The Dark Alpha's Sweet Mate

9 It’s him, isn’t it?”

Carrie dropped the bag of groceries on the kitchen island, and then turned to open the fridge. She slowly packed the perishable food in the fridge as she tried her best not to think about what happened earlier at Dr Madison’s clinic. She’s been doing that ever since she left the clinic – she pushed the whole thing to the back of her mind because she couldn’t handle it.

God, how did he find her so quickly?

When he claimed her as his mate, it wasn’t like they exchanged any information about each other. She doesn’t even know his name. So how did he find her?

Chills ran up and down her spine as she thought of how he showed up exactly where she was. How was that even possible? That he would show up like that? She shook her head as she focused on unpacking. She finished and started to make herself dinner.

She knew she needed to start taking care of herself, because she couldn’t face him when she was weak and guilt-riddled. She had to face up to her mistake, and hope that he understood. It wasn’t unheard of for a female to break the mating bond. She knew that Mystic could do it. She did it for Sky. But something was holding her back.

Carrie sighed, knowing she couldn’t undo the past. She could just make her present better. She touched her tummy, wondering how she was going to do that. She didn’t have any idea.

Carrie closed her eyes and sighed again. She went back to cooking. Once she was done, she made a plate for one and sat on the kitchen island and ate her meal. She looked around the cabin feeling lonelier than ever before. She never felt like that. She knew that she was alone, but she never felt lonely. She sighed as she finished her food.

She walked to the bathroom and got cleaned up. Once she was done, she sat down on her chair and stared out of her window. Images of the alpha all hurt and bloody filtered into her mind. Carrie shook her head, she really didn’t want to think about him. But she couldn’t help herself as all kinds of emotions bubbled within her – fear, concern, guilt and sadness. She felt them all. She got up from the chair and started to pace. Her heart hammered in her chest as she knew it was a matter of time before he showed up on her doorstep. If he found her at the clinic, he was definitely going to show up there.

What am I going to do? Carrie asked herself. Maybe she should have told Marcus who he was and what happened between them. Maybe he would protect her.

Carrie shook her head as soon as that thought entered her mind. No, he wouldn’t hurt her. He thought that she was his mate. No alpha would hurt his mate. But she couldn’t help but feel afraid of him.

Hera’s anxiety doubled inside her as she sensed her own. Carrie paced around her cabin trying to work it off.

Her phone started to ring. She walked to the kitchen where she left her handbag. She pulled it out of her bag. She stared at Sky’s name displayed on the screen.

Carrie bit the inside of her mouth as she answered. She has been avoiding Sky, because she was keeping a huge secret from her. And Sky had a way of pulling the truth out of her. Carrie didn’t want her to know that she was pregnant. She just wanted to deal with it silently, especially now that he found her. Carrie had to go back to Dr Madison as soon as possible.

“Hello,” she said, walking to her chair and sitting down.

“Hey,” Sky said, sounding like she was whispering. “Have you heard? The alpha who was kept by the human doctor has been found. Marcus and William brought him home.”

Sky heard her phone beep alerting her of an incoming text.

“Mikaela and I took a picture of him. We thought he might be your mate. I’ve just sent the picture to you. If it’s him…” Sky trailed off. There was so much hope and excitement in her voice. Carrie cringed, not knowing what to say. She bit into her mouth harder until she tasted blood.

Damn, things were getting far more complicated than she thought they would be. She should have told Sky what happened to her after she was rescued. But back then she had felt….Carrie shook her head as tears filled her eyes.

“Did you check it?” Sky asked.

Fuck. Carrie closed her eyes for a few seconds and took deep breaths.

“Let me call you back,” she said. And then sat there staring into space for a while, trying to get her emotions under control. Everything seemed to be getting out of control. She wasn’t ready for this.

She stared at her phone, knowing that Sky was going to call her back if she didn’t. She clicked on the text that she sent her, and then the picture was loaded. She stared at him, her breath hitching in her throat. He still had that overwhelming presence even in the picture. He was not fully facing the camera, but she could tell it was him. He had a black t-shirt on and his long hair was tied up in a messy bun on top of his head.

