Chapter 8: _Will Never Be His Mate

Chapter 8: _Will Never Be His Mate I walked down the stairs until I got downstairs, where I met Celine, still sitting at the dining table with a tense expression on her face. The way her fingers moved around seemed like she wanted to claw someone's eyes out. My face scrunched with irritation when I realized that that 'someone' could very well be Odessa. Argh, I need to get that witch out of my head somehow. "Kaelos." Celine raised her head when she heard my approaching footsteps. She got up from the dining table and walked up to me, causing me to pause when she brought her right hand to my shoulder. "What's wrong? Did you put that witch in her place?" She asked, a cruel smirk curling up her lips. I stared at her with a plain expression... No disgust, no anger, no amusement... Nothing. That's how it's always been between Celine and me. It's how it's been between me and most people, actually. The only reason I still tolerated her presence in my mansion was because even though we were finally divorced, the people still saw her as their Luna since I didn't have a mate. Well, at least, I thought I didn't have a mate. Until now. "I'm fine, Celine," I mumbled, wrapping my hand around her right hand and slowly removing it from my shoulder. "I'm going outside for a walk. Goodnight." Without another word or a glance, I brushed past her, ignoring the way she stared at me speechlessly. I didn't have the strength for her drama. Not after everything that happened within the last few minutes. Anyway, I walked out of the mansion, stepping outside to the compound where some of my guards stood, watching the premises. They bowed at me when I walked past them, but I barely paid them any heed as I continued walking, stepping out of the compound and into the night of the estate. There was no one outside at this time, the moon shining brightly above the pack. As the Alpha king, I was not only the leader of all the packs of the continent but also the Alpha of my home pack, the Blood Oak pack. Other packs in the continent had their Alphas as well, but I was the king, overseeing the actions of the other Alphas and making sure they stayed in line and ruled properly. That has been the system for centuries, even before the war. Finally, I got to my destination, which was a serene part of the high-class section of the estate, a few blocks away from my mansion. The one-story duplex in front of me was painted white and pulsed with an invisible holy energy that made me feel welcomed and at peace. It was surrounded by plants and flowers, with some climbing the walls of the building as well as the fence surrounding the compound itself. Anyway, the guards at the gates opened it for me before I said anything, allowing me to walk in. I navigated my way into the building, meeting a few maids dressed in white garments who bowed at me when I walked past the hallways dimly lit with red flame torches. Eventually, I got to the top floor, to a room where I met the spiritual leader of the Blood Oak pack and the entire North American region, Elder Davina. The room was brightly lit with white light and had white stone walls as well as an artificially grown ecosystem made up of a pond and small flower vases. "Alpha Kaelos." She greeted from where she stood tending to a flower, wearing her usual white robe. She had her back facing me but soon turned to stare at me, a welcoming smile on her wrinkled face. "It's been a while since you came on a private visit." She remarked. I stared at her for a bit before sighing and stepping forward with my hands behind my back. The moon's light shone down a circle hole covered in red stained glass on the ceiling, giving the room an extra magical vibe. "Yes, Elder Davina. But unfortunately, I'm not here for a welfare visit or anything of the sort." I revealed with a blank expression on my face, trying to hide the internal turmoil I felt within. "I'm here because there's something wrong with that witch that I picked. My so-called 'wife'." Elder Davina tilted her head in surprise, her eyebrows snapping into a frown. "Odessa? It's been barely a couple of hours, Alpha Kaelos. What's 'wrong' with her?" She queried. I sighed heavily, not bothering to sit even when Davina gestured at a bench close to her. "Well, I'll put this as plainly as possible." I began, clearing my throat before I revealed the bombshell. "It seems my wolf has identified Odessa as our mate." Elder Davina paused, withdrawing her hands from a pink tulip she was tending to. She fixed all her attention on me, her eyes showing the shock and surprise she felt. "Yeah, I thought you'd have that reaction," I stated with a scoff, shaking my head as I began pacing around. "It doesn't make any sense. How is SHE, my mate? She's a witch. A bloody witch, Elder!" Elder Davina was silent, staring at me with a thoughtful look in her eyes. She knew about my past with witches. She knew of my dark part in this war. Not to mention the fact that she could communicate with the moon goddess. If anyone could tell me what was happening, it should be her. Sadly, it seemed fate was bent on making an example of me as Davina sighed. "Indeed, a witch being the mate of a Werewolf is something unheard of. I can see why you feel troubled." I blinked at her, my muscles tensing with anticipation as I urged her to continue. "Isn't there anything else you have to say?" She had a wry smile on her face as she held onto her staff before walking forward. "Unfortunately, I don't have an explanation for this. But what I can tell you is that this isn't the work of any curse or witch magic." She paused, staring at the moon through the glass ceiling with a solemn expression on her face. "This is the moon goddess' will. And it'll be best to wait and watch what is to unfold. I knew this truce would be the start of something great. Something liberating." She said. I gawked blankly at her, not knowing what to say. Was she fucking serious right now? She wants me to 'wait' and 'watch'? Well, that might most likely never work out, especially not in this context. "That witch can not be my mate, Elder," I said with certainty, even though there was an aggravating voice at the back of my head telling me that I was lying to myself. But I ignored that, turning my back to the Elder as I attempted to walk away. However, Elder Davina called me back with her words. "Remember why you called for this truce in the first place instead of carrying on with it like your forefathers, Alpha Kaelos. And remember that the moon goddess' ways are mysterious and should not be questioned." I stood there, silently balling my hands into fists. Mysterious ways my ass! Without sparing the Elder another glance, I barged out of the room and then made my way out of the building. I walked into the cover of night like a shadow, my gaze going up to my mansion when I finally got to it. It was the same mansion that had been used by generations of Alpha kings before me. Who would've thought that it would be home to a witch now? One who's my wife and mated to me, on top of it. "I will not let you make me the object of humiliation." I glanced up at the moon, making a silent promise before I stepped into the mansion. I walked through the grand foyer, not stopping until I got to Odessa's room upstairs. "Don't think for one second that you'll get any peace here." I blurted coldly when I opened the door with the key, just in time to see her jolting from her bed in fright. She stared at me with some defiance in her eyes, but I ignored that and the annoying howls of my wolf, continuing with my words. "Until the moon goddess or whatever force out there stops this ridiculous joke, I'll keep on punishing you for making me feel this way," I said without a trace of emotion, ignoring the hurt that flashed through her eyes. After staring at her for a little while, I finally added. "You are not and will never be my mate. Never." With that, I turned my back to her and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me before locking it with the key again. I grunted, heading for my suite to get some sleep or probably sulk over my current situation with some alcohol. However, on my way to my suite, I walked into Beta Marcellus, my right-hand man and best friend. "My Lord. You look–" Before he could complete his sentence, I cut him short with a dismissive wave. "Drop the title, would you?" I said with a scoff before I continued. "I have an assignment for you. A simple one."