Ch. 561..570
Arabella's alluring form lying on the foliage bed was the most erotic sight Alexander had ever seen in his life. Her soft breathing, hooded eyes, and parted lips were so inviting that even a stone heart would have melted and given in to her enchantment. The foliage bed was woven from the softest, most fragrant leaves, delicately intertwined with supple vines, creating a haven nestled within a lush garden. The leaves, pliant and fresh, offered a cushiony yet firm support, while the vines, intertwined like a lover's embrace, provided a sense of security and warmth. As the sun began to set and moonlight danced upon this verdant haven, the whole of nature seemed to witness the union of these two lovers.
The scent of Arabella's arousal filled the air, triggering Alexander's wolf to howl, eager to take control and mate with his destined mate. Alexander observed as Arabella's back arched on the bed. Her toes curled and her hooded eyes fixed on him, showing the want and lust in them. Her lips parted, releasing a soft moan from those rosy petals, her body twisting and arching on the bed and yearning for his touch. Without needing any further invitation, he leaned over and fervently kissed her. Arabella's body felt scorching hot, the intense heat causing her core to clench painfully, resulting in a cry of agony coming out of her throat. Alexander cursed under his breath and closed his eyes.
"Arabella," he whispered against her lips. "You're in heat, and only your mate's seed can bring you relief."
Arabella's eyes widened in surprise. A she-wolf would enter heat upon meeting her destined mate. Despite being with Zephyr for months, she had never experienced this before. It was her first experience of being in heat. The Moon Goddess seemed to be playing with her fate indeed. She didn't want to cheat on Zephyr.
As if Alexander had read her mind, he spoke, "You're not cheating on him. You're with your mate, the one you're fated to be with," he affirmed.
She wanted to argue, but her body and mind had surrendered. Her wolf was desperate to bond with her destined mate and there was no turning back.
Clutching Alexander's clothes in her trembling fist, she pulled him closer.
"I need you," she breathed out. Her eyes nearly closed, and her breaths became shallow, a clear effect of her heat taking its toll.
Alexander awaited her consent, breathing heavily, his eyes dark with need and want. The waves of heat emanating from Arabella's body struck him intensely, nearly causing him to lose control as lust overtook his mind and body. He swiftly undid her blouse, causing her full, plump breasts to spill out.
"So beautiful!" Alexander murmured as his heart raced. Without delay, he took her nipple into his mouth, tugging and biting hungrily. A surge of mixed pain and pleasure coursed through Arabella, and she felt as though she was falling into an abyss of ecstasy.
Alexander's touch ignited desires within her that she never knew existed. His hand traced over her legs, dragging up her skirt, revealing her smooth, milky skin. Arabella's body relaxed under the touch of her mate, easing her pain and releasing the heat within her. More wetness oozed out of her tight cunt and Alexander's eyes darkened noticing her soaked panties.
His hands reached Arabella's inner thighs, halting near her panties, and with one forceful tug, he tore them into pieces.
Arabella's breath caught in her throat as she felt Alexander's fingers brushing against her soft folds before he plunged a thick finger into her wetness.
"Fuck! My love, you're so wet," he groaned. "I can't wait to be inside you." His voice melded with that of his wolf as it appeared on his face, both ready to claim their mate.
Alexander pulled away, tearing off his clothes impatiently. Arabella's eager eyes scanned his bare body. He was the epitome of a Greek god, confirming the rumors about him. He was huge, hard everywhere, and impeccably sculpted. However, her eyes widened as she beheld his huge, thick length. "Oh my Goddess!" she gasped in fear. "You are so big!"
She doubted that she could take
him; he would tear her apart if he entered her tiny hole. Although she was not a virgin, he was still too big for her. Alexander smirked, amused by Arabella's reaction. He had séen women fear his monster dick before, but it was made for his mate, finally finding its ultimate destination.
"Don't worry, darling. I'll be gentle," Alexander assured her as he positioned his steely cock at her tiny opening. With one forceful thrust, he was fully sheathed inside her. Their heads fell back as moans of pleasure escaped their mouths. "Fuck! This feels incredible! I've never felt anything like this," Alexander grunted between thrusts, but he didn't stop.
