The Mate's Duty

CARMEN:

The strong scent of bane still lingered in my nostrils as I struggled to open my eyes. My body felt weaker than usual and it didn't take me too long to know that something was wrong with me.

Bane? Bloody hell I was attacked in my own apartment!

That feeling immediately snapped me out of the struggle and I opened my eyes fully to see that I was in an unfamiliar environment. The biggest unfamiliarity was the man seated right in front of me with his entire gaze fixated on me.

He wasn't actually someone I had no idea about. It was him. The one I should have killed but couldn't because I didn't get the job done right.

I tried to get up immediately but felt restrained.

"Don't bother. You'll only hurt yourself," he told me as I attempted to release myself from what was used to tie me down to the chair. The ropes were spiked but that didn't stop me from continuing.

Eventually, my breath became uncontrollable. My arms were hurting and I could feel a throb around my temple.

"How did you find me?" I asked through intense pants.

He shook his head. "I do the questioning," he said in a calm tone as if to exude that he was in charge. Then he pointed a finger at me. "The only thing you'll be doing is answering my questions unless I give you a chance to do otherwise."

I scoffed at that. Who does he think he is?

"Who is your Alpha?"

"Since you found me out, I think you should be able to figure that out yourself," I responded with spite laced in my tongue.

The man folded his arms as he leaned back on the chair across me. "I do have an idea. But I'm more interested in hearing it from your mouth. The mouth of the one who thought trying to snipe at me would work. Didn't your alpha brief you about who I am?"

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I had him. He was right on my radar before the bullet hit another.

I never miss. Never. I guess he was just too fast for me.

"I know who you are, Gustavo Rollins. And more importantly, I know how you betrayed the pack again by handing over the deal to our sworn rival. It was time to put you away since you have made it clear that you want nothing to do with the pack that birthed you."

I let all that out in one breath while he stared at me as if to scrutinize me. Maybe I shouldn't have held his gaze for too long because that stupid feeling from the last time was back.

Moon goddess, this betrayer cannot be my mate. He just can't.

"So you just follow orders without doing your own research?" he asked. I could almost sense the disappointment that lingered in his voice.

"As long as it benefits the pack. That's the difference between me and you."

He stood up instantly. "No, Carmen. The difference between me and you is that I make use of this before acting." When he said that, he pointed to his head to emphasize what he meant.

He continued, "I don't just jump into something without finding out the full extent of what it's about. Eugene definitely saw this as a weakness to his control, which was why he wanted to go against me and why he keeps sending the likes of you to me."

"How do you know my name?"

A wry smile made its way to his lips. "I do my research, Carmen. I said that before. Looks like you just don't listen."

I was sure he could sense my discomfort. I was mostly pissed that I was this vulnerable with no idea how to set myself free. Fuck.

"What do you want with me?" I hated asking that question, but I was left with no choice at this point.

"Good. Looks like you're thinking in my direction already."

"Just speak and save me some goddamn dignity."

"I'll brief you on what I need you to do for me in the morning. Until then, you'll be spending the night here," he said. "I'll send someone to attend to you soon."

He turned around to leave but then looked back at me one last time to say something.

"And don't get any ideas. I know you're my mate, but there's nothing that will possibly make me accept the bond. When this is over, I'll reject you."

As he stepped out, I couldn't tell why that last statement hurt me.