Inferno (Mate Series #3)

Chapter 18

Octavia grinned. "It is natural to feel that way. Exposed. Vulnerable. Cared for. Loved."

Love...

She turned back to her mate who was now chugging down a large cup of tonic while her brother and father cheered.

"Men are so stupid." Her mother appeared next to them as she glared at Natalya's father.

"If they continue at this rate, they will surely get drunk even before the bonfire is completed or before we have anything to eat." Octavia giggled.

"I think I am going to have a word with your father." Natalya's mother mumbled before disappearing.

Octavia took hold of Natalya's arm. "C'mon. Let's dance."

She led them towards a small area where many people were dancing to the songs that were being sung by some pack members. The dance was kind of like line dancing. There was a lot of patterned movements and careful swinging. It took a while before Natalya could catch onto the beat but pretty soon she was enjoying it along with Octavia. Her mate and her worries were temporarily forgotten.

~~~~~~

Misha stood on the outside of the party. She felt out of place.

An outcast.

She felt shunned from everybody. She was in love with Constantin. She had always been in love with Constantin; ever since the moment she laid eyes on him in Alpha Viktor's pack. She was a werewolf who was born without a mate. Her job as a healer was only to heal, not to love. She didn't get to experience the bond like everyone else. She doesn't know how it will feel to even have a mate.

She came here with a the sole intention of helping Constantin out and possibly—selfishly stealing Constantin back but the moment she arrived till now, she knew it was too late. Constantin was gone. He still looked at her fondly and with care in his eyes. However, that look wasn't the look he gives his mate. He stared at Alpha Natalya as if she was the last source of water on earth. He looked at Alpha Natalya as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world and nothing could ever compare.

It broke her heart into pieces. She knew that any last hope she had was completely crushed.

Why did she remain if she knew this?

Because she knew she was at fault for offering a medication she knew Alpha Natalya couldn't turn down or test. She knew that Constantin will want to speak and not even think twice about getting it tested. She should have known better. She should have read and learned what she can about this cure before she even handed it over.

She didn't poison Constantin. Alpha Natalya's doctor tested the liquid in the vial after and confirmed it was Nightshade. It was just that the cure was so rare that nobody knew how to work the cure or even the side effects.

She had given the old witch she bought it from a very ancient amulet that belonged to her family. In this current time, the ancient amulet meant a lot. In the amulet was a drop of the very first werewolves' blood—lycans. It was taken for safety measures and if ever their race becomes extinct.

She watched as Constantin chugged down a few drinks and then glanced over at Alpha Natalya. She was extremely pretty. She looked almost fragile but the woman's body radiated so much power that it completely contradicts how small her frame was. Misha had to admit, if she couldn't have Constantin she was glad that Natalya was his mate. He needed someone stronger.

Sighing, she decided to call it a night until she heard a small group of women talk bad about her and even called her horrible names. She made a left turn to a nearby table of nicely mixed tonics. Taking a glass cup, she downed a cup and then went for another after she heard them whisper about her again. She wanted to be strong. She wanted to pretend that nothing they said will hurtful but it did.