian's study as Mrs. Ansaldo promised. I could already feel his scent hitting me in full force. Now that we're mated, his scent has grown ten times stronger to me. I bit my lips nervously and waited for the door to open.
My palms were sweaty and I was nervously moving my feet as I waited.
The door opened a few seconds later, revealing a male that was not my mate.
"Ryder," The former luna said his name. "When did you get back, dear?"
"Early morning," The guy replied.
I was getting restless as I tried to sneak glances behind him, looking for my mate. I couldn't find him. The guy must've seen my eagerness because I saw a faint smile on his lips as he opened the door wider while looking at me.
I gave him a thankful nod before getting in. My eyes searched the whole room for my mate before they landed on Cassian, casually leaning on his office table with his arms crossed and eyes cast down. I raked my eyes over his tall powerful frame. My heart swelled with pride knowing that he is my mate.
Mate!
Mate!
Mate!
My mind repeated over and over again like I didn't already know who it was.
I let out a breath of relief. My hands were trembling as I walked closer to him. I wanted to embrace him so badly but I couldn't do that. I needed to talk about him yesterday. His words are still ringing in my ear and it hurts like hell.
"C-Cassian–"
"It's Alpha Cassian to you," He cut me off.
I paused. Cold. His voice was so cold. There's no emotion other than anger. I bit my trembling lips. What did I do for him to hate me like this?
"I'm-I'm sorry…" I whispered out an apology. "Whatever dislike you have for me…We can talk it out. Please listen to me…"
"My dislike for you won't go away with just a simple talk," He looked at me as he scoffed.
"Cassian! Don't talk to her like that! She did nothing wrong to deserve this kind of treatment," Cassian's mother stepped forward with a serious look.
"Mom, she's the daughter of a traitor. She still defends him. Do you know what I found out about him?" He seethed before taking a file and showing it to his mother. "Her father was a disgusting bastard who teamed up with other rogues to attack the Red Glow pack. They lost five children and seven women in that attack. Ten of their warriors were brutally killed all because of that traitor!"
"No!" I screamed. "It's all a lie! He was framed! Or else why didn't they kill him?! They banished him because they didn't have much evidence to prove he did it! My father was innocent! Why won't you believe me?" I cried.
"How can I believe a traitor's daughter?" He spat out.
"Please…." I begged. "I'll never lie to my mate…Believe me…"
"You're not my mate!" He shouted, causing me to flinch back. "This is a mistake!"
"Cass, what are you saying?" His mother gasped.
"I only have one mate. It's Avery. No one can take her place." He glared at me.
I just stared at him wide eyed. I didn't know what to say to him. My mate just said he could never accept me. He still loves his previous mate.
I'm a second chance mate. I could never be like his first mate. I'll forever be below her…