Mated by Fate

2

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Nielle tried to share her reservations with Martha, but her concerns were met with reassurances about the greater good of the pack and the status and care she would receive as the Alpha's mate. The well-intentioned words swirled around her, leaving her feeling trapped in a destiny not of her choosing.

Nielle longed to find Kieran, to seek comfort in his embrace one last time, but propriety denied her that solace. Time was against her. Whether they were genuine reasons or mere excuses, the result remained the same—she found herself seated beside a stranger.

As she scanned the hall, her heart thudded heavily in her chest. Fall mums adorned the room, and the finest china graced the tables, adorned with linen cloths. Various dishes of meat, vegetables, rolls, and salads were spread across the tables. Nielle marveled at how Martha could conjure a feast for an army at a moment's notice. The food was no doubt delicious, but she couldn't bring herself to eat. Well-wishes from pack members and speeches from the Elders were exchanged, followed by the commencement of the bonding ceremony. Zephyr led her to the front of the room, but she barely heard the spoken words, let alone comprehended them. The most painful part was the anguished gazes she shared with Kieran across the room as the final words were spoken, and her wrist was bound to Zephyr's by a ceremonial leather rope.

Bound together, Zephyr escorted her to one of the guest cabins not far from the main Alpha's residence. He had hardly spoken to her since their initial meeting, and she cast fleeting glances at him as they crossed the moonlit lawn. Should she break the silence with some words? Her thoughts raced to find an appropriate comment, but none came to mind. Superficial chatter about the weather seemed absurd in the current circumstances, and her nervousness prevented her from coming up with anything else.

Alphas were not typically unkind to pack members, unless their authority was challenged. Nielle hoped that Zephyr would be considerate, knowing that the drive to mate was strong. She was aware that the first mating could be painful, and given his size, she had little hope that it would be a gentle experience. If it were Kieran, she believed it would be different, given her feelings for him. The thought of being with Kieran excited her, kindling a warmth deep within her, while the idea of being with Zephyr only left her stomach in knots.

The cabin loomed before them, situated at the forest's edge, surrounded by trees, evoking a sense of seclusion. Made of logs, it had a weathered appearance from years of exposure to the elements but remained well-maintained, featuring a solid stone chimney, shuttered windows, and a small porch. Zephyr pushed the door open and gestured for her to enter, following closely since their wrists were still tethered. He shut the door and turned on the lights, revealing the room with a small kitchenette, dining area, and a sofa in front of a fireplace. A door to the left led to a bedroom and a small bath.

"Well," Zephyr's voice broke the silence, causing Nielle to startle. "The first order of business should be to remove this, wouldn't you say?" He held up their joined wrists, and she nodded in agreement. He took a jackknife from his pocket and cut the rope, letting it fall to the ground. Nielle immediately pulled her arm away and rubbed her wrist. It wasn't sore, as the tie hadn't been tight, but the leather had still chafed, and the enforced closeness had been uncomfortable.

She noticed Zephyr also rubbing his wrist. "We seem to have a similar reaction to being restrained," he remarked, observing her.

"Yes." Nielle was unsure of what to say, and the silence stretched between them.

Zephyr rubbed his neck and surveyed the room. Nielle wondered if he found the situation as unnerving as she did. Had he truly wanted to be her mate, or was he, like her, turning away from someone he loved for the sake of his pack's welfare? Before she could dwell on this thought, he addressed her again. "It's getting late. Would you like to use the bathroom first?"

"Alright." She opened the bedroom door and headed for the bathroom, feeling his gaze on her back. As she passed through the room, she noticed that the bed had been made, and her nightgown was lying at the foot. Taking it in her hand, she entered the bathroom and closed the door, letting out a sigh of relief. For a few minutes, at least, she would have some privacy and be free of Zephyr's presence. It wasn't that he was displeasing to look at; in different circumstances, she might have admired his physique. His manner towards her had been polite, if somewhat distant, so there was nothing to complain about in that regard. The problem was that Zephyr wasn't Kieran. He was an unknown male; an unknown male with whom she would soon be intimately involved.

Her stomach tightened again, and once more, the thought of escape crossed her mind. But where could she go? She couldn't survive without a pack. Wolves were social animals, and the idea of being an outcast was unthinkable. Besides, she would have no place to live, no means of support, and the constant fear of detection. While it hadn't happened in years, it wasn't to say that if a werewolf became careless, someone might piece the clues together. Caution had been ingrained in her since birth, and everyone had a fear of being hunted down. No, she couldn't leave.

Nielle stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Deep green eyes stood out against her pale face, and her dark brown hair, pulled back into a high ponytail, did little to conceal the tension in her jaw. In fact, her entire body felt tense. Perhaps a hot shower would help. She turned on the taps, adjusted the spray, and then stripped before stepping into the stall, letting the pounding water wash over her body. She closed her eyes as the steam enveloped her, forcing herself to relax and allowing her mind to drift back to the afternoon when she had been running with Kieran.

A smile crept across her face. It had been so much fun, racing through the forest like the wind, feeling her muscles pushed to their limits as she tried to outpace her companion. Kieran had tackled her to the ground, and they had rolled around, playfully nipping at each other before bounding away, only to jump and tumble again. They had nuzzled and licked each other's faces, then transformed back into human form just inside the woods' edge as they ran back to the pack house. Her hair had still had bits of grass stuck in it, which Kieran had picked out while resting his hands on her shoulders and hinting at speaking to her father.

Nielle imagined that she could feel Kieran's touch even now and sighed contentedly, only to realize it wasn't her imagination. Hands were touching her! With a startled squeal, she pulled away, but strong fingers tightened their grip and pulled her back.