His Blind Mate

Chapter 10 Highly Resistant Glue

~ Luan ~

Helia was yet to join us. I was seated on a log with Reire on my right and Yula on my left. Reire was sharpening another stick; there were already three planted on the ground. I counted.

Yula nudged my side. She leaned closer to me, her jeans annoyingly scraping on the rough surface of the log before her thighs bumped mine. “What did you do to set her off this time?” she whispered.

“As shocking as this may sound, Yula, it isn’t my fault.”

She drew a deep breath then sighed. “Since when is Reire’s murderous mood not your fault?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.

“It’s a long story,” I lied, smiling lightly to make it appear more convincing, then added another lie and hopefully pulled it off. “But fine, you got me,” I said as I briefly raised both arms in surrender, “it might have something to do with the fact that I caught more than her.”

Yula giggled. “I see,” she said, her weight leaving my side. Glad that convinced her. Reire was known to have a short fuse.

“She honestly looks like she’s preparing to kill someone.”

I raised a brow at her. “She’s just mad. She’ll be calmer after a good night’s sleep and a cup of you-know-what in the morning.”

“Got it,” she replied. If I could read minds, she’d already mentally noted to prepare Reire’s coffee first thing tomorrow. Reir had a certain standard of the taste and smell of her coffee that she had her own set of procedures, which I happened to know because I often sneaked up on her during the first year of training and she would mumble the process. And because Yula happened to spill Reir’s coffee on accident one morning, I had to tell her.

“I’m right here,” Reire interrupted. “I can hear the both of you loud and clear.”

She blew on the sharpened point.

“I’m going to get some fruits.” Yula abruptly stood. “Do you want anything, Lue?”

“Watermelon, thank you.” When I was sure she was away, I turned to face Reire. He wouldn’t dare do anything drastic while within the territory of the Red Circle. “He’s watching us right now, isn’t he?” I asked, the feeling of eyes boring into my back unnerving. In a way, I was glad I didn’t have an image of what he looked like in my head. There was only a silhouette of a man with no face. It made this whole “please reject me already” phase easier to handle.

“Say the word and I’ll throw these at his eyes.”

A corner of my lip twisted; the gory image too much in my head. “You watch too many horror movies, Reir.”

“I’m serious, Lue. I informed Helia about this. It’s up to her now. We won’t let him harm you again, Lue.”

Ah ... You’re going to make me cry.

“Thank you, Reir.” Sparkle kept whimpering in my head. Ever since our encounter this morning, she had been constantly annoying me. Well, it wouldn’t work. I didn’t want to have anything to do with him. And thankfully, he didn’t have a hold on me besides the mate bond. I was a warrior of the Red Claw now, and not an outcast from his pack.

My back straightened when the wind blew past us, carrying his scent. It was so soothing … like my troubles would disappear if he was around. Stupid mate bond. “Reire,” I whispered as I scooted closer to her, “he is here.”

“Do you want to leave?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Now don’t be like that,” he said, seating himself beside me. “We have a lot to catching up to do ... cupcake.”

I held my breath as his scent tickled my nose. It brought back memories of the few days I spent with him and how I thought I could be happy, only to be betrayed in the end. I never got to ask him why he insisted on calling me “cupcake”. Hearing it again now ... dampened the warmth from the crackling fire.

“Reir.” I choked up on my next words when he tightly held my hand. A jolt of electricity shot through my arm from his touch. It used to assure me that maybe I could be enough for him despite my status, that he saw me for more than a blind outcast. Goddess, I couldn’t be more wrong. It’d been so long but I hadn’t forgotten. During our time apart, the mate bond had grown stronger.

He loosened his hold of my hand as he intertwined our fingers. It was a perfect fit, always had been. Goddess, I truly belived that we were made for each other. Sparkles whimpered. If only … I wasn’t the i***t my brothers told me I was. Then I would’ve understood earlier on of what his real intentions were.

“I missed you,” he said, raising my hand to his lips.

Disgusting. What was he really after - to humiliate me? How?

I tried to pull my hand away but he tightened his grip. “Let go,” I warned. Every second of his skin on mine made me want to puke. The nerve of him to waltz back into my space and add more lies to the web he’d spun.

My heart was breaking, and it didn’t help that Sparkles was enjoying the “moment”. My very own wolf who was supposed to always be on my side turned out to be a traitor whenever I needed her most. f**k this stupid mate bond.

I opened my mouth, ready to speak the words to finally end this childish play, when I sensed a familiar scent and voice. Unfortunately for me, Ky brought his tank with him. I should’ve known.

Raphael spoke behind me; his voice still giving the impression that he was all muscles. “Hello, Lue,” he said casually like he wasn’t part of the betrayal.

Only my friends call me Lue.

I balled my free hand into a fist, resisting the urge to punch him straight in the jaw. My voice came out firm. "What are doing here?"

"To assist the Alpha," answered Ky for him casually as he draped an arm around my shoulders, "amongst other things."

I immediately stood. His hand let go, much to my relief. It was too much. He used to do the same - hold me close to him like I was made of porcelain.  Back then, it was comforting and safe. I can't believe I used to be with you. "Don't touch me."

Reire held my hand and pulled me backwards. Whispers rose from around us; my sisters had probably heard me. I felt for the knife Reir gifted me, safely tucked in a hidden pocket on the inside of my jacket. Should he dare force me into anything, I'd always be ready.

