Twisted Fate

chapter 16

Arlo

"When were you going to tell me about her?" Kane asked, his eyes fixated on me. Disappointment and anger simmered in them as he walked down the stairs. I didn't understand why he was feeling these emotions. I was the one paired with the enemy whom I could never have. If anything, those feelings belonged to me only.

Mentally cursing myself, I rubbed my face and pinched the bridge of my nose, "Announce this to the whole world, why don't you," I grumbled, furthering this unwanted conversation outside. The rest of the house didn't need to hear about my business—especially Carson, who has diarrhea of the mouth.

In the dead of night, the trickling fountain equaled the noise of a thunderstorm as I stared into the distance. He crossed his arms and waited for me to explain, but nothing came out of my mouth.

"I knew something was off between you two," He mused before the anger was back in his tone, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" It finally dawned on me that he was upset about my decision not to share something this important with him. We told each other everything, but the problematic situation stitched my lips together. 

"I didn't want anyone to know, Kane. You know how these situations can be."

His eyebrows raised, giving me a pointed look, "Your secret would have been safe with me," His face relaxed as he looked at me deep in thought, "Despite our rocky relationship with the Collins, this is great news. Blood Rose will have a Luna, and the animosity will finally be put to rest. How coincidental that mom and Grace were best friends and now you're paired with her daughter," I'd forgotten all about my mother's friendship with the River Ash Luna at one point.

I stopped and replayed his words in my head to make sure I'd heard him correctly. I expected him to be entirely baffled by this information, but his soft eyes suggested something else. He was happy for me, and I'd wondered if he understood me in the first place.

"No!" I shook my head, appalled by his foolish words, "You know as well as I do that our kind cannot have a mate. Have you forgotten about all the innocent lives slaughtered for the stupid mistake of forming an interspecies relationship?"

"Technically, it isn't the same for you two. She is a wolf, and you are part wolf. The similarity has to count for something."

"That does not matter. The council will never allow it!"

"But she is your mate," He frowned, determined to change my mind, "The council cannot keep you away from each other. They'd be opposing the moon goddesses' plans, and I doubt they'd want to upset our powerful creator."

I rubbed my forehead in frustration for the 50th time tonight, attempting to ease the throbbing headache on my temples. He truly didn't understand the severity of the situation.

"So, what do you suppose I do? Take her as my mate and bring her down the shithole with me? Everyone would begin to treat her differently, and the council will come looking for her. She doesn't deserve to live a life with constant apprehension. I don't wish this life on anyone!"

His shoulders fell as he stared out into the distance, "You don't realize how lucky you are," He mused. I didn't fail to miss the jealousy and longing in his voice. Mates are equally important to demons as they are wolves. Our hybrid nature increased the yearning for a woman though the authorities would come beating down our doors if we marked and mated with one, especially if we made the mistake of reproducing.

"Do what you want, but before you make rash decisions, think about this more. Don't throw something so precious away for fear of her acceptance in society. You could both get through the obstacles together," He started to walk back to the house but turned to me and added, "I'm sure mom would like to look down from the skies and see you happy for a change."