Come What May

“Wake up Berry.” I heard a gentle voice. I opened my eyes slowly and saw Ryder standing in front of me. I rubbed my eyes and sat up on bed. He sat on the bed, near my feet.

“How are you now?” he asked, his eyes showing despair.

“I’m fine.” I answered, my voice, emotionless.

“Don’t lie to me Berry.” He said putting his hand over my foot and rubbing it slightly.

A brother comforting his sister.

“It doesn’t matter Ryder.” My voice cracks, just like my hope.

“It matters. Talk to me.” He pleads. He can see my hurt clear as day.

“He doesn’t care about me.” I spoke, tears stream down my face, I could taste the salt on my lips.

All I do is cry.

“He cares Berry, give him time.” He says.

“How much time Ryder? How much? That filthy male was about to dishonor me, he was about to take my virtue, forcefully. It didn’t bother my mate at all.” I spat out the word mate.

“I don’t know what to say.” His head hangs down in shame, for the doings of his best friend.

“It’s not your fault Ryder. You don’t need to worry, I’m not giving up on him. Even after all this, I want him. He’s my mate, my Alpha. I cannot throw the bond away.”

“Everything will be alright. Have faith in your mate.” I let out a bitter laugh at his words.

“I know that he doesn’t want to accept me because of the curse. But how could he control himself from killing Xavier? Alpha’s are possessive. He’s the Alpha king, does his beast not care for me? The human can resist, but how is it possible for the Wild?”

All these questions were swirling in my mind. They all have control over their posture. Never even once, I saw them losing control to their wild, the beast that lives within. How?

“He has mastered the art of restraint, Berry. He can hide it well.”

“I don’t believe it. He simply does not care.”

“How can you say this? Just because you never saw his beast showing his canines doesn’t mean that it doesn’t bother him. His beast is the true definition of wild. Do want destruction everywhere Berry? The beast is not be provoked. If he comes out, then it is game over for everyone. I hope you understand this. Never provoke his beast Berry. Never.” He leaves the room in a hurry after saying this.

I never understood how destructive it can be. His beast is dangerous. Ryder is right. If his wild came out, no one will see the light of the day again.

How can I be a mate to this lethal beast? When he comes to know about my flaws, he will toss me away. My eyes teared up thinking about it.

I’m not good enough for him.

Don’t lose hope, everything will be alright Berry.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Come in.” Marry came in with a tray which had a plate full of food and a glass of juice.

“It’s time to eat.” She smiled at me and kept the plate on my lap. She kept the juice on the bedside table.

“I want you to finish it all. I don’t want to see anything on the plate.” She put her hand over my head and kissed my forehead, then left the room. I smiled at her display of affection. I think we are getting along.

I finished everything on my plate and drank all the juice. My belly was full. I picked up the plate and glass and headed towards the kitchen to wash them.

I wonder where my mate is? He never came to visit me.

Heartless Mate.

I was about to leave the kitchen when Marry entered. She looked at me and smiled.

“You should have called me, child. Don’t stress yourself. Come with me to your room, I need to talk to you about something.” She went ahead of me. I stood there confused for a minute and then followed her.

We both sat in my bed and she held both my hands in hers.

“Berenice, I think you need to socialize more. You never talk with anyone. You just always stay alone. This is not healthy for you. Don’t isolate yourself, child.”

“I don’t do it intentionally. It’s just, it’s hard for me to adjust with new people.” She smiled at this.

“I understand. But everyone here is nice. When you get to know them, you’ll be comfortable. We wolves need to have each-others backs.” My eyes widened. Wolves? She is a werewolf?

“What happened? Why do you look so surprised?” she asked me concerned.

“Oh, no, no, nothing. You’re right. I need to be more social and try to make friends. Thank you.” I smiled at her.

“Good. We get three days off. The other batch of workers will take over for these three days. I think you should mingle with everyone during this time. Meet me in the garden, tomorrow evening, everyone will be there.” I was shocked again. I didn’t know this. We get three days off? That’s nice.

