Unloved Mate (Wolves Of Night Shade Pack)

12

Kane

I recalled vividly the first time I saw Valor, his first smile, the shades of the color of his eyes and the light he brought with his presence. It was so sad knowing that a man with so much love had suffered so much during his time of existence in this world. Yes, my original plan was to kill him and inflict the same amount of unbearable pain Zeke caused me. But that one encounter where I saw him in the woods and felt a connection with him changed everything. Now I was going to tell him everything he needed to know about my past, since he already knew the circumstances of meeting with him.

After having lunch, Valor and I took a walk from the pack house. This time I took my time to show him how big our territory was, and explained to him how I had only discovered this pack a year ago. I wouldn't lie to him. Everything that would come out of my mouth would be the truth and nothing but the truth because, at this point in his life, he didn't deserve the pain of another betrayal and mistrust, especially from me, his fated mate.

We settled in front of the lake; a body of crystal clear water surrounded by trees, which exuded a sense of calm that accentuated nature's ambiance. I brought him here because it was the place where I sensed peace. I came here very often after waking up from a coma Zeke had put me in.

I sat on the shores of the river, picking up stones and tossing them toward the water. He joined me and leaned against my shoulder. I smiled, knowing that I had my mate by my side as I was about to go back to one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. “Are you ok? I can feel your unease. If you're not ready to talk about it…”

“I am. How are your memories?”

“Returning slowly.”

He shrugged.

“It’s just that ever since it happened to me, I've never talked to anyone about it.”

I revealed, my tone laced with trepidation. He leaned off my shoulder and we locked our eyes together. Reaching out to my cheeks, he gave me a soft pet, and I reciprocated with a beam, seeing sympathy creep into those magnificent silver orbs.

“Valor. I've done terrible things to survive. I've killed people and I... I know I don't deserve someone like you...”

“Hey, don't say that. Right from the beginning, you've been very honest with me, and I appreciate that. I understand that you haven't talked about your trauma and it's ok if you don't want to talk about it now. But if you do, I'll listen to you and I'll hold your hand through every single moment. I promise.”

I proclaimed and smiled bravely at him, and he gave me an affirmative nod.

As a Lycan blood who was never born into a pack, I had spent my entire life on the run, fighting for survival against hunters and other supernatural creatures that posed a threat to my existence. My only inclination was to live to see the next day as my life wasn't driven with any purpose whatsoever until I ran into the Eclipse: a group of werewolves that ensured every supernatural’s safety by helping them find homes where they'd be accepted for who they were and the powers they have. I joined the Eclipse because it was the first time in my life something felt right. That's when it all started; my friendship with Ezekiel Wolfe, the second in command of the Eclipse. But little did I know that these acquaintances would lead to a dark testimony in my life.

I spent over six months going to several adventures with my found family and established relationships with them until one day when I met the witch.

I was sitting alone in a bar under a bubble of music with a bottle of beer clutched to my palms. It was almost midnight and the bar would close in a few minutes. I had a fallout with the shifters back home and decided to take a break from everything concerning them by sitting this one mission out and spending some time alone. The Eclipse leader had instructed Zeke to stay back and watch over me just until they returned from their mission. I gulped down the content of the bottle and dropped a tip for the server, then I took my jacket, rose to my feet and walked outside the bar. Appearing on the sidewalk, I took a deep breath and walked over to my car parked on the other side of the road. I wore my jacket and unlocked the car, getting into the vehicle and putting the key in the ignition. I was about to step on the gas when I saw a shadow lingering in the dark path ahead. My eyes squinted through the dark pathway and the trees that lined the road. “Who’s there?”

I called, watching as the darkness moved closer. I hurried out of the car with extended claws, ready to defend myself. The feeling of the darkness approached me and seized my wrist swiftly. I couldn't defend myself. All I could feel was the touch of the woman tightening her grip around my arms. “Meet me at the outskirts of the town three nights before the full moon.”

She said to me. I saw a few strands of her black hair, the rest of her face covered by a black hoodie.

“Who are you?”

I managed to ask. Somehow, I couldn't fight her and I believed she was using some kind of supernatural ability against me.

“Meet me on the outskirts, and I'll tell you everything you need to know.”

She compelled and left as swiftly as she came. When I realized what had happened, she was long gone, but I couldn't get her words out of my head.

I returned to the car and drove back to the mansion where the Eclipse resided. I parked the vehicle by the corner of the house, and alighted, then I hurried into the house, my mind still preoccupied by the woman that had suddenly appeared in my life. If there was one thing I had learned after fending for myself for a very long time; it's the fact that I couldn't trust anyone, but there was this feeling about her. A feeling I couldn't shake off.

I headed up the stairs and into the foyer, still bothered by the uncanny experience I had that night. “Where are you coming from?”

