Talons

Chapter 135: The Mistake

Colton's POV

It's been a few days since the incident with Jack, and my mate has been distant since.

I've apologized repeatedly for my unnecessary accusation, but instead of accepting it, she told me that she once considered Jack her friend, so to hear him try to embarrass her in public hurt.

I became angered by that because, although its f*cked, I should be the only person to make her feel that way.

I addressed it, but I should have kept my mouth shut because Rhea told me that she has since gone numb to me publicly humiliating her.

After that, she and I haven't really spoken. We still have our daily meal together, but even if I talk to her, she's silent the entire time, and won't make eye contact.

Orlin has also become depressed by it because we seriously thought Rhea and I were becoming closer, but one slip of tongue, and we're right back to square one.

Dolton's POV

I feel for Colton but the things he's done to his mate are inexcusable, and the only reason I support him is because I know how badly he wants things to work. However, I don't wish their relationship happiness over my own.

Miracle was so drunk that she didn't put up much of a fight when I pulled her away, and while it was me, my heart became burdened with the thought that she may have left with someone else.

I haven't gotten to ask her because she woke up early the next day and started to pack, telling me that she needed time to 'figure things out.'

I let her go because I don't want to do what my brother is doing to his mate, but like him, I will never reject the woman goddess chosen for me.

I desperately want to tell her that I was never interested in Raven, but then I'd have to confess to my innocent crush on her other cousin.

When I found out Robin found her mate, I wasn't happy. She and I were good friends and our personalities matched well, but I now see that it was all we ever were.

Robin never looked at me as anything other than that, and from the first interaction I had with Miracle, I knew there was no one better for me.

I sit and watch hours of Korean dramas with her, not because I'm interested, but because I cherish the feeling of being with her and it isn't just because of the bond.

My title means nothing to Miracle, and she has told me that she would've preferred it if I didn't have one, which is rare.

I later found out that her mother is of alpha lineage, but a war robbed her and her siblings of their title; Miracle doesn't want that fate.

She asked me not to say anything to Colton about it because Luna Mavis has always considered herself a pack helper, and because I already love her, I have.

Miracle doesn't understand how much slack I'm getting from abroad for not rejecting her, so when we go back, I want her to be so secure in the fact that I only want her, that nothing anyone says will matter.

It's funny because, the one time I should have listened to my father, I didn't. Even Colton told me that it was a bad idea, but I went ahead and f*cked my way through the alliance for two days.

Now, my mate, who saved herself specifically for me, feels like she doesn't mean anything. She believes I haven't marked her because of her bloodline, and that damn little alien isn't making things better.

Rhea's POV

After going out, Colton has been treating me coldly, which is good because it's a sign that our bond is breaking. He may now be able to see things clearly and reject me soon.

In the meantime, I've spent most of my time with Tyson, who comes to help me in the garden while his sister's work.

I've already given Janet an 'advance' on her 'pay,' but it's really just me giving her money and she knows it. The gift was meant to keep the girls from taking weekday shifts, and so far, they haven't.

I hear rustling in the grass, and I turn expecting to see Tyson, but I'm greeted by Crystal instead. She looks disgusted, and since I know she dislikes mess, I can guess that my workspace is irritating her.

"It won't stay like this forever," I say, turning to face the girl as I lean against a tree.

"I know lu- I mean B, but it's a lot of work for you."

"I have a lot of time," I reply, and the girl nods at me. "Where is Tyson?" Crystal looks away before lying about him having homework, and I stand abruptly. 

Tyson and I finished his homework already. I told him that getting it all done early made for a stressless week, so the only thing he has to do is read for twenty minutes daily.

"Tell me the truth," I say, using a small amount of a command in my request.

I've known for some time that I had the ability to use it, I just try not to.

"He… I… Please don't get us in trouble."

That makes me panic and I order Crystal to take me to their sleeping quarters, which I'm relieved to see isn't a dilapidated cabin, but it is overcrowded and needs an extension.

