NOVEL NEXT Chapter 303: Not deserving forgiveness
«Every time, we grew closer.»
«That's how it works,» Nate explained. «You can't stay with your mate and think you two won't know each other. You'll grow closer and want to share more and more every time. At first, it's just physical. But it becomes mental, and then of the soul.»
The woman nodded, bowing her head in shame.
«I betrayed you, Nate. And I didn't even notice. I'm so sorry.»
«You said he discovered about... About that.»
«Oh, he just knows I'm bad at controlling my shape. But it won't be long before he discovers everything else. His interrogations are so wicked that it took me so long to find out.»
«And what made you realise?»
«He called me by name.»
«He's as smitten as you are. I'm sure he wouldn't have made such a mistake if he also wasn't losing control,» Nate said. «But you should have told me, regardless of your intentions.»
She sighed, staring at her fingers.
«It's not all.»
«I see,» Nate murmured, sitting at his place and leaning back on the chair. «What else?»
«His sister is at my place.»
«A wolf from Mayford in your apartment?»
«She's a teen, and their Alpha sentenced her to be an Omega after a prank.»
«An Omega?» Nate said, knitting his brows.
What in the world? Teens should be protected from the shock of seeing their friends becoming mean as if they'd never known each other.
«Yes... I couldn't tell him to bring her back, but I sent him away.»
«Damn it, Sam. You sure know how to make it complicated.»
«I promised to protect the girl, and I will do so. But for the rest, I know I've sinned, Nate. You took care of me, and your family accepted me right from the start. And now, I betrayed your trust like this. I don't deserve to be part of the pack anymore.»
«Don't be so harsh with yourself,» Lara said. «It's not your fault if you believed the wrong person.»
«That's the problem, Lara. I didn't trust him, and I knew he was trouble, but I still lowered my guard. I can't be part of the pack anymore; I don't deserve it.»
«And what will you do, then?»
«I'll be a solitary wolf. That's the best for people like me... I don't want to cause more damage than this.»
«So, you're abandoning us the day before a war,» Nate pointed out while crossing his arms. «You're running away now that we need you.»
«No. I will help with the war. But once it's over, I'll leave. There's no point in being an Omega, so exile is a better punishment.»
«Sam, I am the Alpha. I decide the punishment, not you.»
«I'm just telling you. And you shouldn't forgive me just because we're related. That would be so bad from your side, and the others would hate me more if I got away with betrayal... You know it's a bad idea, and I really, really don't want to be forgiven. I want you all to hate me right now. Because I deserve it.
I was stupid, and my stupidity put your mate and pups in danger.»
«It's not stupidity; I know well how it works. Especially for us...»
«Is being smitten also a family thing?» Lara inquired, curious about that exchange.
«No, it's not a family thing,» Samantha chuckled. «It's because of how I am. You know, my father is the Alpha of another pack. I have two brothers, twins.»
«Twins? Oh, I see. It really is from Nate's part of the family, then! If your brothers are twins, then it makes sense we also have them.»
«Yes, that's right,» Samantha said. «And it's lucky when they're twins. They won't fight for power or attention because they share everything. Didn't you find it curious that they would fight Nate for your attention, but they wouldn't be jealous about each other?»
«Oh, not that you say it like this...»
«Even before being born, they were together. To them, the other is almost part of themself. However, it's not the same for all siblings. I was the third child, and I was a few years younger than them.»
«Didn't they like having a sister?» Lara asked, getting a little worried. What if she and Nate had other kids? Would the twins be mean?
«It's not that easy, but yes... They didn't like it. It's part of the reason why I grew up in Nate's pack. Here, I found a place. And the others are so understanding. They saved me from a life of solitude, even though I still am a little detached and cold.
I could feel at home here.»
«It's not over.»
«No, Lara, it is. Even if you could get over my mistake, I can't. Guilt will consume me, so it's better for everyone if I go.»
«Go where?»
«Oh, I'll find a place. I won't go too far, so we'll meet from time to time. It won't be like dying, believe me.»
«You can go with your mate,» Lara tried.
«I don't know what will happen. Right now, I don't want to see him at all. But his sister is at my place, and the link will kill him if I don't, so... I fear what will happen.»
«We need you now,» Nate said. «We're going to attack Mayford and end this rivalry.»
«It's okay. I will follow you. I owe you as much. I'll fight by your side, just like always.»
«It's your mate's pack.»
«So what? Do you think I won't fight with him? Do you think I'll stop just because we met? It's about survival, isn't it? And, between you and him, I still prefer you.»
«Good,» Nate said. «I'll text you the details when the plan is ready.»
Samantha nodded.
«I will be there. I won't fail you again, I swear. Not this time.»
«How can I believe you?»
«This time, I know where I stand. I'm not a fool anymore. And I won't meet my mate now. I will be busy, but so will he.»
«I still trust you, Sam. Don't make me regret it.»