_ Time to know

"Where are you headed though?" Kylo released my hands. "I'll go with you."

"No," I snapped, the word ripping out of my throat before I could stop it.

Kylo's smile faltered. I saw a flicker of hurt in his eyes that stabbed me with guilt. I didn't mean to snap at his sincere request like that. Finding my mate had rendered me paranoid.

"You are still upset." He pointed out, a line appearing between his brows.

I tried to act casual. "No, it's not that."

"Isleen?" His voice was soft, laced with concern. "Is it still about Dad? Did he say something else? You never told me what he said to you."

"Isleen?" His voice was soft, laced with concern. "Is it still about Dad? Did he say something else?"

Whatever Gamma Rhett had said to me, none would be news to Kylo.

"No, no, of course not!" I forced a smile, a brittle, unconvincing thing. "He just —talked about me studying the pack's folklores, rules, and laws surrounding mates."

It was hard to tell this to Kylo. This was just his dad trying to separate us. Kylo might end up hating Gamma Rhett.

Kylo didn't seem too convinced. His Hazel eyes narrowed in scrutiny. "He wasn't — harsh, was he? What am I even saying?" He further answered himself. "Dad has a way of being so calmly harsh. He definitely was mean to you. That's why you are this upset."

Kylo's words were innocent and full of worry for me but I hated what my role was between Kylo and his father. "No, Kylo," I lied again, my voice hoarse. "He was just — his usual Gamma-ly self."

"You talk like you know what Dad's usual attitude is. Dad is always mean. I know you don't want me to talk down on him but I can't help it if he's like this to you." He caressed my hair.

Kylo did know his Dad well. The man was so calm in spewing his unpleasant words. The fact that he acted so neutral concerning the bond when it was so strong and magnetic made him all the more scarier. Gamma Rhett was a demon if you'd ask me.

"Did you say he wants you to study the Ravenwood's folklore?" Kylo asked when I didn't say a word.

I nodded. "Yeah. He just suggested it."

"Dismiss his words, Isleen. You don't need that rubbish."

I thought I didn't too but at this point, I also wanted to. I needed an explanation for why Gamma Rhett was my mate or why the bond seemed to be affecting me and not him.

It was unfair. What was even more unfair was me thinking all about Gamma Rhett when Kylo was right here in front of me.

"No, Kylo. I want to," I whispered, surprising even myself.

Kylo's face fell. "You do know why Dad wants you to study that nonsense, don't you? He wants to brainwash you with all of those superstitions. He has been trying with me…"

"But you never succumb did you, Kylo?" I cut in. "Neither will I." I settled my forehead on his.

Moon Goddess, if you hear me, I hope you change my mate. Even if it was not Kylo, I hope you make it someone else other than his Dad. God who has given the Moon Goddess the power to Lord over us, I hope you make me strong enough to not fail Kylo.

I felt like I was destined to fail Kylo.

"I just — I need to read, to understand. To prove him wrong. To prove that love can…"

My voice trailed off, swallowed by the lump of tears in my throat. Love could conquer all, right? That's what the fairytales said. But this was no fairytale.

Even the fairies didn't live fairytales.

Kylo pulled me into a tight embrace. "You're the best, Isleen," he murmured. "The strongest, bravest woman I know."

I wish I was, Kylo. How I wish I was all of that.

I at first clung onto Kylo but when I noticed the stares of passing wolves, I pulled away. It was always the wolves. The fey would walk off, minding their businesses but trust our kind not to.

"Let's take the lovey-dovey somewhere else, Kylo. People are watching." I said.

Kylo's eyes went round. "They always do. We don't care, babe."

"Well, I have to get to the library." I shrugged, already moving forward.

"You look good in this skimpy dress, by the way." Kylo beamed from behind me and hurried to me after.

If one thing, I was pretty. I was greatly aware of it too. I knew my looks were what drew Kylo to me at first. It was the same way it drew my Dad to my Mum.

People say Kylo was the most good-looking guy in the pack but we all know he wasn't. He was just greatly admired because he had such a great Dad. Yes. Although Gamma Rhett was a killjoy, he was a powerful and respectful figure in the pack and out.

"Is the library really necessary, love?" Kylo sighed, as though he was convinced that I would lose my interest in him should I read those books.

I took his hand and squeezed it. "Relax, boo. Books have gotten nothing on us."

The truth was, I knew Gamma Rhett was going to come back for answers to his test. When he did, I wanted to be prepared. I wanted to impress him.

But why?

.

We had a nice strolling time, talking and laughing our way to the library.

"I wonder if Elves ever bathe with their skin pale like that," Kylo murmured when we walked past an elf whose black outfit contrasted her complexion.

"Ask her, maybe?" I laughed until the elf glanced at us as though she could hear us.

I and Kylo raced to the library, "Before we get in trouble." Kylo said.

.

The library was so quiet and scanty.

"Nobody uses libraries anymore these days." Kylo shrugged as I searched through the shelves, picking what I could about mates and bonds.

"Shhhh." I kept on replying to all of Kylo's interjections until I was satisfied with the books I had selected.

"Let's go find a table now." I took his hand and led us to a table where I collapsed onto a chair.

I strapped my lips together and nodded. "Time to know why the mate bond is so important," I whispered.