Your Love is Mine

Chapter 23

***River's POV***

Waking up i felt drained. Like a train just kept running over me. The sky looked dark so i must have slept through most of the day. Getting up i needed water. Badly. My back was way too sore. "Hey, your up." Leila said coming to my side. She had been sitting on a chair i assumed. "Mhm." Was all i could say. She handed me a glass of water. It felt good to drink water. I cleared my throat and tried to speak again, "what happened?" Her expression changed to cold. "Cole let his rage get the best of him. And Mia tried to shift. But being tied to the pole with Silver chains makes it difficult." She said. I guess she didn't want to talk about it.

We stayed silent most of the day, she sat on a rocking chair next to my bed while reading a book. I just laid face down on the bed. How was it that i could talk to her over the phone with ease but in person i couldn't. "Come on, dinners almost ready." She said standing up hold her hand out. She wanted to me take her hand. I wanted too, but i just didn't want to lead her on. I refuse to let her help me, even though i wanted her too. Getting up on my own not taking her hand was hard. Her expression stayed cold. Turning her back to me she walked out the door. My body ached to scream at her to come back. But i held it in.

Dinner was completely Awkward. The former alpha sat at the head of the table with his mate on his right. While Leila sat at the other end of the table with Cole at her right. I sat right in between. The tension was thick. Leila cleared her throat and looked at her father. They looked so much alike. From her hair thick and wave just like her dad's, eyes that could pierce into your soul color caramel and bright. Cheekbones so defined that it looked like the goddess her self sculpted them. "We are calling our allies from Ireland to come help us. We found a couple dead bodies around the bored. They were sending a message." She said stone cold. No emotions shown. The Luna stayed quiet, i could see her eyes getting watery. He must have sensed it because he grabbed her hand as if he was insuring her she would be safe. "Why them Leila?" He said with no emotion as well. You could tell he was getting agitated. "They are family of course. We were there to help them before. They are willing to help us." She countered. "We could handle it." He said. "How many more Bodies have to appear before we Do something about it? How many more of Our pack members do they have to kill before you Bite your pride back and accept help." He growled a bit. Cole stayed quiet too. His face bruised, seemed like he got into a fight. "I called them and they are on their way. They land tomorrow." She said ending the conversation. "You brought them here? And didn't consult me?" Her father growled, i coward away. I had seen first hand what he could do. Leila looked at me and sighed and glared at her father. "It was the best choice i could have made. Your Brother, my Uncle is bringing most of his warriors to help as well as his son. We can end these rogues and kill the bitch." She said crossing her arms. "Fine. Do as you like." Was all he said, end the conversation. "River," she started again. Hearing her name come out of her mouth sent shivers down my spine. "Y-Yeah?" I said, internally kicking myself for stuttering. "As you heard my uncle is coming with his pack and his son. And i just wanted you to know i won't present you as my mate. Just as a pack member. Since it's been made clear you don't want to be with me." She said looking at me. Her eyes were cold. I could tell she didn't want to come to this. This is What i wanted. Right? "Oh." Was all i could muster up to say. My heart started to break. The Luna must have sensed it. "Well then Leila, since you aren't presenting her as your mate. What are you going to do?" She said. "Well the pack needs a Luna to help me run the pack. The strongest female will be chosen for it. I just don't know when." She said looking down at her food. Barely touched. "I think Cole and me should go. Ready?" She stood up looking at Cole. "Yeah." Was all he could say before walking out. "Thanks for the food." Was all Leila said before walking out. She didn't even look my way. "So, are you going to sit there and watch her walk away?" The Luna said to me. I didn't want to look. I wanted to tell her to stay. I wanted her. "Yes," i started, "I'll let her walk away." I finished.

You could hear the door slam with such force, it came off the hedges of the frame. And hear the howl of a sad wolf. The former alpha and Luna looked towards the window. I couldn't bring myself to look. "It had to be this way" i kept repeating to myself. "She deserves a strong mate" Was all i kept in mind.

