The Quiet Giant's Mate Chapter 17 - Ivan

I haven’t raised my hand or acted violently in over five years. I haven’t behaved violently since the night I attacked the Oscurità e Luce Coven which resulted in my capture. My heart wasn’t in that fight. I’m a big guy, and people will assume I’m violent. I know that for many, it would be hard to believe. My mama used to joke that they should have named me Ferdinand.

Yet when Valter greeted us, I wanted to punch him through the glass doors he walked out of. Who the hell does he think he is? Walking out here to bring MY mate coffee and being dismissive of my presence? I get it. He’s bummed she found her mate. However, Regina told me they broke things off two years ago when they weren’t mates.

That’s two years to have focused on finding his mate and forgetting any romantic inclinations or attraction to Regina. He’s not even tried to move forward with his life and accept that he would never have her. Over the last two years, how much harassment has she dealt with because of this delusional douchebag? That made me angry. The idea that he’s been harassing her and behaving like this had me seeing red.

Then he reached to stop her from walking away. And I was angry for the first time in a long time. I didn’t think. I reacted. Maybe I should feel bad as the asshole whimpered on the terrace holding his broken wrist. Yeah, no. I don’t feel bad. Regina doesn’t feel bad, so I won’t.

“Re...” Valter started to speak, but I snarled, and he quickly shut his mouth.

I didn’t care what he was going to say. It was going to be bullshit. He was going to try and get empathy or sympathy from her. He wants her to see him as the victim and me as the aggressor. I can feel Regina’s feelings, and that’s not how she sees things. She sees him as the aggressor and that I protected her.

“I suggest you keep your mouth shut, Valter.” Regina shook her head.

“He is my mate. When you are rude or dismissive of him, you are being rude and dismissive to me and the Goddess.” Regina was not going to let Valter weasel out of any of this. “And I know you were raised to respect the Goddess and the mate bond.”

“And when I say mate, I mean it.” She tugged at the collar of her sweater dress to show the phoenix on her neck.

“So, you have two choices. First, you apologize for your behavior. And that apology isn’t just to me. You need to apologize to Ivan.” She outlined.

“And the second choice?” Valter asked.

Regina glanced up at me, and without a word, I knew what his second option was. He wouldn’t like it. However, Cain and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing it through. Something about this kid rubs me wrong, and I want to hurt him. Okay, it’s not ‘something’ I know exactly what makes me angry about him. He dated Regina and, worse, hasn’t let it go.

“I break more bones,” I answered, clutching my fist for emphasis.

I don’t like that idea. I will admit I was waiting for him to choose pain over apologizing. After all, that choice gave me a reason to hurt him again. But it also shows he doesn’t see what he’s done wrong. If he can’t see that he’s wrong, it will make things harder on Regina. His issues should not become her problems.

When I saw the defeat in his eyes, I knew he finally got the point. He sighed and carefully got to his feet. After a moment of looking at his feet, he dared to look Regina in the eyes. He hadn’t dared to try and make eye contact with me. Not that I blame him, even if he had the balls to do that. I’ve got over two feet on him. It’s a long way to look up.

“You’re right. My behavior is unacceptable, and I was raised to respect the Goddess and the mate bond.” Valter sighed, his shoulders sinking.

“And it’s not for you to deal with my unrequited affection. Nor to deal with my heartbreak that the only person I’ve loved was never meant to be mine and never will be mine.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

Ballsy move to confess your love in front of someone’s mate. Cain growled, wanting to come forward and punch Valter for saying he was in love with Regina. I struggled to keep him back and not give in to my desire to do the same.

‘Even more when their mate is triple your size.’ Cain snorted.

“Valter, it was two years ago. I made my stance very clear. I made it clear before we even started seeing each other. You knew there would be no future between us unless we were mates and our time was limited.” Regina sighed.

“I know. And I know I agreed to the terms. I was so certain we’d be mates. Then we weren’t, and it’s been difficult to move past. Made worse as I stand on the sidelines while you find your mate.” He frowned.

“I am sorry, Regina. No matter my feelings, it’s not for me to interfere in your life or the destiny the Goddess has given you.” He apologized for daring to look in my direction.

“And I am sorry, Ivan. It is not personal, per se. It wouldn’t matter who she was mated to. I wouldn’t like him simply because he has what I can’t.” He apologized. I guess that was an apology.

“I think you should return to Incubi and give yourself and us space for a while.” Regina sighed.

“I understand.” Valter hung his head as he went back inside.

Regina’s shoulders sank as he walked away. I frowned, knowing the emotions of sadness and loss weren’t mine. They were friends growing up. Unlike my relationship with Gastone or Ignazio, theirs was a true friendship. It, however, was tainted in a way when Valter’s feelings changed. It would be different if they had been mates. But they aren’t, and he needs to accept that.

