The Unmarked Mate

Chapter 24

Dahlia

After James had left, I switched off the light and went upstairs. As I was lying on my bed, I thought about everything that had happened, about what Sibyl had said, about shifting in front of everyone, that part of me wasn't a secret anymore, at long last. I thought about James too. Somehow, he knew to leave me alone without ever truly leaving me alone, he gave me space but stayed behind just in case. I had never brought anyone to the willow tree. This place was my haven, it was hidden deep in the forest and often I would go there to shift alone or to take a swim with no one to judge or comment on my body. Then we went back here... he was so gorgeous, Elizabeth was right, he was a fine piece of ass. I could still taste his lips on mine. Maybe I'd let myself get tempted by these lips again and by that body. But I feared this time, unlike Andrew or Damian, the moment he left would be harder to bear. I went to sleep, I had to talk to Sibyl in the morning, and I had to rest to be calm, I'd like to avoid another incident.

I was looking at myself again talking to Lucius. But this time I knew I was dreaming. I was watching his duplicitous smile. It was the day we met. I looked at my younger me running toward him, pushing anyone on my way. He whispered "mate" and grabbed me. His tall figure was embracing my own. I watched him kiss this person that used to be me. For once, I dreamed about him without being scared, I was just sad. And then I was angry. I stared at my father welcoming his future assassin with a smile and asking that bastard his name. I heard again that mischievous voice.

"I am Elestren's mate, Lucius, Lucius Bate". And then it struck me. How did he know my name? I had never thought about that, he told my father he was Elestren's mate when I had never told him who I was! He knew that name because he had made Sibyl cast the spell. There was never anything true in him. He was always a monster. I was never a bad mate, I had never made him do anything. All the things that happened were not because I couldn't love him properly, everything was a lie. This wasn't my fault. I was told it wasn't my fault, but for the first time I believed it. For the first time also, I didn't wake up screaming, or agitated, or in pain. I didn't wake up at all. The dream just continued to me swimming in the river under a red moon. The willow tree in the clearing was laughing. I slept on.

In the morning, I woke up early but rested. I went to shower and then went downstairs to make some coffee and breakfast. Serena was awkwardly sitting in the kitchen.

"Hello." She said, obviously uncomfortable. "Sorry I went back here last night, you gave me a key, so..."

"Of course, you did, you live here for the time being. I'll be honest, I had forgotten a bit that you were living here last night, I hope I wasn't too loud when I came home." I told her with a warm smile. I felt a bit guilty about forgetting her.

"Well, I went home after you actually, so I can't say if you were loud. Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, thank you! I apologize if I scared anyone and for the all trying to kill someone thing... You're a brave woman to come back here after that" I joked, this lightened up the mood, she laughed.

"I am an elite guard after all, being brave is sort of my job. And don't apologize, had I learned the things you were told last night, I'm pretty sure my reaction would have been the same! Being stolen the opportunity to meet your one true mate is a serious crime! I must say that I really wanna train with you now, Cat too. You know, your wolf is impressive and huge, not only for a werewolf but also for a Lycan..."

"Really? James was the same height as me though!"

"Yes but he is of a king's blood! Malcom and he are bigger than any of us, so that makes you bigger than us too. I don't know who your mother was, but she must have been a sight !"