Severed Souls

15

Everest's POV:

I don't leave the room at all once I woke up from my pity nap, tear stains still stuck on my cheeks. The entire room felt stuffy and gross because of the sadness hung in the air, but I refused to leave the room.

No part of me wanted to leave the room because I don't want to face Henry or any of his stewardesses. He probably fucked them while I slept because he doesn't owe me anything. He says he cares and wants to be with me, but he's a fucking liar.

If he really cared, he would never have left me alone to suffer in my rejection. He would have protected me and found a way around my infertility.

The same goes for Matias at this point... if he cared he wouldn't have give me away to Henry. He can tell me it's for my safety and protection, but he's could have found some other rich fucker to send me to in the meantime.

He and I made out in the shower this morning! We kissed, shared an intimate moment, all the while with him knowing that he'd be giving me away not too long after. He was the one who initiated it!

My fist clenched so hard that my hand gets sore from where my nails are digging into my flesh.

There's a knock at the door, but it opens before I can respond and invite anyone in. Of course it's Henry on the other side, peeking in at me.

"You're awake?" he asks, his voice that stupid soft, velvet tone that makes my belly fill with butterflies and shivers run down my back.

I glare. "No, I sleep with my eyes open," I spit at him, pulling one of the throw blankets over my head so it's like a cape. "I'm not hungry or thirsty and I want to stay here. Go away."

"How long until you give me another chance?" Henry asks, sitting down at the end of the bed. "I did what I needed to in order to protect you."

"You rejected me and then dropped me off at a fucking hostel," I growl. "You never reached out to me or told me why."

Henry reaches toward me but I slap his hand and keep him away from me. "I want you, Everest. You're my mate." He sighs. "You still feel the bond. It's because I never truly wanted to let you go... my heart wasn't in it."

"I don't care. I wanted to stay with Matias. He cares more about me. You'll never care about me that much."

Henry growls, making me feel a bit nervous, but I keep a hardened look on my face. "Then why did he give you up so easily? As far as I'm concerned, he and I are on the same playing field. The only difference is that I'm going to make up for it. I will win your trust back."

I huff, and I make sure it's directed at him. "You won't."

"I will... you won't be able to resist the mate bond, but I won't force anything onto you. I promise you, Everest. I'll be the mate you deserve."

I feel helpless right now because I am unfortunately really attracted to him and I do want to feel like I'm wanted somewhere. However, he doesn't spark the same thing in me that Matias does, and while Matias gave me up, at least he showed me he really cared.

And he's not even my goddess given mate!

"I can't feel my wolf," I say, not meeting Henry's eyes. "I felt him for a few days, and that's when I was with Matias. Even my wolf doesn't want you, so how am I supposed to?"

Henry doesn't let me fight back this time and he grabs me, pulling me into his arms and I hate how comforting it is. He shouldn't be able to comfort me so easily... not after what he put me through.

"He'll come back, don't worry," Henry coos. "I can feel mine, but I can't shift anymore. We'll work together and get them back."

"They would have never left if it wasn't for you," I respond, and Henry actually flinches at my bitter words, which surprises me.