Rejected By My Mate, Chosen By Fate
Chapter 17

He had hazel brown eyes that were almost the colour of chocolate. His nose was just at the right angle, long and pointed. Pastel pink lips widened in a flirty grin and I saw the makings of a dimpled smile on his left cheek. He was truly gorgeous to say the least and the way his beautiful eyes stared into mine with such passion had my cheeks turning crimson red in minutes.

He helped me up and I held onto my towel quickly, fearing it would fall because it had already loosened.

The towel wrapped around my head had already fallen off due to the fall that I had narrowly escaped but I didn’t bother to pick it up, there was already enough awkwardness in the air.

“I’m really sorry for barging into your room like this, I apologize for my rude behavior.” He apologized as he ran a hand through his long blonde hair that almost fell on his face.

I turned my back to him and secured my towel to my body. I would absolutely hate it if it had to come off in front of a stranger and a hot one at that.

I went to the bedside table where I had left my notebook and pen and grabbed them quickly. I wrote that it was OK and I also asked who he was and what he was doing here.

He read and just face palmed himself. “I’m so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I normally don’t behave like this, it’s just that your beauty has me very distracted.” He said and I looked away. We had barely talked and he was already being flirty. Just who was this man anyway?

“I’m Kayden, Richard’s younger brother and you are?” He questioned. I instantly knew that I had to show him my respect, he was an integral part of the royal family.

I wrote down my name and passed it to him. He read it and smiled that dimpled smile of his. “Evelyn. You have such a beautiful name. I heard that a new girl had moved into the palace from the maids and I just had to see her. I could have gone to my brother or sister in-law for an explanation but let’s just say that I’m a man who’s much into surprises.” He said and I didn’t even know what to say.

“I’m sorry to see that you’re mute. It’s so unfortunate to see that such a beautiful girl as yourself is mute.” He said and I was honestly tired of being reminded of the fact every time.

I nodded and moved away. I waited for him to leave and when he didn’t, I turned to look at him tentatively. He quickly got the message.

“I’m so sorry, I guess I came at a bad time. I’ll see you later then.” He said and turned to leave and I released a breath that I didn’t even know I had been holding.

He stopped at the doorway and said, “I’m sorry for not making a good first impression but I’m really normally not like this. I guess there’s no need to say much since we’ll get to be meeting each other more often. You’ll then be able to get to know me better.” He said and disappeared before I could blink.

Thankfully, he closed the door behind him and I went on to put on the clothes I had picked out.

I picked up the towel and dabbed my hair dry. I took a look at myself in the mirror and when I was sure that I looked good enough, I walked out of the room and headed for Ana’s new bedroom.

I met Emily on the way. “Thank goodness, I was just about to come call you. Dinner is served and everyone’s waiting for you at the table.” Emily informed me and I was truly shocked.

I almost couldn’t believe it. I was actually going to eat on the same table as the Alpha and the Luna of the Kizmet pack.

I rushed back to my room to get my book and pen. I’m going to be living with people who want to actually communicate with me so it would be essential to always have a book and a pen at hand.

I rushed back out to see a flustered Emily still waiting for me. “Are you alright? Why did you disappear so suddenly?” She questioned with a worried look and my heart cartwheeled in joy. No one would be able to understand the kind of fulfillment a person could feel from being cared for by people when you had formerly been neglected for years.

I stretched my book and pen to her and she nodded.

“Please follow me, I’ll take you to the dining room. Everyone’s still waiting for you at the table and they won’t eat until you’ve arrived.” Emily informed me and I followed her quickly.

The dining room was just as I had expected, huge and beautiful like every other room in this magnificent castle.

Alpha Richard, Luna Elsie, Ana and of course, Kayden were already at the table. “What took you so long Evelyn? We were starting to get worried.” Elsie scolded lightly and I pulled an apologetic face.

Kayden patted on the seat beside him and I went to sit there. “I don’t know why but I still can’t get over the resemblance, you’re sure you both aren’t long lost sisters?” Kayden questioned.

“I wish, if only we had been then Evelyn wouldn’t have had to go through so much.” Elsie said lightly.

“I don’t understand, what do you mean by she wouldn’t have been made to go through so much?” Kayden questioned.

“I’ll explain later but for now let’s eat, the food is getting cold.” Elsie replied and cleared her throat.

We all closed our eyes and she said a little prayer over the food before requesting all of us to dig in.

