Chapter Nine
1502 Words
Claire's pov
I stepped out of the infirmary with Kim besides me. I wrapped my arms around myself as we made our way through the corridors.
The sharp pain in my chest had eased, Sarah had given me some herbal medicine to ease the pain a little. Her words still echoed relentlessly in my mind.
Your mate had been unfaithful.
I swallowed hard. Every step felt heavier than the last. I couldn't stop thinking about Cole.
About his smile, his promises and the way he had taken care of me when I was hurt.
"You don't have to face this alone," Kimberly said softly.
I forced a small smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"I know."
As we entered the pack house it was unusually quiet. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the polished marble floors beneath our feet.
We had barely made it halfway up the stairs when a familiar voice stopped us.
"Claire."
I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
Cole was walking toward us.
He looked as composed as ever, dressed neatly with not a single hint that anything was wrong. That he never cheated on me.
His eyes settled on me.
"Where were you?" he asked softly.
He has some nerve asking me where I was. I was almost going to die because he was busy screwing some slut.
I opened my mouth, but before I could answer, Kimberly stepped forward.
"We were called to clean the training hall," Kimberly said smoothly.
I'm thankful for one thing good in my life and that's Kim. She's the only one I can trust. The only person who truly cares about my well-being.
Cole studied Kimberly for a moment before his attention returned to me.
Something unreadable flickered in his expression but I couldn't care less.
"Is that so?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
A tense silence settled between us.
Then Cole's expression softened into the familiar smile I knew so well.
"Come to my room tonight," he said, shifting closer to me.
My stomach twisted painfully.
For a moment, Doctor Sarah's words resurfaced.
Your mate had been unfaithful.
I forced myself to meet his eyes.
"...Okay."
Cole nodded once before turning and walking away.
I released the breath I'd been holding.
"Come on," Kimberly said quietly, gripping my wrist.
We continued down the corridor until we reached the kitchen.
The moment they stepped inside, Kimberly turned toward me.
"You're not seriously going to see him tonight, are you?"
I looked down at my hands.
"I am."
Because I needed to know what Cole is playing at.
Kimberly stared at me in disbelief.
"Claire, I really think that's a bad idea."
I tightened my fingers around the sleeves of my sweater.
"I need answers."
"I know but what if he turns out to be a psychopath like Michael or maybe worse?"
"I'm sure he isn't like that or else he wouldn't have treated me the way he had in the beginning."
Kimberly stepped closer.
"You know you can always reject him."
"I will when I meet with him tonight."
Kimberly sighed heavily before reaching out and squeezing my hand.
"Let me come with you," she said softly. "I don't want him to hurt you."
I squeezed her hand back, shaking my head.
"No I need to do this alone but thanks."
___________________________________________________
I stood outside Cole's bedroom door, my hands trembling at my sides.
The corridor felt too quiet.
I stared at the dark wood in front of me, my heart pounding so violently I thought it might burst from my chest.
Part of me wanted to turn around and run. To pretend Doctor Sarah had never said those words.
Your mate had been unfaithful.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I had to do this. I needed to know the truth.
Taking a shaky breath, I lifted my hand and knocked.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Cole stood in the doorway.
The moment his eyes landed on me, a smile spread across his face.
"You came," he said warmly.
My breath caught. For one terrible moment, my heart skipped.
The same expression that had made me believe I finally found someone who cared about me.
Then Sarah's voice echoed in my mind.
Your mate cheated on you.
The warmth in my chest turned cold.
Cole stepped aside.
"Come in."
I hesitated before slowly walking into the room.
The familiar scent of cedarwood surrounded me.
I heard the door close behind me and
Before I could gather my thoughts, Cole slipped his arms around me.
"You've been avoiding me all day," he murmured.
I stiffened.
Instead of comfort, revulsion twisted in my stomach.
All I could think about was another woman in his arms. Another woman touching him.
Another woman wearing the smile that was supposed to belong only to me.
I carefully pulled away from his embrace.
"Cole..."
He frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
I lowered my gaze to the floor.
"We need to talk."
A brief look of confusion crossed his face.
"About what?"
I struggled to find the courage to look at him after what he did.
"...Are you happy?"
His eyebrows drew together.
"What?"
"Are you happy..." I whispered, "...with me being your mate?"
"Claire, where is this coming from?"
Tears burned behind my eyes and I finally looked up at him.
"I just want the truth."
"Of course I'm happy with you being my mate," he said cupping my face. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
"But I doubt it," I said, my voice trembling.
The smile on his face slowly faded.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because I feel that you don't want this."
A muscle in Cole's jaw ticked.
"Of course I do."
"I know." I whispered shakily.
Cole frowned. "Know what?"
"I know you're cheating on me."
Tears spilled down my cheeks but I wiped them away.
"I know you've betrayed our bond."
Cole's expression became unreadable but then slowly his mouth curved into a sharp, unsettling smile that sent unease down my spine.
"I'm surprised you find this funny," I said, clenching my fists.
"You know what's funny?" he asked, his voice low but sharp. "That the moon goddess f****d my life up by pairing me with an imbecile like you."
My chest felt hollow, like the very core of me had been ripped out, leaving only emptiness behind.
Imbecile? That's what I am to him?
This was too good to be true.
"So all this time you were pretending to care for me?" I ask, my voice cold.
He chuckled but there wasn't any humor in it. "Did you really think I cared about you Claire?"
"You lied to me, you played me for a fool. Why did you save me from Emily? When I could've died and you wouldn't have to be embarrassed of having me as your mate?"
"I did it because my wolf forced me to otherwise I wouldn't give a damn whether you lived or died."
My heart shattered at that.
I knew what I had to do next.
"I Claire winters reject you-"
I never got to finish. Cole moved so quickly I barely had time to react, his hand wrapped around my throat.
My back collided with the wall behind me.
The sudden impact knocked the breath from my lungs.
I stared at him in shock.
"Cole..."
His face was inches from mine.
Gone was the charming smile, the gentle mate who had fed me soup and told me I was safe.
His eyes were cold.
"Don't," he said quietly.
My heart pounded violently against my ribs.
"You don't get to reject me."
I couldn't breathe.
I had expected anger, denial, excuses but not this.
"C-Cole..."
His expression twisted into something ugly.
"I would never allow you to reject me."
I stared at him, unable to comprehend what I was hearing.
"You belong to me," he said, his voice low and sharp. "Do you understand?"
A sob caught in my throat.
"No..."
His eyes darkened.
"You're my mate. My possession, I can do whatever I want with you and nobody can stop me."
The word hit me like a physical blow.
I shook my head, "No I won't, I refuse to be your mate."
"Then don't blame for what's going to happen next," he growled throwing me on the bed.
A sinister smile spread across his face as he gazed down at me and pulled down my jeans
My heart pounded in terror realizing what he was going to do.
"No please don't," I scream, kicking his hands away.
Thud.
The slap came so suddenly that I barely had time to process it. One moment I
was trying to get him away from me, the next my cheek burned and tears sprang to my eyes.
"Open that mouth of yours one more time and I will rip your tongue off," he sneered.
The last thing I remembered was a sharp pain shooting through my lower area, before everything went black.
- Writer
