Page 1 of Fearful Mate

Prologue

Lola

I can feel the stirrings in the air and I know today will not just be like any other day.Leaving aside the fact that it is my birthday, I know something big is coming.

Fear and anticipation thrum through my veins as I go along with my day, doing my chores and chatting with neighbors, just like I always do.

“Silas want to see you,” my mother says as I deposit the groceries on the little round table in the kitchen.

“Why?”

“No idea,” she says with a smile.“Probably just to say happy birthday.”

I nod before stepping outside through the back door.My heart is hammering in my chest.I have never been fond of our pack Alpha, simply because I find him intimidating and I don’t always agree with his style of leadership.But when your Alpha calls, you go.

I knock on the door to his home and wait.He has always held his meetings here and I know that seeing me today will be no different.

The door swings open and the scent of spearmint hits me, hard.I stare at Silas as the realization dawns on me.He is my fated mate.His stormy gaze scans over me while a frown mars his handsome features.He gestures for me to enter.

I struggle to maintain my composure wanting nothing more than to throw myself at him.I have always thought he was a handsome yet unapproachable man and the age gap won’t make a difference to me.

“Please take a seat,” Silas says, his voice low and formal.“We have some matters to discuss.

I look around the lounge and take a seat on one of the couches, waiting for him.I twist my hands together in my lap, nervousness riding me.

“I’ve known since the early morning hours that you are my fated mate,” he says softly, drawing my attention to him.

“Why did you wait to call me?”I ask, my voice quivering.

Something is very wrong now, I just can’t put my finger on it.

“I can’t be your mate.”

“What?”I cry out, jumping up from my seat.“Did I do something wrong?”

Already I can feel the tears building in the back of my throat as I fight to keep my animal at bay.

“I love someone else.Someone I can never be with,” he replies softly.His gaze connects with mine and I know he doesn’t want to hurt me.He feels bad for the situation and the pain he will cause me but that won’t change his mind.“I’m sorry, Lola.”

Tears are now flowing freely down my face as I watch the man who was supposed to cherish me as the mate fate has chosen for him.I don’t hear the words he speaks but I watch his lips move.

Indescribable pain seers through my entire body and my knees give way.I land on the tiled floor and curl myself into a ball trying anything—everything—to stave off the waves of excruciating pain.My animal howls in pain, setting my ears ringing along with everything else I am feeling right now.I feel like I am dying, and I actually wish I would if it would stop the pain.

Just when I think I can’t handle anymore, the world around me fades to black and the physical pain stops.I already know the emotional toll will be with me for many years to come.

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