The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Chapter 56

MAXIM POV

Of course Warden Marshall was sheltering under a stone archway like a corpse–sniffing vulture. We step out into the lashing downpour. Zipping up my leather jacket, I’m scowling, the bells clanging merging with the thunder above.

༥,,,

Morose and miserable, nothing like the heaven I’d just left behind. It doesn’t help that I’m exhausted. There was no way I could fall asleep. Not with her in

my arms.

My mind imagined threats, enemies seeking vengeance. Briggs, skulking in, determined to produce some bladework of his own? My beard feels like a waterlogged rat crawled up and died on my cheeks. Rubbing my cheeks, maybe I should just shave it all off.

Start over.

What I need to do is wake the fuck up.

Tess is leaving. I know it.

Whatever I’m trying to offer, not that I really understand it myself, will never be enough.

I wish I understood just how this quiet, thoughtful girl has managed to steal away my heart. Because then I could work out how to take it back intact. This was never part of the plan.

For now, I keep striding. The sooner I am done with Prince Remy, the better. I don’t trust Tessa to wait for me. Or to even follow any of my advice.

“Six minutes.” Marshall tutted. “Nothing has changed Pagano. You might have a new shirt colour-.”

“No. No actually, it does change things.”

His voice is low and smooth, completely unphased by the puddles and damp misery splattering into us. “Hmm. You serve a Prince. I serve the Alpha.”

Goddess this man is petty. No congratulations, no guidance on how to navigate this new chapter. It’s a cheap shot but I take it. “I mention that you knew about Donlon before me yet said nothing, and you’ll be serving nothing but the rats at the bottom of the cliff.”

Warden Marshall purses his thin lips. I don’t feel good for my jibe, a low simmer of immature and reckless embarassment rises instead.

Prince Remy mentioned yesterday that Marshall might have been my secret cheerleader. I’m going to need to see those meeting minutes myself before l give the fuckbag of my nightmares a single ounce of my trust.

Begrudgingly, I force myself to add. “But I don’t want things to come to that. So…thank you for helping get me back to my room yesterday.”

“Your friend is permanently wounded, you know.”

“Briggs? He is no friend of mine.”

“He has no feeling in his leg. The silver in her blade cut through too many nerves. He’ll be getting cut. Sent home.”

“Good.”

“Your mate, Darnell…”

“Her name is Tessa. What about her?”

My chest tightens a little. This fuzzy blonde Warden has stolen my hope too many times.

“I think she has improved you,” Marshall offers, pushing open the door to the royal tower and allowing me to go first. I head inside, water pouring down onto the stone steps in a heavy, sloshes.

1/4

Chapter 56

I doubt that. You cannot improve on perfection. Where Is Prince Remy?”

“In the Luna’s parlour,” Marshall answers. The same gentle blue room as yesterday. With one striking difference. The huge butterfly painting has be removed from the wall, lying awkwardly in one corner, slashed completely down the middle.

There is nothing to do but wait. I try not to get annoyed at the fact I was hurried out of here, away from Tess and her perfect, quaking thighs and sol kissable stomach to stand here. After thirty minutes I am beyond pissed.

Finally the double, blue panelled doors to open The unified force of the Royal family. All walking separately, Luna Sabrina behind her mate, not on his arm as usual.

I’m trying not to stare but Hazel is wearing a night robe. Shuffling, eyes down at the ground and long blonde hair looking unkempt.

“Good morning Maxim,” Luna Sabrina smiles. She catches my confused gaze. “Hazel, go back to your room.”

Without protest she shuffles straight back out.

Alpha Hale kicks at the discarded painting on the floor. I keep my face completely passive, as does Remy. Even so his icy blue eyes continuously flicked back towards the doorway, he’s definitely worried about Hazel.

“Are you sure you do not want a Warden, or someone else with more experience?”

“I am happy with my choice, Father.”

Hale shrugged his beastly, wide shoulders. Leaning against the fireplace, he beckons us over with a rough flick of the hand. “Foreheads.”

Feeling slightly ridiculous I lean forward, meeting Remy’s forehead with my own. Looking down Remy’s gold chain hangs loosely, swaying between us.

Alpha Hale presses the long blade into the gap between our bodies. “Hold!

I have one hand around the sharp blade, Remy’s on top. Then Remy has his other hand on the blade with mine on top. Paired and matching, both pressing the other’s skin to the weapon.

I feel my wolf surging forward, no doubt Remy feels something similar. Before I can reflect on how important this moment truly is, Alpha Hale rips the blade upwards, making sure to do it at an angle, enough to cut us both,

Heads pressed together we both curse and grab for our wounded palms. “Now. Your wolves are bonded in blood and mind.”

/Maxim?/

I look up in shock. His deep voice is crystal clear. I knew it would be, I’m not a fool. But still, to hear it for the first time is bizarre. An invisible spiritual bond we now share. One day Remy will be Alpha, maybe I’ll still be alive.

I bow to Alpha Hale, “Thank you for this gift.” Remy copies. A knock at the door sounds as Warden Marshall re–enters, immediately noticing our bloodied hands. “The rain is set to continue. Do we cancel the afternoon sessions of training too?”

Alpha Hale goes quiet, staring out of the window. Remy looks to me. Giving this new mind link a whirl I make a suggestion. /What if it is raining when rebels attack? Do we only fight in the sunshine? Nobody will die from getting wet today./

It is a bad omen that my first act as Prince Remy’s blood–bound servant is to mislead him. I want everyone outside. I want scents everywhere, footprints in mud. I want to give Tessa every chance tonight.

Come

But he takes the bait. Using almost my exact wording Alpha Hale grins with pride. “A very good point! Get those bells rung Marshall, they can get out and enjoy the couple of hours of the first session. If the fuckers will walk through the rain for their breakfast and lunch they can fire some arrows grappling!”

Thank you/ Remy offers. I take another gamble.

/ls Hazel okay?/

2/4

Chapter 56

That gets me a narrow eyed glare whilst Marshall and the Alpha talk in hushed tones at the fireplace.

/She’s still upset about yesterday./

That appears to be an understatement. Alpha Hale’s mindlinks silently set the packhouse into life. The clanging bells become bright and cheerful Thunderously loud, enough for even Alpha Hale to mutter, “fucks sake.”

But it works. Remy and I exit the parlou

to watch from the top floor of the tower. There is a soft noise from one of the doors. I have to pretend like I don’t know it is Hazel’s bedroom. Meaning the blonde–haired, gentle Princess is alone, sobbing in her room.

Instead I stand with Remy and watch, as all the first years pour out like ants. I spot Tessa immediately. Her hair coiled tightly in thick braids, no doubt it will all fall about her shoulders so temptingly when she shifts later.

“Do you need me for anything?”

“Why?” Remy’s voice is laced wtih suspicion.

“I need to check on my friends?”

“The ones who beat the shit out of you.”

“I’m expecting some top–quality grovelling.”

Remy sniffs. Maybe he’s starting to warm to me. “I can give you half an hour.”

For the third time in ten minutes I lie to the Prince. I head straight to Block E. I couldn’t give a fuck about Kai and Silas today. Briggs is nothing to me. If his leg is fucked that is his own fault.