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75 Mate
75 Mate
CHAPTER 75
~Tempest’s POV~
Koda’s brows furrowed as his body went tense, and I saw it hit him. Realisation dawned, slowly at first, and then all at once. His wolf had been on edge since he’d stepped into our territory. He just hadn’t understood why until now.
And the words rolled out of our lips in a whisper before either of us could stop it.
Mate.
“Tempest…” His voice was low, hesitant as if saying my name for the first time held a different kind of weight.
His wolf growled, and I knew he could feel the bond snapping into place–the undeniable connection that fate had woven between us.
But the look in his eyes wasn’t the relief of a man finding his mate. It was a shock. Disbelief. And worse- rejection.
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75 Mate
‘No. Don’t you dare reject me. Not like this. Not when you’ve been chasing after my sister for so long.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, my jaw clenched as I tried to keep my composure. This was going to hurt, but I wasn’t going to let him see how deeply. Not now.
Koda took a step back, his face twisting into something I didn’t recognize–anger? Denial? “This… this can’t be happening.”
His words stung more than I wanted to admit.
I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin defiantly. “It’s “happening,” I said, my voice low, bitter. “Whether you
like it or not.”
I saw the flicker of guilt in his eyes, but before he could respond, Aira stepped forward. She wiped her tears, standing tall despite the heartbreak I knew she felt. She turned to me first, her gaze soft but filled with pain.
“Tempest, I can’t… I won’t do this to you.”
I blink, confused by her words. I didn’t think she heard or saw us. “Do what?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
75 Mate
Aira shook her head. “I’ve seen that look before. I felt that change in aura before. I know that feeling. I have been there before and yes… Tempest, Koda’s your mate. I won’t stand in the way of that. I can’t hurt you
like this.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. She was letting him go–for me.
As sweet as that should have sounded, the realisation
made my heart clench. Even after everything she’d been through, even after being hurt by her own mate, she was willing to step aside for my happiness.
“No,” I said firmly. “You don’t have to-”
But Aira cut me off in her soft and resolute voice. “I
won’t stand in the way of what’s meant to be. Not
again.”
Koda’s gaze darted between us. His expression was one of disbelief, but I could see the war raging inside him. He wanted Aira, but he was bound to me. Fate
had thrown him into the middle of a mess neither of
us asked for.
“I can’t,” he muttered, shaking his head, his hands trembling. “I can’t do this. I don’t want-”
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75 Mate
“Don’t want what?” I challenged, my voice sharper tha
I intended. “Me? Don’t want this bond?”
His silence was all the answer I needed.
I knew I shouldn’t be tempting and provoking him like that but damn right, I didn’t care.
He had a duty to the matebond. I mean, the moon goddess couldn’t be wrong, right? I shut my eyes. Even
I couldn’t believe that mess. I couldn’t believe that. If
she was always right, then why did she make Aira’s mate a scumbag?
No.
I felt a wave of emotions crash over me–anger, sadness, confusion–but I held my ground. I wasn’t going to fall apart in front of him. Not here. Not now.
“You know what?” I cut the silence, my voice filled with frustration. “Do whatever you want, Koda. But I’m not going to stand here and watch you pine after my sister while rejecting the mate bond.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but I didn’t give him the chance and continued. “If you don’t want me, then reject me. Go ahead.”
76 Mate
My chin lifted, daring him to do it, even though my heart clenched painfully at the thought. Autumn growled within me.
She tried linking with his wolf, wanting to put a stop t
what he and I both wanted.
She wanted her mate, no doubt, but I wouldn’t be like
Aira. I wouldn’t want a man who doesn’t want me. I’ll
be free.
“Temp, don’t do this. Don’t ask for it either. Please. Think of what the rejection would do to us. It will weaken me. Please for my sake.”
I shot my wolf out. I wasn’t willing to let my life be decided by someone’s choice.
“Aira didn’t die from a rejection and neither shall we. J–just look at him, Autumn. You deserve better. You
deserve a man who…”
It hurt to say it but I felt the pain of being second choice. Worse, in this case, I wasn’t a choice at all!
Koda froze, his wolf growling in protest at the very idea.
His face paled, and I saw the conflict raging within
75 Mate
him. He couldn’t reject me, not without consequences. But I wasn’t sure I wanted him to accept me either, not
when his heart was so clearly tied to Aira.
Aira stepped forward once more, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder as she stared into my eyes. “Tempest,
don’t do this.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “It’s not up to me, is it?” And then my eyes locked on him.
She turned to Koda, her gaze softening. “Please,” she whispered. “Let her in. Just accept her and give this a
chance.”
The air between the three of us was thick with tension while Snow stood there and watched. I know it was hard for him too and I should be glad he didn’t interfere but deep down, I wanted him to.
I looked away, my focus on Koda, expecting the inevitable. I could see the struggle on Koda’s face. He took a deep breath, running a hand through his dishevelled hair.
“I need time,” he said finally, his voice hoarse with
emotion.
Time.
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75 Mate
The word hung between us, and I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or more heartbroken.
“Fine,” I said coldly. “Take all the time you need. But don’t expect me to wait forever.” With that, I turned on my heel, walking away before my–Autumn’s emotions could betray me.
Behind me, I heard Aira speak softly to Koda, her voice carrying a finality that told me one thing: she was letting him go. For me.
But the real question was–could I let him in?
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