The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 255: The Mate Bond (2)

Chapter 255: The Mate Bond (2)

The Witch was taking some air from the balcony when her violet eyes caught a coming Isadora with hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

She frowned upon this and didn’t get the chance to ask what happened because Isadora stormed past her without a second glance.

The Witch’s features were contoured in worry. Hearing a coming footstep, she found Kraven walking up the stairs.

She stopped him and demanded with a murderous look in her eyes. "What did you do?"

"I told her the truth, isn’t that what you wanted?" Kraven said, annoyed. "I never said I would accept the mate bond."

"You little—" She clenched her teeth, pausing her words. She straightened her position and folded her arms. "You’re pathetic."

Kraven said nothing as he tried to walk past her, but her palm pressed against his solid chest, giving a slight push.

"You’re not coming in here—not after what you did."

Kraven’s eyes darkened as he forcefully grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly until it felt like he would crush her bones. "Don’t make me angry!" he seethed to her face.

The Witch smirked. "Unfortunately, you already are, and it’s at yourself. Hide behind it, but I see your heart. Dark or not, I see what’s there."

Kraven hated the way her violet eyes stripped his soul bare. "You understand this better than I do," he countered.

This witch claimed she saw things that were not there, so there was no need to explain himself. "You know the mate bond is not possible with someone like me."

Her heart stilled at his words. The dear gods knew the last reason she expected was this. She had thought he was being stubborn for a different reason.

"You don’t get it, do you?" She began stepping close. "The prophecy." She said as if it explained everything.

This got on Kraven’s nerves because that prophecy

never mattered to him. With it or not, his obsession had always been Isadora.

He would walk through fire and slay beasts for her, not because it was written in the stars or stone.

"The prophecy does not dictate my relationship with Isadora."

"It’s by the gods you met her and have this connection!"

"No," Kraven said sternly. "I met her because I want her, not the bond."

The Witch exhaled sharply, the words she had in mind locking in her throat.

Kraven turned his back and vanished in a weave of shadow.

~♧~

Isadora watched the sunrise from the chair close to the window, her legs to her chest. She didn’t have the heart to go back to their room but stayed in another one instead.

Her mind mulled over everything that had happened earlier, and the reality of it still stunned her to the bones. She had a mate, dear gods, she had one. A lowly mannfae like her was blessed with a life partner.

A life partner who didn’t want the bond. Now reviewing Kraven’s actions, she realized he had always hated it and never wanted it.

Then why did he come find her? Was his obsession so ingrained in his blood he couldn’t let go? He chose her but not the bond.

Kraven had been obsessed with her since he first dreamed of her. For five Winters he roamed the continent, but it was never about finding her because she was his mate.

Isadora was heartbroken because she couldn’t understand his actions. She really wanted to, but the more she thought about it, the more she knew that Kraven would never accept it; whatever conviction he had was deeply rooted in his bones.

The soft knock on the door broke her focus, she turned just when it pried open to reveal the witch with a wooden tray of food.

A smile took over her black painted lips as she said. "Don’t forget you need to eat, you’re still recovering after all."

"Thank you," Isadora looked away. "But I’m not hungry."

"I can’t accept that, Isa," the Witch said, placing the tray on the bed.

She walked up behind Isadora, her heels clicking as she did. "Your body needs to make up for the moons without nutrition."

"But I don’t look or feel sick," Isadora said with narrowed eyes. She was healthier than she was the last time she looked at a mirror, and it was shocking even for her, knowing what she went through in the past moons.

But something told her it was the Witch’s mysterious treatment.

"Yes, you don’t. But appearance isn’t all there is to it, is it?"

Isadora shifted her gaze and found the Witch crouching beside her. She observed as her hand slowly reached for hers on the armchair and held it softly.

"Kraven told me you’re my spirit mother."

She grinned. "Seems like the mystery is no more."

"Where have you been all this time?" Isadora asked, wishing maybe growing up would have been easier for her.

She knew nothing of the Witch, but could tell she was a good person.

"Slumbering." Her fist clenched tighter against hers. "But fret not, I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll make sure you reach your destiny."

"What destiny?"

"Your destiny with Kraven. Hmm, the look on your face tells me he hasn’t told you."

"He didn’t get the chance to after he boldly declared he would never bond with me." Isadora turned away as pain unlike anything she had ever felt burned her chest.

"How could I have a destiny with him when he can’t accept the bond? Maybe I’m not worthy to be his mate,"

"No, my dear," The Witch said. She didn’t want Isadora to belittle herself because of Kraven’s convictions.

"Kraven’s afraid." She rose to her feet and walked to the window. "You know what happened with his parents, yes?"

Isadora shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Yes, his parents were forced mate."

"That is what scarred him and made him resent the bond. This is a natural hatred, Isa. As much as I want to tell him to go burn in hell, I understand him." She faced Isadora with a solemn look in his eyes.

"What he experienced in the early winters of his life is not something I would wish on anyone, not even a monster. His parents’ union was forced and tainted for the sole purpose of producing strong heirs. He doesn’t have a mother’s or father’s love. He has been unloved since the moment he was born into this world."

Isadora’s heart broke at her words. Kraven was not just conditioned to know what he was, but he was never loved, too. She couldn’t begin to imagine how lonely it must’ve been for him.

"You have to show him he can be loved and that this bond is nothing like his parents had."

Isadora rose to her feet. "He won’t let me in, I saw the look in his eyes when he made that promise to my face."

It still haunted her, causing a sting to her eyes as the tears threatened to fall.

The witch took Isadora’s hand. "He thinks a bond is a bond, and when the mating ritual is completed, he would relive what he experienced with his parents. But he’s wrong. Your union is written in the stars, and your bond will transcend every other. The gods shine upon you, and that connection will awaken many things. You have to make him see this and understand."

Isadora doubted herself. Could she truly do that, convince him? Kraven was a difficult person, and even though he had adhered to her wishes until recently, she doubted he would ever agree to bond with her.

He made it clear that a mate bond cannot be despised when forged, or else they would spend a lifetime with a fractured one, and history would repeat itself.

Would Kraven ever accept her?

~♧~

Isadora decided to have breakfast downstairs, where she met Logi.

She embraced him with a bone-crushing hug when she laid her eyes on him. "I’m sorry we haven’t seen each other."

"It’s okay," Logi said with a smile on his lips. "You were busy, and Kraven had some catching up to do."

Isadora blushed, pulling away. She cleared her throat and said. "How are you?" She asked, searching for any signs, but so far he looked okay.

"Don’t worry, little one, I’m fine." He took a seat at the table.

"Are you sure?" she asked, sitting beside him.

Logi simply nodded, reaching for bread. Isadora took his other hand and held onto it tightly.

"Logi?"

"I have grieved." He confessed. "You were asleep for a very long time, you know."

Isadora nodded in understanding. "I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you."

"You were always there, Isadora. Even though you were fighting for your soul, you were the reason I kept going. I had no desire to live anymore except for you."

Isadora smiled warmly at him.

"My bond with Marek will always be there, no matter what," he continued, chewing on the bread.

"Bond?" Isadora questioned in confusion.