Chapter 4

Chloe’s Point of View "Chloe!" Maya's voice snaps me back to the present and I blink my eyes a few times as I try to focus my attention on her again. "Did you even hear a word I have said?" She asks, with a frown on her face. I give her a sheepish smile and shake my head. "No, I'm sorry. What were you saying?" "I asked if you heard about that party at the old mill next week? Apparently everyone is going.” “Yeah, I heard. Sounds fun.” I murmur. “Fun? It's supposed to be a blast. I think we should go.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Maybe I’ll think about it.” I say, my eyes flickering back to the window, but he is no longer there. Maya and the other girls continue to chatter on about the party, and I try to focus on the conversation, but my mind keeps wandering elsewhere. “Chloe! You're doing it again. You're not listening to a word we are saying, and you've been staring at that window for about ten minutes. Spill it. What's going on?” Maya's voice pulls me back to reality, once again. . “Yeah, sorry... I am just...thinking.” I say, forcing a smile. “About Zayde?” Maya's expression shifts, a knowing look crossing her face. “Maybe.” She arches her brow and I throw my hands up. "Yeah, okay fine! I am thinking about Zayde. Again. Happy?" I admit, biting my bottom lip, and Maya sighs, shaking her head. “We have talked about this Chlo. You have to be careful. He’s not just your friend or my brother. He is your Alpha.” “I know, Maya, but I can’t help it. I’ve liked him for so long. I can't just forget about him. I can't stop thinking about him.” “Then why don't you just go for it? What’s the worst that could happen?” Sky asks and I sigh. "It's not that easy... It's... complicated." "That's an understatement." Maya snorts and I frown at her. "He wants to wait for his fated mate, and he wants me to do the same. He thinks that it is a bad idea for us to get involved or fall in love with each other, because it would only lead to heartbreak once we meet our fated. And I've told him how I feel, more than once. I told him I would choose him, even if I meet my mate, but he keeps pushing me away." "Ugh, again with the fated mates crap." Maya mumbles, shaking her head with a frown. "What is his plan if the two of you turn out to be fated mates?" Sky asks and I look at the window again. "I asked him that as well... His answer was that he wouldn't put my life at risk. That his enemies would come for me if they knew I was his mate and he couldn't allow that. It seems that no matter what the situation is, he isn't going to consider us getting together. But sometimes I see it when we are together, the way he looks at me... The way he touches me... Whatever this is between us, he feels it too. I'm sure of it... I just wish he'd stop pushing me away." I answer her and Maya grabs onto my hand, giving it a quick squeeze. "My brother is stubborn, and I can't say I agree with how he is handling this, but our parents' story has always made him cautious, guarded... I think he's scared, not necessarily of getting hurt himself, or hurting his fated, I think he is scared of hurting you. But if this, a life with Zayde, is what you really want, you shouldn't give up." "But what if he is right? What if one day I do meet my mate and everything changes? What if I leave him shattered… or worse, he leaves me for his mate?" I ask, voicing the concern that a part of me has been whispering about. "Nothing’s guaranteed. But love? Real love? That’s rare. And if you’ve got a shot with him now, why throw it away because of some maybe?" Sky nods her head. "I say go for it. If you love him, show him that love is a choice too—not just fate. And if your bond is strong enough, maybe fate will follow you." "Let me ask you this... If your birthday comes, and the two of you don't turn out to be mates? Will you just move on?" Maya asks, and I frown before slowly shaking my head. "No... And I don't want to wait... I don’t care if the Moon Goddess sends me someone else. I want him. I don’t want fate. I want Zayde." "Then I see no reason for the what-ifs or maybes. Screw fate. Humans choose who they want to love all the time and their own paths every day, without some higher power deciding it for them. He probably thinks taking a step back is the noble thing to do, the right thing to do by you. But if this, a life with Zayde is what you really want, then fight for it. It probably won't be easy to break down his walls, but if he is who you want to spend the rest of your life with, then I think it is worth it to keep pushing until he lets you in. Whether you are fated or not." Maya says matter of factly and Sky nods her head, agreeing with Maya. "So both of you think I should keep fighting for this?" I ask, and again, they both nod. I stare at them for a while before slowly nodding my head. "You guys are right. I’m tired of him waiting for the stars to align. I’m going to fight for this. For him. I'm going to make my own fate and wear down my Alpha." "Good. And if he breaks your heart, I’ll hex him myself. Sister or not, he’s not getting away with that." Maya teases and we all giggle. Sky grabs my phone and tosses it at me. "Now, text him. Say something bold. No backing out." I hesitate for a minute before picking it up. I take a deep breath and give them a smile. "Okay, I'm doing it." I quickly send him a text before placing my phone down next to me, and we all stare at it for a second before looking at one another. "Now what?" Maya asks and I shrug. "Now I guess we wait."