We Can't Have a Mate

~Draven's POV~

"Meeting adjourned," I said coldly, standing up from my seat.

The councilmen looked around in confusion, some visibly irritated. They weren't done discussing whatever minor pack issues they had brought up. But none of them dared to question me—not out loud, anyway. The fear in their eyes was enough to satisfy me.

Let them grumble behind closed doors. No one had the spine to challenge me to my face.

Their petty disputes meant nothing to me tonight. My mind was elsewhere, and worse—Xavier was acting up again.

Calm down, will you? I growled mentally, making my way down the hall toward my chamber.

Not when you keep fucking girls that aren't our mate, Xavier snapped, his voice sharp and annoyed.

We don't have a mate, I shot back with a scowl. You should've accepted that a long time ago. Or are you still clinging to fairytales?

I'd rather cling to a fairytale than keep watching you rut every random female who throws herself at you, he hissed. It's disgusting.

So what, you don't enjoy the pleasure? I asked Xavier

I don't enjoy anything, he snapped. You forget that I only feel pleasure when she's our mate—and that desperate bitch wasn't her. I've felt nothing but shame.

That's your problem, not mine, You don't have to feel anything. I do enough feeling for the both of us when I'm buried inside them. I said, pushing open my door and stepping inside my chambers. And you should know the Moon Goddess doesn't bless Lycans like me and you with mates. You should've accepted that by now.

You're wrong, he said darkly. We have a mate. She just hasn't shown up yet. And every time you fuck someone else, it feels like you're betraying her.

I didn't respond.

I just tossed my jacket on the couch and sank onto my bed with a sigh.

Restless. Again.

It had been happening more often—this strange unease crawling through my bones. Like something was wrong somewhere.

I raked a hand through my hair, trying to steady the storm in my chest when—

Knock knock.

"Come in," I called, not bothering to look up.

The door opened with a soft creak, and I already knew the scent before she stepped in.

Cindy.

Of course.

She closed the door slowly behind her, her silk robe hugging her curves, eyes sparkling with seduction as she walked toward me with that fake concerned pout she always wore.

"I heard the council elders were... displeased you ended the meeting," she purred, hips swaying deliberately with each step.

I didn't move. "I don't care what they think."

She smirked and sat beside me on the bed. Her scent—sweet but artificial—filled the space between us. I inhaled out of habit, but it didn't ease the tightness in my chest.

Cindy leaned closer, fingers ghosting across the tattoos on my chest. "You seem tense... restless." Her hand slid lower. "I have ways to help you with that, Alpha."

Xavier growled instantly. Don't you fucking dare. I swear, if you let that whore touch us again—

Shut up, I barked back internally, already watching her draw nearer, her hand sliding across my chest, her fingers dancing over my abs.

Glancing at Cindy I asked raising a brow "Really?..... And how do you plan to help?"

She didn't answer with words.

Instead, she straddled me, robe slipping slightly as she pressed her warm body against mine. Her hands trailed down my abdomen, teasing the edge of my pants as her lips brushed my jawline.

"You don't have to be alone tonight," she whispered.

Her mouth found my neck, sucking lightly. Her fingers were already working on my belt.

I exhaled sharply, letting my head fall back.

Not because I wanted her.

But because I wanted something to silence the chaos inside me.

You disgust me, Xavier growled. Fucking a mutt like her while our mate's still out there—

Our mate doesn't exist, I snapped.

Xavier snarled, Well, she's disgusting. Look at her throwing herself like a bitch in heat. I'd rather let a rogue tear our throat out than watch you fuck this desperate thing again.

It's just sex, I muttered. Shut the fuck up.

Cindy pushed my shirt up, kissing down my chest, her nails lightly dragging across my skin as she unfastened my pants and slid her hand inside.

I groaned.

But just at that moment there was a knock on the door.

Cindy jumped slightly.

I cursed under my breath. Fuck.

The knock came again, harder this time.

"Who the hell is it?" I barked, glaring at the door.

"Alpha?" a voice called from behind the door. "It's Ronan. Urgent."

Of course it was.

With a tired sigh, I grabbed Cindy's wrist and removed it from my pants. "Get out."

"What?" she blinked, flustered. "Seriously?"

"Now."

"But—"

"Out."

She huffed in frustration, muttered something under her breath, and stormed out—robe clinging to her still-heated body. I didn't even spare her another glance.

Finally, Xavier muttered. I thought she'd never leave.

Ronan stepped in a few seconds later, eyes flicking briefly to the state of my shirt and unbuckled belt, he smiled knowingly but he wisely said nothing.

"You seemed on edge all through the meeting," he said instead.

"Because I am," I muttered. "Something's wrong inside me. Restless and unsettled."

"You think it's tied to the bearer not awakening yet?"

I nodded once. "Maybe. I've been feeling it more frequently. Like the countdown is ticking faster."

Ronan's face shifted. "That's actually why I came. News about that stuff…."

I straightened. "Talk."

"We still haven't pinpointed the bearer. Whoever the bearer of the curse is, hasn't awakened the curse yet—at least not fully. That's why we can't locate them. They might not even know they're cursed."

"Fuck," I growled, slamming my fist into the wooden desk. Xavier snarled right alongside me in agreement.

How long are we supposed to wait? That stuff is a time bomb, I thought bitterly. Every day that bearer stays hidden, the more unstable I feel.

I clenched my jaw. "So what, I wait around and slowly lose my fucking mind until the bearer finally figures it out? That's inane."

"I know, I know," Ronan said quickly. "But there's good news too."

I narrowed my eyes. "Talk."

"We may not know who exactly it is… but we finally traced the location of the bearer. We're sure of it now."

"Where?" I demanded.

Ronan gave a slight grin.

"The Bloodfang Pack."

My brows lifted slowly.

Now that was interesting.

I leaned back with a smirk, my voice low and sharp.

"Then it's time we pay the Bloodfang Pack a visit, don't you think?"