Beyond Chosen: The Alpha Fated Mate

The Mysterious Symbol

~Elvira~

I stepped into the modern bathroom in the room, the polished wall tiles reflected a version of myself I barely recognized.

Turning the handle the shower sprayed to life and enveloped me in steam.

As the hot water hit my skin, I finally let out a long held breath.

The heat melted the tension in my muscles washing away the dirt from my journey and the smell of the cell...i lathered my skin with the lavender and vanilla body wash and slowly began to feel normal again for a moment...

I tried wiping off the fog from the full-length mirror as a reflection caught my eye...I twisted around peering at my lower back to get a better view.

The symbol Lisa had mentioned was right there... a double circle containing two upside-down triangles was etched into my skin with precise lines looking more like a brand than a tattoo.

It pulsed with a faint glow that made my heart drop to my stomach.

I wonder where it had come from?

Was it really tied to my wolf showing up so late? Or was there something more to it.

I remembered the pain of my eighteenth birthday...the day I was supposed to shift but didn't...my stepfather’s disappointment had been brutal. “A disappointment, just like your mother,” he had spat and the abuse only escalated after that...

Driven by curiosity, I reached back to touch the mark.

The second my fingertips brushed the symbol a force of power surged through my veins, a loud whine pierced my ears...followed by a pain splitting my skull.

I doubled over gasping as tears blurred my vision.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun the pain vanished, leaving me trembling on the tile.

After my shower I dressed quickly in the soft clothes a young omega named Aria had left for me, she was kind and freckled, her gentle manner making me feel more like a guest than a prisoner...

She returned shortly with a tray of cooked meats and soft bread. I ate it all the food finally filling up my stomach.

"Thank you, Aria," I whispered where she stood watching.

She gave me a shy smile and left with the empty plates leaving me alone. The exhaustion of the last forty-eight hours finally won and I fell into a deep sleep on the bed.

A knock on the door woke me up.

The room was getting dark bathed in the blue shadows of evening.

"Rising from the dead, I see," a voice teased...

I sat up, rubbing my eyes when i saw Cole leaning on the doorframe.

He looked relaxed....his eyes filled with amusement.

"What time is it?" I asked my voice sounded raspy.

"Past seven. You’ve been out since lunch," Cole said sitting on the bed.

"I sent Aria to check on you. Did she take care of everything?"

"She was great. Thanks, Cole." I replied with a little hesitation watching him closely... "You know... you’ve been much kinder to me than the Alpha."

Cole’s expression turned serious... something like concern crossed his face. "No debts, Elvira. You looked like you were at your breaking point."

"What is his problem?" I blurted out unable to hold it back.

"Gabriel....You’re his Beta, I can feel your aura. You're his friend too but why is he like that?"

Cole’s eyes look like he was in deep thought.

"Gabriel is...complex... but he's a good Alpha...strong, fair, and protective of this pack. But he has demons, Elvira. Real ones... it's only fair he's guarded"

"Fair?" I snorted thinking of the cell. "What kind of demons anyway?"

Cole leaned in...his voice dropped to a whisper.

"Let’s just say he has a past that still haunts him...loss changes a man, especially an Alpha. He’s trying to handle it in his own way I guess..."

My mind whirled with questions...wondering if it involved his family or a past relationship.

Before I could ask, Cole’s eyes glazed over as he received a mind-link.

He stood up immediately the warmth vanished from his face.

"Something’s come up. I have to go."

"Wait.."

But he hurried out giving me an apologetic look before the door closed.

I was left alone in the silence processing everything.

Gabriel’s past... whatever demons like Cole just mentioned...the mysterious symbol on my skin and a fated mate bond between us that felt restrained and unwelcomed…