It’s a miracle the next day started beautifully.But I know this will not end with beauty. Either for Hestia or for me, I don’t care. I’m just going to make sure that I am still smiling at the end of the day.I strode purposefully through the grand entrance of the arena, my heart beating with excitement and anticipation. The familiar scent of sweat and adrenaline enveloped me, filling me with a heady mix of lightness and trepidation.Luna Hestia walked beside me, her steps hesitant. Almost as if she were trying to hide something. But I knew better. I had seen her in action before, witnessed her power firsthand. She was far from weak, even if she chose to conceal it.I am stronger than her. Better.I glanced at Hestia, noting the subtle shift in her demeanor. Her eyes darted around nervously, but I knew the true reason behind her unease. Alpha Brandon, the imposing figure who commanded respect from everyone in his pack, had been watching her.Even if I don’t manage to kill her, I’m sur
The arena seemed to fade away as I focused all my energy on the battle unfolding before me. The clash of steel on steel filled the air, accompanied by grunts of exertion. Each blow landed with a resounding impact, reverberating through my body. I didn’t expect a weapon to come between us. Am I happy? No. I rather have my bare fists land on Hestia’s jaw. Hestia was quick and agile, her movements fluid and calculated. She attacked with a ferocity that matched my own, and I knew that this fight would push me to my limits. Perhaps our encounter yesterday just fueled her desire further. But I refused to back down. I never will. I had spent months honing my skills, perfecting my techniques. I would not let it all go to waste. So this is how it felt like to fight for your life, to fight so that you may have a life ahead. A better future. Warm blood gushed down from my nose, and it was enough to pull me back to my warrior mindset. We circled each other, e
Zarion’s POV“You are not my mate.” I growled so loud that Cassidy gasped and blinked. “Stand up, bitch,” my voice was low and commanding. “Stand the fuck up!”But Hestia remained on her knees in front of me, pleading, and repeatedly uttering the word 'mate.' The duel between her and Cassidy had ceased, and the spectators were now murmuring in confusion, unsure of what was happening.“Please...just accept me. The Moon Goddess’ gift is holy. No one can stop that!” Hestia implored. At that moment, she seemed like an entirely different person—begging, whimpering. It was evident that she believed this was a sign of being mated with someone and this mating thing is sacred and must be honored.“I can stop that,” I sneered down at her. “Cassidy has stopped hers too.”“But she and Brandon rejected each other—”“And I will not think twice to do it to you as well.”“Hestia.” Brandon growled nearby. He tried to intervene and ordered his wife to stand up. “Hestia, stand up!” My brother commanded
“Yes.” I did not lower my head, my voice is as cold as steel.Before I could react more, Hestia lunged towards me in a last desperate attempt to sway my decision.Instinctively, I moved to protect myself. In that moment of chaos, my wolf took control. I found myself choking her in front of the entire crowd, her feet suspended a few meters from the floor, including the Chancellor who watched each heartbeat of the events that unfold with keen interest.Time seemed to slow as my grip tightened. Before any serious harm could be done, my Beta, Caleb, and a few other pack members intervened, pulling Hestia away from me. Her eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. I forced myself not to grin. I know that the path before us would be difficult to traverse. That is why I will do anything just so she will stop bothering me and pleading with me to accept our mating bond.With Hestia safely restrained, I took a step back. My wave of emotions slowly retreated to the shore. My wolf howled within me
Cassidy’s POVI paced back and forth in my room, my mind spinning with a whirlwind of endless possibilities. I just woke up when I found out that Zarion and two of his Betas were out in the Misty Forest, facing danger and uncertainty in the wilderness just to pay Hestia for what she did to me.I couldn't help but worry for them. The weight of their lives rested heavily on my shoulders, and every passing moment seemed to drag on forever. Why is everything always about me?!My fingers clenched and unclenched, my heart thudding in my chest like a relentless drumbeat. I knew that Zarion is a skilled warrior, together with Caleb and Achilles. They are strong and loyal, but the dangers they faced were not to be underestimated. Anything could happen out there in the unknown, and the fear of the unknown gnawed at me like a persistent ache.What if Alpha Brandon will come for them?It might be a trap. Also, I might be wrong. I’m overthinking so much that I sometimes forget to put trust in my
“Cassidy…” He stroked my cheeks as if he never touched them before.“I do trust you, Zarion. But... it's just that. I still feel so insecure. She's your mate. Hestia is your sacred mate. Why would Hestia, the reputable Hestia, announce and do that to the whole world? She doesn't have control, of course, because it's the mating bond. No one has control over that treacherous thing—”Zarion's strong hand gently covered my mouth, silencing my worried ramblings. His eyes bore into mine with unwavering intensity, and I could see the sincerity in his gaze. “Hush, babe. We don't know her ulterior motive. She's not my fucking mate. She will never be. She will never be you, Cassidy.”His vehement denial surprised me, and I couldn't help but question further, still trying to grasp the truth. “But...why would she say that she's your mate? Why would she kneel in front of you and do those things that clearly signal that she is mated with you?” I asked, my thoughts still clouded with confusion.“She
It was done in a heartbeat. The pain it caused didn’t even linger for long. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it in front of the mirror—the mark of the Alpha. On my neck.It was surreal. I touched my neck and there it was, a shimmering testament to the bond that had formed between Alpha Zarion and me.My heart swelled with joy, this pure emotion washing over me. I remember every bit of the memories we shared this night.“You are the only person whom I will spend the rest of my life with, Cassidy. I couldn't wait for that to happen. We have so much time in the world. I will give you everything that you want and need. Just please fucking stay by my side because I can't live without you. Damn. I don't even know what I'll do if you leave me…” His words still ring in my ear even when he’s already snoring beside me. He had made it clear that I was the only one, and that meant everything to me.“I will never leave you, Zarion.” I kissed his temple as I buried myself under the blanket,
It was quick, yet not so painful. I think so.Alpha Brandon took a step forward, his eyes filled with remorse. I don’t know if it’s real. It seems it's not. “I have seen the error of my ways, Zarion.” He turned to me. Where Zarion did not notice that I was already beside him, Brandon did. “Cassidy, my former mate…” I swallowed a lump in my throat to what he just called me. “Please forgive me.”Zarion did not utter a single word. Instead, he just glares at Brandon.His brother sighed heavily as he looked at me. “Cassidy, I am truly sorry for how I treated you. I let my ambition blinded me, my hatred consumed me and it cost me dearly. I regret my actions, and I have come to make amends.”I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The once cocky and arrogant Alpha Brandon was now standing before us, admitting his mistakes and seeking forgiveness. It was a surprising revelation, one that left me uncertain about how to feel.I still have my doubts obviously. Zarion regarded him carefully, stud