Chapter 9

• Kaya's pov
• I stared at the ceiling as I pondered on the things going on in my life at the moment. It all seemed to move too fast for me. No doubt I had always wished for a protector, someone I could rely on, someone I could relate with but all these felt too unreal.
• Just a week ago, I was the Trio’s punching bag, the pack's weirdo but now, I am supposedly the Alpha’s mate. His touch made my skin feel alive, I have never felt this strange but I had to decide not to give in to him. All I know is that he could abandon me any instant, I mean why on earth would an Alpha choose me? I turned to the wall where the countdown to my elopement was marked and took a deep breath. That was it, I had to run away. Away from all of this, from the hassle, I had to be strong for myself.
• A light knock on the door brought me back to reality, it was Tyler. I asked him to come in and adjusted to a sitting position. There was something different about the air around him. It felt bizarre.
• “Mind if I sit?” He asked so casually and I nodded approvingly.
• “I have asked that Oslo come back to check on you to see if you are ok. In the meantime, we need to talk to Kaya”. The last bit he voiced piqued my interest.
• “How did it all start? I mean the- the abuse.” I never knew the Alpha could stutter as he was ever so collected. Maybe the topic was uncomfortable for him, I thought.
• I took a deep breath to brace myself. I didn’t want him to see me as a weakling. So I had to brace up, I needed him to know that I was much more on the inside other than a victim of abuse. Being targeted by the Trio had toughened me up, I mean I had some bruises and scars to show. I needed Tyler to see that I was so much more, I needed him to see me in a different light.
• I mustered all the courage I could and said “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but I don’t need pity, Alpha. I’ve handled myself all these years without a protector and I can take care of myself.” I looked away so that he would not see through me.
• Deep down, I had longed for a shoulder to rest on but I couldn’t let him in, to see my pain, the reason for my being; those were my insecurities.
• He appeared shocked by what I said like he didn’t expect it. Did he think that I was so weak and shallow on the inside? Did he expect a perfect mate?
• “Hey, look at me, Kaya.” He said while tilting my chin towards him. Tyler was indeed a beautiful creature. As I gazed at him, I couldn’t help but think. Why did he have to be so sweet? This is not the Alpha I’ve known. He was known to be ruthless, scary and very intimating. But this Tyler was different. I closed my eyes and turned my face away.
• This made him very furious. He stood up and paced the room brooding on his way. He seemed irritated as he paced back and forth then he paused his strides and faced me.
• “You are making things very hard, don’t you see? You are my mate!” He interjected.
• “What makes you so convinced that I am yours, aside from that your wolf said so? We- We have nothing in common, and I am not right for you or your pack. You’ve heard the rumours; I am a curse!”
• He walked toward my bedside and sat down slowly “tell me, how are you a curse? Tell me everything.” He looked at me pleadingly.
• “I was birthed on prophesied day of Atrocity. Pack's mother spoke the word Katára, which means cursed. And pack mother is never wrong Alpha.” His jaw clenched when I said this and just like I thought, knowing this would make him detest me like the other pack members.
• “I can’t be your mate, Tyler, I am not perfect for you,” I spoke. With this, Tyler furrowed his eyebrows, heaved a sigh and then walked towards the door.
• I looked away because I didn’t want him to see the tears that streamed down my face. He needed to understand that I had to look out for him. Being his mate meant disaster for both of us. His pack wouldn’t respect him if he chooses me over them and I didn’t want to risk that. Running away was the best for both of us.
• His strides paused just by the door and faced me. His eyes grew to a dark dangerous shade” I might not have been there to protect you but I am here now, you have to let me in to share your pain.” He voiced utterly and left the room.
• As I collapsed on my bed and let the tears come flooding, I couldn’t help but think that I had lost my chance at happiness and I felt distraught. The earlier I left, the better for me because every single day spent around Tyler made me feel ways I’d never felt before.
• I stood up and walked carefully towards the jewellery holder where my locket hung. As I stared, I recalled when it was given to me by the pack elders. I was told that Mother gifted it to me on her dying bed. I opened it and stared at the inscription written on the inside, “Trust in your heart and you will find yourself.” I never really understood the inscription but the locket always stirred up hope in me.