Chapter 3 He's my mate

Zoe'S POV

"Faster... drag her faster!"

The guards dragged and pushed me harder with every command.

The crowd was already there. I couldn't look up but I heard hundreds of pack members roaring.

"Burn her alive!"

"We need her blood!"

"Make her beg for death!"

Heat hit my face when I reached the execution stand.

"Tie her up." Someone commanded.

Rough hands grabbed me and tied me to the execution iron.

Now I could see the crowd. They got angrier when I looked up. They started throwing stones and other things that smelled bad.

The heat got worse. I was getting dizzy.

"You have something to say, assassin?"

What could I say? I won't beg. And I won't say sorry.

I heard the crowd cheering. I lifted my face and saw the Alpha coming. The crowd made way for him. He wore his black robe. His face showed nothing.

I watched him climb the stand. All I wanted was for him to kill me fast.

When he came to me, he lifted my chin with a sword. He stared into my eyes.

This means death.

Am I happy? No. But I prepared for this. The only painful thing is I didn't say goodbye to my family. And I didn't get to have my wolf yet.

I'm a late bloomer. My mum said I'd probably get my wolf on my 21st birthday.

"Light the fire higher." The Alpha commanded as he left the stand.

A guard put more wood in the fire around me.

The flames roared. I closed my eyes to keep the pain inside.

Then something inside me moved.

Deep in my chest.

It wasn't dizziness. It wasn't heat. This was stronger.

"What's... what's happening?" Someone said but the words faded.

Energy exploded from my body.

The ropes snapped. Fire scattered. People fell back.

My body felt different. Stronger.

Finally... I'm here now.

A voice in my head. My wolf.

"No... not now."

But she was awake. So powerful.

I landed on my feet. Wood cracked under me.

I looked at my hands. Silver light.

Then my eyes found him.

Alpha Jeremy stood frozen. Mouth open. Eyes wide.

That's when it hit.

Like a rope around my soul pulling hard.

Connection... to him.

"No... please no."

My wolf howled.

Mate.

"NO! This is not happening!"

But my body pulled toward him. My wolf cried with joy.

I looked into his eyes.

He felt it too.

"Alpha?" his beta said. "What's..."

"Put out the fire now!" Jeremy's voice sounded broken.

"But the execution..."

"I SAID NOW!" He screamed.

My body started changing back. Bones cracking. Fur going away.

Then I realized... I was naked.

Completely naked in front of hundreds of people.

I tried to cover myself but failed.

Jeremy was suddenly there. He ripped off his robe and threw it around me.

His face went hard. "Don't speak."

"James! Clear the dungeon. No guards. No one."

"But Alpha..."

"That's an order!"

He picked me up. People whispered. Pointed.

"Why is she alive?"

"What's happening?"

"Her wolf is powerful!"

"Is she his mate?"

Jeremy walked faster.

We went into the manor. Down dark stairs. Into the dungeon.

He kicked open a cell and put me on the stone floor.

We stared at each other.

The bond pulled tight.

"Stand up."

"Why? So you can kill me?"

"I said stand up."

His Alpha voice pushed down.

My wolf cried.

I was too tired to obey.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me up.

When his skin touched mine... lightning.

We both gasped.

His eyes went wide.

"Let go."

"I can't. If I let go, I'll kill you. And if I kill you..."

He didn't finish.

"This is wrong," I said. "This bond is wrong."

"I know."

"I hate you."

"I know that too."

We stood so close.

Jeremy let go and stepped back.

"I won't accept this. I don't care what the moon goddess thinks. You are NOT my mate."

"Good. Because you're not mine either."

His eyes flashed.

"I, Jeremy Dylan, Alpha of the Lakewood Pack," he started.

My stomach dropped.

"I reject you..." He stared at me as he realised he didn't know my name.

"Your name, assassin."

I didn't answer. I wanted to die before, but I don't think I want to anymore after getting my wolf. I'll hold on to this bond as my way to stay alive till I know what's next.

Pain exploded in my chest.

My wolf screamed. My legs gave out.

I fell, gasping.

Jeremy fell back against the wall. His hand on his chest. His face twisted.

It hurt him too.

But he didn't take it back.

"Accept it," he gasped. "Accept the rejection."

"No," I whispered.

His head snapped up. "What?"

"I said no. I won't accept it."

"Why not? You just said you hate me!"

"I do hate you. But I'm not stupid. The second I accept, I'm useless. And useless people don't survive here."

He understood. Then got angrier.

"You think you're wise. Keeping the bond alive to stay breathing."

"I think I want to live."

He grabbed my shoulders. His fingers dug in.

"Listen carefully. Starting tomorrow, you'll face the worst nightmare of your life." He bent down to my level.

"You'll work as a slave. The lowest slave. Other slaves will boss you around. You'll clean, serve, do whatever anyone says."

I stayed quiet.

"And every night, you come to my room. You'll be my sex slave." He stopped to look at me.

I was disgusted. I could see that made him happy.

"You'll fix my curse with your body. And I'll make you hate every second until you accept the rejection."

My face went hot. My hands became fists. "I'll never willingly touch you."

"Who said anything about willingly? You chose this. Now live with it."

He walked to the door.

"Someone will get you at dawn. Sleep if you can. You'll need the strength."

The door opened.

"And assassin?"

He stopped.

"If you ever try to harm me or anyone here again, mate bond or not, I'll make you suffer in ways that make today look like mercy."

He closed the door.

My wolf cried inside me. She wanted him.

"He's not our mate," I told her. "He's our enemy."

But she didn't believe me.

I curled up on the cold floor.

This was worse than death.

But I found another reason to live. My wolf.

I don't know how long I lay there.

My body hurt. My wolf was restless. The bond pulled at my chest.

Then I heard it.

Footsteps.

Slow. Careful. Quiet.

I sat up. Pulled the robe tighter.

The footsteps stopped outside my cell.

A key turned.

The door opened slow.

Someone stepped inside. Wearing a hood. Holding something that shined.

A knife.

"Who... who's there?" My voice shook.

The person moved closer. Quiet.

I pressed against the wall. "Stay away from me!"

The person raised the knife.

Moonlight caught the blade.

"Please! Who are you?"

The person moved forward.

I screamed.