Is She Your Mate?

SKYLAR'S POV

"Just calm down." I exhaled, trying to slow my racing heart.

I checked myself over one last time, ensuring there was no blood on me before pushing open the door and stepping inside.

The moment I flipped on the lights, I jolted, my breath catching in my throat.

"Oh, Goddess!" I gasped, clutching my chest.

Zane was seated in the center of the room, legs crossed. His gaze was locked onto me, sharp and cold like a predator sizing up its prey.

I let out a nervous chuckle, dropping my bag and kicking off my boots. "You scared me."

He didn't smile. He didn't speak. His expression remained like stone, harder than I'd ever seen it. And that terrified me.

Something was wrong.

I had seen Zane angry before. I had seen him ruthless, terrifying even. But I had always believed I was different. That to him, I was safe. That no matter how cruel he was to others, he loved me.

But now, standing in the doorway with my heart hammering, I wasn't so sure anymore.

"Did something happen?" I asked, shutting the door behind me before taking a cautious step forward.

He uncrossed his legs, slowly tapping his fingers against the arm of the chair without tearing his gaze away from mine. He looked like he was contemplating something dangerous and my wolf screamed at me to run. But I didn't…Zane would never hurt me. 

"What did you do to her, Skylar?" He finally spoke but he didn't sound like the Zane I was used to. It would have been far less menacing if he shouted at me than with the tone he used. 

The room suddenly felt too small, too hot, as I stood without answers. I took two instinctive steps back, retreating from the danger radiating off him. And even though I knew exactly what he was asking, I wasn't about to confess.

"What—" 

He raised a hand, cutting me off before I could even pretend. The silent command from him was clear. 

Shut up.

And I did just that, my body now trembling. At that moment, I truly understood why people called Zane the Beast of Carnemore.

"Choose your next words carefully, Skylar," he warned, his teeth clenched. His voice was calm, and that only made it worse.

My mouth went dry. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to stay still. Zane looked ready to pounce, and my fingers curled around the doorknob behind me just in case.

"I won't ask again," he said without tearing his gaze away. 

"I—I hurt her," I admitted and I hated the fact that I stuttered. "But she had it coming, and you—" 

Before I could finish, Zane was already in front of me, his face only inches from mine. I barely swallowed a scream, frozen under his blazing gaze. 

"She had it coming?" he repeated, tilting his head. I forced myself to meet his eyes for a second. And they were cold, dangerous, my knees nearly buckling with fear. 

I opened my mouth, scrambling for words but all that came out was a stammering mess of fear. "She's been nothing but trouble since she got here. " I managed to say. "That girl ruined everything between us—" 

"And did you think hurting her would change that?" he snapped, but his voice was still low. I shuddered, barely able to breathe.

"Did you?" he roared and I flinched, my hand slipping from the doorknob. 

"Yes!" The word shot out before I could stop it. "I was only trying to help you. Before she came, you said you'd make her miserable. I—I just wanted to help." 

Zane's eyes darkened.

"I never asked for your help, Skylar!" His voice was threatening, shaking through me. "I warned you to stay away from her. I told you that I'd handle her!" 

"And I'm sorry," I choked out, tears spilling down my face. I reached for him, desperate, but he stepped back, glaring at me with an expression that looked like disdain.

"Please," I begged with quivering lips. "I only wanted to make you happy." 

He turned his back. "All you've done is drive us further apart." He said, his voice sounding empty and lacking any warmth. Painfully, I realized he wasn't angry. He was just… numb. He felt nothing toward me. 

And that terrified and hurt me more than his rage ever could. 

I clenched my fist, my lips trembling. How could he switch up on me because of Claire? 

No. It didn't make sense.

I stared down at my feet, my mind racing. Zane hated Claire. He was supposed to hate her because her father destroyed his family. He was supposed to make her suffer. 

So why did he care so much? Why was he looking at me like I was the one who had betrayed him? 

"Ask him. You already suspect it, don't you? Why don't you ask him? But if you hurt me, you'll only get your answer too late." 

Claire's words echoed in my mind and I lifted my gaze to him. 

There was only one question I needed to ask and I prayed I was wrong. 

My heart pounded as I forced the words out.

"Is she your mate?" 

Zane's shoulder stiffened instantly. Slowly, he turned to face me, and again, I searched his eyes. Still no anger. No irritation. But he looked… shocked this time. Why else would he look like…?

My chest suddenly felt tight as the answer flitted into my mind. 

"Is it true?" I asked again, holding back tears. "Was she right?" 

His jaw tightened. "What did she say to you?" 

I wiped at my face with my trembling hands. "She didn't have to say anything," I sniffled. "But she said enough for me to understand why you can't stay away from her." 

I looked at him one last time. He didn't answer and didn't have to. His silence was all the confirmation I needed.

"It changes nothing," Zane said finally. 

I laughed bitterly as tears clouded my vision. "It changes everything!" My voice cracked as I stomped my foot. "What would your father say, Zane? Her family is the reason yours never got a chance at happiness! She ruined your life before she was even born! How can you forget that and fall for…"

Before I could say another word, Zane closed the distance and grabbed me by my shoulders, slamming me against the wall, my breath hitching in horror.

His face was inches from mine and his grip was firm but not painful. 

"You are not my father," He growled. "And you have no right to lecture me." 

I stood completely frozen, my lips trembling, unable to speak. 

Then, without another word, he turned, yanked the door open and stormed out, slamming it behind him. 

I gasped again and let out a sharp breath, realizing I'd been holding it in. And then, my tears finally fell freely, my hands curled into fists at my sides. All I could feel was a suffocating rage as my shoulders shook.

I had done everything for Zane. 

I had tried to get rid of the girl who haunted his nightmares, the girl who had no right to be in his life or in his thoughts. 

And what did I get in return? 

His anger?

And worse, the truth I never wanted to hear. 

Zane belonged to Claire. She was his mate. 

It all made sense now. The way he tormented her but never let her go. The way his eyes lingered on her for too long. The reason he had placed her in a room right next to his own. 

My breathing turned shallow as a darker thought crept in. I should have finished Claire off when I had the chance. If that damn vampire hadn't interfered, she'd be dead by now. And Zane would have no choice but to mourn her once and for all. 

And me? 

I would have finally been free of her and have Zane all to myself.