Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Rhea
How could she know?
She could not.
No.
“No.” I shake my head.
“Rhea-”
“Yes.”
I close my eyes and inhale. I wish that she wouldn’t have asked that. If she had not, then I could’ve kept at least some semblance of privacy, the privacy that I desperately needed.
“So, he knew you were his fated mate?” There’s just shock on her face, sheer outrage.
I bring my palm to my forehead. I can hardly stop the hammering in my head.
89%
“Yes. He knew. I knew. But–I didn’t accept it, and then, the night of the mating ball, I told him that I couldn’t possibly be with him, and he–he rejected me.” I shake my head, swallowing hard. “And it’s over. There’s no bond. Nothing. He won’t come again. So please don’t say anything. Don’t tell anyone.”
She stares at me, her eyes flicking back and forth between mine, and it seems like an age before she speaks, “Who else knows?”
“No one.”
“Why did you not accept it?”
“I–I just–it’s not like I–I didn’t think–I mean, being with him, accepting this bond with him, I thought it’d end badly. I didn’t want it because of that. And I feared that–he would hurt me, I think. But it’s alright now. Everything’s over, and I’m glad it is-”
“You don’t sound glad,”
I stay quiet because my throat tightens with guilt. I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to have to explain myself anymore, even to her.
“You could’ve left from here.”
My lips part, “I don’t want to leave. I don’t want that-”
“Why not? Rhea, you had a chance at a greater life with an Alpha. Wouldn’t you prefer that instead of this? Look where you are now.” She almost looks remorseful about it.
She has no idea that this life of mine is better than whatever else awaits. “I’d rather have this than anything else.”
“But why would you decide such a thing so carelessly?”
“I didn’t. I thought about it, and I–I didn’t want him,” I whisper. “You know what they say about him. You know how his reputation is. You told me that day that powerful men are to be avoided and not given to make hope.” I look at her and
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Chapter 38
continue, “I’m fine where I’m at. I really am. At least I know I won’t be a prisoner to some monster or some pig for slaughter”
Those last words come unintended. I didn’t mean to disclose that
Tahel looks away from me momentarily, taking it all in. Her face remains neutral, and I don’t know what she’s thinking
When she looks at me again, a faint glimmer of pity fills her eyes, and she speaks, “Alright. You don’t have to explain. I understand you completely” She stops and exhales, “I won’t tell anyone about this. But you might have to one day”
“I know,”
“But I do hope you’d consider one thing, Rhea.”
“Yes?”
“Make it clear and show that you are innocent of whatever rumor is being circulated,” She adds with a worried expression. “Because these sorts of rumors spread fast. It would be a shame for your honor to be tainted when you are completely innocent.”
The word tainted makes me feel something.
My chest clenches,
A sudden noise interrupts the conversation in the hallway. We both turn our heads and silence ourselves as Nyla walks toward us.
She halts in the middle of the hallway, and her eyes seem to wander between Ethel and me.
“What is it?” Ethel questions her. “Spit it out.”
“The Alpha called for Rhea.” She informs her.
I remain still, trying to comprehend what I’ve heard.
The Alpha?
“What for?”
Nyla looks at me briefly and returns her attention back to Ethel. “He did not state the reason.”
Ethel’s gaze flickers with curiosity when it comes to me. Her lips thin. “Go then. Don’t keep him waiting.”
“Alright.” I nod.
I leave them both and head up the spiral staircases until I’m on the third floor. It’s quiet here, a lot more quiet than it is down. My anxiety climbs my body, the slow crawl of nerves when I reach the Alpha’s office.
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Rhea
How could she know?
She could not.
No.
“No.” I shake my head.
“Rhea-”
“Yes.”
I close my eyes and inhale. I wish that she wouldn’t have asked that. If she had not, then I could’ve kept at least some semblance of privacy, the privacy that I desperately needed.
“So, he knew you were his fated mate?” There’s just shock on her face, sheer outrage.
I bring my palm to my forehead. I can hardly stop the hammering in my head.
89%
“Yes. He knew. I knew. But–I didn’t accept it, and then, the night of the mating ball, I told him that I couldn’t possibly be with him, and he–he rejected me.” I shake my head, swallowing hard. “And it’s over. There’s no bond. Nothing. He won’t come again. So please don’t say anything. Don’t tell anyone.”
She stares at me, her eyes flicking back and forth between mine, and it seems like an age before she speaks, “Who else knows?”
“No one.”
“Why did you not accept it?”
“I–I just–it’s not like I–I didn’t think–I mean, being with him, accepting this bond with him, I thought it’d end badly. I didn’t want it because of that. And I feared that–he would hurt me, I think. But it’s alright now. Everything’s over, and I’m glad it is-”
“You don’t sound glad,”
I stay quiet because my throat tightens with guilt. I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to have to explain myself anymore, even to her.
“You could’ve left from here.”
My lips part, “I don’t want to leave. I don’t want that-”
“Why not? Rhea, you had a chance at a greater life with an Alpha. Wouldn’t you prefer that instead of this? Look where you are now.” She almost looks remorseful about it.
