Chapter Three-Mate?
**SAMUEL**
"Mate?" That word echoed in my thoughts as I put on my ceremonial garment. Today is my grandfather's memorial, and that should be my sole focus. So why has that word settled in my mind? What exactly did that woman mean by it? What is even more surprising is that last night, my body moved on its own to catch her head as she fainted, and she has yet to awaken.
The look on her face—the frightened expression when she saw the blood on her hands—what was that? Is she unaware of what she has done? Questions continued to flood my mind.
I glanced at my watch just as the door to my study opened. I turned to see Tristan and Sadie enter the room, their gazes lowered to the floor.
"Brother," Tristan said, raising his head to make direct eye contact with me.
I raised my right hand to cut him off before he could say another word.
"Tristan, Sadie, I am disappointed in both of you," I said. "Not only did you disregard my order, but you also dragged an innocent person into it."
"I just wanted to be friends with her, and I got too excited when I learned she was going to attend our university," Sadie spoke softly. "I was worried she would run into a weirdo, considering how beautiful she is."
That was understandable, I thought. "Sadie, when you first saw her, what color were her eyes?" I asked curiously.
"They were hazel," she replied.
"No, they were light gold," Tristan interrupted.
How strange, I mumbled to myself. What is she exactly? A woman who can turn into a wolf. How interesting.
Sadie and Tristan exchanged confused glances.
"Are you sure they were light gold?" Sadie questioned. "They were hazel when we met at the elevator," she added.
Tristan shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "But still… we should have been more careful. How was I supposed to know that those bastards would drug Sadie and Camillia? When I catch that son of a bitch, I'm going to kill them," Tristan said, balling his fists.
I placed my left hand on his shoulder. "There's no need for that," I said, reminding myself that your neighbor already killed them, I thought.
I walked to the door and turned back to Tristan. "You will be joining me in the temple. As the newly appointed Patriarch of the family, I must fulfill Grandfather's role as one of the temple keepers."
Tristan nodded, and we exited the study.
"After the memorial, you and Sadie, along with your neighbor, are ordered to move into the manor," I said before walking away.
*****
Once we arrived at the entrance of the mountains, Tristan, Cassid, Logan, and I were approached by an elder, Elder Avalone, my grandfather's oldest sister.
"Samuel," she said, her annoyed expression making me smile.
I bowed, "Elder Avalone," I replied.
She gritted her teeth. "I don't know what my brother was thinking, letting an illegitimate bastard like you become the head of this family." She turned her head and glared at Tristan before walking away.
"Are you sure you want to be the Patriarch, brother?" Tristan tapped my shoulder. "Those elders still show much hatred for us, but I don't understand why," he said.
"Enough about them," I replied. "We're here to honor Grandfather, and that is it."
As we walked up the stairs leading to the Temple of Esà, a temple that the Graystone family had overseen for many generations, I recalled stories from my grandfather about a great ancient spirit that protects the land and its people. Although I don't believe in such a thing, my duty toward my grandfather is sufficient for me to endure this family's hatred.
As Tristan and I approached the altar filled with the scent of different incense, I bowed my head for a moment. "Grandfather, may you rest in peace," I said, lifting my head again.
I turned my body upon hearing voices in the distance and saw the other four elders of the branch families approaching the area. Their glaring faces made me grin.
As we sat across from each other, the tension rose as they bowed their heads before me.
"Pathetic," I murmured.
"What was that, you ungrateful brat?" one of the elders shouted as he threw a teacup at me, only for Cassid to catch it with his right hand.
"You old fucks," Tristan said, as I placed my arm over his chest, stopping him from rising.
"That's enough," I ordered. "Let's not sour the mood with our bickering."As time passed, the bickering grew louder until the elders left the temple. I rubbed my forehead in frustration. "Once I leave this mountain, I'm going to kill the rest of them," I mumbled.
I stood up, looking over at Cassid and Logan, "Search the temple, apparently, grandfather left a second will," I said.
Knowing my grandfather and how much time he spent at the temple, I'm certain he would have hidden it here. Unexpectedly, a strange feeling came over me and once again, my body moved on its own, leading me towards the inner area of the temple. The cracks along the stone walls showed that this temple has been here for a long time.
