The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

MAXIM POV

I need to wrestle back control of this situation. I had something

completely different planned for when Tessa emerged from the shifter

block.

It involved reminding her that these skills tests are a solo competition. Camaraderie just sees you sharing a train carriage home.

All things she knows already.

Why is she purposely not following the things I tell her! Too shy to talk but stalking the undergrowth like a killer?

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I intended to scold her then kiss it better. Cup her face with my hand, drink in those brown eyes and let the rest of the pack see her melt my way. Especially that fucker Marshall.

It is all too easy to imagine the deviant little thrills racing down my spine when her tongue shyly dances with mine. Like she knows it’s something she shouldn’t be doing.

Goddess there are so many other things she shouldn’t really do with me.

Countless.

All worth trying though.

Greedily, I wonder if the thrill might multiply the more she allows herself to be corrupted.

Except that opportunity turned into a date where I became the fucking third wheel! Me! From seducing the most eligible woman in the pack last year, to following that first year Biggs. Might call him Wiggs next just to make his hackles rise. I can feel my wolf despairing at my pettiness.

But walking towards the packhouse with my arm around Tessa, I subtly

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stole glances downwards. Her weariness, the hesitancy in her footsteps forced my frustration to evolve.

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The girl is exhausted. And no wonder. When she looks up at me, her brown eyes narrow in annoyance. Oh, she thinks I’ve been staring down at

her chest

I need to weave some serious magic to shove this non–compliant rabbit

back in the hat.

With a kiss to the top of her head I attempt a new role. Gentleman.

“I know you’re tired. Get a seat, I’ll bring your food over.”

Her look of confusion is not a compliment. But I bite my tongue and walk on, forcing Tiggs to queue behind me. I know he’s exhausted too, but I’m not a waitress.

For five minutes I ignore him completely. Pretend to look at the blood–red drapes from the vaulted ceiling. Nod at fellow Betas. Take note of which Wardens are prowling.

Only to keep catching glimpses of Tessa.

Of course she’s picked a bench completely tucked to the side. An introvert’s dream.

She’s smiling, but her eye’s aren’t on me. My wolf churns up to realise she’s watching the fucking black–haired bear behind me. When I twist to check, he’s halfway through a funny face and a raised shoulder.

Fuck this. No. This is not the plan.

“Watch it,” I growl under my breath, keeping my face mellow.

“Why?”

“Because you’re nothing special.”

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“And you are? There’s another fifty guys in the same blue shirts as you,” he shrugs.

I have definitely learned some self–control from Warden Donlon because I do not spin around and kick him in the face.

Neither do I use the martial arts training to snap his achilles before punching him in the neck. Despite one–eye and dozens of wrinkles, Warden Donlon teaches some nasty tricks.

Instead I exhale steadily. Grabbing a second tray I turn around, halting the queue to press the wood into Brigg’s sturdy chest, our eyes almost at the same height. We appear normal but there is burning annoyance between

1. us.

“It is not about me. But Tessa is special.”

A sarcastic, flat, “I know that.”

“So, I don’t want some chump like you riding her coat–tails, taking advantage of my mate’s kindness and talents.”

Briggs brow furrows. “You’ve got it wrong.”

“I don’t think I have. You and that other pale wolf didn’t have a clue-”

“Irene. Her name is Irene. Pretty sure she’s your mate’s best friend, not that you seem to know much about her?”

Oh this prick is fast becoming my new nemesis.

I don’t need a real matebond to feel Tessa staring daggers into the back of my neck either.

My voice drops to a menacing bass. “What I do know, for an absolute, undeniable fact, is that Tessa is mine to protect.”

“Is that so?”

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“Maybe we have not been mated for long to know every detail, but I know she’s kind enough to mistake a user for a friend.”

Briggs‘ hazel eyes narrow. “I am her friend.”

“Let’s see shall we,” before sticking out my hand. A false declaration of friendship forged, I turn and pass him a bread roll I noticed dropped to the floor earlier, a generous smile on my face as he begrudgingly accepts

1. it.