He glanced down where their bodies were joined, and a look of pure contentment surfaced on his face. He was with his mate, inside her sweet body, bonding with her. The mate bond strengthened as it connected their wolves even deeper.
Soon, Arabella's body began to relax, her heat subsiding, and she felt as though she were floating in an ocean of pleasure. She cried out Alexander's name as she reached her climax.
Following her lead, Alexander spilled his semen inside her hot core.
His wolf howled with pleasure. Alexander's eyes never left Arabella's flushed face as a content smile appeared on her lips. He wanted to claim her completely, and without a second thought, he lowered his head and sank his canines into Arabella's neck, marking her and completing their bond.
Arabella cried out, grabbing
Alexander's shoulder tightly, her
nails sinking into his skin and drawing blood. Alexander licked the marking spot and tenderly kissed his mark on his mate's neck, gazing at it as if it were the most amazing thing in the whole universe. Soon, the pain subsided, and a new overwhelming feeling took over Arabella's senses.
Alexander lifted his head and looked at his mate.
"Arabella, mark me," he said, and flipped her, switching their positions so that he was lying on his back, and Arabella was straddling him, his dick still buried within her wet pussy. Both were still connected.
Arabella followed her instincts as
her wolf stirred. She lowered her head and bit into Alexander's
marking spot. Lifting her head, she~~~ saw the imprint of a wolf paw,
glowing with a golden light. net
The
same happened to her mate's mark on her neck and it glowed with golden light. Both looked deeply into each other's eyes and smiled,
leaning in for a passionate kiss.
The first true mates in werewolf history were finally bonded.
"No!" A sharp cry pierced through the surroundings. "How could you do this to me, Arabella?" Zephyr's angry voice shattered the moment, pulling Arabella and Alexander back to reality.
Chapter 562
A few hours earlier...
When Zephyr summoned the warlock God and stated his request, he asked for an irreversible curse.
"I want to cast a curse on my stepbrother, Alpha King Alexander, so that he could never find his mate, nor could his mate sense a bond with him. This curse must persist through all his future lives," Zephyr described with determination.
"Are you absolutely certain? Once granted, this wish cannot be undone," cautioned the Warlock God, Zythorath.
"I never want it reversed," Zephyr gritted his teeth, consumed by hatred.
"Very well, I shall grant your wish and cast a curse upon Alexander's mate bond. Your stepbrother, Alpha Alexander, will never sense a mate, and his mate will be unable to sense him. This curse shall endure across his lifetimes," declared the Warlock God, Zythorath.
Suddenly, the weather changed; thunder roared and lightning crackled across the sky above them. A bolt of lightning struck the secret chamber where they were conversing. Everything in the room began shaking and falling to the ground, but Zephyr managed to escape the lightning strike that burned everything around him.
"What just happened?" Zephyr murmured in disbelief, his frantic eyes surveying the devastation unfolding around them.
"You fool!" the warlock God, Zythorath, growled, his eyes burning red with fury. "Why didn't you tell me that they were true mates?"
"Does it matter?" Zephyr asked in confusion.
He had always known that Arabella was Alexander's true mate, and he had planned to marry her before Alexander found her, driven by jealousy toward his stepbrother. That was why he intentionally schemed to prevent Alexander from attending the mating ball. However, he never anticipated genuinely falling in love with Arabella, and now, he couldn't bring himself to leave her. He wanted to spend his whole life with her and wanted her in every life, not for revenge but for his love this time."
"You idiot, Warlock King!" The God roared. "A true Mate bond is the most powerful thing in the whole universe, and putting a curse on Alexander's mate bond, separating him from his destined mate, made me lose my power, and you have lost your immortality," he revealed.
"What do you mean?" Zephyr gasped in horror.
"You heard me," the God Zythorath affirmed. "You are now an ordinary man and have lost your magical powers."
"No, that can't be true," Zephyr screamed.