"Please leave," said Reire, speaking up for me. "You're currently unwelcome here ... Alpha Kyhan."

"You're in no position to issue orders," he dismissed. "This is between me and my mate."

A collective gasp came from the gathered crowd, the word 'mate' repeatedly uttered in hushed tones. I scoffed, my fists shaking in anger at his audacity. "I'm not your mate," I spat. Sparkles could howl all day and all night long for all I cared.

"Luan -" 

"And you're not my friend," I added, stopping Raphael from wasting his efforts on convincing me otherwise. Traitors, all of them. If Alpha Liam learned of what they did to me, their alliance would be jeopardised. The Red Claw Pack doesn't discount anyone from slavery and abuse. Their alliances were forged to strengthen their packs, not to weaken themselves from the inside. Who knows who my replacement was after that day - after all, the pack couldn't feed themselves if I wasn't in the kitchen. Everyone relied on me, even if all I did were chores and run errands. I wasn't even paid for my services on top of their abuses - modern slavery.

I grabbed Reire's hand. "Let's get out of here, Reire."

She squeezed my hand. "Gladly."

Reire was about to steer me away from there when I felt a jolt of lightning up my arm. Sparkles howled in my head as my heart fluttered. I hated this - hated the effect he had on me because of a stupid matebond. I yanked my arm from his hold but he tightened his bruising grip.

"Let me go!"

Kyhan growled. "No. You're coming home with me."

"Home?" I questioned as I released Reire's hand and faced him. "You think that hell of a pack is my home? After all that pack has done to me, do you really think I'll call that hell hole my home?"

I inhaled deeply to keep myself from breaking down. Never again would I let anyone see me cry. Never again would I be weak in their eyes. That was the old me. "This Red Circle of the Red Claw Pack ... my sisters … this is my home. Here is where I belong. You have no authority over me, Alpha Kyhan. You are not my Alpha."

His grip loosened, allowing me to free my arm. Loud heartbeats echoed in my ears - not mine - coupled with shallow intakes of air. Sparkles whimpered, pained from my stance. This was long overdue. It was about time I freed myself from their chains. "I, Luan Laister, reject the Alpha of the Moonstone Pack, Kyhan Stone, as my mate."

Kyhan growled. "I will never accept your rejection. You. Are. Mine."

"I am not object for you to own!" Why is it so hard for him to just let me go!

I felt for the knife Reire had gifted me hours back. She was right to give me this today - I might actually have use for it. Concealed in a hidden pocket I had Yula sew in the lining of my dress, Kyhan wouldn't see it coming.

His arm wrapped around my waist and he pulled me closer to him. I let him, but the look on my face was anything but enjoying the proximity. Sparkles was running around in circles in my head.

“Traitor,” I told her in my head, uncaring if it pained her.

"You are mine," he growled near my ear. His scent tickled my nose, triggering a want in me to submit to him - my mate, my Alpha. My heart raced, and the sensations under my skin were pleasant. I might not have control over these reactions, but I do have free will.

While he was distracted, I smiled and buried my nose in the crook of his neck. Goddess, he was temptation sent from the heavens. He had the nerve to kiss my neck, making me shiver involuntarily. And as he did, I reached inside the pocket, and clutched the small weapon.

"Luan!" Reire exclaimed in alarm. They were whispering all around me, gasping when I angled my neck and let him shamelessly suck on the skin. I bit my cheek to keep myself from letting out any sound.

“Come with me,” he whispered.

I unsheathed the knife, a smirk on my lips. Then before he could give me another kiss, the cold blade danced between my fingers before aligning itself right on his neck. He stopped, hissing when the wolfsbane stung his skin.

"I am not yours. I never was and never will be."

Kyhan growled. His hands tightened their hold on my waist, nails digging into my skin as if his claws wanted to come out. "You will be," he whispered threateningly near my ear, "soon."

I pressed the blade deeper, combing his hair with my free hand and stopping at the back of his head to keep him in place. "Accept my rejection."

"You'll have to say it again," he said in a mocking tone.

If I could just strangle him now! “Fine!” I spat. "I, Luan Lais -" 

"Luan!" Helia's tone was different from any other time. "Threatening the Alpha of an allied pack is the same as threatening your Alpha. You should know better by now."

I could picture the smirk on his face right now - how he smiled at me triumphantly, knowing I couldn't possibly disobey Helia. "This isn't over," I hissed.

"Of course, mate. We're only just beginning."

Reire held my hand and pulled me back. I returned the knife in my pocket, making sure to sheath it back.

"Impressive," whispered Reire.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling quite proud of myself. I'd need a long bath later tonight though. The ghostly feeling of his lips on my skin lingered. 

"I am certain Luan has her reasons but as a member of the Red Circle now, it was unjust for her to take matters into her own hands,” said Helia, taking his side instead of mine. “Although ... I am sure you understand."

"Yes and no," Kyhan answered.

"Now, girls ... it's never good to gossip. I'll join you but I have matters to discuss with Alpha Kyhan."

The girls murmured their agreement. I turned to leave with Reire and Yula, who suddenly popped up beside me.

“You have like … a lot of tea to spill, girl,” said Penny. Who else was here? Am I so workep up by him that I couldn’t sense them!

"Reire, Yula, Penny ... Luan," said Helia, making us all stop in our tracks. I'd been in the Circle long enough to know that when she called names in random fashion, it meant a mission. "To my office as well please."

XXX