The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf

Chapter85

“Nina, wait before you go. You will come back to see me tomorrow?’ Alec pleads.

I approach the bars and grasp his hand in mine, I'll come back as soon as possible.’

Yiselda, Reaper and I leave Pandora's Box and port to Shadow Crest.

The wolf council are still talking to Magnus in the dining room. I take my seat next to Magnus. He takes my hand, kisses it, and resumes his focus on Alpha Bennet.

Yiselda, I informed Alpha Amir and Alpha Theaton about what I witnessed in Pandora's Box, confirming its contents.’ So, we've agreed that witches can live in Shadow Crest for the time being. “For the time being?” Yiselda is confused,

'Yes, for now, he answers as he stands up. “We'll say our goodbyes and stay in touch, he says as he walks towards the packhouse’s entrance. Alpha Amir and Alpha Theaton are right behind him as he walks out the door.

Ela, Fern, Ria, and Lilac rejoice and hug each other as they learn they will be able to stay in Shadow Crest

With that, I'll be downstairs concocting some potions!’ Ria says, “1'll help,’ says Lilac. “Me as welll’ Ella and Fern say. Don't forget about me, May says as she dashes downstairs after them.

“Well, that's good news for the girls, Yiselda says, smiling

Reaper flies from my shoulder and lands on the window ledge as Magnus pulls me in for a hug and gives me a strange look, “You smell different, like sandalwood and something else I can’t put my finger on,

I give Yiselda a worrisome look. She nods, indicating to tell him.

“Magnus, there's something I need to tell you,’ I say

Sure, what do you want to tell me?’ he smiles.

I look into his mesmerising green eyes. My hands start to tremble and my eyes water. Magnus can see something isn't right.

“What is it, Nina?’

“Can we go somewhere private? And with Yiselda as well,’ I add.

He looks to Yiselda. She looks away with guilt.

“Sure, let's go to our office,” he gently takes my hand. Sparks tingle up my arm.

Entering the office, he takes his seat, and I take mine next to him. Yiselda sits on the two-seater couch against the wall.

There is an awkward silence while Magnus looks between Yiselda and me.

So, which one of you are going to tell me what's going on?” he says, breaking the silence.

Yiselda and I exchange glances, and she nods again for me to speak.

“Do you recall how you noticed this symbol on my wrist and when told you it appeared when Alec held my wrist?’

"Yes, you said it slightly burned at first, and you felt a little strange?” he says.

“Well, uin,” I say, holding back a sob. I take a deep breath. “Alec marked me. I'm his blood flame,” I say with a trembled voice

Magnus gives me an odd look and grabs my wrist, saying, I don't get it? What is a blood flame, and why would he inflict this mark on you?

You know how werewolves mark their soulmates? I say. He nods, “Well, for vampires, they mark their blood flames,

e is complete silence as Yiselda and I watch Magnus process it all. You can tell from his face he is trying to understand what! sang Suddenly he stiftens, and his face pales

“No no, no, no, no," he says abruptly, standing up, his hands tugging at his hair. "How? You can't?’ He struggles to speak and continues to panic. Then he comes to a standstill and anxiously glances down at me, fumbling with my fingers.

"You had said you felt strange that day. In what way did you feel strange?’ he asks with a hurt look in his eyes. I can see he already knows the answer but is hoping I tell him otherwise.

“B-because since that day, I feel the mate bond with Alec. I feel a magical sense of overwhelming wholeness as if I could never live without either one of you. My heart and body tell me I'm meant to have both of you. The bond has been pulling me and urging me to go to him as it does with you." I explain.

Magnus casts a glance out the window. I can hear his laboured breathing. His hands are gripped so tightly that I can see blood

dripping

“He's not going to be able to have you, Nina. You are MINE!" he shouts as he approaches me. He grabs my shoulders with his bleeding hands and pulls me into his chest.

"We'll fix it, Nina. You'll never have to see him again.’

Before I can tell him it won't be possible since it will kill me, he smells the sandalwood scent on me and takes a step back, a scared expression on his face.

(

That scent, it's his, isn't it?"

I nod but avoid making eye contact. Magnus, on the other hand, slowly lifts my chin to look at him. “Nina, please tell me nothing has already happened between you two? Please give me another explanation as to why his scent is all over you!?

Tears stream down my face onto his fingers as he holds my chin, “1-I can't give you another explanation.’ I cry.

The hurt that appears in Magnus's eyes is unbearable to watch. I try to look away. But now I see pain and anger in his eyes.

I'm sorry, Magnus, he kissed me, and I struggled against the bond to stop the kiss from continuing,’,l confess.

'Did you like it?" He frowns.

'W-what?*

"You heard me, Nina. “Did you like the kiss?" He yells.

I fall to my knees crying and look up at my beloved Magnus, “It felt like I was kissing you.’

Magnus storms out of the packhouse

“Magnus, please!’ I chase after him, but Yiselda grabs me.

“Luna, he needs to process everything. You should give him some time, she suggests.

1 hesitantly nod. I want to hold Magnus and tell him I love him no matter what. My inner wolf whimpers, wanting to comfort his wolf.

Magnus didn’t come back to our room that night. I spent most of the night peering out the window, wondering where he was and when he'd return.

“Reaper, please try and find him for me?’ I say out towards the moon tree. I watch as Reaper flies into the night in search of Magnus.

Will Magnus ever forgive me? What if he wants to leave me? Is he going to reject me and find a new mate?’ All these thoughts and more flow through my mind until I fall asleep from fatigue.”

I look onto Magnus’s side of the bed as I wake. He isn't there. Reaper is on my window sill.

“I couldn't find him Luna,’ Reaper mind-links.

I run downstairs to see if he is having breakfast. Everyone else is eating breakfast, but Magnus is nowhere to be found.

Good morning, Luna, everyone says.

“Has anyone seen Magnus?’ I ask with a slight tremble in my voice that everyone picks up.

“Isn't he in bed?’ Josie asks.

“Um, no, I thought he might be down here eating breakfast,’ I say.

“Is everything okay?’ Flint asks.

I'm not sure if I should inform them Magnus is upset. I'm also mates with the vampire king. I solemnly nod and force a small smile. “He's probably out having a run in wolf form.’

Everyone nods and eats their breakfast. My appetite had disappeared. All I could think about was wanting to know if Magnus was okay, but I already know he isn't. I'd be upset too if he came home and told me he had a second mate. How am I ever going to make us okay again? I burst into tears and ran up the stairs, shocking everyone at the table. I enter my room and close the door behind me.