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170–My Heartless Mate

Nora:

“What?” I almost gasped but that didn’t stop him from repeating himself twice.

“As I said, I have finally found my fated mate,” Cain announced again, Nash and Silas looking so

shocked.

“That makes sense,” Lord Atwood, evidently briefed by Cain already, nodded.

My head was throbbing with overwhelming fears. Why on earth did Cain blatantly lie about the mate

bond with Natalya? Was he so desperate to date her that he’d fabricate something so significant?

She must have been the one to tell him to lie. Was she really taking over his mind like that?

Everyone started eating as if the argument had been settled, but I couldn’t swallow a single bite

anymore.

“You’re not eating,” Lord Atwood asked, sounding guilty.

“I’m full. I already had sandwiches with Silas earlier,” I managed to mumble. The way everyone’s

eyes turned towards me only heightened my discomfort. I just needed an excuse to get away for

now.

“Oh, you two had fun?” He tried to spark a conversation that didn’t involve heavy topics. I forced a

headnod, trying to hide my eyes because there was this sadness growing inside me, branching out

and taking over every part of my body, controlling every aspect of my life

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170–My Heartless Mate

now.

דוו

“I’ll go get ready for bed,” I said, pushing my plate away gently and retreating to my bedroom.

Once I was out of the living room, I hurried up the stairs to reach my room before tears could

escape.

I couldn’t believe all of this was happening. They had hated Natalya, so why did they suddenly want

to date her?

After locking the door, I collapsed onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow, sobbing.

‘You are free to show your pain,‘ I twisted the ring on my finger, feeling a sharp pang in my heart. It

was worse than a heart attack. I curled my toes and bit my lip, trying hard to endure the pain.

‘I’m so angry,‘ she hissed, finally released. Tm

‘I understand the pain, especially knowing he did it right after he had sex with me,‘ I whispered to

myself, realizing he probably only wanted to use me once before abandoning me entirely. All the

signs pointed to him exacting revenge on me in the cruelest way possible.

This pain is unbearable, Nora,‘ Akira moaned, clearly suffering.

Seeing her pain, caused by others‘ mistakes, I sat up, wiping away my tears with the back of my

hand.

It was the feeling of being used that I couldn’t shake off. How dare he use me and then start dating

my enemy? No, I wouldn’t let it go.

“What are you doing?” Akira noticed my determined stride towards the door.

170 My Heartless Mate

“I’m going to remind him that I’m his mate, so he can’t lie about having a bond with Natalya,” I said,

adjusting the ring on my finger, and stormed out of the room, heading towards his studio.

Soon, he came upstairs, walking steadily with one hand in his pants‘ pocket and the other holding

his phone, absorbed in it.

“I need to talk to you,” the moment he heard my voice, he raised his head and rolled his eyes,

showing how annoyed he was with me.

“Again? What now, Nora? Can’t you accept that I’m dating your friend? Or is jealousy clouding your

judgment?” his tone and body language were irritating me. I couldn’t believe this was the same guy

who used to care so much about me.

“Why did you lie about that?” I asked, my fists clenched.

Leaning to the side, still holding his phone, he had a subtle smirk on his lips that I couldn’t ignore. It

made me wonder if he found pleasure in my misery.

“I didn’t lie about anything,” he shrugged.

“Yes, you did. You said she’s your fated mate. If that’s true, then what am I to you?” I asked,

clenching my fists tighter.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled mockingly.

“Are you serious? Why would you be my mate?” the amusement in hist eyes as he teased me was

heart–wrenching.

“You must be joking,” I had to ask because I couldn’t believe he was serious.

“Why would I joke?” he leaned forward, “Just admit you had a crush on your stepbrother. You

wanted me to pursue you, and when I didn’t,

170–My Heartless Mate

you got bitter,” he shocked me with his words before continuing, “That’s what I’ll say if you tell

anyone you felt a bond with me.”

I stepped back, gasping for air. Was he threatening me? I couldn’t comprehend the sudden change

in him. So much hatred and animosity. What did I do so wrong that he didn’t even believe I deserve

to know what I am getting punished for?

“Nora! If you breathe a word to anyone, I’ll ask you to shift before them. Do you know how

devastated Dad would be to find out you’ve been lying about your wolf all this time?” His demeanor

remained calm, as if none of this affected him.

Tears welled up, blurring my vision and shielding me from gaze.

“Why? Why would you manipulate me like this? Because of my mother?” My voice cracked with

impending tears.

Facing such a betrayal had never crossed my mind. After enduring abuse throughout my childhood,

I had hoped to find a new family here. But I never imagined I’d never be truly welcome while

keeping so many secrets in my heart.

“Maybe,” he shrugged. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” He opened the door to his

studio, leaving me outside with a shattered. and betrayed heart.

In shock, I returned to my room.

“Fuck him! Chasing after him will only get us into trouble. He won’t hold back, and he’s already

warned us,” Akira spoke with a heavy heart and voice, making a valid point.

“Besides, we’re also dating someone they hate. Let’s just move on from him,” I knew it wouldn’t be

easy for us.

I just couldn’t comprehend how Cam could do that Was his wolf that heartless?