"It has happened, and now I have to regain my power and atone for my sins," the God Zythorath informed before disappearing.
"No matter that I don't have powers, I will find you in every life, Arabella, and now you are mine in every life. The curse has severed your ties with Alexander, so now you are mine forever," he mumbled to himself before breaking into maniacal laughter. Suddenly, he felt the searing pain of betrayal in his heart. He didn't need to ponder why it was happening; it meant only one thing: Alexander had mated with Arabella.
"You son of a bitch!" Zephyr cursed, his hand clutching his chest in agony. "You will die by my hand today," Zephyr groaned as he hurried to find his horse and set off to locate his beloved wife and stepbrother.
When he finally found them, the sight before him caused a torrent of anguish. Alexander had already marked Arabella, and she, in turn, had marked Alexander.
"How could you do this to me, Arabella?" Zephyr shouted with rage as he rushed toward them, but Alexander stood between Arabella and Zephyr, stopping him from reaching her.
"Stay away from my mate," Alexander growled.
"She is my mate," Zephyr yelled.
"She bonded with me, and now she is mine," Alexander affirmed smugly.
"You bastard! How dare you violate my mate and try to snatch her from me," Zephyr bellowed.
"Arabella, come to me. I will forgive you because it's not your fault. This motherfucker has brainwashed you and put a spell on you," Zephyr tried to manipulate her again, but Arabella was new standing beside Alexander and understood everything he was feeling at that moment through their mate bond.
"That's not true, Zephyr," Arabella said. "Alexander loves me, and I love him,” she confessed. Alexander took her in his arms, wrapping a hand around her waist as both looked into each other's eyes with so much love.
"Arabella, how could you say it?" he asked in disbelief. "You are my mate, my queen. How can you leave me?" he said as his heart burned with
jealousy and vengeance. His plan et
went in vain as Alexander found his mate and now their bond was completed. Zephyr couldn't let it happen. He couldn't bear to see his stepbrother happy while he would be left in sorrow, having lost his
powers, his immortality, and his
mate.
"Please, Zephyr, let me go. I am destined to be Alexander's mate," Arabella pleaded. "I can feel this mate bond, and I fear I will perish without him," she begged once more. "Please, let me go." "No!" Zephyr roared with rage. "You are mine, Arabella, and you will always be mine. No one can take you away from me."
Suddenly he retrieved a hidden silver dagger from his clothes and struck at Alexander. However, Arabella swiftly slid between them, and the dagger pierced her chest. "Arabella!"
"Arabella! No!"
Both men shouted as her lifeless body fell to the ground.
Chapter 563
"Arabella!" Alexander cried loudly with an ear-deafening scream. He took out the silver dagger from Arabella's chest with his shaking hand and threw it away. He called out her name, but she had already died the moment the silver pierced her heart. Zephyr scooted back in shock, his eyes stony and blank as he looked at Arabella's dead form. Suddenly, Alexander fell to the ground, his breathing stopping. Zephyr was dumbfounded and couldn't understand what had just happened. The heavy wind began to flow, and the sky turned red and gloomy while birds began crying and tides rose in rivers.
"THEY WERE TRUE MATES!" Suddenly, a voice from above resonated in the surroundings. "IF ONE OF THEM DIES, THE OTHER WILL ALSO DIE. THEY WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER!" Zephyr looked at the dead bodies of Alexander and Arabella entangled in each other's arms and then looked up above.
He lost everything in that moment: his power, his immortality, and his love.
*Present time*
*Avery*
"Then what happened to Zephyr?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"Zephyr lost his powers, becoming an ordinary man. However, his loyal warlock ministers and commanders concealed his mortality from everyone, ensuring he ruled without disturbance. He lived and died as a human, only to be reborn as the son of the formidable Vampire King, Silas Shadowborn," Damon revealed.
"That's... that's you," I exclaimed, astonished.
"Yes!" he smirked. "I recollect everything since my rebirth and now seek my Arabella."
"And Selena is Arabella?!" I blurted out, my expression contorted with a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Yes, she is my Arabella," Damon affirmed.
