“No, I mean, it’s what I usually heard from the people when I was in the ware-“ She immediately stopped talking as she almost mentioned the warehouse. A place is known for slavery and trading. A place where Sam chose her.
“Where what?” Confusion was visible in the woman’s eyes.
“I mean, it’s the thing that I usually heard."
“It’s a fact.” The woman agreed.
Kirsty tried to suppress a smile because she knew deep inside her that she met the one who was destined for her by the moon goddess, but it was not what she was expecting, probably because of her status in society. She knew and noticed that the man she met on the ranch is not an ordinary one. She could feel the authority in his aura that intimated her as she looked into the man’s deep gray eyes.
Before she proceeded on asking the woman the question that was bothering her for quite some time, she made a glance at the man who was waiting outside the house. Rodolfo was still standing; however, he did not look in their direction and was tapping his feet on the rag. The man heard what they were talking about inside and he doesn’t have the courage to continue looking at them.
"Uhm... does everybody have their mate?" Kirsty cautiously posed the question, her voice betraying a mix of curiosity and personal concern. She couldn't help but wonder if her own situation as a rogue would complicate the search for a mate, or if there were exceptions to this rule within their community.
Kirsty was having second thoughts about asking this since this is about her life. About being a rogue and having a mate.
Chloe, sensing the weight behind Kirsty's inquiry, offered a reassuring smile before responding. "Yeah, definitely. The concept of having a mate is deeply ingrained in our werewolf culture. It's believed that everyone is destined to find their mate, regardless of their status or background."
“Even rogues?” She tried to act as if what she asked were some burning questions she had in mind, rather than let them appear to be personal ones.
Chloe followed Kirsty's gaze and let out a soft sigh before continuing.
"Even rogues are not exempt from the mate bond. The moon goddess has a way of guiding us, connecting us with our destined partners. It may take a bit longer for rogues, given the nature of our lifestyle, but the belief remains that each of us is granted a mate."
“She is fair to everyone.” She looked at the burning woods, she let herself get drowned in the beauty of each ash that fell down the ground, and suddenly felt a growl in her stomach.
“She is generous.” Chloe looked at the woman who was in front of her. Although she just met Kirsty, she couldn’t explain the familiar emotions and feelings that she had for the woman. It was like their paths have crossed a long time ago, and she was doing her best to remember if they did meet.
Kirsty leaned in, her curiosity piqued by Chloe's response. Rejection was a topic that had been lingering in her mind, and she was eager to gain more insight into the intricacies of the mate bond. She wanted to understand the boundaries and consequences that accompanied such a profound connection.
"Chloe... last question," Kirsty began, her voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
Chloe chuckled, clearly amused by Kirsty's persistence. "Yes, go on before Rodolfo calls for my name again. What do you want to know about rejection?"
Kirsty took a deep breath, steadying herself before delving into the heart of her inquiry. "Rejection of a mate. When can you say that you are rejected by your mate?"
“Rejection of what? Mate?”
“Yeah, when can you say that you are rejected by your mate?”
Chloe's expression turned thoughtful, her gaze drifting momentarily as she considered the question.
"Ah, that's quite specific, Kirsty. When it comes to mating, it's believed to be a gift from the moon goddess herself. However, if either person involved wishes to sever the connection, they have the ability to do so by uttering a specific phrase."
Kirsty leaned in closer, her ears attuned to every word that Chloe spoke.
"A phrase? What kind of phrase?" Her heart started to beat faster as she tried to recall the exact words that the man said in front of her face.
Chloe's eyes met Kirsty's, her voice tinged with a sense of gravity.
"It's a phrase of rejection, a conscious declaration that severs the bond between two mates. The individual wishing to sever the bond would say, 'I, followed by their own name, reject, stating the name of their mate, as my mate.' It's a solemn acknowledgment of their decision to reject the mate bond and relinquish the connection."
"That phrase?" Kirsty's voice held a tinge of surprise and confusion as she processed the weight behind the words. The notion that one could simply declare their rejection of a mate, but be burdened with the enduring consequences and heartache, struck her deeply.
"Yes, but...the pain of rejecting a mate is unbearable," the woman explained, her voice filled with a somber tone. Kirsty could sense the gravity of her words, realizing that this was not a decision to be taken lightly. The consequences of rejecting a mate reached far beyond emotional turmoil alone.
The woman continued, sharing a painful truth that left Kirsty feeling a knot of compassion in her chest. "Weaker ones even died because of rejection," she revealed, her voice tinged with sorrow. It was a heartbreaking revelation, highlighting the profound impact that such a choice could have on an individual's well-being.
"That's horrible," Kirsty replied, her voice tinged with empathy and disbelief at the idea of rejecting one's destined mate.
“More than that, I couldn’t fathom the idea that someone would reject the one destined for them. It’s a completely absurd idea to think of.” The woman just shrugged.
Kirsty remained silent upon formulating her confirmation that the man she met in the ranch didn’t reject her and she has a mate. A member of the pack, to be exact.
