My Hateful Mate

7. Karma coming his way

MEL POV

Maybe I should have let Roman hurt her a little more, maybe even… “Mel! That is not nice.” Keyla scolded me. “I’m just venting! I wouldn’t really let anything happen to her. I may have neglected her a little, but if I really thought she was dying I would have done something.” I assured her. It was hard to balance my need to help her and not allowing my mate to die. I think I did okay, all things considered.

How did she repay me? By putting me on the spot when she got caught drooling over Dev. Luckily, Heidi and Alex showed up and came to my rescue. My Luna and bestie pointed out that both Roman and Diana needed to be seen by a doctor. Dr. Lawrence met us at the infirmary where both of them were placed in a large room that had two beds.

Diana was not amused at being made to share a room with her attacker, but the doctor explained that he was asked to use the room used for non-pack members and prisoners. Away from the other patients. Until Alex gave the all clear, she wouldn't be getting her own room. He assured her that his Alpha was only waiting to hear back from the Council. Once they confirmed Diana Roberts wasn't wanted for any crimes, she would be moved to another room. That seemed to pacify her.

I was allowed to stay in the room since, as everyone now knew, I was Roman’s mate, but my dad insisted on staying as well. I was scared that he or the doctor would notice my mark on his neck. Then again, if he suddenly shifted, the secret would be out anyway. I needed time to figure out how I was going to tell everyone that I marked and turned him.

Dev and my dad were already all prickly about Roman turning out to be my mate. Fortunately, they couldn’t blame me, it’s not as I had chosen him. They can take it up with the Moon Goddess after she gives me some answers as well. “She must have a reason.” My wolf sounded more confused than she’d like to admit.

It was officially morning, and I couldn’t believe that everything that had occurred happened in one night. I’ve had some wild nights while back in college, but yesterday was in a league of it’s own. “Go get some rest. I’ll keep an eye on them.” My dad said with no emotion. “Do we trust him not to kill him?” Keyla asked. “No and we don’t want him inspecting him too closely either.” I replied.

I straightened up on the chair, pretending I wasn’t exhausted. “I’m fine.” I assured him. Seconds later, my mother walked in with donuts and coffee. “Here, sweetheart.” She gave my dad his coffee and offered him a donut but he declined and kissed her forhead instead. She then walked over to me and handed me the other coffee and threw away the cupholder.

Taking the seat next to me, she offered me a donut as well. I may be worried, but I’m also starving. I took a maple bar and began scarfing it down. “How are you doing with all of this, honey?” She looked at Roman then back at me. I swallowed slowly, stalling my response. The truth is, I thought it unfair when I found out, but now… There are so many other emotions swimming inside me.

After taking a sip of my coffee, I turned to face my mom. The worried look on her sweet face had me feeling guilty. I was always worrying my parents one way or another. Instead of being sick of me, she’s here asking me how I feel. “I’m okay…” I tried to lie but she took my hand in hers, stopping me. “Be honest with me Mely. I'm your mom, you don't need to hide things from me.” She pressed.

I didn’t want to break down in front of everyone. Then I remembered that Roman hadn’t woken up and Diana had just passed out. It was okay to break down in front of my parents. “I don’t get it.” I shook my head as tears filled my eyes. “Is she punishing me for wanting more than just the pack life?” I asked and the floodgates opened. I hated crying but I’d been holding it in for so long that I couldn’t help it anymore.

My mom shook her head and pulled me into a hug. “That’s not how it works honey. The moon Goddess won’t punish you. Look at Win and Dev. They were both mated to horrible wolves, but it wasn’t because of anything they did. Sometimes the Moon Goddess sends us on a little detour before letting us find our way home. Maybe there are lessons we need to learn.” She ran her hands up and down my back, soothing me.

I sniffled and wiped my eyes. “He wanted to kill her, mom. I couldn’t let him do it, but I also couldn’t let her kill him. He hated me for it.” I frowned, recalling all the nasty things he said to me. Now my mom was crying too. “Oh, Honey don’t cry.” She cooed and wiped her own tears. “I did everything to save him, even put Diana’s life at risk. What if she had died?” I’d been so selfish, wanting to save someone who would never accept me.

I may act dismissive of her feelings, but deep down, I know I was wrong for doing that. “You wanted to save them both Mely. No one can blame you for wanting to put your mate above anything else. It’s your instinct.” She assured me. I hoped she felt that same way after she found out what I did. “She will.” Keyla chirped.

My dad sighed and his face lost some of its roughness. “We are going to figure everything out sweetheart.” He assured me. “Your dad’s right and maybe… maybe this was the Moon Goddesses way of teaching him a lesson. Not you.” She pointed out. “Why did she have to rope me into it? I was doing just fine without this interruption.” I grumbled, making her giggle.

A soft groan brought our attention to Diana. Her eyes opened and the first thing she noticed was my dad sitting by the door. She was studying him carefully when my mom cleared her throat. Her eyes snapped in our direction and her cheeks turned pink. “Mine.” My mother said simply and narrowed her eyes at her.

Diana rolled her eyes before rubbing them groggily. She still looked a little out of it. Yay pain meds. “Look. It’s not my fault that I find your mate and son appealing. In fact, it’s confusing the hell out of me because deep down I know they aren’t for me but… there is something about them.” She turned back to my dad, making my mom growl.

D quickly looked away with a huff. Seconds later, Dr. Lawrence came in with the nurse. “We just got the bloodwork back and everything looks good. No infections.” He smiled, looking over the results. “When will he wake up?” I asked, wondering how much time I had. “It’s hard to tell, but if I had to guess… maybe a day or two? Maybe sooner?” I didn’t want a guess, I wanted the exact time.

I gave him a polite nod and muttered thanks. “Maybe you should break the news now. Then we could lie with our mate and help him feel better so he can shift.” Keyla said eagerly. “Do you really think dad would let me cuddle up next to a hunter?” I hissed at her, making her whimper. “Sorry Kiki but you need to be realistic.” I gave her some truth because she was living in a fantasy world.

“You do know that as soon as he’s better he’s going to the dungeon, don’t you?” My dad spoke firmly. After what he did, it made sense for that to be his fate. He tried to kill a werewolf unprovoked. All of that made sense in my head, but my heart began to beat wildly in defiance. “No.” The words left my lips before I could even think clearly.

My mother looked from my frowning dad to me warily. “Why don’t we wait for him to wake up to discuss this? There is no use in arguing about this in front of Dr. Lawrence.” She stated and smiled at the doctor, who looked grateful that we were reminded of his presence. There was no reason to argue though. Why was I disagreeing with my dad? Roman should be put in the dungeon for what he did. “No.” Keyla whimpered.

“When can I be moved?” Diana asked, looking more comfortable after the nurse gave her more pain meds. “Just got the all clear from our Alpha. I’m having a room prepared for you now.” Dr. Lawrence replied as he checked her IV. “Good. I don’t want to be here when he wakes up and loses his s**t. That is some karma coming his way. A hunter turned wolf.” She giggled. Damn it, dirty D!