The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97

TESSA POV

I didn’t realise how much Maxim was looking after me until he left. He must have been smashing more heads into tables than he was actually falling is Not that I gave that much thought at the time.

We didn’t return to Block E that night under the moon. We didn’t even sleep together. Just stayed out chatting under the stars. Curled up together, laid upon his leather jacket. Maxim stroking my hair and whispering the sweetest words.

Kissing me until the idea of him leaving melted away and I started silently planning if kidnap was an option, Dig a big hole, keep him fed until Remy stopped looking for him.

He confessed he loves that I am Tess Pagano. That he knows of no other out there. That we are both born of families no longer on this earth but have found each other. Building up a reserve of loving tenderness I could draw on while he was away. I didn’t say half as much as him, but I meant every single

word.

Then when I confessed my hole–digging plan he laughed and called me his little Heathen. Making me feel so dangerously whole and loved. It is addictive to be so adored.

Now he’s out there beyond Ravenbow, I’m alone.

And the vipers have started to circle. The remaining seven archers are quietly reforming ranks against me. It doesn’t take much but backs are tuned, conversations held above my head like I’m invisible. They don’t call me a rebel but it is clear there is no respect for what I am trying to achieve.

It only makes hitting the targets taste sweeter. Especially seeing as I have begun practicing after curfew again. With no mate in my bed, why would I linger in the dark restlessly waiting for dreams to arrive? I might as well put my yearning to good use and train up.

Kai, Silas and Allette are sweet but it’s not the same. Especially as the weeks roll on. Everyone has their own lives. Kai and Silas are on the promotion train, shadowing Generals and in and out of Ravenbow. Allette is preparing to take on the Wardens and Betas in an open–to–all blade competition.

For once she looks flustered.

I guess it might be the first time she is genuinely bested against Wardens such as Alton, Garrick and Marco.

She acts cool but her cheeks flush more often than mine when we ask her how she’s getting on. “I will be absolutely fine. As usual. They are all scared of facing me,” she smiles but it’s not got the same swagger as previous weeks.

Her long black hair is tied up with her dramatic silk scarves but not as perfectly styled. More rushed, like my own wavy mess of hair.

Plus, last night big blonde lump Silas, tried teasing her about having a boyfriend only to find a blade stabbed precisely between his thumb and forefinger with lightning speed. “Shut up Silas.”

Followed by a glare my way to not ask any questions.

So I don’t. But I don’t want to repeat mistakes. I had a gut feeling about Irene that I ignored until it was too late.

Another reason I stay out late practicing is because there is nothing in our room left holding Maxims scent now. I tried. Sticking my head into his wardrobe and taking great lungfuls has stopped giving me that cheering hit of oak and berries.

So today, I sat at breakfast and my spirits started to sink. I promised Maxim I wouldn’t be sad but a month is a long time. My fingertips linger up the site of my bite, still so fresh and new. Craving my missing mates‘ touch and kisses upon it is such a cruel and unusual punishment.

“Hey. Tess, are you okay?” Kai nudged softly, his black spikes finally abandoned for a more rumpled mop of curls. Out of habit I look down at the table with a flinch before tightening my jaw and lifting my head straight back up to meet his emerald gaze, brow furrowed with concern.

“I am. It’s just been so long. That’s all. I don’t even know what he’s gone to do.”

1/3

Chapter 97

That bit was a lie, but Maxim had sworn me to secrecy.

“Well a train came in last night. Maybe there’s a letter on it for you.”

I force a smile. “Maybe, that would be nice,” despite nothing arriving for me any other time,

“You really don’t know when he’s coming back?” Allette asks, tilting her head to the side.

“No. He got his orders that evening, and left the next morning.”

“A month though…” she murmurs to herself. I despise to my very core the idea that a month away means something bad must have happened to him. Rather than answer Allette I put my knife and fork down, I won’t be eating anything else, my stomach won’t stop quivering.

Putting my plate away I notice Warden Marshall lingering by a column. He doesn’t appear to be eating. Just stood, dressed in black and gray, studying the munching masses.

His quick blue eyes meet mine, only then does he appear to spring into action. He picks up a discarded plate and places it in the racking next to mine. With a whisper “Alpha Remy has requested you. Packhouse. After archery. Tell nobody.”

I nod and return to my seat, listening to how Kai and Silas have been roped into laying out the flags, seating and targets for this blade competition. Allette insists they don’t put them too close, interfering with the sightlines.

I give every appearance of listening. But now my blood is alive and fizzing. Then it’s despondent and crushed. What if Remy wants to share bad news? If Maxim was back I’d know. He would find me first.

The rest of the table probably doesn’t notice any difference but it feels like there are sirens wailing from the top of my head. Can nobody else what a mixture of fear and excitement I’m churned into?

It means archery goes both too fast and slow. I barely hear the instructions, fail to notice the other students blocking me from my place or muttering how the next cut had better be a fair one. But then once firing began, it went on for eternity. Mixed targets. Stalking up and down the archery range with rapid draw and fire required.

“What the fuck is your rush?” one of the guys mutters when he notices my foot tapping impatiently. “Too good to train are you?”

“Leave her alone,” Fred says, his chin way too thick for the top of his head. Especially when the remaining hair he has is tied into a limp, greasy ponytail.

“Why?” the bearded ape smirks.

“She’ll be tired, all that sneaking around now her mates out of the picture. Wonder which Warden it will be tonight.”

Rage flashes up like a tiger from deep inside as I roughly swipe at the man’s legs. Yanking his blonde ponytail down at the same time he lets out a scream of fright. Straddling his chest in seconds, I shove an arrow to his throat.

Not pointed at him with the bow drawn in threat. The arrow is shaft fisted in my hand, drawing blood from the deepening wound in his neck.

“Come near me I kill him!” I shout, brandishing another arrow with my other hand. Leaning in, twisting the arrow a little deeper into his neck. I lean down, close enough to see his vein pulsing on the other side of his thick neck.

“Now listen, I’m going assume the fact your head is shaped like a fucking egg is the reason you can’t think properly. But I am not a rebel. I have a mate. I am better than you and deserve my ranking. You suggest anything different, I will put this through your spine. And then, when Maxim comes back and hears what you said, he’ll put a few through your stupidly shaped neanderthal skull too.”

“Release him!” Warden Gray commands, dropping his clipboard in panic, almost falling down his vantage point on the rolling hill. Rather tha manhandled I stand up from the idiot’s chest, taking my arrow with me. I don’t look at any of them. Just place the bloodied arrow in my bow and stride out to the targets. Nobody else is waiting for their go, all fussing over the idiot on the floor.

I keep my head high. Proceed like nothing happened until the bells ring and I can finally head to the packhouse, presumably the throne room. Warden Marshall is waiting for me by the packhouse. With a discrete nod I follow him and find myself entering the Warden’s towers. They are unguarded, thinner in size with a much tighter spiral staircase to climb.

Chapter 97

So your mate has been teaching you self–defence?” he asks wryly, climbing up flight after curving fight.

“He deserved it.”

“I don’t doubt it but at some point the Alpha will have to insist you both stop maiming pack members.

“Then they should stop suggesting I’m a cheating rebel. Not that this helps, the rumours are, I’m sleeping with Wardens‘ whilst Maxim is away’s unable to help the deep blush of mortification at speaking so unguardedly.

I hear Warden Marshall click the roof of his mouth in annoyance.

“Well this could not be helped, the Alpha requested you here,” opening the wooden door to a bare room near the top of the tower. Only a few scattered papers and a broken bookcase offered proof someone else ever lived here.