"Brother, I found something," Tristan shouted from across the area, his left hand in the air along with multiple white envelopes. He handed them to me as I approached him.
When I opened the envelope and began to read, my grip tightened. It wasn't a will but a letter? I opened the other envelopes, only for them to be the same. One of them said,
"Oh great spirit, I found her. After years of searching, I finally found her. May the grievance my family caused your beloved children settle your wrath. May the curse you place upon the land be removed at their awakening"
What the hell does it mean? A curse? I questioned. What has grandfather been hiding?
I read another letter, "Oh great spirit, may you forgive my family"
What is going on? I thought, What the hell has the Graystone family been doing?
"Brother?"Tristan said, interrupting my thoughts.
I placed the letter inside my garment. "Let's return to the manor, the sun will be setting soon, and the doctor will be arriving to check on your neighbor," I said.
******
**CAMILLIA**
Beep! Beep! The sound of an alarm caused me to open my eyes. "Ahh," I groaned. The soreness in my body made me reluctant to move another inch. I tossed and turned, appreciating the softness of the mattress beneath me. Wait, why am I lying on a bed? I sat up quickly, holding my back as the soreness increased.
I glanced around and realized I was in an unfamiliar room. It was bigger than my entire apartment. Looking down at the comforter that covered me, I muttered, "Where am I?" I glanced up again and noticed a gray suit jacket draped across the couch a few meters away. The jacket looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. My head throbbed, and thinking only aggravated the pain.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and I raised my head to see Sadie enter. "Camillia, you're awake!" Her eyes widened, and her steps were slow. I could sense she was hesitant in her approach.
"Sadie, where—" I began, but was cut off as Sadie lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me.
"Oh my god, Camillia!" she exclaimed. I felt her tears dampen the sleeve of my shirt. "You've been asleep for a whole day. I can't believe we dragged you into this unknowingly."
"A whole day?" I groaned. "What happened?" I mumbled.
Sadie pulled back a bit, concern etched across her face. "Are you hurt?" Her eyes brimmed with tears. "Wait, I'll go get the doctor; she just arrived." Before I could reply, she left the room. Was that look pity?
I looked down at my clothing, realizing that I was in blue pajamas. "Was she the one who changed me?" I buried my face in the comforter. "Did she see?"
I lowered the comforter when I heard voices near the doorway. When the door opened, Sadie and Tristan rushed towards the bed. "Shit, Camillia, you scared the hell out of us! You were covered in blood when my brother carried you inside the manor," Tristan said, his expression full of concern. "The doctor should be coming; she's with my brother in his study," he added.
My eyes widened. "What?!" My heart raced, nearly sinking to the pit of my stomach. "I was covered in blood?" I mumbled. I grabbed my head. "Why can't I remember anything?" No, no, no! If Mariam finds out I blacked out again, she'll surely take me back home. I can't let her find me; I can't let them find me.
I wrapped my arms around myself, clinging to the covers. Wait, did he say his brother? I lifted my head and turned toward Tristan. "Your brother brought me here?" I asked. "Why?"
Thud! A soft knock on the door pulled my attention away from Tristan. I looked over as the door opened again. An older woman in a doctor's uniform entered, followed by the man from the flower shop, Mr. Graystone.
Babump! Babump! Babump! My heart raced even more. "Camillia," a weak voice called out inside of my mind. Tears dripped down my cheek, "Talà" I mumbled. The voice I've been hearing for as long as I could remember. "Talà, is it really you?" It's been two years since I last heard the sound of her voice. The voice of my wolf spirit.
"Yes", she answered softly, "Camillia, look at the man ahead of you"
I glanced up, looking at Mr. Graystone.
"That man, he's our mate," she said.
My eyes widened, "Our mate? You mean he's like us?"
"No, he's human," she replied.
"Camillia, because he is human, you will feel the mate bond more than him. But in order to strengthen my spirit. You must become intimate with him"
What! I shouted loud, before covering my mouth as they all stared at me, taken aback.