ZADE POV
I paused and observed Meira's facial expression in front of me now. Meira was silent with an expression on her face that held back her laughter. What was so funny about what I had just said to her? I was getting more and more clueless, when Meira started to chuckle there. The frown on my forehead deepened, and unconsciously, I looked at Meira curiously. Why was she laughing at my words earlier?
"Why are you laughing, Meira? What's so funny about what I said?"
"No-no... hahah... I mean... hmm.." Meira seemed to be having trouble holding back her laughter.
I knew that I was probably already mesmerized by her. Although I myself also find it quite difficult to admit that. Meira began to cover her mouth with the palm of her right hand, and breathed out slowly. I continued to observe her.
"I just can't believe what you just said." Meira averted her eyes, and looked at me with her face flushed there. "That I am your mate, your cure... I can't believe it at all."
"But why? Why can't you believe what I'm saying, that you are my mate, Meira? Is it so hard to believe that?"
Meira nodded her head quickly. "Very. Very difficult." Meira shifted her sitting position, until we were much closer than before. "I can't believe that I'm the mate of an Alpha tyrant like you."
"Alpha tyrant?" My face twisted.
Was it possible that Meira couldn't believe that we were mates, because she knew about the atrocities I had committed while leading this pack? Did she also know that I had always been able to win battles in ways that were too cruel to imagine?
"Yes. You are the Alpha tyrant, and everyone knows how great and cruel you are. But that's not the main reason I don't trust you."
"Then what? Tell me." I felt uneasy instantly. It felt very claustrophobic.
"I can't feel if you're my mate, Zade Emerson."
"What?" How could that be possible? How could Meira not feel what I felt, the first time the two of us met before?
Meira nodded with her lips thinning. She looked nervous, and it was obvious for me to see now. "I never shifted with my wolf soul. I bet you know about it though. With what my father has said before. That I am a different werewolf, and I can never shift."
"But, that doesn't seem possible, Meira." I couldn't believe it. "I thought that what your father said was just a hoax."
"I know, but it's not just any old b*llsh*t, Zade. At the beginning, everyone, including myself also thought about the same thing. That all werewolves must be able to shift with their wolf souls. But not me."
Meira sighed, and I could see how difficult it was for her to explain that back to me now. "I'm completely different. I can't do shifts with my wolf soul. I can't smell the scent of someone who is my mate."
I was silent with bitterness that felt very much on my own tongue now. It was very difficult to hear Meira's explanation. "And if, what you said before is true. Then I'll say it even more clearly, Zade. I cannot smell the scent of your body, as my mate. I cannot do that."
"So, that is the reason why you laughed, after hearing what I said earlier?" And Meira nodded her head slowly.
"That's right. Because it was so hard to believe. That I met my mate, in this condition." Meira lowered her head slightly. Her face looked flushed. She was either embarrassed or holding back tears.
"Is that the main reason for the behavior of your father, your stepsister, and everyone else in your pack?" I rubbed my face roughly. Feeling a little frustrated with the fact that I had just heard that detail now.
"Yes. They started treating me differently, after finding out that I was nothing more than a weak werewolf. That's why, father treated me differently from Samara. He was ashamed of having such a weak, useless daughter. I was supposed to be his first daughter, and would be the heir to the pack one day."
Meira was silent for a moment, and let out her breath slowly for the umpteenth time. "But in the end, father decided that Samara should be the pack heir, and I should live as an omega, in my own pack." Meira gave a small chuckle.
She was trying to hide the sadness and pain she was feeling right now. And my heart broke seeing that. I unconsciously clenched my palms together tightly. It felt very difficult. I knew that I shouldn't touch Meira. And I knew that I couldn't do that. Not now.
"That's why, I can't believe a word you say, Zade." Meira raised her head and looked at me with tears in her eyes. She tried very hard to keep the tears from falling from her eyes.
"And again, you are much more deserving of a mate who is equal to you. You deserve someone who is far more worthy of being with you. And it's not me, Zade. Not me."
"Don't say that."