Kirsty's curiosity got the best of her as she inquired further about the rejection phrase mentioned by the woman. She couldn't help but wonder if there were any other ways to decline a potential mate, or if this particular phrase held a special significance.
She realized that it was not the exact phrase that her mate uttered in front of her face.
"Is that the only phrase to utter as a way of rejecting the mate?" Kirsty asked, her voice tinged with a mix of intrigue and apprehension. She shifted her gaze away, avoiding direct eye contact as she anticipated the woman's response.
The woman's interest was piqued, and she leaned forward slightly, seemingly eager to unravel the reason behind Kirsty's inquiry. "Yes, it's a powerful phrase, one that carries great weight and meaning in our traditions. It signifies a firm rejection, a decision to not pursue the mate bond. Wait, wait. Don't tell me that you were rejected. Or did you reject someone?" Her words came out in a rush, a mixture of concern and curiosity evident in her tone.
The woman was about to stand from her seat, but Kirsty was too fast in debunking the questions.
Kirsty's immediate reaction was to dismiss any assumption of personal involvement. She didn't want the woman to jump to conclusions or make assumptions about her own experiences. Swiftly, she shook her head and responded.
"No... I just asked about it." Her tone was composed, masking any potential hints of vulnerability or unease that might have crept into her emotions.
“So…are you mated?” Chloe asked her again.
“No.”
“But did it happen that you find your mate here?”
“No no...” She lied about it.
A part of her feel glad about the encounter but she was not ready for it. She was not ready to meet the man again and feel the longing for his touch. She was not ready to face the consequences of her existence inside the pack and the fact that she was using the aid of the ring as a way of deceiving them that she was a member instead. She was afraid of getting rejected by her mate, upon knowing who her real identity is. It’s prejudicial, but rogues don’t have good reputations.
"I knew a few here who are not mated yet, of course, including the Alpha," Chloe began, addressing Kirsty's query. The mention of the Alpha piqued Kirsty's interest, as she had assumed that the Alpha would already be in a committed mate bond due to his esteemed position. Questions started swirling in her mind, prompting her to seek further information about this renowned Alpha in their country.
"The Alpha?" Kirsty inquired, seeking clarification. She had imagined the Alpha as an older and experienced individual, given the authority and leadership they held within the pack.
Chloe paused for a moment, contemplating how to best explain the situation.
"Yes, the Alpha is currently unmated," she confirmed. Sensing Kirsty's curiosity, Chloe continued, "Finding a mate is a deeply personal and intricate journey for each werewolf. It's not something that happens overnight or according to a strict timeline. Sometimes, it takes time for the right connection to be made."
"But why?" she pressed further, genuinely intrigued by the unconventional circumstances surrounding the Alpha's love life.
“What do you mean why?”
“He’s the Alpha yet he’s unmated…”
“Oh, lady. Everything takes time. The Luna is not yet here…” And the woman sighed.
"Is he old?" she inquired, unable to contain her curiosity any longer. The assumption of an older Alpha had shaped her perceptions, and she sought to unravel the truth behind it.
“Who?”
“The Alpha.”
Chloe's snort of laughter caught Kirsty by surprise, causing her to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"No, he's as old as Sam," Chloe replied, her amusement evident in her voice. Kirsty realized that her assumptions about the Alpha's age had been incorrect, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and intrigue.
The man that she was imagining to be an old one turned out to be a young one as the beta of the pack. It means that he looks younger than she perceived. He was the youngest Alpha ever seated and notoriously known for f*****g whoever she-wolf he wanted.
Kirsty sat there in silence, her mind reeling with the weight of the information that had just been shared. It seemed that the conversation she had been engrossed in with Chloe had drawn them both so deeply that they hadn't noticed Rodolfo's departure from his seat. The room fell quiet, with only the faint sounds of distant chatter and the clinking of glasses filling the air.
“Oh…I’m hungry. You can wait here, and I will let someone deliver your food or you can come with me to my house?”
The idea of stepping foot in their household was not on her plans and she wanted to decline the offer immediately even if she was also starving.
"I am not yet hungry…" Kirsty replied politely, her appetite seemingly suppressed by the overwhelming emotions and thoughts swirling within her.
"Oh, I see," the woman responded with a hint of understanding. "Rodolfo just walked away, for the meantime, you can check the house for yourself, and food supplies were already in the cabinet in the kitchen."
Kirsty nodded, grateful for the woman's suggestion. She needed some time alone to gather her thoughts and process everything that had transpired. The prospect of exploring the house felt both comforting and daunting. It would provide her with a space of her own, a temporary sanctuary where she could reflect on her recent experiences and try to make sense of the newfound knowledge about herself and her place in the world.
"Thank you," Kirsty sincerely expressed her gratitude, appreciating the woman's kindness and consideration during this overwhelming time.
"It's nothing," the woman responded, a warm smile gracing her face. "I have to go, Kirsty. And we will visit you here later, together with Sam."
As the door closed and the woman's presence dissipated, Kirsty found herself standing alone in her house, the weight of the day's events settling upon her shoulders. She took a moment to absorb the stillness that enveloped the room, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions and revelations that had consumed her.