It was definitely him, Carrie thought as she stared at him. Her insides squeezed tight as she tried to think of what she was going to tell Sky. She was waiting for her answer. Carrie groaned and got to her feet. She paced from the door to the chair, thinking.

She should just lie, she thought, whimpering. She covered her face with her hands. She shook her head. She was literally freaking out.

Her phone started to ring again. She stared at it, feeling the pressure.

She thought of not answering her, but she knew Sky would come to her to get the answers she wanted. And she could deal with that.

Carrie answered the call.

“It’s him, isn’t it?” Sky said as soon as she answered. She didn’t even wait for her to say anything. “Oh my God. Carrie. I am so happy for you. I was so scared that you would never find each other.”

Sky said more, but Carrie zoned out as her mind went into overdrive.

Oh my God. She closed her eyes. This was just…she hung up the phone and dropped down into the chair. She buried her face in her hands, feeling like the world was closing in on her.

Carrie gasped for air as she tried to breathe. There was a sudden pounding on the door a few minutes later.

Carrie stared at it, wishing everyone would leave her alone.

“Carrie!” Mystic’s voice came through the door. “Open up. Sky called me. She said she was talking to you and then something happened. She’s worried about you.”

Carrie shook her head as she got to her feet, and walked to the door. She opened the door. Mystic looked her over.

“Are you going to let me in?” she asked as Carrie remained standing in front of the door. She sighed and walked back to her chair. She sat down with a sigh.

“As you can see, I am fine. You can report to Sky that you checked on me and I am fine,” she said. “If you don’t mind, I really want to be alone now.”

Mystic stood there saying nothing.

Carrie groaned irritably.

“For someone whose mate has just been found, you don’t look happy. As a matter of fact, you were not happy about the baby either,” she said softly, as if she was trying to figure her out. Mystic came to stand in front of the chair. She went to her knees in front of her. “Carrie, whatever happened in the labs, you don’t have to carry it alone. Sky was the same way. An alpha took her against her will. Did the same happen to you?”

Carrie stared down at her. She felt tears fill her eyes.

“Tell me what happened. He's not your mate, isn’t he?”

Carrie shook her head.

“What? He forced himself on you?” Mystic asked, looking horrified.

“No. It was nothing like that. I …” Carrie took a deep breath as she opened her mouth to say what she did. She felt so guilty and torn apart. The alpha’s picture filtered into her mind. She didn’t think she could ever face him. And she knew there was no way she was going to avoid him. Not after Sky found out that he was her mate.

“I lied to him. I let him claim me even though I knew that he wasn’t my mate. I used him. I thought he would protect me as his mate in the labs,” Carrie said, not looking at Mystic. It sounded so cruel when she said it.

“Carrie?”

“I know. Now, he’s come to find me and I am pregnant with his child,” Carrie looked at Mystic. “I don’t know what to do. What am I going to do?” she asked desperately. Tears ran down her cheeks. Carrie wiped them away. She cried enough.

Mystic pulled her into a hug. She had no answers for her. She got herself into this. She’ll have to get herself out.

…………………………………………….............................................................................................................................

The stage was finally set, Cien thought, as he stared at the fairy nobles as they made their way into the house. Kalan stood to the side and he greeted each and every one of them as their king. He looked so royal and poised in his royal robes and whimsy crown on top of his head. He was the epitome of a Fairy King. But Cien knew what lived inside him. He knew the beast he was hiding behind his calm façade, and he couldn’t wait for the whole kingdom to see it too. The Fagnad, their fairy festival where their king and knights were subjected to all kinds of tests, was due to begin soon. And that’s where he was going to reveal everything to all. They’ll all see that he didn’t deserve to be their king. He was a wolf in sheep's skin. Cien smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait to bring his secret weapon home.

He watched as the nobles fawned all over his brother. If only they knew what he was.

Soon…soon they’ll know, Cien thought, moving closer to greet everyone. They hardly noticed him, because of Kalan. But they will notice him, because he will be their king.

He couldn’t wait.