The Scarred Alpha’s Mate

FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR.

ELARA

Immediately Wilder left, I turned to the mirror, and began inspecting myself.

I close my eyes, remembering the attack. Tears well up in my face as I remember how the guards threw me out. I was always nice to them. I fed them. I was a good person to everyone in Raventhorn, and they threw me to my death. I still don’t understand how Rogues were at the border. The border is usually patrolled every hour of the night, but somehow, the rangers were gone, and the rogues attacked immediately I got there, almost as if it was coordinated.

The memory of the attack is visceral. I’ll forever hear how loud it was when my ribs cracked. The pain sank in when they shoved their claws deep into me. It makes no sense! I should be dead. How am I still alive? How am I mated to a cursed alpha? How?

I close my eyes and fall to my knees.

“Dear Goddess, I am not one to question your doings, but I am confused,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face.

“I have been abandoned by my home. I have been tossed aside and left to die. I have been ruined and betrayed. I don’t know what to do. I … I don’t know who I am now. Please, show me the way. Please, please, help me.” I cry softly, my shoulders shaking.

“So, you’re a believer.”

My eyes open immediately, and I jump up.

There’s an older woman in the room. She has hair as white as snow and a warm expression on her face.

“Do not be afraid, dear. I’m Madame Nyra.” She says, hands folded behind her.

I do not speak, staring at her, suspicious and confused.

“We are believers here, too. We know the Moon Goddess is watching, and she takes care of her own. Ever heard of the legend?” She asks softly, and I frown, “What legend? There are many”

“According to the old books, it is believed that every generation, the Moon Goddess blesses a servant with divine powers. They become touched by divinity, and their deepest strength shows forth as a gift. For you, with all I’ve heard, you’re very kind, taking care of children, praying when others do not, being steadfast in faith, so your strength may have been turned into powers.” She explains softly.

My eyes widen, and I shake my head, “That … that’s just a story mothers tell their daughters.”

“I thought the same, too, until Wilder brought you in half dead less than twelve hours ago, and now, you’re here, healed. Your ribs should have taken weeks to heal. Your heart would have taken longer, but you stand before me, no physical pain.” She whispers passionately. “People are talking, Elara, and we are not stupid. You obviously do not know the extent of your strength, but I am sure in time, you will. You have been touched by divinity, Elara, blessed by the Moon Goddess. The question is – what do you want to do with your gift?”

I feel him, before I see him.

My wolf jerks awake. Goosebumps break over my body, and Wilder storms in.

“How did it go?” Madame Nyra asks him with a frown.

He looks at me as he responds, “They do not want you back. I have done what is expected of me, and now, you belong to me.”

My chest caves in, and the air thins to nothing. I can barely breathe, overwhelmed by Madame Nyra’s hypothesis, and now, his words. Tears well up in my eyes again, and I almost collapse to the ground. This cannot be my life now. Oh, no.

“Excuse us, Madame.” He commands, and she leaves.

He shuts the door behind her and walks to me.

I should run. I should try to fight him off, but I am so tired.

“I am not going to hurt you, Elara.” He assures me and takes my hand.

Lightning runs down my spine, and I gasp in shock. I find myself leaning into him, into the bond. I don’t try to fight it. It’s more powerful than me. My heart pounds hard, and he wraps his arm around my hips. My throat closes up. Warmth seeps into me. It feels like everything has aligned.

“There’s a reason the Moon Goddess mated us, Elara, and it’s time to see what you can do.” He rasps, takes my hand and places it on his chest. “Heal me, Elara. Give it a try.” He pleads.

I feel his heart beating beneath my palm. It beats in sync with mine, but the rhythm is faltered, broken.

I take a closer look at him, at his ruin and rot. The left side of his face is covered in grime. His left eye has glossed over, covered by a layer of fog. I play my hand on his cheek, and shockingly, it feels alive, pulsing beneath my palm.

I close my eyes and stifle a groan as waves of his pain crash into me. It’s a flood, a tsunami, and I am powerless against it. I don’t know how to use this gift, but I am going to try. I don’t stop, not even as my entire body is overwhelmed by agony.

Then, I start to fall into an endless pit. He doesn’t let me fall. His hold on me is bruising, a growl in his chest, and a word on his lip, “Mine.”