The Viking's Mate Hunt

CHAPTER 150

"So, this is the future queen of the skies? The talk of the people, the female myths told us about throughout centuries. The powerful and magical creature that could save us all. Save all species from extinction, break the curse, and leave the land in peace. And they give us what? A neatly stuffed sack of meat? Not human, but still, nothing more than."

With a deep furrow etched on my forehead, I tracked his every move as he spoke. I wasn't scared, but I was on guard. Like a predator, I found myself sizing up the stranger- every twitch and step noted in the recesses of my mind. His movements were deceptively casual, his words a mix of familiarity and disappointment. Despite the disrespect, it felt more like a reprimand from an older sibling, and I was determined not to let it break me.

"You move through the forest like an elephant, and you might as well have left a trail of crumbs behind. It's almost like you want to be followed. Might that be the case? Oh, might princess? No, I don't think it is."

The more this man spoke, the more my irritation swelled, threatening to burst. His voice became an unbearable itch in my ears, and I had to clench my jaws to restrain the urge to growl or spit in his direction. But that infuriating twitch in my upper lip betrayed my seething anger. Every part of me yearned to silence this man.

"You are not strong, fast, or even particularly aware of your surroundings. You have no magic inside you, no unlocked skills or powers. Even the beast that you, out of all people, got specially designed for yourself is too weak even to be detected. Heck, I can barely smell that wolf of yours over the stench of the dragon. So, why you? What is so special about you?"

Flashbacks from high school washed over me as the tall man looked down on me while slowly circling around, judging in the worst way possible, and picking my person apart and ripping my existence apart, bit by bit. A bully. That is what he is, a freaking teenage cheerleader with smaller boobs than the rest of her crew. In other words, the worst of them all. Insecure, bitchy, and with a burning need to push others below themselves. And apparently, he loves to hear himself speak; not even once did he pause for me to answer his questions. All because they were not questions; they were his statements of disappointment thrown at me disguised as questions. He did not need for me to take part in this conversation.

Yet again, I am an object in this world. I am expected to stand here and take it all, accept it all, without ruining the moment with my own opinion. A thing is helping him get everything off his chest. But it didn't change the truth. Painfully enough, everything he said had swirled inside my mind over and over again over the last couple of months. Taunting myself, questioning my place here, my worth, and my abilities. Because, here, in this world, even with Drifta, I was nothing special. I am nothing. No different than the rest.

Maya's story and aura have a deeper meaning than mine; her being here actually makes a difference. She creates and changes, strong and essential. But what am I? The oh-so-poor girl from the Earth who was blessed with a wolf. That is all. Nothing more, nothing less. I still remember the first day I met Drifta. I remember how strong I felt, how I felt so complete and whole. I was someone, not only a dark spot hidden in the shadows. I did what I never even dreamed about doing; I stepped out of that shadow and revealed my own person. I became me, not as shame to be hidden from the public eye.

As time went by, I slowly realized how insignificant I really was. No matter how hard I tried and how much help I had, I didn't manage my one and only goal: to find my sister. I've had dragons, alphas, magic, and even a freaking Valkyrie and vòlva to guide and help in my search. I've had years. What did I manage to create with all this? Nothing. I am still running after a rumor, hoping for it to be the truth. Instead of getting stronger, I am weaker. Instead of being more innovative, I'm acting more carelessly and foolishly. I accomplished nothing but pushing the only person, and both my body and heart ached for away. Amond still loves me; I see it and feel it, but he is also tired. He is tired of waiting for me, tired of running after me, and eventually, he will grow weary of me.

That last thought made my heart hurt, and tears burn in my eyes. But again, that sad, defeated feeling was overrun by anger. Clenching my fists, I blinked slowly before lifting my chin high, ready to speak up for myself, but he was faster. Unbelievably, he still had more to say, and I held my tongue and followed his moves from the corner of my eye.

"Elisabeth, oh, pardon me! It is Eir now, isn't it? A strong and historical name with meaning and value only fits a dull being with nothing else going on for her. However, I am surprised to see you are still unmated. Did the flying lizard get cold feet? Oh, or maybe the royal elders disapproved?"

He let out a short grunt of laughter. But it brushed right past me. Royal elders? This is the first time I've heard about it. Is it like the council for the wolf shifters? Or more like his grandparents? And why the heck haven't Amond mentioned anything about them? My eyes never left the cocky stranger, but my mind traveled elsewhere, and doubt yet again snuck into my mind. It started to spread like a dark shadow. Poisoning my mind, inch by inch.

"Not surprising when I think of it, a grumpy old-fashioned bunch if you ask me! It is idiotic that the king still needs his elder's approval when choosing his mate, am I right? I mean, what message does it send to the people? The mighty King, the one raised and trained to lead his country and people, is still not seen as reliable enough to pick his own partner in any way! Ha-ha, when you think of it, they treat him as a teenager with a glorified crown!"

His voice filled with a mocking tone, and unimpressed laughter hidden beneath every word. Idiot. A lying idiot! There are no royal elders; there is no one! Amond would have told me. He would have helped me prepare to make a good impression. He is the purest being I know; he doesn't lie! He would never... He would never even... NO!

"Oh, shut the fuck up! Don't you ever get tired of hearing yourself? Who the hell are you?"

He moved so freaking fast! Before I knew it, his hand covered my mouth as he ran me over and held me down with his body.