When we get to the room the siblings share, I see Tyson reading with a black eye.

"Who?" I question, stepping forward and kneeling to his level. I can tell by the conflict on Crystal's face that she's afraid to tell me, so I drop it for now. "You should be training to defend yourselves."

I know I'm being a hypocrite. I trained with Robin daily, but when Colton had me pushed against that tree, I did nothing to defend myself.

In fact, I was so scared that I shifted prematurely, then ran as if I had done something wrong.

"We aren't allowed," Crystal replies and it reminds me that this pack is disgusting.

"Then you'll train with me," I say. "And tell no one."

Miracle's POV

I hate being away from my mate, but I'm still angry with him. Titi Mavis keeps telling me that I'm damaging our bond, but he damaged it first.

I don't care if he thought Raven was his mate, the fact that he knew he had one and still went around sleeping with other people worries me. 

What if, like B said, he just wants to mark and mate with me for the boost in strength? I'll be in another country, likely locked up while he takes another mate.

It would be difficult, but he would be able to have an heir with someone else, while I would be withering away from mate neglect and infidelity sickness.

The mate bond cannot force love, but it can make it easier to tolerate a person, and I find myself wondering if Dolton would have even looked at me if it weren't for us being fated.

I will never forget him calling me a half breed, and while he has since apologized for using the term against me, I’m not sure anymore. 

With my mind made up, I returned to the Iron pack territory bringing B's car with me. Her mother has packed a few of her things in it, and since I'm a neutral force between the packs right now; she used me to deliver a care package.

I wasn’t expecting Dolton to be waiting in front of the Packhouse, and the first thing he did was question whose car I was driving. 

B has a thing for luxury SUVs, and while I’m not sure how she could afford it, she bought herself one. I won't lie and say that it isn’t nice; I actually love it, but it's not for me.

“It’s B’s,” I say flatly, and Dolton flashes his signature smirk.

My heart starts to flutter, and my wolf starts pushing me toward him. Taming her has been difficult, but after I met my mate, she calmed, and she wants him back.

Unwilling to lose, I start walking to where I know my cousin will be. I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but I can tell that she's more depressed than usual.

I find her leaning against a tree where a little boy is curled up on her lap. She's telling him a story that's captured his undivided attention, and she only looks at me when she’s done.

“I’m not arguing with you two right now. As I’m sure you can see, I already have enough to deal with.” I glance at the boy’s face and intuitively know that B's trying to figure out who hurt him because she will retaliate.

“There’s nothing to argue about anymore. I’ve made up my mind.” I chuck B her keys before she sent the little boy to play and stood.

“Then you're leaving?”

“The position isn’t-”

“Miracle,” Dolton interjects. “Please don’t leave me; I will do anything.”

“I don’t want to compete,” I reply, and my mate pulls me into a tight hug that makes me question if what I’m doing is right.

“You’re not. There’s just you.”

Rhea’s POV

I don’t know how to feel about what’s happening with Dolton and Miracle, but Sylvia and I don’t like it. I can understand her wanting to make him jealous, but I’m not sure what she’s doing to him is right either.

Dolton has only ever mentioned how perfect Miracle is for him, and while other people, including myself, think she's hard to get along with, he spends hours of his day catering to her, and loves the things that most of us would change about her.

“Miracle please; there is nothing wrong with you. I’m just asking you to respect something that’s a part of my pack's culture. Why do I feel like if I were Chun, you would respect that? If that's the case, just pretend I’m him.” Miracle freezes up, and her mate walks away, clearly upset with himself for stooping so low.

“Dolton stop,” I say, approaching my cousin who I can sense is making a mistake.

I remind Miracle that she told me that Dolton is the only one who has ever sat through sixty-seven, one hour long consecutive episodes of a Korean drama with her. She tries to say it’s the bond, but I point to my garden as an example.

“Do you see Colton helping me pull weeds? The bond may help, but it can’t change everything. Dolton is an i***t, but he really wants you only.”