I was asked to serve myself and I took only a little food, the quantity that I’m used to eating.

“Why so little? Evelyn listen to me, this castle and everything in it is yours as much as it is mine so don’t place any restrictions on yourself. Go ahead and eat to your fill, I promise no one will judge you.” Elsie said with a smile and I nodded and took some more food.

“You should listen to your sister dear, you need to eat a lot more because I can’t have my youngest daughter looking so skinny.” Ana joked and everyone laughed.

I ate to my fill and stopped when I couldn’t consume anymore. I wrote a thank you note to Elsie, her husband and Ana for the wonderful meal and for having me in their castle.

Elsie threw the note away and hugged me instead, playfully threatening me not to thank again for anything.

I returned to my room after dinner and jumped into that soft bed. It was so warm and cozy that I wanted to fall asleep right away but Tara reminded me of what I needed to do first.

“Miss hygiene, aren’t you forgetting a little something?” She questioned and I remembered that I was yet to brush my teeth and change into a nightgown.

I lazily got up from bed and took heavy steps towards the bathroom. It was by pure good fortune that everything that I would need had already been provided, they all seemed to be new so I didn’t have to worry about sharing someone else’s personal belongings.

I brushed my teeth quickly and left the bathroom. I moved towards the wardrobe to look for a nightgown among the new clothes I had received. It was only then that I remembered that I had forgotten to thank Elsie for the clothes too. I knew it was no use now since she had forbidden me from ever saying thank you to her.

I didn’t have to look too long because I soon found a nightdress. I went to the bathroom and changed into it as fast as I could.

I couldn’t understand the reason why but I was feeling unusually tired today. It felt weird because I only ever used to feel this tired in the past after I had been made to do all the work in the pack but I hadn’t really done any hard work today. The only thing I had done that involved force was helping Ana pack her things and even then, the guards had barely let me touch anything.

I shrugged away the thought and yawned tiredly. I found my way to the bed and just let myself fall on the silk sheets. The room was chilly but it wasn’t cold, instead the temperature was just right. Having been subjected to such amazing conditions, sleep was only an arm’s length away and before I knew it, my eyes closed in slumber.

***

It was happening again, he was hitting me mercilessly, throwing punches from every angle and they were all aimed at my delicate body which seemed like it would give out any second. I sobbed as my body laid limp on the dirt floor, he kept hitting me tirelessly like a punching bag. Pain engulfed every part of my body and I couldn’t even stand up, only sob like I always did.

He stopped suddenly and turned me to look at him, he had tears in his eyes and this got me wondering.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry Evelyn.” He apologized and I just couldn’t believe my ears. Zephyr apologizing to me seemed too impossible to believe. And even if he actually was, there was no way in this life that I was going to forgive him, not after brutally scarring my body and my heart.

“I’m sorry.” He repeated with glassy eyes and I looked away. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. “I’m sorry for doing this.” He said and before I could understand what he was going on about, he latched his mouth to my neck and bit me so hard, tearing my delicate skin and drawing b***d.

I screamed out in pain but as usual, no sound could be heard. He sucked on my bleeding skin, seemingly enjoying the taste of my b***d on his tongue.

He stopped suddenly and looked at me with a deadly smirk. “You’re mine now Evelyn, all mine and there is no escape. I’ve marked you as my territory and no one can come close to you except me. No one can k**s, touch, fondle or f**k you except me. And sadly, I’ll never give you the pleasure you desire. Your job will be to only pleasure me and bear the pain I give to you. You’ll take it like an obedient little slut and crave for it.” He said sadistically and I shook my head in defiance.

His hands suddenly came at my clothes and tore them from my body. He latched at my right breast and sucked it vigorously, mainly biting my nipple and causing me to weep in pain and struggle softly. My body was so wounded that there was barely any fight left in me. Did this mean I would never truly escape him? Would I forever be his slave? Will I never truly be able to replace peace?

No, I have to fight this. I’ll have to fight these thoughts or else I’ll go mad. I’ll have to fight for myself the way I always have. My body instantly gained a little strength and I tried to struggle a bit, trying to shake him off me so I could attempt to escape.

“Evelyn.” I heard a familiar voice call my name but my mind was so hazy that I couldn’t place who the voice belonged to.

“Evelyn!” It called again, this time with so much more force. “Evelyn! Evelyn! Please wake up.” I heard the voice call again and I jolted awake, covered in a cold sweat.