Rejected, And Became A Heiress (Cara)
Chapter 0130

Colin's POV

"...That's what a fated mate is."

I murmur to myself.

"What?" Aidan sits slumped against the wall, frustrated and dejected, shooting me a bitter look. "There you go again, saying weird stuff, Professor."

The three of us-Aidan, Ryan, and I-wait outside Cara's house, careful not to reenter her room and risk making her angrier.

Frankly, I understand perfectly why she's mad. We shouldn't have interrupted her weekend-or, more accurately, their weekend.

"It's nothing," I say. "Just something I remembered from an academic paper I read back in school."

"Just talk about it, man," Ryan groans. "Anything to break this mood. I feel like crap right now."

Our family is known for its talents, and my memory is sharp enough to perfectly recall that article I'd stumbled upon years ago. Slowly, I begin reciting it to them, the words clear in my mind.

*

Werewolves are creatures forever in search of their mates.

It's both instinct and yearning, embedded in our very nature.

In response to this, the Moon Goddess blessed us with the sacred bond that allows each werewolf to find their destined mate.

Among these bonds, the rarest and deepest is the fated mate.

They are born for one another. Unlike ordinary mates, whose connection vanishes if rejected, a fated mate bond cannot be severed so easily. Even if they reject each other, the lingering bond-and destiny-will repeatedly pull them back together. The Goddess watches every pair of fated mates, guiding their paths with unyielding persistence.

This is the meaning of a fated mate.

*

"This isn't just about Cara," I explain, "it's about every werewolf, including us."

"...Ugh."

Aidan lets out an exaggerated sigh, his frustration palpable. "Sounds romantic, but the Goddess has a cruel sense of humor. If it were me, I wouldn't want to be tied down by some bond. If I couldn't have freedom, I'd rather die."

Ryan, who has been silent until now, finally speaks up. "So, no matter what we do, Alaric is destined to keep crossing paths with Cara?"

"They're fated mates... or at least they were six years ago," I say.

"Doesn't that mean it's inevitable?" Ryan presses.

"Yes. That's their fate," I admit, though hesitation creeps into my voice. "But Alaric marked Lilia a few years ago, so I'm not entirely sure anymore."

"Damn it, leave me single forever!" Aidan growls, running a hand through his fiery red hair in frustration.

"But Alaric is an idiot!" he snaps. "Because of him, Cara miscarried, got in a car accident, and had to spend five years in a hospital bed! He broke her heart into pieces!"

"If I were him, I'd be too ashamed to live. I'd either get on my knees and beg for forgiveness, or I'd stay far, far away from her and never hurt her again!"

"Keep your voice down, bro," Ryan hisses. "Colin, say something. Change the subject, quick."

Me?

I think for a moment, then turn to Ryan. "By the way, didn't Cara ask you to watch Ethan? If you're here, where is he?"

Ryan shrugs. "I gave him some tough assignments to work on. That little guy's so excited, he won't come out until he's done."

But Aidan, clearly too worked up,

refuses to let it go. "Why are you two

so calm? How can the Goddess tie Cara to someone like him? Even if they were fated mates! It's insane, it's"

"Alaric's just like that man. Him." Aidan's voice drops, trembling with anger. That work-obsessed bastard. Our father. The one who betrayed our mother. He's exactly the same!"

The room falls into a heavy silence at Aidan's words.

...Our father. That man.

Suddenly, the door swings open.

Alaric appears, his expression shadowed by guilt. His head is bowed low, his lips pressed into a hard line, and his clothes are already back in place.

Aidan glares at him, his eyes blazing, but says nothing. Alaric only lowers his head further, almost as if in surrender.