The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Chapter 106

MAXIM POV

I haven’t told her everything.

She doesn’t know that the first time I saw the state of her legs I vomited on the floor.

Orthat I didn’t sleep for almost three days because I was terrified I’d hear that sickly crunching sound again. The one the final boulder made when it released the pressure on her crushed legs.

No assassinaton, or slaughtered rebel could compare to seeing her laid out so helplessly. Unconscious, slowly being crushed to death.

But I told her the truths that mattered. That I loved her and would never leave her side.

The only way the doctor would leave us alone was if I swore not to mess with the black silk wrappings. To allow her wolf to make the best of what was

there.

Tess was lucky to even have everything attached. It was all so…flat. Bent in every wrong way. The doctor described it as crumbled bones, held in a bag of torn skin. Not feet. Ankles. Anything recognizable.

The doctor warned me, his voice as sombre as the grave, whilst stitching my face, that I had to adjust my mind around a life of looking after her. There was no way she could come back from such an injury.

That first night, my own face itching like a hornets nest had been glued to it, I watched her. Her sweet face scaunching with pain. I caressed her bitemark. Slowly washed her body and hair. In the quiet darkness, I treasured her.

During the daytimes, across the mind link I had Remy organising to shift someone out of Block E ground floor. To make a new space for us.

Now she stands in front of us, just a few silvery trails down her shins and ankles. Like a gossamer spider’s web, glinting under the light.

The relief and gratitude stripped all the air from my lungs.

After everything she has been through it is the least she deserves. It feels like her family have given her one last act of love from beyond the grave. All her heritage, that she believed lost, lives within her still.

“I’ll leave you to it. Your uniforms is outside,” Marshall declared, pointing to a large linen bag outside. Door shut, we’re alone again.

But it’s different now. Before, neither of us dared to dream she might be able to heal from what happened. It was too insane. The future was always going to be us, just different.

Now, the air itself is tinged with something new. Possibility. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tess this excitedly dynamic before.

“Can you believe it?” giving me a twirl, her white nightgown flaring halfway up her pale, slender thighs. “It doesn’t feel real!”

Holding out my hand she takes and steps towards me with the lightness of a ballet dancer, up on her toes, graceful and quick. I don’t want to break the magic so I keep her land lightly in mine. “It doesn’t hurt?”

“No, just tingly but I think that will go away.” Goddess her brown eyes are sparkling.

“So…a walk?” I repeat, unable to stop the fire sparking up inside me.

I am fully, desperately and urgently aware of how many days it has been since we were last truly intimate. It felt like a selfish, greedy idea whilst she was recovering.

Now? Now she’s a light footed little nymph, a twirling little wonder in front of me.

“I think that’s a good idea, don’t you? It’s not too late in the afternoon for a walk is it?” her smile is everything but innocent. I’m already dressed in

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Chapter 106

austere, grim black, the same as every day

But now Tess owns a Warden uniform. No more dull beige and gold.

“Oh wow, this is going to feel strange,” she murmurs.

Maxim/ Remy links.

Oh fuck off now.

Yes Alpha/ my teeth are gritted.

“Alpha Remy,” I say to Tess pointing to my head with an eye roll. She nods with a chuckle, before continuing to dig through the uniform bag.

/Both of you up to the throne room when you’re t

to leave please./

/Seriously?/

Yes. Do this and you can have tomorrow off duties-/

/DEAL/ before snapping off the link.

I turn around and find my mate has evolved. Her long coppery hair is radiantly bright against the stark white and gray. It is an elevated version of the Wardens gown. I wonder if Hazel or Allette have been meddling.

The white and gray is now a wrap around dress. Hugging her waist with two swathes of colour completing in rapped layers all the way down to her ankles. The final long draped layer acting like a shawl to cover her upper chest and arms. Gray leather boots complete her new status.

I cannot help a burst of pride as the first thing she tests in the mirror is her archery stance. Shoulders wide, arms poised. “Looking good.”

“Really?” a curious smile on her face.

“I look like a demon next to an angel.”

Walking around her, I give every inch of her undivided attention. With a laugh she stands tall, chin up high. “I thought I was the heathen?” she murmured to herself.

“Oh you are, wearing a bit of white changes doesn’t change that,” taking her slender fingers into mine, stepping closer and allowing my other hand to trace up the delicate smoothness of her neck, up to her chin.

I’m grateful to see she hasn’t completely changed because at her daring to say something remotely flirtatious her cheeks have coloured the raspberry shade I adore.

Merged with her orange scent I’m head over heels.

I’ll never be of any use to Remy ever again.

“Remy has asked to see us in the throne room. Maybe you’re getting the mind link?”