She has no idea that this life of mine is better than whatever else awaits. “I’d rather have this than anything else.”
“But why would you decide such a thing so carelessly?”
“I didn’t. I thought about it, and I–I didn’t want him,” I whisper. “You know what they say about him. You know how his reputation is. You told me that day that powerful men are to be avoided and not given to make hope.” I look at her and
+50)
continue, “I’m fine where I’m at. I really am. At least I know I won’t be a prisoner to some monster or some pig for slaughter”
Those last words come unintended. I didn’t mean to disclose that
Tahel looks away from me momentarily, taking it all in. Her face remains neutral, and I don’t know what she’s thinking
When she looks at me again, a faint glimmer of pity fills her eyes, and she speaks, “Alright. You don’t have to explain. I understand you completely” She stops and exhales, “I won’t tell anyone about this. But you might have to one day”
“I know,”
“But I do hope you’d consider one thing, Rhea.”
“Yes?”
“Make it clear and show that you are innocent of whatever rumor is being circulated,” She adds with a worried expression. “Because these sorts of rumors spread fast. It would be a shame for your honor to be tainted when you are completely innocent.”
The word tainted makes me feel something.
My chest clenches,
A sudden noise interrupts the conversation in the hallway. We both turn our heads and silence ourselves as Nyla walks toward us.
She halts in the middle of the hallway, and her eyes seem to wander between Ethel and me.
“What is it?” Ethel questions her. “Spit it out.”
“The Alpha called for Rhea.” She informs her.
I remain still, trying to comprehend what I’ve heard.
The Alpha?
“What for?”
Nyla looks at me briefly and returns her attention back to Ethel. “He did not state the reason.”
Ethel’s gaze flickers with curiosity when it comes to me. Her lips thin. “Go then. Don’t keep him waiting.”
“Alright.” I nod.
I leave them both and head up the spiral staircases until I’m on the third floor. It’s quiet here, a lot more quiet than it is down. My anxiety climbs my body, the slow crawl of nerves when I reach the Alpha’s office.
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All I can think of is Catelyn. Maybe she has spoken to the Alpha about what I said to her earlier in the day. This only worsens the already awful feeling in my stomach.
I compose myself a little more before knocking on the door.
“It’s open.”
I take a step in and walk to his table, which is in the middle of the room. The Alpha’s head remains on the paperwork as I approach him and stand by his desk. Catelyn remains sitting to his right, where the velvet couch is, with her head inclined towards me.
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Chapter 33
Her gaze, the she looks at me, sends a shiver down my spine.
way
89%
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I just don’t know why she’s doing this. I’m sure it’s her that has spread the rumor, but that doesn’t really matter. She’s the alpha’s mate. No one would ever doubt or question her. Ever.
“Rhea,” The Alpha takes my name, diverting my attention from her and onto him. “I’m sure you know what you’ve done. Disrespecting and arguing with someone of high standing like Catelyn could warrant a suspension from your current position here. Even a permanent banishment from the pack if I decide to do so.
My heartbeat pounds, echoing in my ears. The breath spills from my lungs and doesn’t return–a permanent banishment.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” I say, even when the words feel stuck to the base of my throat.
“Your apology is not my concern,” He speaks. “Your lack of respect and your behavior is, though. And you shouldn’t be apologizing to me. You should be apologizing to her.”
My eyes land on her. She straightens her back. She seems to be satisfied with the outcome, and suddenly, I become concerned, wondering exactly what her intentions are here.
I shuffle forward, giving myself another moment to gather my thoughts before I force the words out: “I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. I should’ve been more respectful.”
“Yes, you should have.” The Alpha crosses his hands on the desk and leans forward slightly, his voice low. “I don’t want this to happen again, Rhea.”
I turn to him and nod, “It won’t.”
I don’t want to get banished–that’s a worse fate than anything else. If a few words of apology is what it will take, I don’t mind. I would do that.
The Alpha nods in return, “I hope it doesn’t, and I hope you don’t forget your place. You do not have a right to question anyone of higher authority than you,” He pauses, glancing at his mate, who watches him with faint
amusement. “Unfortunately, I must revert the decision to allow you into the training grounds as punishment. It’s a privilege, not a right. There’ll be no discussion on this. My decision is final. Do you understand that?”
My chest tightens a little with worry. “Yes. But may
I-”
“No.” He cuts me off and shakes his head. “No argument on this, Rhea.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek. It feels like something’s crushed, and something is–my dream. I don’t understand this. What have I done to Catelyn to make her do this? Does she hate me?
“You can leave now.” The Alpha says after a moment.
I narrow my eyes and step back. A wave of emotions hits me. My heart stutters against my ribs. As the moments drag, I still don’t understand, and it doesn’t clarify anything, either.
I leave the office and stand outside. My eyes are wet, and my tears aren’t far away. Not when I think that’s all over. Just when I was about to grasp some control of my own life, just when I was on the road to achieving something, someone swipes my only shot at it.
This isn’t fair.
Now, what’s left of me?
