A quick scan of his surroundings was all it took for uncle Kane to growl at me, "What is the meaning of this, Lolita?"
I had heard him speak, but my brain had a difficult time processing his words. His scent was becoming more overwhelming with each passing second, and I had trouble focusing on anything but my breathing which was rather labored… Making me look pathetically eager no doubt.
My reaction got even more embarrassing if possible, for my knees wobbled, and I had to lean back against the wall, for fear of falling. Hell, I even held onto the hem of my skirt, as if in an attempt to make it longer.
Heavens, what was wrong with me? Was this how it was supposed to feel? This wasn't my idea of the mate bond snapping into place.
Mia was shouting excitedly "Mate" over and over again, making my head spin with countless scenarios – none of which I had ever dreamt about.
"Lolita," he growled once more, his voice pure unadulterated warning.
And that was when I finally snapped back to reality. He was far from pleased, and I didn't need to be the sharpest tool in the shed to figure that out.
Nonetheless, I gulped down my nervousness and dread, and tried to explain the party to him, "I… I ju…" I was stuttering to my complete and utter mortification.
I inhaled deeply before trying again, "I just wanted to help you with finding a new mate."
His reaction was worse than I could have ever imagined.
"I don't need a Luna," he let out harshly, his eyes darkening, his voice low and dangerous. Then, in a louder no-nonsense voice, he soon ordered everyone around, "Go home. The party's over."
I stood there awkwardly, watching everything unfold, feeling numb, but also rejected. And heavens, did that sting!
Then, as people disappeared one by one, in silence, I looked at the one I had been calling uncle for years, unable to believe he was my mate… And yet, I trusted Mia whole-heartedly on this.
"Guards," he soon called, and two of them stepped forward at once. "Take her to her room and lock her there for 3 days. That will serve as her punishment."
I gasped in shock, in outrage too, but didn't resist their hands, which came to rest on my elbows.
He then focused on me, "I might have neglected you recently, as I have been pouring my everything into training the warriors… but that is not reason to act up. 3 days will be enough, I hope, for you to reflect on your actions."
I heard everything he said, but all I could comprehend was that he was completely ignoring the bond. It couldn't have been in my head, could it? Surely, if I had to go bonkers over someone, it wouldn't be over my Alpha, who was 18 years my senior, and whom I called uncle.
"She's just young, Alpha, and wanted to help," Beta Paul tried to plead for me, since I wasn't objecting, and hadn't even breathed a word out.
"Yes, she's young and foolish," he confirmed, as his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And you shouldn't be encouraging her in her foolishness. I bet you knew. And instead of stopping her, you went along with her whims!"
Our Beta was getting the berating of a lifetime, and it was all because of me… I felt like crying, like shouting, but also like throwing myself into my Alpha's arms.
Instead of doing any of the above, I stepped forward, breaking free from the guards' hold. And looking my uncle in the eyes, I asked, "Didn't you feel anything?"
His jaw ticked, as if he was appalled I would challenge him in such a manner.
Then, with an unreadable expression, he replied coldly, "Nothing." And addressing the guards, he went on, "Take her away."
I didn't resist them. And before long, I was in bed, feeling utterly heartbroken like a woman who had just been scorned. And even though a servant had brought me dinner, I couldn't bring myself to eat. The sorrow and despair were too much for me to bear, and I feared that I might throw up if I did take a bite.
I couldn't help but ask Mia, "Is he truly our mate?"
It felt real, right and wrong at the same time, but fate had its ways, and I wasn't one to question fate.
Mia was even more puzzled than I was, but she replied confidently, "He's our mate, Lita. No mistake about it."
I didn't know what to say to that, and Mia sank into silence, allowing me to grieve the relationship I would never have. Indeed, I had longed for a mate for years, like all werewolves did… But as fate would have it, it was my own guardian – and he didn't want me.
Despite my confusion and hurt, I didn't think there was any room for this bond to be salvaged. I wouldn't delude myself into believing he would come to care for me as a partner, given the chance. I refused to cling to a man who didn't care for me… or so I tried to tell myself, on repeat.
What should I do? I mentally sighed before hiding my face into the pillow.
** ** ** **
It was midnight when Rebecca called me. I hadn't been asleep and thus picked the call at once, desperate for something to take my mind off the whole fiasco.
"You feeling okay?" She asked immediately.
"I guess… though I was locked in my room as punishment for my foolish actions," was my response, which was followed by a long heavy sigh.
"Damn! How could he be so cold? You were only trying to help. Why can't he see that?" She fired in succession. And before I could even utter a word, she went on, "No wonder he has quite the reputation! Even the pack sees him as hot-tempered."
Without even thinking twice, I found myself defending him, "Everything he does is for the pack, Becca. He cannot afford to be too lenient, considering we have the biggest and most powerful pack. He has to…"
"As always, you truly are his biggest fan," she cut in, teasingly, giggling loudly.
"I'm not," I cried out in haste, even though she and I both knew it was true.
"Yeah, yeah," she let out dismissively. "Whatever makes you sleep at night, love. Anyway, open that window for me."
I did without even asking a single question.
And there she was, waving at me from Tyler's car, where he was no doubt behind the wheel.
"Since the party was ruined, we're going to hit the club," she declared. "How about you join us?"
"I don't know," I hesitated, knowing I would be in some deep trouble should I sneak out and get caught.
"You're planning to stay grounded, locked up, like a child?" She teased, and I could picture her, rolling her eyes at me. "We'll sneak you back without anyone noticing."
Mia, as diligent and cautious as ever, told me in a tone of warning, "Don't listen to her, Lolita. You'll get in trouble – more trouble."
Refusing to listen to the voice of reason, I jumped out of the window without delay, telling Mia dismissively that I needed to blow off some steam… which admittedly wasn't merely an excuse. I needed to take my mind off Alpha dearest.