The Quiet Giant's Mate Chapter 3 - Ivan

I feel ridiculous standing here. I stand out like a sore thumb, not just because I’m two feet taller than the next tallest man in the crowd. No, I stand out because I got put into a no-win situation regarding my attire. I was going to wear my simple black suit I have had for years for formal events. When I arrived at Amelia’s earlier today, I was told it wouldn’t do.

I tried to protest that what I wore was more than acceptable for the event. Amelia made it very clear that I didn’t have a choice. She brought me to a guest room where a dark purple suit jacket, waistcoat, slacks, and tie with a black dress shirt hung from the closet door. The suit was custom tailored for me and ordered by Alpha André. So, despite feeling utterly foolish dressed like this, I am wearing the damned suit to avoid getting on our Alpha’s bad side.

‘You’re already going to stand out with your height. Let’s make you also stand out for being the best dressed. Alpha Andre sent this for you, so you are wearing it!’

My sister’s words repeated in my head as I felt the stares and heard the whispers of every male standing here when they were supposed to be listening to Aleph Darren as he gave us the event rules. I looked sternly at those from Madonie, and they quickly went silent. Having a reputation doesn’t always have to be a negative.

Thankfully even the wolves from packs outside Sicily stopped gawking and whispering when the doors opened. Typically, when somewhere over five dozen males all move in one direction, you’d expect people to be shoved forward. I’m not a typical person. I remained stationary like a pillar that no amount of pushing would budge. Males had to part around me to get inside.

I felt someone glowering at me and noticed Aleph Darren, still at his podium, was looking directly at me. It could be because I’m the tallest person, but I doubt it. He wouldn’t have that exasperated look as he folded his arms.

‘Do not make me get your sister, Ivan.’ Darren threatened through the pack link.

My shoulders sank slightly as he threatened me with my sister. Low blow but effective. It worked better than using an Aleph command, and he knew it. So I walked forward, keeping my stride short. I’m in no hurry to get inside. Despite that I was moving forward, I knew Darren was still annoyed as I was the last eligible male to walk into the western entrance of the Madonie grand ballroom.

Growing up, I have attended many events in this ballroom and the rare ones since André took power. And this is the most I’ve seen the space transformed. Purple, gold, and black fabric draped elegantly from the center chandelier of the room and down the walls. I assume André asked a favor of his sister as candles floated in the air, just far enough from the fabric not to be a hazard but high enough that they wouldn’t even hit me in the head.

Round tables were off to one side of the room near a row of buffet tables. Then most of the space was clear as a dance floor. A chamber orchestra was on the stage and had already begun playing, giving the event some additional ambiance as people started to mingle, following their noses in search of mates. And if they didn’t scent a mate, they were at least searching for some company for the night.

I was tempted to go to the buffet and make a plate to sit for the evening. However, my feet weren’t moving, at least not toward the food. Cain had other ideas as he growled the word I dreaded, ‘Mate.’ I wanted to go in the opposite direction, to force my way out of the ballroom. I wanted to go anywhere that wasn’t in the direction of the enticing aroma of black currant, jasmine, and bourbon vanilla.

‘Stop being so damn stubborn.’ Cain growled as he forced his way forward to make me move.

Cain didn’t care as he shoved past people searching for the scent. I managed to wrangle control back as we reached the center of the dance floor, accidentally knocking a female to the ground by stopping so suddenly. I grimaced because this is the problem with being a big guy. It’s easy to knock people on their asses. And sure, some people need to get knocked on their asses. I tend not to like doing that to females.

“Sorry.” I gruffly apologized as I looked down and offered my hand to the she-wolf.

Strands of her brown hair had been knocked loose when she collided with me. Blue eyes peered up at me from behind the mask that hid the upper half of her face. The candlelight that hovered above us made the bodice of her dress sparkle like real gold while the tulle of her dress fanned out around her petite frame. She gasped softly as she took my hand, her soft pink lips parted in a perfect ‘O’.

The moment her delicate fingers touched mine, I felt the spark surge up my arm making me suppress a shiver. Crap. I knocked my mate to the floor. I debated how best to escape this situation while Cain growled his argument that if I took one step in the opposite direction or attempted to leave her behind, he would tell Amelia I found and ditched my mate.

