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Chapter 94
288 Vouchers
Chapter 94
Zora
“We do not know what the future holds, Hardy; that is why we seize the moment and do all we can. Love the people we love, appreciate them, tell them, and show them how we feel. Do all that we want for them because the future isn’t guaranteed. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. So we become a bit impulsive, so we don’t look back on it with regrets. Things change, feelings, time, and conditions; they all change, so we always seize the moment and live in it because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I know this and live by it daily, which you should have. If you had, we would be together. I wouldn’t have met Darius, known him, and fallen in love with him. I wouldn’t be torn and fighting our bond right now; my heart and yours wouldn’t be breaking. Everything would be as it should be,” I said and looked at the sky.
“When Casey found Lori, I ran away from the party and shifted. The pain was incredible, and I prayed that my mate would come and take it away. The goddess answered, she answered, but when you came, you weren’t willing. You weren‘ t ready, so I had to face it alone, and someone else had to help me through the healing process. What you feel for me is a bond ordained by the goddess and fate; what I have with Darius is destiny made from choice,” I said, and his eyes widened.
“I love him, Hardy. My heart beats for him. He was there. He held my hand to make me smile, gave me a reason to try again, fixed me, and made me hope and love again. He was
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there. Now you hold a rose in your hand and want me to just forget about the one person who loved me through my pain and suffering. The one person that went against tradition, his values, his family, his people, for my sake. The one person willing to seize the moment and live in it.” I said and looked at him.
“I can’t. I promised him I would be home tomorrow. I promised him I would never leave him. I promised I wouldn’t break his heart. I am not letting you go because of my promises; I am letting you go because I have already given my heart to him,” I said, and he nodded, tears streaming down his face.
“When Casey told me you were in love with Darius Hand, I thought it was a lie. When I heard of your marriage, I thought you only did it to survive. But seeing you here made me realise I was wrong. He let you come this far unaccompanied, and you’re not willing to come with me. I see you love him,” He said and bowed his head.
“And I know the bond can not take that away. The human and the wolf would always be conflicted. Casey loved you, still loves you, and because of that, he hasn’t been able to be happy with Lori. I see him die more every time, and I do not wish that on you, Zora. I do not want to be the source of your pain. You were right when you said I had lost my opportunity. Even if I take you and claim you, just like Casey, your heart will always beat for Darius. I can see it in your eyes. I care about you enough to want you to be truly happy. I do not want my love or our bond to be a source of pain and regret for you. Whatever you do, I will accept and wish you the best,” He said, letting the rose drop into his hand.
I looked at him and did not know what to do.
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A part of me wanted to reject him and walk away.
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Another told me to consider it. I wasn’t fated to Darius; what if he finds his fate and betrays me? Then I will be left with
nothing.
If I let Hardy go, I might never have a fated again. Second- chance mates are rare. I looked at him, and my heart thumped in my chest.
He pulled me close to him and began to kiss me again, Pleading his case.
He was trying to influence my decision with my body, and my body let him.
I could understand what Casey went through that night.
My mind was trying to seize control, but my wolf and body wanted him. Musk and wood scent engulfed me, and a light moan escaped my lips. He pulled me to his body, and I wrapped my arms around him.
“Mate,” I heard myself say, and he growled. My body was shaking in his arms.
He travelled with his kiss to my neck. Licking and sucking the skin. My vision was a blur; he was erupting desire in me, none like I had felt before. Intoxicating.
I knew I shouldn’t be doing this, but I could no longer remember why.
Our kiss became more hungry and vicious, and he took full possession of my body and laid me on the grass.
“Mine,” He said, and just like that, I snapped out of my trans
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and moved away from under him. He stared at me in disbelief, and I moved backwards, staring at him in disbelief.
Cremin’s voice echoed in my head.
“Mine,” He said, and I felt my claws and teeth retract. Realising what had happened, he did the same.
Not wanting him to claim me, I decided to do the only thing I could.
“I Zora Riverstorm..” I started, and he bowed in shame, kneeling in the grass.
“Reject you, Hardy Corrigan, as my fated mate. I pray the goddess blesses you with one worthy to be yours and you have the wisdom to seize the moment,” I said, and he accepted in tears and heartache.
We waited for the wrenching pain that accompanies a rejection, but it never came.
I looked at myself and then at him for the pain and weakness, but it did not come.
He looked at me, surprised.
His scent was no longer intoxicating, which meant the bond was no more, but there was no pain or weakness.
We sat on the grass looking at each other, waiting for the pain to come, but it never did.
This was unheard of.
