The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

TESSA POV

The final few wolves left straggling from the skills test sprinted in chaotically, knocking over stools and clattering into doors.

Warden Kendrick bellowed at us all to get dressed. My hands shook but there was nothing to do but obey.

As if in time with the bells, the clouds darkened further with every dour clang.

Leaving the barn, we have transformed into obedient, faithful ants. Following a snaking line up and away from the packhouse. Towards the shadowy, cragged mountain range I’ve only heard rumours about.

Wardens draped in white lurk every few hundred metres, insisting we hurry along. Paired with their annoying voices, the bells just won’t shut up. Loud enough to feel vibrating through my ribcage and make every step feel like a bad decision.

It is obvious where we need to head. The Wardens and their finger pointing are not necessary.

Behind the black–smoke chugging forgeries, beyond the red–scarred brick of the packhouse the ground steepens. The line is working its way, almost single–file towards a small, black oval opening. “Looks like the asshole of the devil itself,” one idiot in front of us chuckled.

I can’t laugh. There is only one reason the entire pack is summoned this way. Someone is going to die.

Everyone speculates in hushed tones. Alpha Hale is dead. Rebels have taken over the pack. Briggs slyly points out there is no sign of Maxim.

“Why does that matter?” I hiss.

Briggs shrugs his shoulders, his gaze fixed on the ground ahead. “Just saying.”

“What are you saying though? Because it sounds like there’s a problem?”

Briggs turns, his broad face serious and angry. “He missed you at lunch today. Fighting and brawling? Now look where we’re all heading? Maybe I’m not the only one to see through the bullshit-”

I can’t help nyself. I spin and push Briggs hard in the chest, sending us both out of the line as his ass smacks against a low stone wall.

“Stop that! You guys keep walking,” waving at the shocked line behind us.

“Keep walking!”

Briggs glares, his hazel eyes burning with annoyance. “You need to stop it, now,” putting my hands on my hips.

“Stop what? Having an opinion!”

“Hating him,” matching his wide open gestures with my own.

“Tessa, I’m gonna hate him. What he’s done to you…He might be able to hide it better, or tell you its not a big issue, but he’s no better than Isaac-”

Like a fool I go to slap him but he grabs my wrist immediately. “Tessa!”

“You’ve got it wrong!” fighting against his hold. “You don’t know!”

“I know what I saw!

“YOU DON’T!”

Briggs stands up to his full height, a tremor of fear running through me. He’s a huge man. Broad and strong. He plays the daft, amusing pup, but if he wanted he could snap me in two. My wrist begins to hurt, held solid in his grip.

1/4

Tapter 48

Then tell me! You and Irene think you’re so shit hot at keeping secrets. Well I know miserable, downtrodden women when I see them. I don’t) you’re still number one with all the fucking nonsense you seem to be juggling Tess, I really don’t”

I stop struggling against his hold. Inhaling, calming myself I lower my voice.

“One day, you’re going to have to grovel to Maxim. Absolutely beg for his forgiveness. Because, what you saw…wasn’t him”

There are too many people walking past to be explicit. Briggs‘ hazel eyes widened with shock, eyebrows raised upwards.

Hé can’t help looking down at my hip, like the mark of my shame is visible through a beige uniform and tan pants.

Shaking his head so fast his black lock waves from side to side. “So what happened? If he’s so great, how have you ended up like that?”

Let him believe I was attacked. Or lived in some godawful sex den before Ravenbow. He can think whatever he likes of me. My name is manure anyway. But I can’t stand to hear Maxim judged a second longer.

“I’m not even close to trusting you with the truth. But who do you think sent Princess Hazel to check on frene today? Who used that connection to help. save our friend?”

“Tessa come on-

“No! But Maxim knows my story. You don’t. And he doesn’t make me feet worthless about it.”

Releasing my wrist Briggs rolls his shoulders. He’s frustrated, but only because he’s got it wrong.

