Mated to you

Chapter 3 - New day, same problem

She woke to soft light filtering through unfamiliar windows. The sheets were warm. The scent, familiar, but not hers.

She blinked slowly and sat up, the fabric of the dress clinging uncomfortably to her skin. This wasn’t her room.

She crawled to the end of the bed, drawn by the strong, grounding scent of Reign. Then froze.

Why was she in a room with him? What had happened last night?

She remembered laughter. A conversation. Viktor’s voice. Then, nothing.

“Morning,” Reign said, his voice low and rough with fatigue.

Startled. She hadn’t even noticed he was awake.

“Morning,” she replied, wary.

He sat up slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “How are you feeling?”

“Like someone hit my head,” she muttered, wincing. He frowned, guilt flickering across his face.

“Would you like something to eat?” he asked.

She wanted to say no. Wanted to pretend she was fine. But her stomach had other plans.

“Yes, actually… and can I borrow some clothes?” She looked down at the stunning gown, beautiful but very uncomfortable. “I really want to get out of this.”

“Sure, help yourself,” he said, gesturing toward the closet.

“Thanks.”

She stood, legs still unsteady, and paused. “Also… Did I drink too much?” She asked, hoping she didn’t embarrass herself or worst the pack…

Reign ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. “No, nothing like that.” He said, and relief flushed over her. “It was the wine you were drinking, I didn’t realise the wine served was bad for humans.” He paused, the memory tightening his jaw. “I should thank Viktor, actually. He was the one who noticed it affecting you.”

He sighed, voice low. “I’m sorry, Thea. I won’t let that happen again.”

"Oh. I'll thank him later, I guess." She replied.

"I don't think that's necessary." He replied quickly, irritated.

"He's not a bad guy."

"I know that..." He sighed, frustration evident.

"Maybe, I should go."

"What! Why?" He said, confused but still annoyed with how much she liked Viktor.

She shrugged. "I don't know, I don't want to get the wrong idea here. I'm to be your Luna, right and nothing more."

"You'll always be more." He admitted.

She shook her head. "You confuse me, you really do."

His amber eyes held hers, steady and unguarded. “Will you do one thing for me?”

She hesitated. Didn’t answer. Just waited.

“Will you tell me if you ever need anything? And I mean anything.” His voice softened, almost pleading. “There are human things I won’t always understand. I just… I need to know you’ll tell me. I want to get it right. Please.”

She sighed, the weight of everything pressing down. “Every time I try to talk to you, you walk away.” Her voice trembled with restrained anger. “You give me nothing to work with. You avoid me. And now I wake up in your room because I drank too much wine, and now you’re concerned?”

The irritation surged, sharp and sudden. “Maybe it's Diandra you should be concerned about.”

She didn’t look at him when she said it. Couldn’t.

“Diandra is nothing,” he said, voice rising. “You’re my mate, Thea!”

He was standing close now, too close. The heat of him, the weight of his words.

She didn’t flinch. “Then why did you do it?” Her eyes locked onto his, daring him to answer.

He didn’t. And that silence was louder than anything he could’ve said.

She turned on her heel.

He reached for her arm, not rough, but firm. She pulled back instantly.

“I’m done, Reign.” Her voice cracked, but she didn’t stop. “Like I've said before, I chose you, and you can barely be near me without making me feel like s**t, and you think I’m filthy!" She added, pain etched on the last words. They were his words though, he’d said them to her.

His jaw clenched. “I don't think that of you, and I don’t want you feeling like that.”

She turned, eyes burning. “The only thing you've showed me since I've stayed is that you are cruel and evil.” He took a step back from her. She was the only one who seen the good in him. Had he really treated her that bad or was it the things he did as a wolf that repulsed her. He didn't know, it was probably all of the above, either way, it burnt to hear it from her.

Thea noticed the pained look in Reign, but she didn't bother to explain.

“I really hate your brother,” Thea said, sprawled across the couch opposite River.

River didn’t flinch. “He means well. He really loves you, Thea.”

Thea scoffed, rolling her eyes. “If he loved me, he would stop resisting everything.” Her voice was sharp, but the hurt beneath it was louder.

She sat up slightly, gaze locked on the ceiling. “What if I did what he did? Would everyone be okay with that?” A bitter laugh escaped. “Doubt it.”

River didn’t speak right away. She watched Thea, watched the way her fingers curled into the blanket like she was holding herself together.

“You’re right,” she said softly. “If you did what he’s doing, it wouldn’t end so well.” She paused. “I guess it’s complicated.”

Thea scoffed again, but this time it sounded more like heartbreak than anger.

River leaned forward. “He’s not handling this well. But I know him, Thea. He's doing what's right for you. He's selfless, he never puts himself first, there's a reason for everything he does.” Her voice was steady.

Thea didn’t answer. She just stared at the ceiling, blinking hard.

“I understand that I f****d up,” she said quietly. “But I thought choosing to stay would be enough to make up for it.” Her voice wavered. “It doesn’t feel fair. And if I’m being honest… I don’t know how to be a Luna when I hate him.”

She hadn’t meant to admit that last part. It slipped out, raw and unfiltered.

River’s voice was gentle. “Do you really hate him?”

Thea didn’t answer right away. Her eyes stayed on the ceiling, searching for something that wasn’t there.

“No,” she admitted. “I hate what he’s done. I hate how he makes me feel, like I’m always reaching for something he won’t give.”

She swallowed hard. “But I don’t think I could hate him completely. If I did, it wouldn’t hurt this much.”

River nodded, quiet and steady. Not pushing. Just present.

Thea blinked faster. But she didn’t cry. Not yet.

River watched her for a moment, then spoke softly. “You have every right to feel this way.”

She shook her head, voice rising. “I don’t know how wolves justify this."

"Our way is different, that is for sure. But you will understand it all one day. I just hope, you never give up on him." River said, her voice soft and genuine. "Just don't treat him like the rest do, don't fear him. There's a good person in him, and you have the power to choose which one we all receive." River said. Her words repeating in Thea's mind as she gazed up.