The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

TESSA POV

Flying out of the corridor, important parts of my body were leftbehind in that room. My brain, balance. My sense of right and wrong, that was the first to

1. go.

All abandoned, leaving me like a scarecrow. Wobbling around and completely empty–headed. The gray stone corridors all looked the same without Maxims guidance.

Everything Maxim said is seared into my memory. It was so…real.

Perfect just as I am? That’s a sweet idea but I’m no Princess Hazel. Even so, the determination in Maxim, the way he wanted me feels dangerous.

It makes me think of Luca.

I don’t want to merge the two men.

My hip itches and stings as always. I’ve done something wrong in indulging in my attraction to Maxim. Giving over another of my firsts to a man who isn’t my mate.

But surely it was worse for Luca to force his bite upon me?

After all, I said “no.” I pleaded. Buried conversations replay. I know I said, “Please let’s talk, let’s work this out. Please stop.”

If I hadn’t shifted, splitting my clothes and clawing at his face, just how far would he have gone. Black hair swishing about his intense, coal–black eyes and dirty skin, determined to just growl “mine,” and bite me, regardless of what I wanted?

I believe if I’d mumbled a “No,” Maxim would have stopped. But at that moment there was no other answer in my head than “Yes.”

Yes to every single thing Maxim said. Everything he wants to do to me. Yes to feeling his hard cock rubbing against my ass only to sense his own body losing control alongside mine. Yes to feeling terrifyingly alive.

He took my blush and fanned it into something otherworldly.

Unfamiliar footsteps echo, forcing me to keep going without him. I smile at the idea of Maxim having to shimmy out of a window. I finally wind my own way down to the ground floor after a few wrong turns. Evening has descended and I’m greeted by the racket of a filled packhouse hall at dinnertime.

Pausing for breath, half a dozen dismissed Wardens stroll past me.

They don’t chat. They don’t need to. All their important conversations are over mindlink.

Over in our usual corner I see Allette, Kai, Silas and Briggs sat eating at our long table. Grabbing a tray I wave over at them with a happy smile.

Hopefully Irene will join, then Maxim, and we can all sit at the table together and toast her happiness. Yes her mate looks to be a bit rough and ready. A fearsome black braid, the sides of his head clipped sharply enough to be a pirate. But if Irene cherishes their bond I’m sure they will know nothing but

happiness.

Briggs is the only one who doesn’t smile back at me

I grab my food and head over.

“Aww. Someone’s happy,” Allette comments. The smile is yet to fall from my face. I blush, of course, but I don’t hide. If anything my smile grows wider.

“All done then?” Silas asks, his blonde lion’s mane tied up high.

“Yes it was fine. A formality I guess,” I say. Sitting next to Kai he gives me a gentle bump with his elbow and adds “I’m pleased.”

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Chapter 32

In his quiet, thoughtful voice Kai adds. “I’m guessing Maxim said something bad and is being held up there?”

*Course he has,” Silas grinned.

“He just can’t help himself,” Allette purred with a sultry smile. “He has a way with words”

“He’s something alright,” Briggs adds, his hazel eyes meeting mine across the table. I’m not getting into another argument with him.

I blurt out “I found Irene!” instead.

“I knew you would!” Allette beams whilst Kai and Silas nod between bites. Thankfully Briggs‘ face loses its sternness, coloured with concern instead “Did she just not want to do scent–tracing then? Is she okay?”

“She was busy. I’ll let you tell you all for herself. It’s not my news to tell.”

Allette, takes my reluctance to talk as an opportunity to mention how she remains untouched at the top of the blade wielders. Tonight she wears a fiery orange and red silk bandana. Her long black hair hangs in long poker straight rivers down past her shoulder, her gray eyes measuring how much we congratulate her.

“You carry on at the top like that you’ll be pulling on the black uniform,” Kai murmurs.

“Surely not?” she smiles, a coquettish set of rapid blinks at Silas suggesting she would love nothing more than rapid promotion to the top.

Kai continues. “Things are happening. I saw two trainloads arrive today. Well I saw the smoke anyway. That doesn’t happen unless it’s troop movements. Definitely outside what I normally track.”

“You monitor all that?” I ask quietly. Kai stares up at me, his green eyes piercing and fiercely intelligent despite his youthful black spikes and smooth babyface. His Navy blue shirt is open by a few buttons, exposing his smooth but toned chest. Silas looks like they’ve de–matted a lion, chest hair evident even with his buttons fastened.

“Of course. When I can. They don’t tell us anything. We have to piece it together. Well I’m seeing extra trains, I’m seeing Beta Healers working super late and Wardens‘ using men like us to fill in training. They normally use actual infantry. The armoured, qualified, off–rota soldiers. Where are they?”

“They must be fighting,” Silas agrees quietly, not even trying to be humorous.

“So if Allette might be called up, you guys certainly will?” I ask, my heart running cold. I don’t want to lose Maxim out there.

The thought of him dressed in that sombre black armour, ready to face a horde of rebels is what finally dulls my smile away.

Eating, barely listening to conversation I keep waiting for Maxim to show. Then Irene and her mate. They were released by the Wardens, surely she’s going to fetch him to dinner and introduce us to him? I can’t wait.

Except by the time my plate is clear there is no sign of either.

I know the rest of the group is exchanging glances my way. Like I’ve secretly gone mad. Meal finished,we all shamble outside together, the men stretching and posturing in the cold night air whilst Allette pretends not to notice.

Shoulder length honey hair stumbles past, dwarfed by a huge cardboard box stuffed full of books. “Irene! Irene wait!”

“Give that here,” Briggs commands, sweeping the heavy box out of her hands. Where is she carrying all this stuff to? I notice some of the m her Block A bedroom. “Where have you been, we were worried.”

“Are you okay, don’t say you’re leaving!” Allette gasps, reaching out her hand for Irene’s pale, dainty fingers.

os from

Irene gazes around, were surrounding her, tucking her hair behind her ear with nerves, “Well…it’s been a strange day. I was planning to come to dinner and tell you but we decided to move first-”

“Hey!” a sharp voice cracks. “Leave her alone. Don’t go questioning her!” a body roughly pushes between Briggs, the huge box and myself. A long, black swishing braid of hair, his expression all sharp cheekbones and jutting jawline. There is no softness about him, compared to his delicate, heartfelt mate.

Chapter 32

“Isaac?” Silas states cautiously. “What’s going on

then?”

“Mated. Moving to Block E. Where we belong, isn’t that right baby?” giving her delicate shoulders a rough squeeze, His huge fingers clamp around her. Too rough. My stomach turns cold at this huge lump manhandling, Irene. Then I think of Maxim, taller and stronger than me and I don’t find that scary Maybe I’m being too judgemental.

“Mated! Well Irene I’m so happy for you!” Allette cries. Kai and Silas agree, giving her polite little kisses on the cheek as she smiles away fear grice. looking down at his timid charge.

“So you’re leaving me alone in Block A with all those brutes?” Allette fake complains, rolling her gray eyes with humour.

“That’s right, I can’t wait,” she answers quickly, getting another rough squeeze, Isaac grabs the box from Briggs, sharing a spark of tension.

“Thanks pal. I’ve got her covered from here.”

Irene stares straight at me. Her pale green eyes shine under the moonlight. I hate how Isaacs hand wraps swallows her entire shoulder. “Hey, where’s Pawsome?”

“Back at mine. I’m going back for him last.”

“Well, why don’t we do that together? Maybe I can look after him for a few days while you get settled in? I know he’s been a big responsibility”