CHAPTER 91: UNMATABLE

Kaya

"I think it’s about time we took a break," Sam exhales, collapsing onto the training floor with a dramatic groan as her back hits the mats.

"Ever since Kaya’s wolf fully awakened, she’s been kicking our asses during training," Oliver chimes in, dropping down beside her limp form. He presses a cold water bottle to her forehead, but instead of taking it, she simply closes her eyes and smiles, savoring the cool sensation against her flushed skin.

Oliver and I share a knowing look.

"Sorry, guys," I purr, still buzzing from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. Unlike them, I’m not tired at all—and for that, I can thank Rana.

"That’s fine," Sam grumbles, splashing water over her red face. "Just wait until we go hunting together—Sunny will make sure your pup regrets being so restless."

Now that she said that, I’d like to jump on it right now! The challenge sparks something in me, and I can’t help but grin as Rana’s salty retort rings in my head. "Alpha Magnus is the one handling Rana’s training," I say aloud, amusement in my voice. "Though I’m not sure she can wait much longer."

It’s true—despite the physical exhaustion Oliver and Sam keep piling on me, Rana has been growing more restless. The reason? Magnus still refuses to let me shift in front of others, worried that a crowd of wolves might trigger her again.

Truthfully, I don’t mind that. I’m not entirely confident myself. Magnus’s plan is to make sure I have full control of my beast before letting me run with the others—and deep down, I know he’s right.

Rana, of course, loves this idea. All that horny, furry menace wants is an excuse to be alone with Athan.

Wait until the real heat smacks you in the face—then we’ll see who’s really horny, Rana shoots back, her voice dripping with mischief. My cheeks grow hot at the mere thought, and I curse her for it.

"He’s going back tonight," Oliver says with a nod, running a hand through his spiky hair. "I can’t believe this is the third time he’s had to do this. The King must be livid."

My teeth catch my lower lip, and my shoulders sag under the heavy weight of understanding.

Right after Magnus and I returned from the cave, he’d been summoned to the King’s palace. The reason had been painfully obvious to everyone—it was about Cecilia. Or rather, about the fact that he had rejected her. Again.

"This time, it might actually cause trouble," Samantha says in a sing-song voice, stretching her arms above her head like she’s enjoying this a little too much. "Cecilia’s father is one of the King’s oldest friends. I bet he feels humiliated right now."

"Regardless, I feel bad for our Alpha," Oliver sighs, the sound heavy with genuine sympathy. "The King is only pushing him to marry Cecilia because it’s a political move. But still... if Alpha Magnus really is destined to be mateless, then having a chosen Luna isn’t the worst idea. Especially when it’s someone as influential as Cecilia."

I bite my lip again, harder this time, a sharp sting grounding me as guilt starts to gnaw at my conscience. Every word about Magnus and Cecilia feels like a thorn pressing deeper into my chest. Rana growls in protest, but I shove her voice into silence. Because I know exactly what she’s trying to say... and I’m too much of a coward to admit it myself.

Is politics really the only reason Magnus can’t take me as his mate? And if everything they say about the mating bond is true—how long can we keep going like this before we finally break?

"Having a mate must feel amazing!" Sam chirps, stretching like a lazy cat before spinning around and smacking Oliver on the back. "As soon as I find mine, I’ll lock him in my bedroom and won’t let him out until I’ve satisfied all my hunger!"

Oliver raises a brow at her in mock disbelief before breaking into laughter. He yanks off his sweat-soaked T-shirt and tosses it over her face. "You? Finding a mate? Please. You’re a mateless loser, Sam—welcome to the club!"

Samantha growls, flashing her fangs beneath a sharp smile, but instead of lunging at him, she lets her lips curl into a cunning grin.

"Wanna bet? Loser buys the winner a veeeerrry

expensive bottle of red wine."

"You sure you want to blow your entire savings on buying wine for me?" Oliver scoffs, ruffling her hair until her carefully styled braid is nothing but a wild, frizzy mess. "Might as well go buy it now, because you sure as hell aren’t landing a mate with that mug of a face."

Sam’s only answer is to smack him on the back again—harder this time—but she doesn’t get the satisfaction of a proper hit. Oliver traps her beneath his weight in one quick move, tickling her mercilessly as she flails and kicks, shrieking with laughter and fury all at once.

I can’t help but smile at their constant bickering, though a pang of sadness twists in my chest. They could have been a great couple—if fate had played its cards differently.

Sam still has a chance of finding her true mate, Rana murmurs in the back of my mind, sensing my emotions and echoing them with her own.

I nod, the weight in my chest pressing harder. But that would destroy Oliver.

Perhaps what they say about mates really is true—they share one heart. And when that heart is torn apart, the pain must be unbearable.

"Gotta go!" Oliver suddenly springs to his feet, leaving Samantha breathless and flushed, clutching her arms around herself now that she finally has a moment of reprieve.

"Mind link," he explains briskly. "Aksel needs me for a briefing."

"Go, before I kick your ass!" Sam warns, still catching her breath.

He just chuckles, pulling his shirt back over his head with a dismissive nod. "Dream on, sucker."

He strides away, and I notice Sam watching him go, a flicker of unguarded sadness shimmering in her bright blue eyes before she masks it.

"Can you believe that idiot?" She turns to me with a wide grin despite the faint pink lingering on her cheeks. "He actually thinks I’m unmatable!"

"No," I say warmly, matching her smile as I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You’re definitely not."