Curse of the Moon Goddess

I hated this. She was my mate. My one and only. Why did she ask Jace to help her shift for the first time? And why did he agree to it?!

Jace was my friend. I had a great deal of respect for him. I just can’t get over feeling like I’ve been betrayed. I knew something was off back in the clearing. The moment I saw her, I knew she was my mate. However, I did nothing to save her. Instead, I jumped at air and tripped on one of the rogue’s bodies. By the time I got my footing back, Jace was holding my mate in his arms, whispering something in her ear.

I rushed over, picking her up, and pulling her close to me. I refused to put her down. Yet, the farther we walked, the more I felt him going crazy. What was his problem? She was my mate, not his. His mate was probably already back at the Pack House being looked at while mine had blood dripping from her wounded ankle. I don’t even know when or how it happened. I hadn’t noticed any blood before I jumped.

I fell asleep close beside her that night. So, when I woke up to find her gone, I freaked out. Not only that, but she came back inside with Jace of all people! Then the whole incident with him sensing she was a werewolf really caused some swear words to fly through my head. I wanted to rip his head off. I had to keep reminding myself it wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t control that part. But Ian’s questions lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. Why did he sense it and not me? She was my mate.

My mate. She wouldn’t even let me say it out loud anymore! I hate it how she fought to get away while she let Jace touch her. And now, her body is completely exposed somewhere in those woods and Jace is the one who has access to see. How could she let him? How could he agree to it?

I was beginning to lose my temper and so was Venessa. We all knew she was Jace’s mate, yet Jace has been completely ignoring her. The only time he had put her first was when he brought her to Ian. That was another issue. Ian has not left Venessa’s side once since Jace handed her over. Maybe I’m just paranoid. Afterall, Ian is the Beta and Venessa is his future Luna. So, why does this whole situation seem so messed up?

I was preparing to tear down the whole forest, when finally, the two of them emerged.

I sighed in relief when I couldn’t smell Jace on her. I had been 90% sure he’d taken her in there to ruin my mate, but apparently the guy still has some dignity after all.

My eyes met Jace’s. He didn’t even hesitate as he walked in my direction.

When he was within inches of me, he whispered, “I get that you’re mad.”

I silently swore, causing Jace to scrunch his face up, “Let me explain. She is still processing everything going on. Do you really think you’d been able to control yourself or your wolf if it had been you to go with her?”

His reply shocked me for a moment. My wolf started going a bit crazy thinking of our mate shifting. I understood his point. I sighed.

Apparently, he understood as he smiled, his hand on my shoulder and asked, “No hard feelings?”

I let out a breath of air that was half a chuckle, half exasperation. He was right. He was always right. Even when we were kids his wisdom always seemed so beyond anything I could comprehend. He always knew what to say and make things right again. As annoying as it was, I admired that about him. Right now, though, I was both appreciative and irritated with his wisdom.

I decided it was best to calm myself down. I needed to be alert if there was any foul play during this challenge.

Another thing I was annoyed with Jace about. I know how sensitive Jace is about attempted rape and such things and I’m sure having his mate be the center for it didn’t help any, but how could he let my mate fight? Shouldn’t he take the challenge in her place? Technically she is within his pack right now since she was on his territory when we found her, so shouldn’t he be the alpha and take charge? If I ask him about it, he will provide me some profound reason why. Honestly, I don’t want reason. I want him to do it and save my mate from anymore hurt.

My mate was still walking at the front of our little group. I wished she would come to me. Couldn’t she feel the need to be close to me like I did for her? Maybe it’s because she’s been apart from her wolf for so long. Still, I wish she would come to me rather than walk so far ahead.

At last, we made it to the designated challenge location. Any time someone wanted to challenge an alpha for their position, they would come here. If there was a dispute and decide to challenge, this is where they would go. Each pack had one somewhere on their territory.

I felt sick as I realized what the challenge was. There were five bodies like there had been in the forest, but only four of them were moving. I silently started swearing up a storm. This wasn’t good. This wasn’t about pride like I originally thought; this was a revenge challenge. A challenge to the death. A challenge of four against one.