Please, Meira. Don't. Don't say something that could make me not hold back. You don't know who I am yet. And I don't want you to be scared or even hate me. I wouldn't be able to handle that.
"I just want you to know that, Zade. For the rest, I'll accept whatever decision you give me. I won't resist. I will obey. Until the day you decide on an answer, just tell me. But let me, give my devotion to you and this pack."
"You're not going anywhere."
D*mn it. I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I immediately got up from the bed, and turned my body around, turning my back to Meira there. I couldn't. I couldn't hold back my emotional turmoil anymore right now.
"I have decided that you will never leave this pack. I will never allow you to leave this pack. You belong to me, Meira. You belong here."
After saying that, I walked away from Meira's room. Even though Meira had called my name several times, I still ignored her. I couldn't. I didn't want her to know who I really was. I might never be able to bear it if one day, my mate looked at me with fear, and maybe even hatred. I don't want that. No, I don't.
***
MEIRA POV
After Zade's departure from this room, I felt a little empty. Because Zade left in an angry state. I thought that Zade was holding back his anger over all the things I had said to him. I didn't even realize that the way I conveyed and also told all those things, could provoke his anger. I should have kept in mind that Zade was the Alpha tyrant. He could get angry and behave cruelly at any time. And Zade was trying to hold himself back from me.
Besides, Zade had already given me his decision. That he would never let me leave this pack. And automatically, that also meant that I could never go and leave him. As his mate. But somehow I managed to survive in this pack afterward. There are many people in this pack, and besides that, this pack also has relationships and good relations with various other packs.
How would they all react if they knew that I was Zade's mate? How will they react when they find out that Zade's mate is a weak werewolf, or even the weakest among the many werewolves? What about Zade's reputation that might be ruined by me being around him? And what will I do if I have to get insults and condescending looks once again from others?
I've lived with the disdain of my own family for years. Then how could I stand to be much stronger, if other people I didn't know would look at me the same way? I'll never have that much strength to keep going. I won't be able to. All those thoughts were crowded inside my mind right now. Especially with Zade's traits. I didn't even know what traits he had, other than being an Alpha tyrant. And what would I do next in this pack?
"Miss?"
The call instantly made me turn my head toward the open door of the room. The Omega who had previously helped me carry my suitcase and bag was standing at the door now. Hastily, I got up from the bed, and displayed a small smile.
"Yes?"
The Omega walked over, and I just realized that he was carrying a tray of food and drinks. "Alpha asked me to deliver the food and drinks to you. I apologize for only being able to deliver them to you now." She said as she placed the tray on the table beside the bed.
"Um... no. No problem. Besides, I feel like I'm inconveniencing you and your other friends. Thank you very much, for delivering the food for me."
"You're welcome Miss." The Omega smiled and nodded his head slowly.
"By the way Miss, Alpha said that you can rest now. Also, if you need anything, you can call me directly. Then I will definitely help you later."
I nodded my head slowly. "Sure. Um, let me introduce my name is Meira. Meira Hill." I extended my right hand, and she hesitantly took my hand.
"My name is Vita, Miss." Our handshakes stopped immediately after that.
"All right, Miss. I have to go back to continue my work. If you need anything, you can come to the kitchen, and find me there. I will be ready to do whatever you tell me to do."
"Sure, I'll do it then. Thank you."
After that, Vita left the room and did not forget to close the door again. I paused for a moment, and started looking at the meal that looked like it was still warm there. Ordering someone to tell me what I want? That's not even something I've ever done before. And I myself am also completely unaccustomed to all those things. Being served so well, and also getting respect from others. I slowly sat down on the bed, and began to enjoy the food that Vita had prepared with relish.
I thought, I just need to wait for what Zade will say next. I felt very sure that Zade must still have many things he wanted to say to me after this. Besides, if Zade really wants me to stay here, then at least, I should be able to learn to blend in a bit with everyone in this pack. At least, make a friend or two. So that I wouldn't be too lonely.
Thinking about it again, there seemed to be something quite strange about Zade's reaction. He seemed to be keeping something secret. Is it possible that Zade has a big secret and is afraid of me finding out?