Fated To Not Just One, But Three Chapter 495: The Mate He Is Refusing

Calvin’s POV

FOUR YEARS BACK

The morning had been peaceful until I looked up from my plate.

Nora was standing across the table, holding a tray, serving breakfast like a maid. The sight made sothing inside snap. My wolf growled low in my head, his anger rising just as sharply as mine. She was more like a friend to Olivia, so why was she serving us breakfast?

My chair scraped the floor as I stood. "Who asked you to serve breakfast?"

Every eye at the table turned toward . Nora froze mid-motion, her hands trembling slightly as she held the jug of milk.

"I—"

"You are not a maid," I cut her off sharply, my voice dropping low, commanding. "You’re a guest in this house. Know your place. Get out."

The silence that followed was heavy. Even Mother paused mid-bite, her eyes flicking from to Nora with quiet suspicion.

Nora looked at —no, through —with those soft hazel eyes that had haunted my dreams for months. I could see the flicker of hurt behind her calm expression, but she bowed slightly and turned to leave without a word.

The mont she disappeared through the door, I realized my hands were shaking.

Mother’s tone was gentle but probing. "Calvin," she said, her brow arching slightly. "That was rather harsh. What exactly did that girl do to make you so angry?"

I clenched my jaw. I didn’t answer. How could I tell her that every ti I saw Nora, my pulse quickened—that every night, I dreamt of touching her, kissing her, claiming her? That the reason I was angry wasn’t because she was serving us but because her presence rattled .

My wolf scoffed inside . "All this is on you. You’re the one refusing the bond."

"Shut up," I muttered under my breath.

He growled back. "You think ignoring it will make it go away? She’s your mate, Calvin. You can sll her in your soul."

I shut my eyes, forcing a deep breath, trying to drown the voice. But even then, her scent lingered—sweet jasmine with a hint of rain. It pulled at sothing primal inside .

Mother was still watching. "You seem... unsettled," she observed softly. "Is there sothing I should know about this girl?"

I shook my head quickly. "No, Mother. Nothing."

But she didn’t look convinced. Her lips curved slightly, the way they always did when she sensed I was hiding sothing.

I grabbed my cup, downed the rest of my drink, and rose from the table. "If you’ll excuse , I have things to attend to."

As I left the dining room, my wolf continued. "You can lie to her, to yourself, to everyone... but you can’t lie to ."

I stopped in the hallway, hands clenched. "I don’t want her," I hissed under my breath.

My wolf’s low laugh echoed inside my mind. "Then why does her na make your heart race?"

I didn’t answer. I just kept walking, but deep down, I knew the truth I didn’t want to face.

I managed to keep my distance from Nora for the rest of the morning, though every ti I caught even a whiff of her scent, my wolf stirred restlessly inside . I told myself it was better this way. It was better I kept my distance so I wouldn’t get my heart broken for the second ti. I may have survived the first heartbreak, but this? I couldn’t.

But that peace didn’t last.

Just after midday, Lolita ca running into my office, her face bright and a little too cheerful for my liking. "Alpha Calvin," she said, breathless but smiling. "Olivia sent word. She wants and Nora to return to the Full Moon Pack imdiately. We’ll be leaving tomorrow."

The words hit like a blow to the chest.

Leaving.

Tomorrow.

Nora... gone.

I blinked slowly, forcing my voice to stay even. "Olivia wants you both back?"

Lolita nodded eagerly. "Yes. She said she’s pregnant! She needs us."

I was shocked about Olivia being pregnant. In fact, that didn’t bother . What bothered was this news.

For a mont, I couldn’t speak. My chest felt too tight. It shouldn’t have mattered. If anything, this should have been good news. Out of sight ant out of mind. That was what I told myself every ti I caught my thoughts wandering toward her.

But the truth? The thought of her leaving made sothing ugly twist inside .

I turned back to my desk, pretending to shuffle through so papers. "When exactly did she say you’d leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," Lolita repeated. "After breakfast."

Tomorrow. That soon.

My wolf’s voice slithered through my head, amused and taunting. "So she’s really going. You should be happy."

