Fated By The Moon Goddess

Chapter Five: Hard Choices

Dominic

We were coming back from the annual werewolves' conference held in New York. I was already tired, so I decided to take a nap. I asked Jonathan to turn off the AC, so I could open the window. I love the smell of nature. Five minutes into my nap, I caught the smell of vanilla in the air—it was mixed with the woods. It’s very intoxicating, and I knew I had not smelled anything like that before.

“Stop the car,” I said to Jonathan, removing my seat belt.

He stopped without questioning my orders. The SUV following behind us stopped, too.

I stepped out of the car, likewise Jonathan. I instructed the rest of them to stay behind while I mind-linked Jonathan about my discovery.

Finding my mate was something I had always prepared for. Yet, it was something I wished would never happen in my lifetime. And I wondered what she was doing deep in the woods.

“Could she be a rogue?” Jonathan said through the mindlink, as if reading my mind.

“Let’s find out,” I said, leading the way as I followed the scent. I knew it was very likely she wasn't a rogue based on the way she smelled.

I saw her lying on the floor, her arms protecting her face from the rogue that was about to attack her. I rushed towards him, dragged him by the neck, and gave him several punches across the face. He was a bit difficult to handle, and I didn't plan to shift before my mate at our first meeting. So, Jonathan and I joined hands to punch him at intervals before he could think of shifting or anything. I handed him over to Jonathan, turning to face my mate, only to see her staring back at us, bewildered at the sight before her.

Jonathan knocked the rogue out. I was sure he would die. She stood up and walked slowly towards us as if she were watching her steps.

“Mate,” I said in a low growl, trying to keep it in, so I wouldn’t scare her away.

I wanted to tell her more, but I knew I had no choice but to take her to the pack, in case eyes were watching. I could sense her fear the moment she heard the growl and saw my eyes change from hazel to gold. Lifting her off the ground was not a big deal. Compared to the weight I lift, she was way too light.

“My name is Lila, a mermaid from the Pacific, third princess of the mermaid queen.” She stretched forth her hand for a handshake.

If she weren’t my mate, I knew how angry I’d have gotten based on her actions. But my wolf wouldn’t even allow me to get angry at her for long, or maybe it was the mate bond.

After giving me a piece of her mind, I figured it was best to assure her she was safe with me, and no one would hurt her. But the way she shrugged and just faced the window made me know that she was yet to believe me.

After a while, she fell asleep. She must have been very tired. I used that opportunity to take in her features; she was blessed with a round shape that made her look younger than her age (even though I didn't know her age yet), and her small but luscious lips that kept drawing me in. I remembered how drawn I was to her eyes, too. I had seen several people with blue eyes, but there was something different about hers; it wasn't just captivating but also felt hypnotic at the same time. I have to admit that her creator did take his time to create her, and her long hair that falls below her waist didn't go unnoticed either. I knew the moon goddess wouldn’t give me someone less perfect as a mate, but the fact that she’s human made things more complicated, and the f*****g prophecy too. I knew that I was going to reject her.

That was the reason why I never looked for my mate in the first place, knowing it would be pointless.

I was brought out of my thoughts when she started thrashing in her sleep. I tapped her arm,

“Lila,”

“Don’t touch me!” She screamed, and a tear fell from her face.

“I think she’s having a bad dream,” Jonathan said, watching us from the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, I will try again.” So I proceeded to touch her arm again.

“I said, don’t touch me!” She screamed again, but she opened her eyes this time.

“Are you okay?” I asked, feeling extremely concerned.

“Sorry, I had a bad dream.” I saw the fear in her eyes as she spoke. And I got angry. I couldn't ask what her dream was about or who was trying to touch her. And it hurt more that I might never figure it out, since we wouldn't cross paths again after I rejected her.

Her reaction when Drian ran towards us was hilarious, but I had to keep myself from laughing. I was sure she was now convinced that I was indeed a werewolf, so I wouldn't need to talk much again.

I told her she was my soulmate the moment we got to my house. For some reason, she seemed not to have anything against it.

“I, Dominic Ashbane, reject Lila Rowan as my mate.” I tried not to show how hurt I was by my actions and words. Even my wolf was screaming at me inside, but he knew better than anyone the damage accepting her as my mate would do.

I saw the hurt in her eyes when I told her why I didn’t want her as my mate. I wished I could tell her I was lying, that I wanted her so badly, and that I was attracted to her.

“I accept your rejection, there’s no way I’d want to be with a werewolf.” Maybe I was wrong about her feelings being hurt. She probably just hated the fact that I rejected her first. But I guess accepting it was easy for her, since she wasn’t a werewolf, she couldn’t feel the pain of rejection.

I felt our bond sever the moment she left, and it was the most heartbreaking feeling I’ve ever had.

******

I couldn’t sleep at night. I remember what Jonathan said Juliana had said to Lila. I scolded Juliana, but the deed was done already. Lila must have taken us for bad people. I wondered how she was feeling, since I was feeling quite bad and my wolf was restless as well.

I went on doing the normal things I do on a regular day; signing documents, playing with the pups, training with the warriors, checking up on my family, and getting some work done.

I was back in my room after taking a bath around 7:30pm when I felt Jonathan in my head, trying to mindlink me. I allowed him.

“Alpha, one of our information sources, called some minutes ago…” He paused.

“Some rogues are seen hiding in the woods around Lila’s workplace.” He finished off.

“Did you investigate? They are not after her, right?” Of course, I sent someone to watch her closely in case any harm comes to her. I’d be able to protect her. But I hoped it wasn’t what I thought it was.

“Our man spotted them at 5pm, sending a letter to the hospital. He finally managed to get his hands on the letter Lila had thrown in the dustbin. It was a letter asking her to meet in the woods by 8 pm, and the sender wrote your name as the sender.” s**t!

“How long will it take us to get there by car?” I asked him. My wolf was getting agitated.

“45 minutes,” he replied.

"Then, let's run!"