Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 9: Ready Set Go

Chapter 9: Dante's POV



I broke out into a cold sweat as my worst fears surfaced. I swallowed my worries about my Menyaka being discovered. I laughed nervously as I quickly approached Des, slid my arm around my brother's waist, and asked, "Why is everyone looking at me?" hushed between clenched teeth, hoping that not too many people would hear what I was saying to Desmond. Barely above a whisper, I caught Desmond mumbling, "Y-you were glowing." He looked at me like the cat was out of the bag, and the light in his eyes seemed to dim slightly. Panic gripped me as I stepped slightly behind Desmond's right shoulder like he was my shield. I tried to calm myself with slow breaths and reminded myself that no one knew I already had Kumu. I was recollecting myself to the best of my ability when I began to look around the room—quickly remembering that our birthday and ceremony may cause power to fluctuate through our bodies, giving me the upper hand to keep my secret between my brother and myself. A smirk formed where my frown once was, and I knew I could get out of this quickly.

I glanced at my parents standing in front of their respective thrones, who were also looking at me with wonder in their eyes and curiosity. I began to laugh nervously, which I tend to do when building confidence. My booming laughter caught everyone in a daze off guard. I steeled myself and remembered that Kumu said I could not run from my destiny, so I puffed up my chest, confidently stood next to my brother, and looked at the sermon council and my parent's heads. "I believe we can all agree that sometimes good things can take longer than we would like to surface?" I put on my charming Alpha appeal and sashayed my way just far enough away that I would have an escape but close enough to those in authority to show them my confidence in standing up for myself.

"Y-Young Dante, we apologize. We thought you wielded no powers, as humans bear no magic or Menyaka within their souls." The priest council bowed to me, and a smile crept on my face that I could not stifle. I see why Desmond is so interested in power. It feels good to have them eat their words, even if it was an accident that I was found out so quickly, but that does not mean they know about my Menyaka yet. A broad smile crept along my face as I tasted the first time being respected in over a year. It was almost intoxicating because I forgot what it was like to demand authority from others. It is a good reminder that sometimes we must remember that power can come to us at any age. I chuckled as I slowly began moving away from the throne and back toward the dining table we sat at before the sermon. "I may not have my Manyaka yet, but this shows that perhaps he is still dormant while my power flows into me on my special day." I smiled slyly at my brother as he looked at me approvingly. As I slowly approached Desmond, I felt a little relieved. "Yes, I agree with Dante. Perhaps today will turn the tables in his favor with the gods." My brother's soothing, gruff voice echoed in the hall, and we came face to face and nodded to one another. I continued walking back to the dining table.

Suddenly a wave of pain surged throughout my body, once more rippling pain I had never experienced. "Why is this happening, Kumu?" I asked my Menyaka through mental gasps of pain. Kumu chuckled, and as he did, my head felt like it would explode with his voice. "We are feeling the beginnings of our mate. Somehow, our mate is affecting us. But I do not know why we feel them so strongly unless our mate is close. Perhaps they have thoughts of rejecting us? I hope that is not the case for us." Kumu's voice slowly grew weaker, almost like it was becoming bearable to have him speak to me, which is why we usually did not talk to each other because he caused my whole body to feel like it was going to self-destruct when he tried to communicate with me. But if he is growing bearable, that also means he could be dying, which would result in turning into a Neubetu. My heart spiked again, and it was hammering into my rib cage. I grit my teeth and look around the dining hall to see that everyone has their focus back on the breakfast ceremony. Everyone was gathered at the buffet table as the council served them breakfast and conversated amongst themselves. I sighed inwardly and calmed my racing mind.

I contemplated which was more critical, focusing on keeping my Menyaka a secret or being discovered to find my mate and kill them before they could reject me. If that was my mate's intention, I do not know, but I could not let them live either if that were the case. I took deep breaths and fought the pain, doing my best not to let anyone notice my breathing became ragged, and my heart rate reached survival levels when the Menyakas became out of control of their vessel. I furrowed my brows, trying to concentrate on the pain. "Think, Dante, Think, or you will lose control." After ten or more deep breaths, the pain in my body seemed dull enough to finish what I needed to do before facing my mate. I will have to deal with those matters later. I will continue my mission and deal with my mate when I find them. I wondered if Desmond could feel the same before proceeding with our plans. I realized the focus was back on me again, and I grew a bit wary of the many eyes looking in my direction. I felt I would need to be a little more tactful this time. "I did not even do anything this time. Why is everyone's focus back on me?" Finding myself at the center of everyone's attention once again, I could feel my body shake in trepidation at what I would say to sway the crowd away from me. I looked over at Desmond as he approached me, holding a magical projection tool that he handed me upon arriving where I was standing. He smiled at me and said softly, "Don't worry, Dante, it's just time for us to make our announcements for the breakfast ceremony." soothing some of the worries that crept into the corners of my mind.