“yes, yes, I will be there.” I agreed. She nodded and then left my room.

I sighed in relief. For how much time will I be able to keep my secret? They all will come to know eventually. I don’t know how I recognized my mate. But I did. Otherwise, my secret would’ve been out a long time ago.

“Berry, you in there.” A voice that I very well recognize called out from the other side of the door.

“yes, Ryder.” He came in my room with a cheery face. Why is he so happy?

“Why are you smiling?” I asked him.

“No reason.” He stated. I narrowed my eyes at him but he changed the topic.

“I believe Marry told you that you have three days off.” He asked me. I nodded.

“Good. You will go to the other wing of the castle. The families of the help live there.”

“What? The other wing? Families live there? I never saw any family here.” I asked, surprised. He chuckled at that.

“You never even took the complete tour of this wing itself, Berry. How will you know about the other?” What? My eyes widened.

“The castle is huge Berry. The wing for the common families is separated by a large gate. Not everyone is allowed to enter the royal wing.”

“oh, I really don’t know anything about this place.” I need to ask Ryder about Marry being a werewolf.

“Umm, Ryder, I want to ask you something.” I asked, playing with my fingers.

“Ask me anything.” I took a deep breath.

“Is Marry a werewolf?” I finally managed to asked.

“Yes, all the help is.” I gasped out loud at that.

“Umm, yeah, I already know that.” I waved my hand.

“You don’t need to lie to me.” Ryder spoke up in a serious tone.

“Wha- what are you talking about?” oh no, no, no, he can’t know about this.

“I know that you’ve not shifted yet Berry. You don’t have your wolf right now.” When he said those words, it felt like my world has ended.

They will kick me out now. My mate will not want me. How did he come to know? I started crying hysterically.

Ryder wrapped his arms around me to calm me down but I couldn’t stop the tears.

“Please Ryder, do- don’t tell this to him, please, please. I beg you. He will lea- leave me. don’t make him leave me, please.” I started begging him. I freed myself from his grasp and knelt down in front of him. I joined my hands and begged him over and over again to not tell my mate about this.

“Oh god Berry, please get up.” He held me tightly to him.

“Breathe Berry, take deep breaths.” He took deep breaths and I followed his lead.

“Yes, there. Everything is fine. Calm down.” He made me sit on my bed and covered me with the duvet. He picked up the glass of water that was sitting on my bedside table and gave it to me. I chugged down the water in one go. He took the empty glass from me and kept it back.

He tugged me into his arms and swayed from side to side.

“Oh, my sweet Berry. You need to calm down.” It took me fifteen minutes to get myself together.

“Fine now?” he asked me. I nodded.

“You don’t need to worry. Alex already knows.” My eyes widened. I could feel my eyes burning with unshed tears.

“No, before you start crying again, hear me out.” I nodded again.

“He knew from the start that you haven’t shifted yet. He still brought you here with him. So, he doesn’t care you have your wolf or not. There are many things you don’t know. When time is right, you’ll find out yourself. No need to panic, okay.”

“Okay.” I whispered. A comfortable silence settled between us.

“Ryder.” I called out softly.

“Yes, Berry.”

“How did you find out about my truth?” he chuckled at my question.

“I think you’re forgetting that we’ve been here, in this world from many centuries. We’ve seen many things. Your mate is the King Berry. Nothing escapes his eyes. You are so young and innocent. You don’t know anything about the dark secrets of this world.

Alex was the one who told me that you don’t have your wolf yet. But I can smell her on you. She is there, but not yet ready to come out. Everyone can feel her presence, that’s why no one questioned you. No one knows you cannot shift except Alex and I.”

If I say I’m shocked, that would be an understatement. Ryder laughed at my expression.

“I think all this is enough for one day. You take rest.” He kissed my forehead and left the room.

My life has truly turned upside down. I don’t know how much more I can take.