“Can I ask you something?” I couldn’t hold back my curiosity any longer.
He was so different, so distinct. I wondered why he wasn’t on his brother’s side.
“Go ahead,” he said, leaning over the pan with his head lowered but his eyes locked on mine. His large hands rested on the counter, steady and strong.
“Do you have a mate?” Asking him this felt strange, but I couldn’t stop myself.
It wasn’t that I wanted him to claim me-I was just curious. Being acknowledged and loved by my mate was far from my priorities.
Besides, I had felt a mate bond with his brother too. But since it happened only in a dream, and I didn’t have a wolf to confirm it, I might never know what that experience truly meant.
“Nope!” he replied, drawing out the “p” with emphasis.
“And I don’t want to find one. I believe in soulmates more than in a mate bond,” he said, surprising me with the distinction he made between the two.
“But… isn’t a mate supposed to be a soulmate?” I asked, watching him as he squinted one eye slightly and shook his head.
“For many, I just don’t believe in it,” he said as he began assembling the sandwich. I found myself zoning out.
Could it be that we shared a dislike for the Moon Goddess? Was that why he rejected what she had chosen for him?
“And you? Do you want to find your mate?” he asked, sliding the plate towards me. I stared down at the sandwich and scrambled eggs. They looked delicious.
How was he so perfect?
“I don’t have a wolf,” I replied, hoping it would suffice as an excuse.
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t feel a mate bond for the first time. Just make sure it’s a full moon, and you get some physical contact with your mate. Maybe try going to a full moon ball and dancing around,” he said casually, taking a bite from his own sandwich.
Of course, he knew everything. Did I really think I could deceive him? He knew all about wolves and how they could sense a mate bond, even when their wolf was dormant.
Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I took a bite of the scrambled eggs. “Since you’re a trainer and professor at the academy, you must have come across many individuals without wolves. Has any of them ever found their wolves?” I didn’t know what I was hoping to hear, as the academy rarely admitted such students.
“Hmm, not at the university, but outside of it, yes,” he nodded, leaning over his plate with his hands on the counter. His hair was so healthy-it shone beautifully.
“And?” I prompted.
“Honestly, they usually found their wolves before turning twenty,” he replied, his words lifting my spirits.
I didn’t say anything after that, focusing on my meal in silence.
“You’ll get your wolf one day, Helanie. But you have to work for it, maybe even make sacrifices,” he said thoughtfully. “Sometimes, wishes only come true if you’re willing to let go of something you love most.”
His words took me by surprise. When I looked up, I found him staring off at the wall, lost in thought.
That’s when his phone ringing finally snapped him out of his daze. He shook his head slightly, then picked it up, leaning one hand on the counter as he stared at the screen before answering.
“I’m listening,” he said, stepping out of the kitchen.
“I had a feeling they’d take that route,” I heard him say, his voice trailing off until it faded completely.
Oddly enough, I was feeling much better. The brothers had truly done their best to take care of me.
A few minutes after I’d finished my food, I saw Emmet return, a disappointed expression on his face. He slid his phone onto the counter, and it barely stopped at the edge. I could tell something bad had happened, something that was really bothering him.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. He sighed, his hands resting heavily on the counter, his broad frame leaning over it.
“They had to let Lamar and Sydney go. Rogues who aren’t linked to the mansion or the academy don’t get any protection, so any crime against them isn’t really considered a crime,” he said, a bitter edge in his voice, clearly upset by the news.
I wasn’t only disappointed-I was afraid, too. But I kept a calm expression, not wanting to show how much it disturbed me.
“It’s alright. I just wanted them to acknowledge that a crime was committed,” I said, keeping my posture straight as he looked at me in surprise.
“Helanie, it’s okay to show disappointment, to be angry,” he said gently, his voice so soft that I couldn’t help but give him a small smile.
“I’ll be fine. Once I’m at the academy, I’ll be safe,” I replied confidently. He nodded, almost proudly, as though he admired my optimism.
But now, more than ever, I was determined to see this through.
Helanie:
“We’ve been so worried about you. We wanted to come see you, but no one would tell us which hospital you were at,” Lucy said, holding my hand tightly, as she had since I arrived. I’d returned after a week. My injuries have healed, but the mental stress has only added to my concerns.
“I’m much better now,” I replied, not wanting to tell her that I’d actually been at my stepbrother’s farmhouse. I’ve learned not to trust anyone with my secrets. If my stepbrothers hadn’t shared my location, I probably shouldn’t either.
After Emmet explained the plan, he was asked to leave to handle some academy issues, leaving me alone at the farmhouse with the doctors and nurses. The new medical team was quite decent, making sure my comfort was their top priority.
This morning, a warrior escorted me to the shelter. I’d heard they were resuming the examinations today.
“Those two should never have been let out of prison,” Gavin muttered, shaking his head as he watched Salem walk out of the bathroom, freshly dressed for the exam.
“Excuse me? And why not? They didn’t break any rules,” she shrugged, her eyes narrowing as they fell on me, filled with hostility and irritation.
“But they hurt someone. Those rules exist for a reason-rules are there to keep animals in check. If someone attacks a rogue, they’re no better than animals,” Gavin argued, prompting Salem to roll her eyes and pick up the curling iron.
She grabbed a section of her hair and began curling it with the hot iron rod in her hand. “And did you ever think about what all this has done to my sister’s reputation? She was in prison. For the Goddess’ sake, she didn’t even have her makeup with her. Just the idea of her sleeping without her skincare routine freaks me out.”
It was, unfortunately, pretty common for people like her to act this way. I didn’t expect anything else from her.
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