Unclaimed Fate

Pain of reality

ASHER’S POV

I feel upset that Alpha Patrick demanded an answer from me instead of simply asking what I wanted. But I hide my anger—this isn’t the time to lose my cool.

"I’m not going to beat around the bush," I say calmly. "I want to get straight to the point," I add in a serious tone.

Alpha Patrick listens quietly, which surprises me since I didn’t expect him to have any patience at all. "I know you’re aware that I’m your mate. My question is, why didn’t you claim me as your mate last night?"

"You’re not my mate," he replies as soon as I finish speaking.

"I’m completely sure I am. Last night, I saw your wolf calling out to mine," I argue, feeling a bit frustrated that he’s denying it.

"You’re one of those girls, aren’t you?" he asks.

"One of those girls? What do you mean?" I ask, totally confused. What is he talking about?

"You’re one of those girls who say they’re my mate just to get the Luna’s title in the strongest pack in the world," he says harshly.

He steps out from behind his desk, speaking harshly.

"How dare you accuse me!" I shout, finally letting my anger and frustration spill out. "I’m not after the Luna’s title!" How could he even think that?

"That’s what the last girl said," he replies mockingly. I can tell he’s making this up, which only makes me angrier.

"If you don’t want me as your mate, just say it!" I challenge him. "You don’t need to come up with ridiculous excuses to push me away! If you’re brave enough—"

"I don’t want you as my mate," he says calmly, cutting me off before I can finish.

My heart feels like it’s been stabbed with a dull, rusty sword when I hear those words.

I fight to keep the pain hidden because he doesn’t deserve to see how much it hurts me. I’m ready to say something just as hurtful, but he doesn’t give me the chance.

"I hope you got the answers you were looking for. Now, it’s time for you to go," he says coldly, walking over to me, grabbing my arm, and dragging me out of his study. Once I’m outside, he slams the door in my face!

I’m furious, but I’m also hurt, and honestly, it’s a terrible mix of feelings.

My eyes start to fill with tears as the pain overshadows my anger. But I refuse to let the tears fall. I won’t give the Alpha the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

I blink them away and try to act like I’m okay. I turn around and spot a man staring at me. He looks like an older version of the person who just threw me out of his study. Instantly, I realize this man must be Alpha Patrick’s father.

The pity in his eyes tells me he overheard everything that just happened between me and his son. I attempt to give him a small smile, but it doesn’t quite work. I turn and head for the front door.

Once I’m outside the pack house, I break into a run, desperate to get as far away from the Alpha as I can.

In minutes, I’m back on my own land. I stop to catch my breath, gasping from running so hard.

The pain I felt before has faded, now replaced by pure anger. And for that, I’m grateful—I’d much rather be angry than heartbroken.

I start walking towards the pack house, with the sun still shining high in the sky. I never imagined I’d be done with Alpha Patrick before evening.

I open the front door and slam it shut behind me—hard.

Luckily, MK and Dante aren’t in the living room. I march straight to the kitchen. I’m fuming, and only a big tub of chocolate ice cream can help calm me down.

I open the fridge, grab the ice cream, then snatch a spoon and head back to the living room. I turn on the TV and switch to a movie channel playing a slasher film. Today is officially my day!

I sit down on the sofa, cross-legged, making myself comfortable with the ice cream bucket in my lap. I start eating while watching the movie, trying to let the anger melt away.

A few seconds later, I hear footsteps behind me. But I pretend not to notice and keep my eyes glued to the screen.

"What happened to her?" I hear Dante whisper.

"I have no idea," MK whispers back.

"Is it safe to get close to her?"

I don't hear MK's reply, but I feel his presence as he sits next to me on my right. I don’t pay much attention to him—watching people get killed on TV seems more entertaining right now.

A moment later, Dante plops down on my left. Fantastic. Now I’m stuck between my two friends who are definitely going to bombard me with endless questions.

"What’s up?" Dante asks cautiously.

"The ceiling," I answer flatly, not in the mood for any chit-chat.

MK sighs beside me. "Ash, what happened?"

I ignore him, continuing to shove spoonfuls of ice cream into my mouth.

"You went to see Alpha Patrick, didn’t you? When I asked why, you said you’d explain when you got back," he presses.

I glance at both of them, their worried eyes fixed on me. With a deep sigh, I decide it’s time to finally tell them what happened.

"Alpha Patrick is my mate." As expected, both MK and Dante are completely stunned.

"Congratulations!" Dante says excitedly.

"He rejected me," I reply flatly.

Their shock deepens. MK shakes his head. "He can’t reject you. Rejections aren’t a thing for werewolves."

"I’m not sure about that," I respond. "He told me he didn’t want me as his mate." I shrug. "That’s why I’m mad and drowning my anger in ice cream." They fall silent for a bit, probably unsure of what to say.

"Are you okay?" MK finally asks.

"I’m not okay, but I’m feeling a bit better," I admit, as a woman’s scream blares from the TV.

"He’s a fool for not wanting you as his mate," MK says, trying to lift my spirits.

"Honestly, I’m ready to spend my life mate-less than being with an Alpha who has no heart," I add, then quickly say, "Let’s just drop it." Both MK and Dante nod, and we all turn our attention back to the movie.

By evening, the movie is over, and so is my ice cream binge. Now, I’m in MK’s study with him and Dante, poring over a map of our territory.

We’re discussing how to improve security, especially after Kay attacked me last night. We’re deep into figuring out who should be on patrol and where to station guards. Just then, there’s a knock at the front door.

"I’ll get it," I say, stepping out of the study to answer it. When I open the door, I see Coral, the leader of our patrol team.

"Mr. Nile is here to see you," he says. He smiles warmly at me. "May I come in?" he asks.

Mr. Nile... could that mean Alpha Patrick’s father?

My silent question is quickly answered when Coral steps aside, and there he is—Patrick's father, standing right in front of me.