My Mate is a Werewolf

Chapter 6

*Celina’s POV*

 I looked at the two, trying to gauge if they were lying to me. Could I trust their words? Were they just trying to get me back in their good graces? Did my parents know about all these rules when they moved here? “So would you reject your mate if she was human? You said you would in a heartbeat…would you do it now knowing you could change the rules?” I questioned Vic. Why did it matter to me was beyond all comprehension, but I needed to know the truth.

 Vic’s jaw clenched again and for a second I saw raw emotion in his eyes, before it was hidden by a stoic face. “For now…if she were to find out, I might have to reject her” Vic spoke. There it was…that weird pain in my chest that makes it hard to breathe. “But as long as she doesn’t know…I can keep it my own little secret until I turn eighteen”

 “So you won’t tell…wait” I shouted the last part, pointing my finger at him. “You found her?!” I exclaimed surprised. “Who is it?” I barraged him with questions, his face paling slightly as he raised his hands in surrender. “I can’t tell you yet…I’m sorry…it’s for her safety” Vic responded. I sighed, closing my eyes and trying to control my erratic heart. He found his mate…and obviously a human as well, and obviously not me.…wait…why did I think that?

 It was too much right now. They both had mates, and I had no one. Vic found his mate, that’s the end of my little crush, though I’m sure it was strictly one sided, but damn did it hurt. Why did it hurt so much? I winced, rubbing my chest a bit. That was weird, it hurts, but I’m sure I didn’t hurt myself when I was tackled. “I have to go” I managed to croak out, taking a few steps back. Again, the sharp pain after his words. What is up with me?

 “Lina what’s wrong?” asked Mel worried. I shook my head, raising my hand to stop her. “I’m not sure…but I need to be alone for a bit to process everything” Mel frowned, opening her mouth to protest when I smiled at her slightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t ghost you again Mel…I just need to refocus…just come by later okay? I promise I won’t jump out the window this time” I half joked. I saw relief wash over her expression as she smiled genuinely at me. “You betcha. I’ll bring a tub of ice cream just for you” I laughed a bit, glad that things were somewhat going back to how it was. I looked at Vic and the pain shot again, my laugh dying a bit.

 “I hope everything works out between you two” I said before swallowing hard. “Just…don’t break her heart okay?” Vic slowly nodded, his eyes holding some sort of longing. I smiled sadly at him before turning around, unsure as to how to deal with the fact that Vic won’t be mines anymore. Oh Lina get your head out of your ass! He was never yours to begin with. Sure he got all tall and hot and handsome, but you three were friends, and he’ll always see you as the annoying little sister….get over it!

 Again, the ache in the chest! I stopped walking, hunching over a bit as I grabbed my chest. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I need to stop thinking about that i***t…every time I do my chest hurts. I took a deep breath, shaking off the tension. I looked up at the sun and noticed it was late afternoon already. Had we been talking that long? I better hurry up home to eat before my parents get worried.

 *Victor’s POV*

 I don’t get it…the mate bond is affecting her without her knowing she’s my mate. I saw the pain on her face as she winced, but I couldn’t move to comfort her. Why is she feeling the pain of rejection when she doesn’t even know? Is our bond stronger than normal mates? Were my words that painful for her or is she even unaware that the pain she’s feeling is from the potential rejection?

 “I saw” I heard Mel, snapping me out of my trance. Lina was out of our line of sight already, so I turned my attention towards Mel. “You saw what?” I questioned, hoping it was anything else she saw. “She feels it. Your words are affecting her. But how? You haven’t told her your mates, or established a bond yet right?” Mel questioned me. I sighed, running my hand through my hair again.

 “No…I’ve been careful about it. I don’t know how she feels it…she’s human and doesn’t even know…and it’s not like I can ask dad about it” I groaned, knowing if my father finds out, friend or not, they Hayes might be in danger. Suddenly all the hairs on the back of my neck began to stand, and I saw Mel feeling the same as we broth growled in unison. I looked around, the pungent smell attacking my nostrils.

 “Rogues…” Mel whispered as she picked up the scent. “Oh no…they’re coming from the direction Lina left” she said panicked. “s**t…link dad and the warriors…I’m going after her” I screamed as I ran towards the direction Lina went, my heart beating in fear. ‘Please Goddess don’t let her get hurt’ I thought to myself as I picked up the pace. I saw her further down, looking at the sky as if trying to figure out the time.

 “Lina!” I called out, causing her to turn towards my direction confused. “Vic?”  I heard her question. “RUN!” I shouted at her, but I saw it too late. The shadow jumped over her, crashing into her as a blood curling scream escaped her lips. ‘No…mate!’ I heard my wolf howl in anger. Rage overtook my sense as I shifted mid run, leaping onto the back of the rogue as I sank my teeth into its neck. We toppled off Lina, our growls echoing around us as I clamped my teeth harder onto its neck, shaking viciously as the rogue tried to claw at me. Its snout glistened in the sunlight, and I noticed it was covered in blood. That sent me over the edge as I ripped the back of its neck wide open, shaking the now dead rogue violently for harming a single hair on my mate.

 I looked around, noticing a few more rogues circling the area. I growled, the hairs along my back and spine bristling as a warning. I was standing close to Lina, but unable to even check on her wellbeing. I could smell the blood in the air, and it sickened me that some of the blood was Lina’s. I heard a howling in the distance, and saw my father, Mel and the warriors running towards my direction. The rogues growled and snarled before they were attacked by the entourage, their decimation quick and painful.

 As my father killed the last rogue I shifted and knelt next to Lina, who was unconscious on the floor. “Lina…answer me” I whispered as I pulled her off the ground, seeing the large wound on her shoulder, a little too close to her neck. Blood was still oozing from the wound and I started to panic as I applied pressure on the wound, trying to slow the blood flow.

 “What the hell happened Victor” my father snarled as he looked at Lina then at me. I wasn’t sure what to tell him. That we were discussing his rules and how to overthrow him when she got attacked? Yeah, that wouldn’t be a wise idea.

 “Father…we were running an endurance training. Lina was helping us with the training. We were trying to up our speed. She moved to far ahead when we caught the scent of the rogues…that’s why I went to get you and Vic went to get her” Mel tried to explain. I saw my father’s jaw clench as the warriors tried to get near Celina. I narrowed my eyes at them, but had to keep my wolf at bay. If I growled at them, my father would surely know something is up between Celina and myself, and I had to play my cards right.

 “We’ll take her to the hospital. Amelia, go inform her parents. Victor, come with me to the hospital” my father’s grave tone left me perplexed. He looked so worried over Lina. He’s never been this worried over any other human. What was it about Celina that got him so nervous and possibly afraid for her life?