“Oh, okay. Lets go then,” and her blush deepens again, shutting the door behind us. I smile as she climbs the stairs ahead of me. I’m fairly certain, that Tess feels just as starved as me right now.

If I were to pause, push her up against the wall, Kick her legs apart and take one greedy swipe between her legs she’d be soaking wet for me.

Soon. Soon. I promise myself with rabid zeal. It will be worth it when this nonsense is done with.

This whole time we have only been a couple of floors below, in Luna Sabrina’s old parlor. The doors leading to the family’s casual access, that Hazel had bounded through so many times was boarded up by me the instant I had Tess safely installed that first night.

Chapter 106

Now we climb. My eyes are glued to those gray leather boots, Hoping that this isn’t a cruel trick. That climbing the stairs isn’t going to quedenty berak he back down into agony. But she is sprightly. Quick. There is definitely a new energy about her and it is making my wolf yearn painfully.

Fuck it. I’m weak. When we reach the wooden door I grab her wrist just before she knocks. Then I wipe the confused look off her face with a king I’ve been too afraid to give her for over a week.

No gentle, soft caress. It’s a furious, desire–filled claim. Lips colliding, my other hand around her waist, tugging us together. Underneath the arched doorway she is soon pressed up against me and when her hand immediately finds the back of my head and grips me tightly i know it’s what she’s been craving too.

“In and out job. No chit chat.”

“Not a single minute of small talk,” she murmurs brea

work. I know how easily I could stroke between her thighs a

Would she bite her lips or would she have to let out a sound

Because we can, now.

her leg lifting up, brushing against my thigh. Now I’ve seen how the layers of her dress I leave her hanging on the edge.

the game away? My wolf has my hands twitching. Begging me to take my chance.

Only she does it to me. The wrist I was holding is suddenly free, her hand sprinting south, feeling over my pants for my cock. Which seeing as I’m a man dangerously in love with his mate, thuds under her touch, almost painfully as blood races. I groan into her neck, inhaling her perfumed orange perfection.

“COME IN!” booms a voice from the other side of the door, as we spring apart like cats. Her grin is victorious, I made the noise that gave us away. My lovely little mate. She can have that win.

Remy sits on his throne. Surrounded by a dozen Wardens. red drapes and blinding daylight making the gray stone appear almost white.

Oh shit. What is this? If it is a scheduled meeting I’ll leap off the balcony myself.

The bells begin to chime the instant Tess walks in. Remy rises, his white hair sleek and swept back, blue eyes sharp and focused. His huge form strides towards us, only to drop onto one knee. The Alpha is bowing before Tess.

Within half a second, so is every Warden.

Tess looks at me, do I bow too? When I make a move she grabs my hand tighter than she ever has before. Remy slowly rises, but neither of us have a clue what to say. So much for a quick chat.

“Tess will you walk out here for a moment? You too Maxim.”

“Yes Alpha,” we reply in unison, following him out onto the reopened balcony. Red curtains flutter. It’s all very nice.

It shut off during Alpha Hale’s reign, Remy has unblocked the window.

The din of the bells hid the crowd. Every single member of Ravenbow is stood at the foot of the packhouse. Rows upon rows of people are crammed, trying to catch a glimpse. There are thousands of people. A clutch of remaining Wardens to one side, led by a proud, smiling Warden Marshall with Kai and Silas nearby.

I spot blue–shirted Beta’s, the Generals. First years who have trained alongside my mate. The silver–haired Vigo and Allette are close to the centre of the crowd, both distinctly unique enough to stand out.

To my huge surprise, next to Allette, is Princess Hazel. Her hair has grown back enough to cover her scalp, wearing a simple white dress. In the stares up, clapping for the Alpha.

vd she

Remy steps forward, his huge chest capable of powering a speech straight into the mountains, just like his father. With a raised hand he silences the bells and proceeds to bellow out his speech.

“I am relieved to inform you the Hero of Ravenbow, has healed. She is finally fit to stand before you all and receive your gratitude. She is no rebel. She is the reason this pack remains intact and not dragged into pieces by our enemies. She is your newest Warden and someone I trust with my life. There are very few things I will punish with death in this pack. But let it be known, any slur upon her, is your own guaranteed demise. Tess Pagano, the last surviving Wilder, the bravest of us all. LET US HONOUR HER!”

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Chapter 106

Tess pales. Wobbles a little too as Remy drops to his knees again. The entire pack follows suit in a ripple effect. The bells begin their riotous chinte. over again.

This time I drop to my knee too. My glorious, wonderful imate. The woman who continues to morph. From shy, prickly victim, she is blossoming more every day. Her confidence, herjoy is addictive to watch and it is my privilege to