The Alpha's Eternal Mate

Kathryn’s pov My heart thundered in my chest as I stood on the cliff’s edge, the cold wind tearing at my hair and dress. The valley below blurred through the haze of unshed tears. The storm brewing on the horizon mirrored the chaos within me, reminding me of my failures, betrayal, and loss. I felt him before I saw him- the electrifying aura of my mate and Alpha approaching from behind. “Kathlyn!” His voice was a raw growl, strained and hoarse from the hours he had spent looking for me. “Please don't do this. Move away from the edge! I…I love you.” I felt strangely detached, as though my body were nothing more than a vessel carrying the remnants of a shattered soul. “Kathlyn!” His raw desperation struck a chord deep within me, but it wasn’t enough. Nothing was enough anymore. The memories clawed their way to the surface, each one more painful than the last. My sister’s laughter ringing out as she leaned against him, her hand protectively cradling the child growing within her…his child. My mate, the man chosen by fate to love and protect me, standing silently by her side. Their betrayal had been a blade, slicing through the naive hope I had held on to for so long. And then there was my child. My sweet, innocent child. My hand trembled as I recalled the blood on my thighs, the agonising emptiness that followed. The life within me had been snuffed out, not by an accident, but by the cruel severance of a bond that should have made me whole. My mate’s rejection had ripped me apart, and in doing so, it had taken my baby too. “You gave up the right to say you love me when you chose her,” I spat, my voice trembling with rage and sorrow. “When you betrayed me for my sister!” He was closer now; I could feel the heat of his anger and desperation behind me. “You don’t understand Kate. I did it to protect you….” “To protect me?” I whirled to face him, my fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms. My laughter was bitter, empty. “You slept with her for years, fathered her child, and now you want to tell me it was for my sake?” A muscle in his jaw tensed as he took a step closer, closing the space between us. His eyes darkened, filled with emotions I didn’t care to understand anymore. “There are things you don’t know. Secrets that…” “Stop,” I snapped, cutting him off. “I don’t care about your secrets. Nothing you say can undo what you’ve done. Nothing can bring back my child. My mother! Nothing.” “Kathryn, please…don’t do this. You’re stronger than this. You’re more than…” “More than what?” I interrupted, my voice breaking. “An unwanted mate? A discarded woman? A fool who thought she could ever be enough for you?” I took a step back, my heart clenching painfully as I thought of the life I could have had, the family I could have built, the love I should have been given. But that life had been stolen from me. My child, my mate, my happiness…gone. Tears streamed down my face as I whispered, barely audible over the wind, “I killed my own child, you know. With my own hands. When you rejected me, you rejected us both.” The agony in his eyes was too much to bear, so I looked away, out into the storm. “Here I come mum,” I murmured to myself, “Baby, mummy's coming to get you.” Taking a step back, I felt the cool, empty air at my heels as I neared the edge. And then, with one final, resolute breath, I let myself fall. For once, there was silence. For once, there was peace. —----- I forced open my eyes, holding back an excruciating headache. As my vision cleared, I could make out the figure of a man and a woman kissing passionately in the dimly lit room. I looked on in anger as the two went on. Cassandra, my sister, and one of the servant boys. How shameless! If only everyone could see her true colors. “Ma'am please, Lady Cassandra only fell asleep. What if she wakes up? Anyone could come in and catch us.” The poor servant boy begged, trying his best to resist the disgusting thing. “What? Are you afraid she will wake up?” Cassandra responded in an annoyed tone. “I might be getting married tomorrow. Why don't you just give yourself to me tonight?” Getting married tomorrow? I thought, confused about her statement. “At least, let's go to the other room.” He whispered helplessly. “No! I want to do it here. Right in front of this self sufficient bitch.” She swiftly unbuttoned the man's shirt and their lips locked again. I looked away from them, taking in the environment and realized that I was back in my room at the Keller home. What the hell was I doing back here? “Ma'am…” the servant boy whimpered. “Fine then,” She growled, nudging his chest. You go on into the other room. I'll join you soon!” As soon as the man left the room, I felt her approaching and maintain a still position. Leaning over with a cold smile, I heard her whisper, “I hope you sleep forever, Kathryn. I'll never let you have peace if you don't.” I balled my hands into fists as I held back my emotions, careful not to let out a sound. After staying for a moment, I heard the door open and close and open my eyes slowly. I sat up, ripping the drips from my arms, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My mind reeled as memories flooded back: the cliff, Marcus's betrayal, my sister's treachery, and...my death. I stumbled out of the bed, staggering to the mirror. The reflection staring back was a face I hadn't thought I'd see from five years back. I looked younger, innocent, and unhurt by my sister's evil machinations. Tears welled to my eyes as I realised. I've been reborn. A wave of relief washed over me, followed by a sense of emptiness. I had allowed myself to be fooled in my past life, leading me to lose everything and everyone dear to me. This time, I wouldn't make the same mistakes I made in my past life. I finally smiled at my reflection, amazed that I had been given a second chance. A chance to right every wrong. The death of my child and the demise of my lovely mother, were regrets I could never let go of. The moon goddess had decided that I deserved another chance, and I was grateful. The sound of the door creaking open snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned around, holding the edge of the desk for support. A maid stood in the doorway, her face turning pale with shock. “Lady Kathryn!” she gasped, her tray of clothes clattering to the ground. Her wide eyes darted between me and the bed, as if she could not believe I was standing there. Without waiting for a word from me, she turned on her heel and bolted from the room, shouting over her shoulder. “She’s awake! Lady Kathryn is awake!” I had almost forgotten. In my past life, I had fallen terribly ill and was bedridden for a long time. It had taken almost a year to regain myself and it was around the time of my recovery that he came along. Within seconds, I could hear hurried footsteps approaching. They were more than one. Panic flared in my chest and my heart thumped hard. It's been years since I saw the people of the Keller family. I didn't know how to feel about seeing them after so long. A familiar figure stepped inside, their face etched with disbelief. “Kathryn...” they whispered, their voice heavy with emotion. “Mom” I called out equally, my voice trembling.