Escaping Death

Chapter 35

~4.5 years ago~

Hunter

She said yes! The girl of my dreams, the love of my life, has finally agreed to officially be mine for eternity. I know why she was hesitant to say yes, it's a debate we've had with increasing frequency over the last few years as our bond has grown deeper. She's concerned that I'll find my fated mate one day and leave her, but she couldn't be more wrong. Even though we're not mates by design, we are no less fated to one another.

We were born on the same day, within the same hour. My mother suffered miscarriages and stillbirths before I was born so naturally she calls me her miracle child — but really it was Solana. She's the miracle.

Our mothers have said that when they were pregnant with us our heartbeats were stronger, their morning sickness and aches would disappear, and we'd kick and tumble in their wombs much more when they were near one another.

After we were born there were similar accounts. We slept better and more peacefully when placed in the same crib, we healed faster when near one another. In time my mother has come to agree with me — it wasn't a coincidence that I was the only child she bore successfully. It was Solana.

Falling in love with her was the most natural thing on the planet, like I had no choice but to love her, like we were always destined to experience life together. Solana only ever doubted that we were fated to be together because of the matebond. If I had been born to dragons instead of wolves it would never have been a thought. But our love is patient. I knew the truth and I was willing to hold her hand through any river of doubt until she knew what I knew. I am hers, and she is mine.

And now, at long last, she's there with me because she said yes! I'm going to marry her, mark her over and over, fill her with every pup she could ever want, and spend eternity basking in the warmth of my personal sunshine.

Her mother and fathers had given me their blessing to ask her to be my mate months ago. I even spoke to her eldest brother, Cole, my best friend and future Alpha, about my intentions. He may have teased us at breakfast when we told them the good news but I know he's happy for us.

There's nothing that could bring me down from this high. Or that's what I thought until I walked into her mother's office for their family meeting, and instead of being congratulated or celebrating our engagement, I'm faced with some girl who my wolf is saying is our fated mate.

My anxiety starts to bubble so I hold Solana tightly to me, breathing in the comfort of her scent. I'm not worried about this girl. I'll find a delicate way to reject her. What I'm worried about is Solana. We finally got past the doubts and reservations. I don't want this trivial bump in the road to derail her back into doubt.

As soon as I can, I pull Solana out of her mother's office and rush us down the hall and around the corner where I'm sure not even her Alpha fathers can hear us.

I need to take control of this, I can't allow the seeds of doubt to land and take root. I can't lose her over this. Solana's fear and concern are as real to me as my own emotions, I can feel her and sense her...how does she not see all the ways in which our connection resembles a fated mate bond?

I slam her up against a wall, place my hands on either side of neck, and apply enough pressure to her throat to make sure I have her undivided attention. She needs to know I'm in control right now and that I am not fucking around. I slam our lips together, begging her with my tongue to stand by us through this, desperately trying to temper any uncertainty on her part — no mate bond could be stronger than the pull I feel towards her. I am hers.