BLACK MATE

Against Us

As I slowly opened my eyes, a yawn escaped my lips, and I couldn't help but wish I hadn't woken up at all. Everything felt dull and grey without seeing her bright smile and sparkling eyes. I leaned over to place a gentle kiss on her forehead, trying to muster some energy. I then trudged into the bathroom, desperate for a shower.

The stench emanating from my body was overwhelming, and I was surprised it hadn't roused my beautiful mate yet. After a quick rinse, I threw on some comfortable clothes and exited the bathroom, only to be met with a sight that made my heart skip a beat. Excel lay awake, her piercing gaze fixed on me, her eyebrows raised in amusement, and a hint of déjà vu washed over me. I recalled the first time we met, when she stepped out of Alpha Black's car, her eyes sparkling with the same mirth.

I approached her cautiously, afraid of startling her into another bout of unconsciousness. "You look like you've been run over by an articulator," she croaked, her voice husky from disuse.

I shook my head, chuckling at her bizarre comment, trusting her to make one in dire situations. "Thanks, that's all you've got?" I retorted, earning a wiggle of her eyebrows and a sly smile.

Her tone turned serious, and she asked, "Where's Aura?"

I replied, "With my parents," as I poured her a glass of water. She gulped it down, sighing contentedly before handing it back to me.

"I want to go home," she groaned, stretching her limbs.

I pressed the call bell, replying, "Not until the doctor says so." Her response was a series of groans and disgruntled mutterings, clearly expressing her distaste for hospitals.

"I hate hospitals; they smell weird. I must have been unlucky in my past life to end up here," she huffed as if reading my thoughts. I wondered how Alpha Black managed to keep up with her mercurial mood swings.

"I'll get your food," I called out, heading for the door.

Her parting shot made me smirk: "Bring hospital food here, and I'll shove it down your beautiful throat." Beautiful throat? Does she think I have a beautiful throat? I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest at her words.

I headed home to prepare a nourishing meal for my mate, quickly whipping up a stack of fluffy pancakes, a warm bowl of porridge, and a savory bowl of pasta. I added a small portion of turkey soup, which I hoped would help her recover. After changing into a comfortable pair of joggers and a V-neck polo shirt, I made my way back to the hospital.

As I entered her room, I was taken aback by her breathtaking beauty. Fresh from the shower, she wore a bathrobe that barely reached her knees, revealing her smooth, light brown skin. Her wet hair was pulled into a sleek bun, with delicate baby hairs framing her forehead. She looked radiant, and I couldn't help but wonder how one person could possess all the beauty that women desired. Her flawless complexion and captivating presence left me spellbound, and I felt my heart skip a beat as our eyes met.

A laugh brought me out of my trance, I cleared my throat awkwardly, embarrassment hugging my entire being like a second skin at being caught by her while I appreciate her beauty, it's not like she belongs to someone else, she is mine but since she doesn't know I feel ashamed of my actions.

"Take a picture it will last, Marcel,” She giggled as she sat down, only if she knew what my name on her lips does to me, I'm entirely seduced by her not even trying to do so.

I set the lunch bag down as I shot back, "Whatever makes you feel better”. I heard another laugh from her, I could get used to that angelic laugh like the soft melody of a beautiful night.

After spreading out the meals, she sighed, my ears were instantly graced by her moan of appreciation as she took her first bite, damn. I know without a doubt that my eyes are darkened, "Come on, let's eat. This is delicious".

She brought the pancake she took a bite of to my lips and I accepted without hesitation, almost groaning at her taste mixed with the flavor of the food, I wondered how long I could survive this. Just like last time, she continued feeding me oblivious to my inner struggles.

"Any woman who marries you would be one hell of a lucky woman," She said with a sigh, my brows shot up at her comment.

She continued, ignorant of my expression, "I mean why wouldn't she be, your foods alone are so delicious, I hope I get that kind of a man". She sighed while I watched her in amusement. Suddenly I recall what I was told, "You cannot adopt her without getting married".

Before I could think any further the words already left my mouth, "Then why don't you marry me instead?". Excel looked up at me as if I had gone bonkers.

Suddenly she burst into a fit of hilarious laughter as if I had just cracked the oddest joke in the century, the woman before me tumbled from laughter for a good one minute but when she realized I was serious, her mesmerizing dark brows squeezed in disagreement, her beautiful ocean eyes crashing with mine in sync, my heart skipping a dangerous beat as her voice graced my eyes, "Marcel, I can't marry you. You don't know me, I have a lot going on right now and I have to get it from my back before committing to a man".

I scowled at her words, no way am I indulging her words, I emphasized each word I uttered staring into her sapphire eyes, "I don't need to know you. Have you thought about Aura? You said you would help me take care of her, which means you must be her mother and adoption cannot be done without two people in marriage, she is too young to be brought up by parents who aren't together, Excel".

She shifted uncomfortably under my gaze but I didn't give two ffs, she should have known better before spewing the first thing that came to her mind, her voice raised slightly, her tone as frigid as ice, "I can't marry you, choose someone else, okay. You have no idea what would happen if I agree to a marriage with you".

I let out a disappointed laugh at her choice of words, my disagreement seeped into my tone as I spoke, "I chose you, Excel and I have a god-damned reason for that. Is either you or no one. I don't trust anyone to care for her as you do". 'And no woman could compare to you in my eyes' I thought to myself.

"Then give her to someone else," she said with a clenched jaw, her stern brows drown in discomfort at her own words.

I kept walking, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. But with each step, the guilt grew heavier. I couldn't erase the image of her flinching from my mind. I had never spoken to her like that before, and it didn't sit well with me.

As I turned a corner, I stopped and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. Why had I reacted so harshly? I knew she hadn't meant to break her promise. I thought about going back and apologizing, but my pride got in the way.

Just as I was about to push off from the wall, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Theresa standing before me, her eyes wide and her face paled.

My resolve crumbled in that moment. I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at her, seeing the terror in her eyes, "She's gone" Doctor Theresa said looking at me with wide eyes.

"Who is gone?" I asked, fearing her answer. I hope she is not talking about Excel.

"Excel, she left her ward, the CCTV shows that she ran into the woods," Theresa said, her voice trembling, I didn't think twice before sprinting into the woods, praying and hoping that she was okay, I couldn't afford to lose my second chance mate.

I dashed into the woods, my heart racing with fear. "Excel!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the trees. I ran as fast as I could, my senses on high alert, scanning the surroundings for any sign of her. But there was nothing. No response, no sight of her.

I searched the woods tirelessly, my legs aching and my lungs burning, but I couldn't stop. I had to find her. The thought of losing her again was unbearable.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the woods, I finally slowed down, my body exhausted. I had searched every inch of the forest and called out her name until my voice was hoarse, but there was no sign of Excel. I slumped against a tree, feeling defeated and scared.

Where could she be? Was she safe? The questions swirled in my mind as I gazed out into the darkness, my heart heavy with worry. I had promised to protect her, and now she was gone. Again.