Chapter 7 His New Mate

• Zephyr's POV:
• Five years. I was finally back.
• Five years ago, my mate had cast me aside. I had to leave in disgrace.
• Now, I stood determined to take down the pack I loathed.
• I straightened my shirt and walked ahead.
• Suddenly, I heard sharp intakes of breath around me. Something felt off beneath my feet.
• A woman lay there, motionless.
• Who was she? When had she fallen here?
• I frowned and quickly pulled back, glancing down at the figure sprawled on the ground.
• She looked weak and thin. Her long, heavy dress concealed most of her body, but the back of her hand bore a bruise from where I had stepped. She shook slightly, biting her lip and saying nothing.
• I had almost stepped on her without realizing it. Did she feel no pain?
• The woman kept her head bowed, her features lost in the shadow cast by my presence.
• She was painfully thin.
• Although I had never seen her before, something about her felt hauntingly familiar. A memory sparked in my mind.
• How could she resemble her so much?
• Anger coursed through me. I took a step closer, desperate to see her face.
• Then, a soft voice broke the silence. "Zephyr."
• Stella stepped from the car, leaning down to hand a little girl to me.
• Stella Yarwood was the woman my father had found five years ago. She had come to help with the curse that haunted me.
• That night, after Caitlyn's betrayal, I had confused Stella for Caitlyn and taken her innocence in the most brutal way.
• Afterward, Stella had become pregnant and given me a lovely daughter named Yvette.
• I shouldn't have let my feelings spill over. I shouldn't have made her pregnant.
• I felt no love for her, only guilt and need.
• I needed her blood to ease my curse.
• The only way to atone for my actions was to treat her well.
• I looked into Yvette's bright, sparkling eyes. She resembled the girl from my dreams. I reached out and gently took her in my arms.
• "Zephyr, I have a fever," Stella said, her voice soft and strained. "I feel awful. I can't look after Yvette right now. Can she stay with you for a bit?"
• My mind drifted as I reached out to touch Stella's forehead. It burned like fire.
• Her blood sacrifice every month weakened her. She had always been frail.
• "I'll have Tim reserve a room for you and call the doctor," I said quickly.
• Stella smiled softly. "That sounds good."
• Then she looked at the woman on the floor. "I'm really sorry, miss. Zephyr didn't mean to step on you. I can see your hand is hurt badly. When the doctor arrives, can you let him check it out? Don't worry; we'll make it right."
• The woman didn't raise her head. I couldn't see her face. Her voice trembled as she replied, "No ... it's okay."
• That voice didn't sound right.
• Stella was being too kind to someone so unimportant.
• I turned to her and said, "A person like her isn't worth your time. Just give her some money and let's go. You need to rest. When I finish here, I'll come find you."
• After I spoke, I didn't glance back at the woman. I held the child close and walked past her, leaving without a second thought.
• Stella's POV:
• As soon as Zephyr was gone, a horde of reporters followed him.
• Once the crowd thinned, I let my fake smile fade and looked down at the woman on the ground.
• She was repulsive. This woman had purposely lain in Zephyr's path, trying to trick him.
• Just as I was about to say something, she pushed herself up and staggered away, silent and shaky.
• "Hey! Miss … " But she vanished around the corner. I sighed and let my hands fall to my sides. "Never mind!"
• I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. Soon, a tall man in a suit hurried over.
• "Ms. Yarwood."
• I faced him and lowered my voice. "Today is the 15th. Did you bring the blood Zephyr needs?"
• He nodded and handed me a small package.
• "It just came in. This time is special. The donor is right here in the Windwood Pack. From now on, we'll always have blood when we need it."
• "Windwood Pack?" The words surprised me for a moment, but I quickly dismissed it. "It doesn't matter. As long as they provide blood on time and keep Zephyr's situation secret, I won't question who it is."
• I finished speaking and took the empty syringe from the man. I rolled up my sleeve to reveal the skin near my wrist, and without hesitation, I jabbed the needle into my skin.
• The needle pierced through but drew no blood, leaving a visible mark behind.
• The man in front of me stared at my hand, his brow tight. He lowered his voice. "Ms. Yarwood, you don't need to do this. Even if Mr. Zephyr can't see the marks, he thinks you are the one giving blood to him."
• I smiled and tossed the used syringe into the trash. "If I don't do this, how will Zephyr remember my kindness every moment?"
• Five years ago, Zephyr returned to the Bloodnight Pack after a long absence.
• With his grandmother's help, I became the one who 'supplied' him with blood.
• Each month, the real donor would send blood, and I would prick my hand and deliver it to Zephyr.
• Perhaps my innocent looks and my skill at understanding made him believe I was the helpless woman who had been with him and provided blood all this time.
• I used his kindness against him, making him feel guilty and tying his heart to mine.
• Sadly, Zephyr felt no love for me; he only desired my blood and did not want to share a bed.
• Without love or intimacy, how could I ever be Zephyr's mate and become the woman of the Alpha of the strongest pack in this world?
• I checked my watch; it was nearly time. I glanced at the man beside me and whispered, "Put the blood away."
• I had made up my mind. Before giving him the blood he needed, I would mate with him tonight!