But I wasn’t.

"Tell her you guys can’t leave yet," I said suddenly.

Lolita blinked. "What?"

I looked up at her, keeping my tone sharp and authoritative. "It’s not safe."

Her brows furrowed. "Not safe?"

"Yes," I said quickly, thinking fast. "My trackers reported rogue activity near the borders two nights ago. They’re still investigating. Until they confirm it’s clear, no one leaves the territory."

Those were lies.

Lolita frowned. "But... the ssage said—"

"I don’t care what the ssage said," I cut in, my voice firm enough to make her flinch. "You’ll both stay a few more days. Three at least. If the borders are secure by then, you can leave."

Lolita hesitated, clearly unsure whether to argue or obey. "Should I... tell Nora?"

I nodded once, curtly. "Yes. Tell her it’s my order."

She nodded quickly, bowing before hurrying out.

The mont the door shut, I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair, dragging a hand down my face.

I leaned back in my chair, staring blankly at the papers scattered across my desk. The words blurred together. My mind wasn’t on pack business. It was on the sound of her laugh, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous, the calm in her voice that sohow always managed to ground everyone—except .

"What the hell is wrong with ..." I muttered, dragging a hand through my hair.

My wolf chuckled low. "You already know what’s wrong. You’re fighting what’s yours."

I ignored him. But as the hours passed, that restlessness didn’t fade. I went over patrol reports, t with warriors, even sparred in the training yard, but nothing helped. Every ti the wind shifted, I swore I could catch her scent—jasmine and rain. It haunted like a curse.

By evening, I couldn’t sit still any longer. I needed air.

I stepped outside, letting the cool twilight breeze hit my face. The compound was quiet, the last rays of sunlight bleeding into the horizon. I took the path that led past the garden, hoping the walk would clear my head.

That’s when I saw Lolita.

She was sitting under the maple tree near the fountain, a book in her hands, her legs folded neatly beneath her. She looked relaxed, completely at peace. That wasn’t what caught my attention.

What caught my attention was who wasn’t there.

Lolita and Nora were always together—inseparable. If you saw one, you’d see the other. But right now, the space beside her was empty.

My brow furrowed.

"Lolita," I called, walking toward her.

She looked up imdiately, startled. "Alpha Calvin."

"Where’s Nora?" I asked, trying to sound casual but hearing the edge in my voice anyway.

She blinked. "Nora? Oh... she went out."

"Out?" My jaw tightened. "Where?"

Lolita hesitated, clearly unsure if she should answer. "Um... a birthday party."

"A what?"

"A birthday party," she repeated.

I frowned. "Whose party?"

Lolita’s fingers tightened around the edge of her book, her eyes flicking away nervously before she finally answered. "Gamma Austin’s," she said softly. "It’s his birthday. He... invited her personally."

Her words hit like a blade to the gut.

Austin. One of my Gammas.

He personally invited Nora?

My jaw clenched. Austin was good-looking. Too good-looking. He was charming too, the kind who smiled easily and made everyone feel comfortable. Including, apparently, her.

I forced my expression to stay neutral. "I see," I said quietly.

Lolita looked uncertain, like she was about to say more, but I turned on my heel before she could.

The mont my back was to her, my wolf’s growl vibrated through my chest.

"Austin invited her? Personally?" he snarled. "You’re going to let that slide?"

I didn’t reply. My vision had already started to blur at the edges, fury clouding everything else.

The thought of Nora at a party—dressed up, smiling, maybe laughing with him—was enough to make my heart hamr violently against my ribs.

Austin’s hand on her waist. Her smiling up at him. Her scent mixing with his.

The images struck like lightning.

My wolf growled again, louder this ti, his tone dark and possessive. "He might be touching what’s ours."

"Shut up," I hissed, though I didn’t an it.

I didn’t head toward my quarters. I didn’t even think. My body moved on its own, fueled by possession I’d been trying to bury for weeks.

By the ti I reached the garage, my breathing was uneven, my control dangerously thin. I yanked the keys from the hook, slid into the driver’s seat, and drove toward Austin’s ho.