Retreating to my room i stayed in bed looking at the ceiling. Thinking if i did the right thing. If letting her go was the best choice. But in that moment it wasn't. I wanted to call her. Tell her to come back. Tell her i made a mistake. But i couldn't. "Pack your things." The former alpha said standing at the door. I jumped, not hearing him come to the door. "Tomorrow we need to be present to welcome the guest." He said walking away. "Why didn't you want to call them?" I said looking at his back. He stayed in place, "Because my brother lives for war. And will kill anyone in his way. Leila serves in his army and saw how it changes her." He said before completely walking away. Another bomb dropped. She served in his war? What war? She changed? So much i didn't know about her, i wanted answers. I reached for the phone. I told myself i would call. But i needed to know. Dialing her number i waited for her to answer. But it was sent straight to voicemail. Disappointment started to settle. She didn't want to talk. Just because i didn't let her help me? I craved for her. My mind was just clouding with lust for her. Pain erupted from my chest. I couldn't breathe. Grabbing the night stand trying to hold on, i fell to the floor. I screamed in pain, tears flowing down my face. I couldn't understand what was happening. The Luna rushes in, frantic looking around and saw me on the floor. "Child?! What's wrong?" She panicked looking at me. "M-My chest...it hurts." I said between screams. It was like she knew what was going on. The alpha stood again at the door. No emotion showing he knew something, but he did." It must have lasted for hours. I couldn't breathe wave after wave i felt this pain. "W-What's Wrong w-with m-me?" I cried as it finally stopped. She held me to her chest. "It..." she started not knowing if she could tell me. "Leila was with someone." The alpha said direct. No sugar coating it, i sobbed. "Those are the consequences of rejecting your mate. When either one of you are with someone else you will feel that pain. Till the bond between both mates is gone." He said. She was with someone. She had sex with someone. Already? My heart broke and there was no denying that it disgusted me. "I'm so sorry sweetheart." The Luna Said quietly. My head throbbing from what just happened. "I felt this list for her.." i said looking shameful. "It wasn't you. The bond made you feel the lust because she was thinking of you. But the pain was because who she was with tonight was not you." She said picking me up and placing me in bed. "Rest. We have to be up early tomorrow." She said walking out the door.

Waking up in the morning was dreadful, i looked in the mirror and it was horrible what i saw. Eyes puffy from crying, dark bags under my eyes, hair sticking up all over the place. I couldn't believe i looked bad. Getting dressed i wore a black shirt and skinny jeans with some black boots. Throwing on some make to cover the dark circles and puffy eyes nothing to show off. Packing whatever i could i walked down the steps with my duffel bag the Luna looked at me. "You look like you didn't sleep." She stated the obvious. I didn't respond in fear her mate would lash out at me. Riding in the back Mia looked worse. She looked feral, she had a muzzle collar on to keep her from biting. Silver cuffs on binding her hands and feet. Her hair sticking at every way. Not the same way i met her. "She needs to be taught that even though my mate isn't alpha, she needs to leave her place." The Luna replied answering my question. It felt like a long ride there but soon we saw the pack house. I could see Leila and Cole standing side by side talking to a male tall and muscular as this former alpha. Next to him a beautiful women with auburn hair so long and curly. And 3 others. Two guys and one female. I couldn't tell if they were family or just friends. Parking a few feet away from them we got out and i could see the female walking past the couple and jumping into Leila's arms. Her blonde hair whipping in the hair as she cling on to my Mate. And Leila holding her up my her big ass. I could feel my body shaking. "Breath Child." The alpha told me from behind placing his hand on my shoulder. Preventing me to move. But that was thrown out the window when the female kissed my Mate. The Bitch kissed her and she Let her. I ran towards them tackling both, "Get your Fucking hands off my Mate!" I swung with every bit of strength i had. Leila was on the floor shocked that i had even did that. The alpha from the other pack looked amused but i didn't pay much attention but on this female who dared kissed my Mate. We fought but i could feel her over powering me. She had train for a long time i think soon she had me in a head lock. Cole pried her off me and the Alpha guest took me off holding me by my neck. "Feisty one ain't she?" With his Irish accent. "Yup." Leila said with no emotion. Scratching the alpha's arm i walked up to Leila and smacked her with all my heart. "How could you?" I told her showing her how bad she hurt me. I wanted her. I couldn't hold it back anymore. But what i saw broke my heart.