Seven Mates

Blood Doesn’t Forget.

“I’ve done my part,” I said, holding back irritation. “The food’s cooked.”

“But the people it’s meant for aren’t here,” he said mockingly. “Shouldn’t you check if they even know it’s ready? Or do you expect them to stumble upon it?”

“Even a dog gets called for his food,” Caspian added, making everyone laugh. Jeremy nearly choked.

Serves him right.

“I didn’t tell them to leave,” I muttered.

“You’re not some clueless girl,” Cario slowly snapped. “You should’ve told them. Go call them.”

“f**k’s sake,” Olcan groaned. “Just stop complaining and do it. You’re stressing us out.”

“I’m not stressing anyone. I’m the one stressed. I cooked all this damn food and—”

“Oh, shut up.” Cario rolled his eyes. “Go call them.”

“I’m not going,” I said firmly and turned to leave.

“Either sit down or go get them. Your choice.” Jeremy’s voice came lightly. “What are you doing, hybrid?”

I froze.

They knew.

“You thought we didn’t?” He said behind me. “We’re not that stupid, dummy.”

I stood still, facing away.

“Walk down the hall,” Jeremy said. “Five rooms in, then the sixth is Griffith’s. The eighth is our leader’s. He knows you’re here. Call him.”

“Bring him?” Caspian laughed. “Better not let Clyde hear that.”

Boiling with anger, I stormed off to deliver their damn message.

It wasn't Jeremy, calling me a hybrid that shocked me. It was the tone of his voice that rushed my veins. I don't know what that means.

It just felt strange.

I was already exhausted when I finally reached the room. The door cracked down the middle, like a giant animal had clawed it. Something about it made my stomach twist.

Then I heard Griffith’s voice.

“Don’t do this to me, Clyde.”

Clyde? Who was Clyde?

“You can’t do this to me. I don’t give a damn about that stupid hybrid or Omega, or whatever the hell she calls herself. I don’t want her.”

Huh??

"I only did it with her because you told me to, not because I wanted to. So, I’m being honest now. You’re the one I want, Clyde. I’d carry the world for you. I’d do anything. Just say the word.”

My heart skipped. Who was he talking to? I glanced behind me to check. If I had the right room. Yes. This was Griffith’s. But who was there with him? Why was the room so dark, like it swallowed everything? I couldn’t even see the other person… couldn’t hear their voice either.

Just Griffith’s.

“I don’t care about her,” Griffith continued. “I only love you. Get rid of that b***h. She’s useless to us.”

Was… was he talking about me?

That bastard.

I moved closer to the door, trying to hear more, until I felt a warm breath against my neck.

I spun.

Griffith stood right behind me, his eyes shadowed and cold. His shirt was loose and rumpled like… like he’d just had s*x or something.

My heartbeat pounded.

“What are you doing here? How did you even get here?” I gasped. “You scared the crap out of me!”

His voice turned sharp. “Who gave you permission to eavesdrop on my conversation? What makes you think you can sneak around behind my back?”

“I didn’t sneak around—”

He cut me off. “Then why the hell are you standing in front of my room? Who even are you?”

“Please… don’t insult me. I was just sent to call you. I heard nothing you were saying, only that you were speaking to someone, that’s all.”

I thought I heard giggling behind me.

Then Griffith pointed toward the hallway, and I saw them. All of them. Shadows in the dark, laughing quietly like they'd just watched a play.

Why are they laughing?

Now it made sense.

This was all a game to them.

“Go eat your damn food and leave me alone,” Griffith said coldly. “Don’t compare me to you. Get out of my face before I destroy you so badly you won’t recognize your own reflection.”

Their laughter rose. Griffith’s words cut like blades, and fury bubbled inside me.

“What a pathetic slut,” he spat.

I didn’t say a word. I just stared at him down… and walked away. Screw him for humiliating me like that. Have I really become a joke to these Alphas?

I returned to the dining room. They sat there calmly, eating, as if nothing had happened. But after a full minute of silence, they all burst into laughter, like they’d been holding it in, waiting for the moment.

Jeremy was laughing so hard he fell out of his chair. “You should’ve seen the look on her face when Griffith tore into her.”

The rage inside me nearly made me lose it.

“I need more food,” Cario said, shoving his plate at me. It hit the edge and crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.

“Oops,” he said mockingly. “Guess you need to bring me another plate, and refill it, of course.”

The fury burned hotter. Poisoning these Alphas didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

“Hurry,” he ordered.

He ordered me.

“I want another one too,” Jeremy added with a wink.

“I’m not doing it,” I said, my voice low but firm.

“What the hell is going on in here?” an unfamiliar voice snapped. “Why is there so much noise?”

I froze.

The presence was immediate. Icy, dark, overwhelming. My bones felt it first. Skin crawled. My breath caught in my throat. Why couldn’t I turn to face him?

Why was my body trembling?

Something about him felt… familiar. Too familiar. And terrifying.

A shiver raced down my spine.

Suddenly—

“Who are those people?”

The voice came out of nowhere. A man sat high above, eyes narrowed from a moving cart. I barely saw his face. His voice was recognizable. I heard noises. Drums. People dancing.

“And why do they look like that?”

A shadow beside him answered. “They’re old, my Alpha.”

“Old?” A pause. “What do you mean… old?”

Wind howls.

“What… was that?” I whispered.

I came back to reality when a scent hit me—sharp and intoxicating. It was the same scent I’d picked up earlier in the room… where someone had been sucking him off.

“It’s Rudina,” Jeremy said, smiling like a rat. “She doesn’t want to be taught anything.”

The man didn’t speak, but I felt his eyes on me, burning, powerful. Was he going to hurt me?

Was he my mate? No. I shouldn't ask that question. He was.

Then, sharp pain exploded in my head. My vision blurred. A flicker of memories? A face I’d never seen before flashed through my mind.

I gasped, struggling to breathe. Was it… s****l tension? Or something else? I’ve had enough. I couldn’t take this anymore. When did I become their maid? Their joke? Am I bonding with this alpha?

His presence is choking me. I feel so much in my bones, just by him watching me. What were those words I just heard?