A bevy of failed Healers, now working as servants forever flutter their eyes at the Betas. There is still a hope there that one of us will be mated to them, or foolish enough to get lured into a romance.

A pregnancy would set them up nicely in one of the border towns. Like handling vipers, getting tangled in their games. Still, it has its perks.

“Nicole, you’re looking lovely this semester. Can I ask a favour? I’ve waited until you’ve taken this station on purpose.”

It’s too easy. Honestly. Barely a challenge.

One lingering, lust–filled glance at her puddle–brown eyes and she is generously piling up a plate for Tessa. The best meat, extra helpings of everything all stacked up. I can practically hear the jealousy steaming out of Briggs‘ ears.

Before I walk off and leave him to eat a peasants portion my wolf warns me. We need Tessa thinking well of us.

That includes people she values. Allowing my fingertips to brush Nicole’s I force myself to nod towards the man behind me.

“You know…my friend here would love it if you looked after him too?”

“Hello there,” Nicole smirks back.

My wolf hails my co–operation because I find Tessa has been joined by a plain, honey–haired girl with freckles plus some blade wielding female

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lunatic draped in a peacock silk headscarf.

“This looks amazing!” Tessa smiles, scooting across to allow me next to her. I allow myself to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ear, “Eat. I know how tired you must be.”

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“Wow,” the table gasps as Briggs sits down with his loaded plate. At his confession that I arranged his championship dinner, I feel a little pressure against my side. Tessa. Leaning ever so slightly against me.

The warm rush that expands from my ribs feels better than landing a punch on Warden Marshall. .

Whilst the pair devoured a meal fit for a king I was introduced to Irene. Except her shyness left her mumbling something quiet about a cat. When I caught the word chicken I understood Tessa’s intention last night. She’s adopted a stray kitten. Of course she has.

Will her gullible benevolence never end?

And the furry fucker is sleeping on my leather jacket? Tessa chuckled into me, despite her blushes.

“I’ll buy the thing a bed, I want that jacket back,” I growl into her ear, enjoying her perfectly crisp orange scent, my nose just brushing her warm upper cheek. “I’m sorry,” she whispers.

“Prove it,” I rasp back, a little too quickly to sound composed.

She leans in closer, her dark brown eyes gleaming with hesitation, before placing a soft, small hand upon my cheek before planting a chaste kiss on the other.

“Hmm.”

Her, fingertips caress the edge of my beard she murmurs softly, those dark brown eyes of hers dangerously soulful. “Well, you haven’t said sorry yet either.”

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Before I can reply, Briggs asks the girl who looks like a peacock melted over her what her story is.

It turns out Allette, a blade wielder is anything but gullible. We all listen rapt at her tales. Not quite a rogue but more a travelling show. She’s lived in the fae and human worlds too. Connections everywhere, her family a troupe of rope, blade and fire performers.

I might have to recommend her to Warden Donlon as one to watch for the future.

“You know…you might have anger issues” I offer after she describes tying a heckler to her revolving wheel and for some dangerously close knife throwing until he wet himself. The table laughs, I get another little lean from Tessa, rewarding her with another kiss into her deliciously orange- scented hair.

“Maybe, but I can’t say I’ve ever thrown a blade at someone intending to

hurt them. It’s all the thrill of the scare.”

Allette’s stormy gray eyes are at odds with the bright hues of the peacock headscarf. When the beige and brown uniforms are donned tomorrow she will be just another girl with long black hair.

“Give it a few more weeks,” I reply with a wink. “You’ll hurl them in anger

soon.”

Huge yawns begin to escape Tessa. The whole table is beat. I’m not surprised. They run first years into the ground like sadists.

But I’m not able to divulge how it will get easier soon. It has to feel hopeless sometimes, the toughest, most dependable candidates emerge out of the stress the Warden’s whip up around them.

Whilst Tessa says goodbye to her new friends I grab her uniform bundle. Walking quietly, we arrive at Block A. Where she spent last night.

“What happens now?” Tessa whispers.