Keep Your Mate To Yourself

Aria

" Alpha Xavier is injured? What the hell happened?"

The celebration dissolved into confusion before anyone realized it had already ended. Wolves poured out of the Hawthorne estate, their polished shoes sinking into damp earth as they hurried toward the eastern woods.

Even the guards that held me tightly had to let me. I could see Liora's panic stricken face and father's anxious gasps. None of that was my business. I was done with this mating ceremony charade.

With a sigh, I murmured to myself." It seemed the wedding is out of question. It's better I go back to my room before being accused again."

And with that, I turned around to leave. Even if I can't get the love of my family or pack, one thing was certain that I can get every time.

Food!

With that hope in mind, I swiftly moved towards my room or so I thought.

Another three minutes later and I angrily found myself at the edge of the clearing. The same fucking clearing that Alpha Xavier was in, bleeding yet looking hot. I quickly yank myself from that dirty thought. The bastard rejected me twice and I still think he was hot?

I sighed before my mind snapped back to how the hell I got to the clearing instead of my house.

Biting down my lips, I screamed inwardly at my wolf. This girl was going to be the death of me. " Vin, what the fuck did you do? Why am I here instead of my room?"

My nails pressed crescents into my skin as the air carried Xavier's scent, mingled with fresh blood and torn earth.

Vin had refused to settle beneath her ribs." I can't help it, Aria. He is bleeding. I felt drawn to his hurting, even if he hurt us."

I gritted my teeth, wishing I could smack Vin." You are kidding me, right? He already rejected us. Twice."

Vin shrugged in my head." Literally, he hasn't. He just ignored the bond. We are still bound to him."

I took in deep breath, ignoring the incessant growls from the man kneeling in the center of the destruction, with a knee to the ground. The bond tugged insistently, pulling my gaze toward him.

Xavier remained on one knee, his broad shoulders rising unevenly beneath the shredded remains of his shirt. Thin trails of blood slipped from the cuts along his forearms before disappearing into the soil beneath him.

I wish I could laugh at him. Alas, the bond was not funny. Why was I feeling his agony even when I wish to curse him to suffer more? I wanted to be cruel to him, yet I could feel the tightening of my chest.

Fuck you, bond!

Still battling with my inner self, I watched as his Beta, Ronan scanned the circle of healers gathered around his Alpha. "Someone tell me what is happening." His voice boomed, his jaw remained tight as his eyes returned to Xavier. One healer exchanged a glance with another before lowering his head, unwilling to speak first.

An elderly physician stepped forward with a leather satchel hanging from one shoulder. His silver hair had escaped the ribbon holding it back, and perspiration glistened across his forehead despite the cool night air.

"I've examined injuries from poisoned claws, cursed rogues, and wolfsbane exposure," he said while kneeling several feet away. "This is none of those. His pulse changes every few seconds."

Ronan folded his arms across his chest. "Then stabilize him." His eyes swept across every healer in turn. "Standing here guessing will not save your Alpha."

The younger physician swallowed before reaching for another vial. "We've tried calming herbs. They burned away before they entered his bloodstream." Her hand hovered uncertainly over the open case. "I've never seen a wolf reject treatment this completely."

Another growl rolled from Xavier's chest before his body jerked violently. His spine arched, and the muscles beneath his skin tightened until every vein stood out beneath the blood smeared across his arms. Dark fur spread across the back of one hand before disappearing almost as quickly, leaving broken fingernails scattered across the dirt.

Several wolves stepped backward without realizing they had moved.

Liora ignored them all.

She gathered the skirt of her ivory gown and crossed the clearing until only a few feet separated her from Xavier. The jeweled bracelet around her wrist caught the light as she reached toward him. Something inside of me growled wildly until I heard her thick fake voice.

"Xavier," she called softly. "It's me."

I rolled my eyes at Liora's obvious fake concern. The only reason she looked like a grieving widow was the fact that she had not been officially named Luna. She has no power yet.

Xavier's breathing remained uneven.

She lowered herself carefully onto one knee despite the damp ground soaking into the expensive fabric. "Look at me." Her voice softened further as she stretched out her hand. "You're frightening everyone."

The tips of her fingers brushed his shoulder.

Xavier's head snapped upward.

Golden eyes met hers without recognition.

A savage growl tore from his throat before he shoved her hand away with enough force to send her stumbling backward.

"Don't touch me."

The words rolled through the clearing with the weight of an Alpha command.

Liora caught herself before falling completely. Her palm scraped against rough stone, and she stared at Xavier as though she no longer recognized the man she intended to marry. Moisture gathered along her lower lashes, but she did not wipe it away.

She simply remained where she was, her breathing quickening with each passing second. I was enjoying every fucking scene.

"I was only trying to help." Her voice came out quieter than before. "I'm your Luna."

Xavier's shoulders tightened again.

"No."

The single word landed heavily.

Liora's lips parted. I could already see her eyes darkening and a smirk played on my face. It was satisfying, seeing her rejected by the man she was supposed to be mated to. Karma, I would like to call it.

This was definitely going to be a long mating ceremony ever with a touch of drama. I wanted to stop myself but the chuckle came too loudly.

Liora snapped at me, anger and hatred brimming through." You think you can touch him, you fat ass bitch."

I rolled my eyes." Oh please, keep your mate to yourself."

And with that, I forced myself to turn away from these people. I was already dying of hunger.