Stronger- #Wattys2019

Part 39

His heart pounded, matched with the rhythmic crunch of paws as they echoed through the forest. Alexander was lost to his wolf instincts. No matter how hard he fought to control the beast he had become, there was no stopping the monster who seemed to be faster than ever, fueled by emotions more powerful than he had felt in a long time.

He barely had time to order Bruno to find Yuri and get others on the hunt before he took off after his mate in wolf form. Time was of the essence. Nadine had run off just as a heavy winter storm was settling in. The snow already obscuring her tracks and covering her scent. He feared what would happen if he didn't find her before the worst of it hit.

And that didn't even get into the dangers she faced out there alone. Liam was still on the loose, along with wild wolves and bears, and worse... rogues who would love to get their hands on a she-wolf alone.

He had fucked up epically.

In trying to give her a chance to be happy, he had shattered what little trust she had and chased her into dangerous territory. He couldn't blame her for running. He offered her a way out and then prevented it from happening in the worst way possible. He had played her like some kids toy, left to bounce around at his inconsistent and illogical will.

The truth was he never deserved her. And he proved it time and time again.

All he needed was to know she was safe. He could live with her hatred if she was safe and happy. He could survive the rejection and broken heart as long as Nadine was taken care of. Hell, he would help her find a new mate if that was what it took. Somehow, he would force his wolf to submit to reality, to let her go. He just couldn't keep hurting her like he had.

Hours, he had searched, both Alexander's human mind and his instincts grew more and more desperate as the snow fell. His paws were numb and he no longer felt the cold as his mind focused solely on his mission. He had lost her trail long ago, yet he refused to give up.

Then he heard it. A soft rhythm hidden within the wind. It was so faint, he was sure he had lost his mind. Yet, the spark of hope pushed him forward. Slowly, the rhythm strengthened into a tune, a familiar tone hung in the air.

Nadine.

Her haunting voice sang, drawing him in. A beacon to lead him home.

He found her shivering, wrapped in a blanket and looking out over a tranquil lake. The snow slowed enough to only leave a light dusting on her shoulders.

Yet, when he saw her face, he was frozen to the spot. Her eyes were red and puffy, tear streaks ran down her pale, cold, cheeks. Even as her lips trembled and her voice shook, she continued to sing out the same song he had heard earlier. Her grief and shattered soul lay bare for him to see.

And he could only blame himself. Alexander had been scared he would be the one to break her completely, and he crumbled at the evidence of it.

He whimpered at the sight, wanting nothing more than to kiss away her pain and sorrow.

As the song came to a close, Nadine threw a rock over the cliff before her. "Why did I ever promise you anything?" She sighed. "I kept my promises and you didn't keep yours." She let a sob loose.

"You said I could trust my mate, that I should hope and pray for him, give him a chance, because he was made to be my match, that he would understand and be patient with my past, he would support my healing, and comfort my insecurities." She chuckled dryly. "You lied Lilith. He hasn't done any of that. You lied! You lied about everything. You promised me you wouldn't leave, that you would stay with me until I found my mate, that you would make sure he treated me right. You promised that you would stay with me until you could see me smile, a real honest smile." She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "You made me promise to never give up, to keep fighting until I had that dream. But look how that turned out. I'm rejected. Even if he won't make it official, he rejected me. He played me like a fucking puppet to be showed off and flaunted, for everyone to know I was supposed to be his. And then he wants to throw me away."