The voice in the large room echoed, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“What? Am I not allowed to have some free time anymore?”

I retorted, knowing full well whose voice it was. Zeke appeared into the light with arched brows and folded arms.

“I never said that.”

“Then quit the stupid questions. I don't answer to you.”

I gave him a smirk as I proceeded to the stairs.

“I don't know what it is you're up to, but I just want to remind you about the code of honor. I will take you out if you try anything that puts us and our cause in jeopardy.”

He said, as his eyes gained their golden glow.

“I don't know where all these suspicions are coming from, but keep searching. You won't find anything.”

I grinned at him, then headed up the stairs.

Once I was in the safe space of my room, I shut the door and released a deep exhale. I peeled my clothes off my body and had a quick shower, hoping I'd come to a final decision of the encounter I had with the woman. I didn't want to go, but there was this little voice in my head compelling me to accept the invitation. After all, I had learned how to defend myself and could easily take down rogue wolves if there was a need.

I spent the next two days in the turmoil of the decision to make with Zeke watching my every move. To be frank, I didn't care because I knew I had nothing to hide. And soon the rest of the Eclipse would return and we'd settle this misunderstanding brewing between us. The reason that led to our disagreement was that I was only concerned with the wolf bloods they were taking to a wolf pack. This wolf didn't just need a pack; he needed to come to terms with the horrible things that happened to him, heal from his scars before starting over. But these people viewed him as too much of a burden and stated I didn't have a say in the way things turned out to be. Courtesy of my nemesis Zeke Wolfe. He had his way of screwing with the minds of the team to make them do whatever he wanted.

When the night the woman had told me to meet her came, I took the black sedan vehicle and headed straight to the roads that led to the outskirts of the town. I turned on the stereo, which kept me company until I had arrived at the destination. Turning off the engine, I alighted and shut the door, taking the path that led into a clearing in the forest of wild trees. “I’m here now. Aren’t you supposed to be waiting?”

I announced, squinting through the night forest.

“I just had to make sure you came alone.”

The female voice hovered behind me, and I turned in its direction, but she wasn't there.

“Stop this mind trick.”

I heralded when I couldn't see her, then I felt her hands on my shoulder. I wheeled on my heels and faced her, taking in the gorgeous blue eyes and the jet black hair of the lady standing in front of me.

“Forgive my manners. I love to show a tiny display of my craft. I'm Leda Fairfax. Nice to meet you.”

“Kane Creed,”

I smiled at her. “So why have you brought me out in the wild?”

I questioned and crossed my arms.

“I have been searching for you since your first shift. But you're really good at covering your tracks.”

“It’s too dangerous out here, so I got acquainted with a friend and he helped me with some dark objects I use to protect myself.”

“You’re something else,”

Leda smiled and motioned toward me. I backpedaled, and she chuckled. “I won't hurt you. Not after what I just learned about you.”

She added quickly and raised her hand to my cheeks, giving me a soft caress. She pulled back with a grin.

“Why were you looking for me?”

“You're the Alpha.”

“Alpha? I'm very sure my beast, Creed, is a Beta Lycan, and I took his name as my surname because I never knew my parents. I spent most of my life in a lot of foster homes. They just couldn't handle an unhinged kid.”

“Yes, that is something which runs in your family bloodline. Like I said, your pack needs their Alpha. Everything is crumbling and I and the others are doing our best to keep it up, but I don't think we can hold it any longer.”

“Look, I appreciate the information, but if I was an Alpha. I would know. Besides, I have a life with my family and I enjoy what I do.”

“An unappreciated life, huh? Midnight Shadow Pack needs you now more than ever, and you have to come with me. I'll give you some time to think about it. We'll meet here tomorrow. We don't have time.”

She said and faded away just the same way she came.

“Wait,”

Valor reiterated, pulling me out of the story. “Zeke mentioned Leda with Ben.”

He revealed, stunned, and I arched my brows in inquisition.

“After what happened with Zeke and I. The Eclipse found out about his manipulations, they exiled him and left the country, saying their job here was done. There's no way Ben would have made it back. They all hated what he did to me, and that he also screwed with their memories.”

“He was implanting memories in my head just like he did back at my home. Making me think he was you.”

He explained, his expression set in astonishment.

“He won't ever do that to you again,”

I looked up at the dark crystal blue skies, smiling at the stars. They were so beautiful, as beautiful as the man sitting next to me and helping me get through the most traumatic moment of my life. “We better get back to the pack house. It’s dark already.”

I said and stood up, lending him a hand. I pulled him up and he drew so close to me that my lips almost brushed against his and our chest made an impact. Holding his gaze, I watched as he breathed. I leaned in slowly and took his lips in a passionate kiss, and he moaned into me, desperation seeping from him as he claimed me frantically.

“I need to know everything.”

He pulled away and leaned against my chest, breathing out a sigh.