THE MATE I NEVER CHOSE

Chapter 4

**Mika’s POV**

“Mate!”

We both screamed, and I passed out.

---

**A few moments earlier**

I was still lying in my room, rotting in my thoughts, when the door suddenly opened.

A grinning Dave walked in with someone beside him.

“Look,” he said stupidly, blushing deeply. “Meet my soulmate.”

I turned to face the so-called soulmate. He was beautiful. Stunning, even. He was also staring at me, studying me with a curious gaze.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Loka. Dave almost talked my ear off about his amazing best friend.” His voice was smooth, nothing like mine, which sounded like a broken truck.

My heart clenched bitterly. I forced down the sudden urge to separate them and smiled warmly.

“Hope he didn’t say anything stupid. He can be a handful sometimes,” I replied, standing up to make space for Loka.

Dave already edged closer and made himself comfortable. Loka kept glancing around my room. I caught a brief flash of disgust on his face.

“So what brings you to my humble abode?” I asked, clearing my throat.

“We’re going to the club to celebrate my mate,” Dave grinned.

I stared at him. “You have to be kidding me. The last time we went to a club, you abandoned me and left me to fend for myself in the middle of three hundred people. My scrawny ass looked completely awkward. I’m not going.”

He started whining. “I promise that won’t happen this time. I even invited our other friends. They’re all coming.”

My heart started beating faster. It had been a while since I last saw those guys. They bullied me because of my height, and sometimes it got physical. Dave knew nothing about it.

“Why did you invite them? I told you I don’t feel comfortable around them. They look creepy.”

“They’re okay, I assure you. I want you to be comfortable with each other. You’re my best friend, and I want them to be your friends too.” He gave me his best puppy-dog face.

“If you’re inviting yours, then I’m inviting Sarah. She’s my friend,” I smirked.

His eyes darkened immediately. “That girl is a pure witch. I don’t know what I did to her in a past life to deserve this hate. She attacks me whenever I open my mouth. I don’t think she should be there.”

“If she’s not going, then I’m not going.” I stood up suddenly and headed for the bathroom. Loka followed me. He had been quiet the entire conversation. I wondered what he was thinking.

“Mika,” he called. “Do you love Dave?”

My heart was thundering. I managed a breathless laugh and raised my hands, shaking my head. “What do you mean? Me? Liking Dave? As a best friend, yes. As a lover? That’s a big no.”

He scoffed, shedding his polite mask a little. “I could smell the jealousy on you when he introduced me as his mate.”

“Okay, my best friend brought someone home. Can’t I be a little jealous?” I asked.

“Whatever you’re feeling, keep it to yourself. He can never love you.” His expression changed completely. “Because he is mine.”

He pushed me by the shoulder and walked out, putting his mask back on.

My shoulders sagged. My hands trembled. I looked at my reflection and asked what had given me away.

“Your emotions,” it replied. “It’s been a rollercoaster — the fight with him, him finding his mate, your parents not even noticing you were bleeding. When he brought Loka over this morning, you broke.”

“What can I do now? Loka knows I’m in love with Dave.”

“Do nothing. Let nature take its course,” it answered.

Talking to my reflection had started when I was ten. It began with curious glances. Now we had full conversations. I didn’t care if people called me crazy.

“Mika! We have to get there on time. What are you doing in there, tending to a baby?” Dave called.

I splashed cold water on my pale face, quickly changed clothes, and stepped out.

“Let’s go.”

I texted Sarah the location of the club, and we left in Dave’s car.

I already regretted the decision before we even stepped inside. Chaos reigned everywhere — bodies clinging to each other, sweat, and the heavy smell of metal and alcohol.

We entered our booth and I immediately saw the two I dreaded most sitting at the edge, glaring at me mockingly.

“And who do we have here?” Jack’s voice echoed in the small space.

“Congratulations, Dave!” the others greeted. Dave smiled, looking proud.

Loka stood beside him, blushing. Looking at his innocent expression now, I could barely connect him to the guy who had bared his teeth at me that morning. I shook my head and sat down.

Drinks were served quickly. I didn’t trust those guys, so I didn’t take anything — not even water — while I watched the rest of them drink without a care.

Dave was already drunk. His mate looked a bit tipsy, face flushed.

“I need to use the restroom,” I told Dave. He mumbled something incoherent. Loka just smiled. The others were nowhere in sight.

I exhaled in relief when I didn’t see Jack or Jake. Sarah was on her way. But my relief was short-lived.

I had just finished and was washing my hands when I heard their voices.

“Are you done, my princess?” Jake’s voice came from one of the stalls.

I tried to leave, but Jack gripped my arm.

“Your body fits us perfectly. You’re made for this.”

“You both are sick. Leave me alone.” I struggled against them, already trembling.

“If you won’t do it willingly, we’ll help you.”

Jake held me down while Jack forced a liquid into my mouth. I tried to turn my head away, but their grip was too strong.

“Don’t worry. We won’t start yet. You’ll be the one begging us yourself.” They stepped back and watched me greedily.

My skin crawled with disgust. The liquid was already working. I started panting, wanting to throw up, but nothing came. Then the urge to get rid of my clothes grew stronger. I started whining, wanting to touch myself.

They moved closer again. Everywhere they touched burned, and I hated that I wanted more.

The door opened. A man staggered in.

All the blood in my body seemed to rush downward at the sound of his voice.

“Leave him alone.”

His dominance alone was enough to scare them. They fled like the cowards they were.

His scent — like nature itself — pulled me toward him.

“Mate!” we both shouted.

I fainted, my body already clinging to him.