I sighed and hugged Regina knowing that even if I were the sort to talk, I wouldn’t have the right words for this. She didn’t fight my embrace. She melted into it and buried her face in my chest. We stood there in silence for a few minutes. When the terrace door opened, Regina pulled back to see who had come outside. She sighed in relief when she saw it was Delilah.

“Everything okay?” Delilah asked. “Valter just left in something of a huff.”

“Good.” Regina sighed as she stepped out of my embrace. “We had it out about his behavior and disregard for Ivan and I being mated.”

“Ah. That makes sense.” Delilah nodded.

“Now that you have found your mate, it will be easier for Valter to accept and move forward.” Delilah sighed like someone who had experience with that.

I have little interaction with Delilah, but even in my interactions, I knew she had a crush on Alexander. I can’t say if the wisdom came from the Lia situation a couple of years ago, or maybe she learned they weren’t mates. Either way, I am sure that the experience she speaks from is regarding her feelings for Alexander.

“I, for one, am happy for you. You had a feeling that last night would be the night you’d find your mate. And now here you stand proudly with your mate at your side.” She smiled.

“Thank you.” Regina smiled as she stepped away from me and hugged her friend. “I’m glad at least one friend can be happy for me.”

“Valter will eventually come around. And till then, ignore him. You should be taking this time to enjoy being together.” Delilah hugged Regina back.

“Ivan…” She smiled at me as she stepped away from Regina. “Welcome to our family.”

I arched my eyebrow as Delilah hugged me. Regina giggled softly behind her hand at my reaction. I should have expected this given her response last night during the ball. But still, having her hug me and welcome me to the family was weird. Not like André telling me to call him cousin strange, but still odd.

“Er… thank you,” I answered lightly, patting the top of her head.

Delilah laughed as she stepped back. “Don’t worry. I know some people will judge you for your past, but you’ll have the support of my sister and Alec. And no one will dare speak or even think too loudly against you with them backing you.”

I know her words are supposed to be encouraging and reassuring. But I don’t know how much she can or should speak for her sister or Alpha Alec. She might accept me being Regina’s mate, but that doesn’t mean everyone else will.

“Thank you.” I nodded.

“I take it by your smile that last night went how you wanted.” Regina smiled, changing the subject, probably knowing I was uncomfortable.

I arched my eyebrow. How Delilah wanted it? Does that mean Delilah found her mate last night? I don’t remember seeing her with anyone. Then again, I was rather preoccupied with my fiery golden pixie.

“Yes. We both got what we wanted. You found your mate.” Delilah grinned, practically glowing as she gestured to me. “And since I didn’t find my mate André and Darren have agreed to move forward.”

“I’m lost.” I furrowed my brow.

The girls giggled and gave me warm smiles. Regina took my hand and squeezed it in silent reassurance.

“Delilah had offered to be the surrogate for my cousin and Darren so they can have a biological...” Regina wrinkled her nose at the word biological. “Heir.”

I furrowed my brow as I tried to understand. I know the concept of a surrogate, and from my sister, I knew there was talk about people getting restless that having a gay couple as our leaders, we would be left without a blood heir, and the Alpha title would have to fall to Alexander’s heirs if he ever found a mate. I mostly heard about it because some people thought they should try and pressure my sister to have a biological child as a backup if both Alpha André and Alexander failed to have natural heirs.

I may not be a violent person, but I’ll have the head of anyone who ever says or does anything to harm my sister—and causing her undue distress and triggering her depression. Those that said such things to my sister are fortunate she never gave me names. I know how hard being told she may never have biological children was on her. And I’m sure Stephen would gladly help me pummel and discreetly dispose of anyone that would dare send her back into that depression.

“I know what you must be thinking. I’m young and should consider my future mate.” Delilah sighed, rolling her eyes. She’s heard that plenty.

“No.” I shook my head.

I don’t want her to think I’m passing any judgment on her choice. It is her body. Who am I to tell her otherwise? She’s young and unmated. These are things in her favor. He’d never allow it if she had a mate, even if it was her body. He’d probably go crazy with jealousy and resent her and the heir she carries because it’s not his pup.

“Ivan doesn’t think that way,” Regina assured her. “He thinks it makes more sense as you are young and unmated. It means you don’t have a mate who will be jealous and resentful that you wouldn’t be carrying his pup. And as someone born and raised in Madonie, you would give his birth pack an Alpha heir.”

“Really?” Delilah blinked up at me.

I nodded.

“Thank you, Ivan.” She smiled.

“So few people have understood my decision. I want to do this for André and Darren. I knew how sad they were when people pushed about a biological heir. And they’d been looking for someone to be a surrogate without success.” She sighed.

I arched my eyebrow as I couldn’t believe it would be all that difficult. Throw a stone, and you’ll find a young willing she-wolf that would be happy to carry an alpha heir.