A Mate's Betrayal

Part 23

I've been under the watchful eye of Mildred the whole day. They say pregnant women are bossy, well I agree. She walked in on me when I was having a meltdown. I know she is just trying to help but how can I tell her that ever since I ruined the most amazing date night with Ryker, he has been keeping his distance and now, I feel like he doesn't want me anymore? "Hey, I already mind-linked Ryker he will be here in no time", she said making me nod but, in my heart, something told me that he wasn't coming. 

It was weird seeing him all serious and distant. We always held each other's hands or go to dinner together but that is not happening anymore. Ever since that night. 

"Rina, is there something you're not telling me? I mean, I know we are not that close but we can be", she urged pulling my hand in hers. "He won't come", I said. "Why would you say that? He is your mate, of course, he's coming", she said while squeezing my hand lightly. "You don't understand... he has been distant for months now and I don't blame him. He went through a lot to prepare a dinner date for us and I had to ruin it because of my trauma.

All he has ever done is take care of me and the one time he wanted to mate with me I couldn't stop reliving my past and I just, I...I...", I couldn't finish because she pulled me in a hug and let me cry on her shoulder until I was calm enough to talk again.

"Rina, I know it's not my place to ask but what happened to you?", she asked making me swallow hard. I found myself telling her everything and by the time we reached the end we were both sobbing and it was already dark outside. "You are a very strong woman, Rina, don't let the past make you feel otherwise ok?", she said wiping both our tears away.

"Oh my gosh it's already eight, I have to go but you need to know that Ryker loves you and he will not abandon you", she said with determination. "I know, but instead of being his equal, I will be his burden. I just don't know what to do", I said trying hard not to relive that night, the hurt I saw on his face was something that I never want to see again.

"Do you want to mate with him?", she asked making me choke on my saliva. Was I ready to feel his hand on my body again? Was I scared to death about it? That was a huge yes but I knew I had to move past the fear. "Hey, it's ok if you don't want to. Look... Ryker is a very patient man, he will wait forever for you so don't worry just follow your heart and do what feels right", she said just in time for Ryker and Abe to walk into the living room. 

"Hello ladies, I'm looking for the Queen of my heart, have you seen her by any chance?", Abe said with a huge smile. "You're so cheesy", she said standing up and pulling him in a kiss. "Let's get you to bed. I've been told you didn't do your exercises today, care to tell me why?", he asked while pulling her to the door. "I was busy with Rina, got the best girlfriend in the world why not spend time with her", she said as he closed the door leaving me with an emotionless Ryker.

"Have you eaten?", he asked and I shook my head. "Let me go get you some food", he said about to walk out. "It's ok I'll go get it myself. Thank you", I said walking past him, he avoided my eyes and walked to our bedroom. I knew that when I returned, he would be asleep already. 

"No way! that was his plot to get you to accept the mark?", "No, it wasn't, I'm telling you he said that after he knew I was his mate, his beast couldn't stop bothering him about it, he was masturbating three times a day just to be able to focus at work", "Are you kidding? Did it hurt?", "Only for a few minutes then we couldn't get enough of each other", "Honey, I'm so proud of you... Your Majesty!... welcome, I'm sorry we didn't see you", one of the cooks said, she was as red as a tomato. 

"Can I see your mark?", I said with a smile and the bubbly one walked closer exposing her neck. It was not what I expected at all. It was beautiful. "Congratulations", I said and her smile got bigger. They gave me food; I ate as they explained more about the mark. When I returned to our room I found Ryker already in bed, his back facing me. I took a shower and joined him, turning off the lights after I was comfortably in the sheets. 

I was contemplating how I was going to start the conversation based on what Mildred told me to do and before I could reach any conclusion, I was pulled to his chest with his head buried in the crock of my neck. "I'm sorry Ryker... It's just that, everything happened so fast... I'm sorry that I ruined the night you worked hard to put together. I'm such a disap-", my rambling was stopped by his lips on mine and all could do was surrender to him as his hands circled my body, swallowing me whole. 

Our tongues massaged each other as I deepened the kiss, my fingers going through his scalp earning a growl as he pulled back. All that could be seen was his glowing eye and it was a magical sight. "That should shut you up", he said and though it was dark, I could tell he was smiling. "Yeah", was all I could say in the middle of my panting.

"I'm sorry too. You've been through a lot and the least I could do is be patient. I lost control of Spike that night and the next thing I know we're in the position we were in. I love you Rina... so much it hurts and I'm scared that I might lose you and I guess that's why I panicked when you pulled back. I thought you would reject me", he said while hugging me tighter.