CURSED TO BE HIS MATE

chapter 12

“The elders summoned you,” a voice crackled, opening the wrenched door.

I didn’t talk. Just waking up with my eyes drenched—I’ve never known true happiness. Not since Kade. He was my crush, now my mate, but still the one who causes me the most pain.

I didn’t bother to change my clothes as I made my way to the elders. I found them in the throne room—twenty-four of them. They’re considered the wisest, the most respected.

Kade sat at his bloodthirsty throne with a skull at the seat to represent his killing nature. He sat there blindfolded from the elders’ look. I could tell they did not approve of Kade either.

“You do not seem ready,” elder number one, one of the oldest, spoke from his still-built body. I could tell she used to be a warrior.

“Give the little girl a break, it's her first time,” one of the she-wolves spoke with a chilly smile, looking at me.

“You didn’t even greet us?” another voice criticized.

I swallowed my saliva, praying the ground could split in half so I could hide myself until the nightmare was over.

“I… I'm… sorry… I didn’t know,” I stammered, as the Alpha let out a mocking smile. I swear I could jump on his face and show him—give him a reason not to play with my heart again.

“They called you here for vetting. Apparently, my choice isn't enough reason for them to qualify you as Luna,” Kade spoke, his fingers tapping at his throne.

“Vetting?” I asked, coughing immediately, choking on my words.

“Yes, Azren,” one of the elders said.

“Correction—Luna. No one dares call her by her name,” Kade spoke, breaking a sweat at the elder, but I let out a smile, hoping to break the awkwardness.

“The priestess will choose which test you’ll go through. There’s spiritual and physical—you’ll have to go through both,” the first elder spoke, as it appeared the rest were scared of Kade.

“Stop all of this!” Tasha screamed, entering the room.

“I’m sorry, I tried to stop her,” one of Kade’s men spoke, entering right behind her, but Kade waved him off, dismissing him.

“What are you doing here? Weren’t you told this is a no-disturbance zone?” Kade spoke. I crossed my fingers, hoping she would be kicked out.

“You can’t vet her as the Luna because I’m pregnant for you. I’m carrying your pup!” Tasha spoke.

The words put me in a motionless zone, not knowing what to do. A statue—that’s what the words made me. I couldn’t cry, so I just let out a tear, looking at Kade, who didn’t look surprised by this.

“Impossible,” I spoke, my heart aching.

“Why are you shocked? He didn’t mark you—not yet. If he did, you wouldn’t have to go through all this process,” she spoke.

“Liar,” she whispered, finally coming back to who knows where.

“Alpha, what’s your decision?” one of the elders turned to him.

Kade looked emotionless, very calm, almost like he didn’t see anything that happened in the room.

“The vetting continues,” he said, adjusting his sitting position.

“With who, Alpha?” one of the elders spoke.

“I have only one mate. What do you mean with who?” he asked. My stupid heart felt good by his words, forgetting his betrayal for some seconds.

“She’s carrying your pup. There’s no way you can abandon her,” another elder spoke.

“Let the mirror decide for you and us. A Luna is not only for your pleasure but also for us,” the first elder spoke.

“Sure, bring in the mirror. But whatever it says, she stays!” Kade spoke. His words gave me confidence as I looked over at Tasha, who looked devastated and worried.

“What’s wrong, Tasha? Cat caught your tongue?” I asked as she looked dumbfounded. She didn’t react, only rubbing her hands on her unformed bump.

The mirror was brought. I’ve often heard it chooses the right Luna when the Alpha couldn’t make a decision. Tasha was his choice, but he forcefully picked me. I wasn’t the one to stop his curse since I just cheated death—not stopped it.

The two lines on my wrist appeared again. I didn’t know what this meant, but it looked like I might need it very soon.

“Step in front of the mirror,” the elders ordered. I moved forward, going to the mirror while shaking and unconfident. What if it refuses me?

“Not you, Azren. Tasha, step forward,” Kade ordered, and though shaken, Tasha stepped in front of the mirror.

I didn’t know how it was confirmed, but since the mirror faced the elders, I had no way to tell if it accepted her or not. But by her standing in front of the mirror, her whole form would be revealed—and for a pack in which magic is forbidden, it won’t be taken lightly.

“Luna, step forward,” Kade spoke, as Tasha stepped aside, her eyes full of doubts and the fear of the unknown.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and for a second she was seen, but then she disappeared, and I saw myself—fully crowned, seated next to Kade. He was fully healed, happy and joyful. His eyes cleared out like the curse was over. I zoomed in on my stomach, and I had a bump.

I touched my real stomach to confirm, but I wasn’t pregnant. It appeared like I was living in Tasha’s dream.

“Step aside,” the first elder spoke.

Then whispers started as Kade sat there, not shaken, like he already knew whatever was going to happen.

“Are you sure?” the elders asked, each of them shaking their head, all facing the first elder.

“Tasha, can you give us privacy?” the main elder spoke, and though reluctant, she left the room—not sure of what the elders saw, but I wanted to see it. Did they see her for her true self?

“Luna, your trial will begin at night. For us to be fully sure, you’ll go through two tests,” they spoke.

I was approved—but what are the tests? Kade sat there, not talking or making any gestures. Probably, he was thinking about the night he spent with Tasha that made her pregnant.

At this point, I’m not looking forward anymore to Kade liking me back. I just want to end the curse and come out alive.

“Go and rest—you’ll need it,” the female elder spoke again. Her smile reminded me of Linda’s.

I walked out of the room, betrayed but strong, Tasha already flaunting her belly to everyone she met. Since the topic was about her and how she’d overthrow me to become the Luna, even the maids whispered about it as they moved, not caring if I’d hear or not.

I felt so stupid. But this wasn’t about Kade anymore—it was about me too. I’ll do this for me, not for him. And I’ll get revenge on him when the time is right.