“Watch where you’re walking, giant bruise.” A male growled as he pulled my mate’s hand from mine and brought her closer to him.

“Are you all right, Preziosa?” The male looked at my mate with obvious affection.

‘Rip his fucking head off and shove it up his ass!’ Cain snarled.

‘While the rules may not have stated there could be no violence, you know I’m not allowed to lash out in violence or risk what freedom I have.’ I reminded him as I took this opportunity to start to step away.

My mate has a boyfriend, given the familiarity of how he spoke to her. This would make it easier. She’s already involved, so she can reject me on those grounds instead of the long list of other reasons she’d come up with once she knows who I am. At least this would be an out my sister couldn’t get upset or upset with me about.

I could have easily extradited myself from this situation if I was a smaller man. Sadly, I’m a giant, and as I tried to get away, I bumped into a couple that had started dancing, earning an annoyed growl and glare from them. I shrugged my shoulders in silent apology as I tried to walk away again.

“What the hell? Please leave me alone. You are ruining this for me.” A voice that, despite the harsh tone, sounded as delicate as her scent scolded.

“Ignore my friend. He’s just being an asshole.” She called after me as I felt someone tug at my jacket.

‘Take another step away from her, and I will link Amelia and Faith.’ Cain threatened.

Even my wolf would leverage my sister against me. I can’t win. Why is everyone against me? What’s wrong with living my life as a bachelor? No female in their right mind would want to be involved with me. I’m under house arrest for war crimes. I’m a war criminal. That’s not a stigma I want to pass on to my mate.

“Please, don't go.” Her soft plea, just loud enough to hear over the music, stopped me.

My shoulders sank because despite what I’ve done, despite the blood that will forever stain my hands, I am not some heartless monster. And no matter how much I wanted to run from her and the inevitable rejection, I couldn’t stand hurting her. I sighed and turned around to face her. Okay, to look down at her.

She’s so petite. Everything about her looks delicate, while I am the manifestation of a bull in a China shop. Me and delicate don’t go well. I’d break this girl, crush her like the grapes at my vineyard. Grapes that I don’t pick for that reason.

I’m twenty-three, and yes, I had a girlfriend long ago, but I’m still technically a virgin. Zelma either underestimated my size or overestimated her ability regarding sex with me. Because the most I ever got was a disappointing attempt at a blow job and mostly hand jobs after she couldn’t take more than the tip.

“You do not want me.” I shook my head.

“Says who? Him?” She asked, pointing at the pouting male that watched us in envy.

‘Forget the gnat. She doesn’t want him, so what he thinks is irrelevant.’ Cain scoffed.

“Or you? Because I don’t think either of you gets to tell me what I do and do not want.” She scolded, putting her hands on her hips.

For someone as petite as her, she does have rather wide hips. Or is it the dress that makes her appear curvier than she truly is? It’s always hard to tell with women’s clothing. There are so many ways fabric can play tricks on the eyes. For all I know, my golden pixie barely has any curves.

‘She has fire. That’s good. She isn’t the type of female who will bend to or under the whims of others.’ Cain nodded in approval.

“I…” I started to try and explain myself when she was knocked into me by another dancing couple.

“If you aren’t dancing, get off the dance floor, cow.” The she-wolf sneered at my mate.

Cain did not care for her tone or choice of words and growled menacingly and loudly. I’m generally quiet, but my wolf…he’s anything but. The she-wolf and her mate, or at least dance partner, startled and craned their necks to look at me. The color faded from their faces.

“We were just leaving. The dance floor is too full of uptight bitches with two left feet.” My mate chimed in with a warm smile as she delivered her dig at the she-wolf.

“Let’s go sit and talk.” She suggested as she took my hand.

If I didn’t already feel like I stood out with my size and wearing this attention-seeking purple suit, I certainly did now. I was being led through the crowd by the hand of a golden pixie. I should feel some amount of embarrassment, yet I didn’t. I was amused. She amused me. She didn’t care about the stares and whispers around us.

She had set her mind on something, and nothing was deterring her. I am sure that will change when she realizes who I am. While my infamy is mostly confined to Sicily, even people in other packs have probably heard of me. After all, I am the only surviving ranked member of the infamous Madonie traitors. No female will want to bind themselves to a war criminal.