“Tessa, he’s your mate, I was going to assume only he could-” but shuts up when I raise my eyebrows, the line plodding ants continuing past us, blatantly eavesdropping.

“MOVE. GET MOVING NOW!” Warden Kendrick shouts, limping along. His black and white hair is unchanged, unfortunately every other feature looks twenty years older after his punch to the guts. More crinkled, so very tired.

We fall into line once more. Each of us silent and angry with the other.

2

Before we can speak again the black hole approaches. “Find a space to stand. East face, the others are full now!” a tiny little female Warden nods. A healer, dressed in all gray with bright, lilac eyes dancing with interest. She almost looks like she is enjoying the spectacle. A nice day out for a twisted pensioner.

The dark,narrow tunnel opens out and steals my breath. It is a huge, cylindrical arena. Ledges, paths and death–defyingly awkward slots are carved into the stone face. Like the goddess herself hollowed out the centre of a mountain, it is unnaturally smooth and perfectly circular.

The ledges, small carved balcones and endless steps reveal our curious population. Clinging like moss, all vying for the best view. Squashed together, arms and legs merging, pushed into prime spots, all chattering gossip and suspicion.

We head east as instructed. Both Briggs and I stumble in awe. It is an inverted cathedral, not on top of the mountain but carved within. So many stairs, ledges, balconies and alcoves, each lit with a small white lantern. Inside the air is cool, so many people breathing creating its own misty little cloud system slowly travelling upwards.

When I steal a look downwards my worst fears are confirmed. Just as Maxim and the others said, it is black, sightless void. With no way to tell how deep it goes, there is only emptiness.

Looking upwards the accelerating storm clouds are trapping us inside. Gray on every single side.

I don’t want to be near anyone. At all. If there was any way to run away from this I would but I’m stuck in the trudging footsteps of my low students, some so eager to bag a good spot they’re ready to push me to the side.

I lose sight of Briggs, when a series of steps appear offering higher and lower views,

I choose higher. Climbing up until my legs/scream. Scrambling over a pile of old abandoned, largely broken equipment I find a spot. The corridor continues onwards and upwards but I cannot face any more climbing.

2/4

Chapter 48

At least I’m alone. Unfortunately, I’m also looking down upon the narrow, slate platform that I assume Donton is soon to be taking a short walk from.

Then below, bleak, unrelenting darkness.

A swathe of red curtains are the only real colour, hiding the royal family and their intentions from view, If we looked like ants walking towards the mountain, we are no better than leeches now. Clinging little pests, craving drama and spectacle.

It is impossible to make out the faces of my friends, though of course they will be somewhere amongst the sea of onlookers.

I crouch down into my carved balcony ledge, feeling eyes upon me, even though I should be fairly invisible. Thousands of scents are swirling upwards and out, sending my wolf into a nervous state. None of them are oak and berries. Because it’s the only scent I’m hunting for.

The bells finally stop. Chatter drops to hushed nerves. Finally silence.

My eyes scan the space for Maxim. Even when the curtain opens and Alpha Hate strides out I’m desperately craning my neck to see behind him.

To see if my heart recognises his shadow, his scent, the way his hair falls about his forehead. Anything. I’m no better than this cheap rabble all vying for a glance of the gossip.

“RAVENBOW! You know what this summoning means!” Alpha Hale begins. His gold chains glint against his huge white chest, the sad figures of Prince Remy, Princess Hazel and Luna Sabrina hesitantly following behind.

Filtering out from a cave hole below the Alpha’s prime position, rows of Wardens filled small, carved benches. Mere inches from their own deathly drop to the bottom.

“BETRAYAL! The worst of its kind. All of you know this man. Probably saw him as a mentor, a guide. He was using you. Every. Single. Time. The selfishness of this man knows no limits. But he did not win. He will never win. He broke nothing.”

Alpha Hale stands tall. He doesn’t need to shout. His voice booms around the space with ease.