His Chosen Mate (Complete- Standalone)

Chapter 17

Dinner came and the silence around the table was eerie. Troy had taken his seat at the head of the table but seemed to have forgotten my presence beside him; no introductions were made or words spoken between us during dinner. Vince sat across the table and occasionally sent a sympathetic look my way.

I wondered if this was better. He seemed to get enraged when I talked or he had to talk about me. Keeping quiet seemed to offer some shelter from his wrath. His mood seemed even.

I was incredibly conscious of the slightest sounds I made; from my throat as I swallowed to the clang of my knife on a plate. Memories came flooding back, transporting me into an era that felt so distant yet still familiar - when all I could remember feeling was weak and insignificant. As a child sitting around a similar table within my own pack, my cousins oinking at me as I ate. I had been the constant target of bullies and abuse. Most of my childhood I had felt scared, ashamed and alone.

I was fighting that same shame now, that same isolation. Twenty years later I was reduced to feeling like this. Being embarrassed, feeling like an outsider, trying to will myself invisible.

Feeling the burn of my freshly marked neck, I also fought feelings of disgust. I was trying to focus on the promise I made to myself upstairs, revenge. How would I get out of this situation and honestly the more I sat here, the more I realized the only way I would, was through his or my own death. I didn’t see any other escape.

When dinner was over, Troy and a few others marched out of the room. The heavy tension in the room went with them. People started to make small talk while cleaning up. I offered to help but I was turned down, told several times ‘It’s not a Luna’s place’. After the room cleared and I was left with Michael, we sat quietly until he suggested we get me to bed.

“I guess we can get you back to the guest bedrooms, you need to rest.” Michael offered me his hand.

“No, I prepared her Luna Suite.” Troy said behind us, his voice startling me. Had he been standing there the whole time? He took my hand gently from Michael’s arm and led me carefully through the house, to a stairwell at the far end of the house, he took me up two flight of stairs, there was a long hall way that oversaw into the living room below, either side had double doors, he led me to the left. Michael a few steps behind. He swung open the doors and a beautifully furnished room was laid out before me. A gorgeous white four corner post bed, with a sheer off white canopy gathered in heavy tassels, lights draped between each post, the furniture was all white, with beautiful ornate hardware. The room had oak hardwoods, with plush white accented rugs. It was beautiful. The room was large enough to house two separate spaces. A desk with a mac was set up close to the window, with a sitting area, the couch sort of divided the living space and bedroom space.

“The closet is over here, I had them bring your bag up.” Troy opened the door, the closet was empty and only my carry on and purse were on the floor.

“And this door is the bathroom.” He opened and flicked on the switch to a gorgeous white, pushing the door open, encouraging me to walk through.

I walked through and took in the large bathroom, huge white garden tube and double vanity, with a beautiful full mirror. Everything was pristine and new.

“It’s gorgeous.” I said.

As I walked further into the room, Troy followed close behind me, carefully closing the door behind him with Michael on the outside. He came up behind me, the heat of his body pulsing into me, his breath on my neck made my heart pound and send a chill up my spine. I was scared but my body couldn’t help to react to our bond. He placed his hand in mine and turned me around. I felt a flutter in my stomach by his touch, his green eyes were now radiating warmth. He knelt down in front of me, clutching my hand gently while looking up at me imploringly. His emotions seemed to tumble out, a plea of forgiveness in his tone.

“I am sorry for earlier, in the car. You deserve nothing but the best. I am sorry, can you forgive me?”

I stared down at him, “I… Troy, I-” I fumbled with how to respond.

“I haven’t earned your trust. If anything I’ve given you more than enough reasons to not trust me, to hate me. But I will do everything in my power to earn your trust. You are my mate. We have marked each other. We are fated. I want this to work.”

I stood there completely overwhelmed, my nerves shattered by the day's events. My heart raced as I felt emotions swirling within me; a familiar tension in my chest heralding impending tears. While my wolf wanted to heed its call and succumb to his allure, another screamed caution - begging for me not to give into temptation this time around. He hit us, I reminded our wolf. Mate. Sorry. Was all she could muster in response.

“I’m sorry, it’s just so much.” My voice broke and he lifted himself from his knee and wrapped his arms around me.

“It's okay baby, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

This motherfucker was hugging me, apologizing for his behavior? The room started to spin. His touch brought a warmth to my skin. I wondered if he is as acutely aware of our bond as I am. Could he feel the electricity between our touch? Does he know how betrayed I feel? Does he know in my mind I want to escape this bond, that I see no way out of this but death? Or can he only sense the lust of our bodies drawn to each other. “I need to sit.” I put a hand to my chest like I may get sick.

Troy was once again attentive and kind. He opened the door and led me to the bed, “She is feeling a bit light headed.” He said to Micheal, still standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

“Do you have any pain Ashleigh?” Michael asked. I shook my head no in response.

“That’s good, I will still give you a mild pain medication when you go to sleep. I will need to monitor her breathing overnight and take her in the morning for a scan.”

“I understand.” Troy said to Michael. He turned to look at me, his hands cupping mine as he sat next to me on the bed, “Do you want me to stay with you tonight?”

Who the f**k is this guy? What the f**k is wrong with him?

“I will be waking her several times throughout the night to get her blood pressure, check her pulse. I would feel guilty waking you up as well.” Michael said, seemingly understanding how awkward this situation was for me. Trying to make an excuse for me that I desperately needed.

“I don’t mind.” Troy said as he began to take off his socks. "I need to be with you, protect you."

What? My mind screamed. The only person I need protecting from is you.

“I need to change. I don't know if I have anything to sleep in." My voice meek and unsteady.

“Tomorrow after your check up, I will take you shopping.” Troy said as he stepped out of the room, walking to the other door at the opposite end of the hall. He brought back with him a large tshirt.

“I’m gonna take a quick shower, be right back.” He said pushing Michael out of the room, giving me privacy to change.

The shirt smelled delicious, it smelled like Troy and putting it on my body, I realized how big Troy was, I was tall and curvy. By no means dainty, but his shirt consumed me, hanging mid way down my thigh. He may only have half a foot on me but I hadn't realized how broad and muscular he was. I started to have flashbacks of our time in the cabin. A shiver ran down my spine, excitement then fear.

“Are you dressed Ashleigh? I have your medicine,” Michael said as I opened the door, he handed me two small blue pills. “I will be in the hall, setting my alarm for every two hours. I need you to rest, okay?” His voice grew louder with his last statement, and as Troy emerged from the bedroom at the opposite end of the hall, I assumed that statement was more of a recommendation for Troy to let me rest.

From across the hall, I saw the doors open. I drank in the sight of Troy, his freshly showered body glistening with droplets. He used a towel to dry off his hair and shoulders. As he made his way towards me I could smell a divine scent emanating from him that sent my senses into overdrive. He scooped me up effortlessly and carried me to the bed. Troy tenderly positioned me close as he spooned me, buried his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent. His desire to take me again was strong, I could sense his lust but he respected that I needed time to recuperate and heal. He found contentment having me snuggled up against him. Oddly enough, so did I.