Masked Fate (Fated Love #3)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Soren

Her words keep replaying in my head all night. After tossing and turning with only an hour or so of sleep, I notice my eyes are bloodshot the next morning.

Maybe it’s me who suddenly found some standards.

I have no doubt I deserved that parting shot, and it definitely hit its mark.

I couldn’t feel any worse if I tried.

After a shower, I ask Celeste, who works in the castle, to order me a new bed, mattress, and sheets. I tell her I need it delivered to my bedroom today.

I never want to see that look in my mate’s eyes again.

If the roles were reversed, I’d feel fucking sick too.

I destroy all my sex toys and replace them with a few items she might like if she ever decides to explore them with me. I test the strength of the cuffs and the weight of the leather paddle, smirking to myself before packing it away in the cupboard.

Astrid is sitting in the dining hall with Rave when I step inside, eating breakfast together and laughing at something the other said. My eyes touch the mating bands at their wrists, wondering if I will ever wear the same.

“Did you both know?” I ask quietly, sitting down opposite them.

Astrid straightens, eyes flaring as she takes me in. “Are you okay? You look exhausted, Soren.”

“Know what?” Rave asks, brows furrowing.

“That Pandora is my mate,” I say, watching their reactions.

When Rave’s ice-blue eyes flicker with shock, I know he didn’t know.

But when Astrid winces slightly, I know she did and didn’t tell either of us.

“Why didn’t you tell me? How could you not tell me?”

“I made a promise to Pandora. How did you not know?” she asks gently, resting her hands on the table. “I mean, deep inside, Soren, deep in your soul. How did you not know?”

“I guess I was blinded.”

With hate.

With bitterness.

With revenge .

My hands clench at my sides.

“You knew and didn’t tell me?” Rave asks Astrid, scowling.

“I promised my best friend,” she replies, reaching out to touch his forearm. “And I didn’t want Soren to be mad at you too. This is up to them to solve, Rave. We can’t force them to see how perfect they are for one another.” She turns to me. “How did you find out?”

“I used my magic to make her take off the necklace,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck.

Astrid whistles. “Off to a good start, then?”

“Where is she now?” Rave asks, drawing his queen closer to him by pulling her chair closer.

“She went home last night.”

She’d rather be around a sister who is trying to kill her than me.

My fists clench at my sides. I’m furious with her for keeping this a secret, but also, the guilt churns in my gut. I treated her badly, and I don’t know how to make it right.

Fuck, what a mess.

It’s a mixed bag of emotions I don’t know how to navigate.

“I can’t believe she is your mate,” Rave mutters, raking a hand through his dark hair. “And she hid the bond with her witch magic?”

I nod, pour myself some orange juice, and force myself to take a sip. “Yeah, that black diamond necklace she always wears.”

He scrubs a hand down his face. “Fuck, Soren. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m sorry enough for everyone,” I grumble.

He pauses, then asks, “So when are you leaving to drag her ass back here?”

Astrid rolls her eyes. “You alpha males are all the same. Whatever you do, don’t chuck a Rave and lock her in your room.”

“Chain her to your bed,” Rave suggests, ignoring Astrid’s gasps of outrage.

“He’s been an asshole to her,” she reminds him.

“Yeah, but she kept this from him,” Rave says to her calmly.

My best friend.

Always has my back.

“They are both in the wrong,” he continues, throwing me an unimpressed look.

Okay, maybe not.

“Yeah, she kept it from him because he made her feel like he hated her so much he’d be disappointed to find out the fates had chosen her for him.” Astrid sighs, playing with the end of her braid. “It’s a hard situation for you both, I get that. She didn’t tell you, and she had to watch you—”

“Watch me what?” I ask, my chest tightening.

“Watch you fuck every blonde female you could get your hands on. Submissive blondes. Your type is literally the opposite of everything she is. Imagine how that would have made her feel.”

“I wouldn’t have fucked anyone else if I knew!” I grind out, covering my face with my hands. “I would never cheat on my mate. Yes, I slept around and had a good time, but that was because, as far as I knew, I was extremely single and didn’t have a fated mate at the time.”

I did save parts of me for my fated mate—for Pandora—so I had something to give her.

Some firsts.

Even if it isn’t much.

Guilt surges in my chest. She’s a fucking queen, and I’m a warrior who has messed everything up.

“I know,” Astrid replies, hazel eyes gentling. “But that doesn’t change how it would have made her feel. It would kill me if I had to see Rave with his cock in another woman’s mouth.”

I flinch. “She told you about that?”

Fucking hell.

I hate she saw me like that. It really fucking bothers me, and now, I detest how I acted toward her even more.

She’s not going to want me after this.

Not without a fight.

And fair enough.

She might have drawn the short straw when she got fated to me, but I have a big dick I’m going to make it up with.

And I know how to use it.

I’m not above using whatever I have to get Pandora where I want her.

Mine.

She’s fucking mine.

The realization calms me.

No wonder I always felt the urge to feed her, even when I detested the ground she walked on. It was like my body knew before my mind did, and it wanted me to feed her. To see her eat. Full. Sated. Taken care of.

I’ll be feeding her my cock soon too.

Pandora is going to be the most satisfied female in all eight kingdoms.

No matter what she wants, I know I’ll never be able to stay away.

“What are you going to do?” Rave asks, kissing our queen’s temple. His brows are drawn together like he’s concerned about whatever fucked-up plan I’ve come up with in my head.

“I’m going to make her fall in love with me,” I declare, smirking to myself.

Ready or not, little witch.

I’m coming for what’s mine .