My Alpha's Mark

179 Shoes

Kacie

Jake pulled himself to his feet and I watched him as he walked out with his head down. He took a piece of my heart with him as he went. Viktor wrapped me up in his arms and I snuggled into his embrace as sobs wracked my body. My mate soothed me and rubbed my back as I let go of everything. I know I’ve been all over the place but I didn’t want to lose Jake.

He should have been honest with us from the beginning. Keeping secrets and sneaking around was suspicious. Jake was a walking talking red flag and I wasn’t going to ignore them. I considered Jake my mate but that didn’t mean that I was going to let him walk all over me. And that’s what it felt like knowing that he had been with Clara all night.

Especially since a part of me told me it wasn’t their first night together. A gnawing feeling in my gut told me there were more secrets that Jake had to reveal to me. I couldn’t help but think back to the day Jade trained me because Clara couldn’t make it in.

Is that when it all started?

If Jake had been my fated mate like Viktor I would have been able to feel his betrayal. But because he was a chosen mate I couldn’t feel if he had been with her and neither could Viktor. They were close friends and had spent years together before I came along. He probably felt more betrayed than I did. He must be hurting as much as I am.

“I’m sorry this is happening, my love,” I whispered.

“You don’t have to apologize to me, My Queen. You’ve done nothing wrong,” Viktor murmured.

“Do you think he’s done something wrong? Do you think he’s… do you think he’s fucked her?” I asked.

Viktor closed his eyes and I could hear his heartbeat pick up. I could only imagine what he was thinking about or what images his mind was conjuring. His breathing was ragged as he tried to calm himself. He squeezed me and kissed the top of my head.

“I don’t think we should talk about this right now. You need your rest, Kacie,” Viktor said.

“How can I not focus on it? How can I not wonder? You ask too much of me, Viktor.”

“You’re supposed to be resting. All of this stress isn’t good for you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. So please, for me, please rest,” Viktor pleaded.

“Were you tempted?” I asked.

“What?” Viktor asked.

“When we first met her and had to work with her. In the very beginning, before Jake joined us, and before I was kidnapped by Ken. The day that you two were talking alone in the meeting room. Were you tempted by her?” I asked.

“That was so long ago, Kacie. You can’t expect me to—”

“Please don’t lie to me Viktor. It feels as if I’m standing on the edge with safety behind me and a black abyss in front of me. If you lie to me too I think I’ll fall over and be lost. So please, don’t look at me and lie to me,” I choked.

“Okay,” Viktor murmured. His hand slid up and down my back. “Okay. You are my mate but the bond is strong with us. The fate that ties us together is like no other…”

“Go on,” I whispered.

“But just as a string tied us together, another tied me to her, and when I saw her it was as if I’d been punched in the gut. My heart yearned for you and another part of me yearned for her. But I made my choice and I didn’t regret it. I didn’t regret you. You were the one I chose and you are the one that I love,” Viktor said.

“Did you want to be with her?” I asked.

“A part of me did, yes.”

“Did you want to fuck her?” I asked.

“Kacie.”

“Did you?” I persisted.

“I was tempted by her because she was a fork in the road that destiny threw in front of me. I was tempted but my thoughts didn’t go that far. I imagine it would be harder for Jake,” Viktor said.

“Do you think I’m wrong to be upset?” I asked.

“It depends.”

“On?” I asked.

“On why you are upset,” Viktor murmured.

“Aren’t you upset?” I asked.

“I’m upset that he’s upset you. I’m upset that the Moon Goddess tied to a witch,” Viktor said.

“Not because it’s Clara?” I asked.

“I’ll admit it’s confusing me. I’m confused knowing that we were destined for the same woman. Was she supposed to join us? Was she supposed to be apart of us? Is it my fault that things have come to do this? Should I have accepted her when I had the chance? Would things have played out better if I had?”

“Does that mean you regret rejecting Clara?” I asked.

“No, I don’t regret rejecting Clara. Knowing that she’s Jake’s fated mate is making me rethink things, that’s all,” Viktor said.

“Do you think he’s slept with her?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, but my heart breaks for him,” Viktor said.

“Why? Why do you feel for him when he’s hurt us?” I asked.

“I know we’re hurting but I love him as I love you. I can’t help but put myself in his shoes. He’s met his fated mate, not some random girl at a bar. This is his fated mate. I can’t damn him for feeling swayed. I fell head over heels for you when I had him by my side,” Viktor said.

“It doesn’t mean that I can stomach the idea of them together, Vik. I just can’t. After what I saw yesterday… I’m falling apart. I’m falling apart and there’s nothing I can do. No matter how much I try to hold myself together I can feel myself falling through the cracks. Fate is twisted and the Moon Goddess is cruel to make her for him,” I choke.