Chapter 5: Mate

Ryker's POV

"The elders have come...again." Kel, my right hand in the Black moon pack, said.

I was seated in the solemn silence of my dark study, puffing from a wood pipe in between my fingers. The study was neat and organised and filled with countless books I've never had the thoughts of opening. Its darkness had become welcoming to my sombre mood and thus, became my place of meditation.

"Did you hear me, Ryker?" He asked, again.

I refused to spare him a glance and turned my attention towards the window. The curtains haven't been opened in years, I noted. The last time, she had wanted to read a book and so parted it open. I had been so angry seeing the sunlight diluting with the darkness and had growled at her, scaring the wits out of her for disrupting my peace. That was in fact a very long time ago.

And peace? I don't remember having any peace even at that time.

Kel's sigh disrupted my thoughts, "I will send them away, then." He said in defeat.

I inhaled the smoke from my pipe and allowed some to escape through my nose. My long black hair slapped against my cheekbone as I pushed my head towards the ceiling, "Another Luna?"

Kel sighed, "You are the Alpha of the Black moon pack, Ryker. You cannot blame the elders for wanting you to have a Luna by your side."

"And what about the other Lunas I had by my side?" I asked with rhetoric, already bored of having this conversation. My voice was lazy but no matter what mood I was in, it always seemed loud and commanding.

Kel went quiet for a while as if thinking of a proper excuse to give me. At last, he found one, "Your bond with them has been broken, Ryker. And maybe they weren't truly meant to be your Luna."

Silence.

"You need to find your true Luna." He added after a while. His words settled in and I gritted my teeth, already getting pissed off by his remarks. Kel sensed my anger, "I'm...sorry for saying that."

"Get out." I said and with the creaking of the door behind me, I once again returned to my solitude.

My mind dug deep, uncovering a memory I wished would remain buried forever.

A knock on the door instantly sucked the memory back into the depths of darkness before it could have a chance to hunt me all over again, "Who is it?" I asked.

"The Luna is here, son. You need to come with us." I heard the familiar frail voice of an elder.

I ignored him and remained seated in my large armchair, shutting my eyelids to pitch blackness. The council always enjoyed disturbing my...

~

A sweet, intoxicating aroma lingered in the air as the girl walked in and I instantly felt drawn to it like a magnet, "Take 10 steps forward." I ordered with suppressed impatience.

My new bride came into sight; a woman with a fascinating look. I could already feel a connection between myself and her. Reluctant and still in a state of disbelief, I rose from my chair and walked up to her, stopping only a few inches from her face. An electrifying spark ran through my entire being as our eyes met. For a moment, time became frozen.

My instincts roared to life. This is my mate!

I moved a step back, suddenly struck with confusion. I could sense no wolf. How is this possible? I thought. But she is my mate. This feeling is strong, I couldn't be delusional.

Her eyes searched mine, curiously. Her beauty baffled me; Lush hazel green eyes, so tender and velvety, with skin as pale as the moon. Her hair resembled the gates of hell, yet it gave off a warm radiance.

A still moment and realisation dawned on me, "Human." I whispered and drew back in disbelief.

She wasn't human, "She has no wolf in her. She is wolfless." I added with sudden disdain.

Immediately, her facial expression changed to one of confusion. An elder made a remark on the 'taboo' as I studied her. The bright colours were already leaving her face.

"You are weak." "Get out of my sight!" I roared and she flinched.

"You cannot send her back to her pack, Ryker. She is your mate." One of the elders said, after I asked for the red haired girl to be sent away.

I cussed inwardly. They had already sensed my reaction.

"I despise weakness. It disgusts me."

"If she is your mate, then you have not a choice!" Another intervened.

"No!" I growled angrily. My lips thinned into a line as I uttered the words that followed, "She is not worthy."

"Well, no one is going to send her back to her pack. It's never been done!" An elder said.

A thought ran through my mind as I glared at the decaying elders before me and I quickly brushed it off. Without uttering another word, I walked out of the hall, abandoning the meeting with the council.

~

I jolted out of bed, sensing a strong feeling lingering inside of me. I could sense that my new bride was in pain. My mind flew into a dilemma between staying away from her or answering to my senses. Finally deciding on the latter, I flung my coat around myself and walked out of my sleeping chamber.

Her groans and whimpering rang into my ear as I slowly opened the door. Even though the night was cold, I could see the streams of sweat racing down her face. An urge to caress her and take her pain away overwhelmed me. She was my mate after all. However, I remained glued to the spot.

No. It wouldn't be right standing here while she's in pain. My thoughts kicked in.

Just as I was about to take a step forward, I froze, "Ethan." She called in a whisper.

Ethan?

"Ethan...please." She cried more desperately than the last.

A sting in my chest made me back away. She was calling for another. I quietly moved away from her.

Who is Ethan? And why was she calling out to him so much?

My wolf growled furiously, taking me aback. Was I...jealous? Of someone so weak and pathetic?

No, I could never be! I thought to myself. But why does my heart feel so sour?