"Is she truly your mate?!" I inquired, suspicion lacing my tone. That couldn't be true because she was Alexander's true mate.
"She is mine and mine alone!" he snapped fiercely. "I know I am destined for her, and she is fated for me. She only needs to realize it, and that moment will arrive very soon," Damon predicted with a hint of ominous certainty.
"Ah, so you cast a spell on her, and that's why she is drawn to you," Father remarked.
Damon chuckled. "As I've mentioned, she is mine, and I will do anything to claim her. The universe must accept it and alter destiny."
It was a cunning and wicked plan, but who cared as long as I could have Zander.
"We're on board with your plan. What do we need to do?" Father inquired.
Damon fixed us with a stern gaze before flashing a cunning smile, his eyes glinting with evil intent.
"Just follow the plan," he commanded.
"But wait, what about Alexander?" I frowned. "What if he has also been reborn? Aren't you afraid he'll come to reclaim his mate?"
"I don't have to worry about Alexander," Damon smirked. "Even if he's been reborn, he won't be able to sense his mate, nor will his mate, Arabella, be able to sense him because the curse will continue to follow him in every life. So it doesn't matter who or where he is in this lifetime."
**********
*Zander*
"Zander, what do you mean you only have a few months left?" Selena asked, her beautiful eyes reflecting worry and fear.
I couldn't tell her about the prophecy; she would be scared.
"Tell me, Zander, please!" she insisted.
"Selena, I will always be yours, and even if I die, I don't care because now I have my son to carry on my legacy and bloodline," I assured her.
"Why are you talking as if you're going to die?" Her voice shook as her eyes glistened.
I sighed, taking her face in my hands and caressing her cheeks. She leaned into my touch, closing her eyes.
"We've just started our life, Zander, and you're talking about leaving. That's not going to happen, and I'm not going to let anything come between us," she whispered as a tear dropped on her cheek. "What if it's death..." She didn't let me finish the sentence.
"No!" she shrieked. "Nothing and I mean absolutely nothing, will ever come between us," she paused, her eyes fixing intensely onto mine. "Not even death itself is permitted to separate us. Do you understand?" Her voice trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. I leaned in and kissed her deeply overwhelming emotion taking over the thoughts.
She struggled to contain her emotions, refusing to acknowledge them, but fate was inescapable. My destiny allowed me just thirty fleeting years with my loved ones in this earthly realm.
"Selena, I must attend to something urgent," I murmured as I pulled away.
"Wait, where are you going?" Her voice was tinged with panic.
"To sever my mate bond and be eternally yours," I announced resolutely.
I needed to rush to the Moon Goddess temple, seeking the counsel of the head priestess. Only she could break the bond tying me to another, allowing me to belong solely to Selena. My remaining days on this earth were dwindling, but my resolve to be with her never faltered.
Selena's voice wanted to stop me, but nothing could change my mind as I didn't have much time on my hands.
As I reached the altar of the Moon Goddess Temple, the serene light emanating from inside granted me peace and calmed my stressed heart. I quickly ascended the steps of the temple and stepped inside.
"Alpha Zander!" the High Priestess smiled. "Did you come for prayer and to make offerings to the Moon Goddess?"
"No, High Priestess! I am here to seek your help," I said firmly.
"Seek my help?" she repeated in confusion. "Tell me, how can I help you?" Her voice carried a divine and calming presence.
"I need you to sever my mate bond so I can never find my fated mate," I declared.
She looked taken aback momentarily. I took a deep breath, knowing she needed a reason.
"I have a mate, and I love her. I want to be her only. Though I don't doubt my love for Selena, I know the mate bond is very powerful, and I don't е want anything to make Selena doubt my love for her," I explained. "That's why, High Priestess, I want you to
destroy my mate bond,"
commanded.
"As you wish, Alpha King," she bowed. "You are our king, and I am obliged to follow your orders and fulfill your wish," she paused. "But I want to remind you that once your mate bond is destroyed, it can't be revived at any cost." "I don't care. I don't need anyone else but my Selena as my mate," I admitted, holding my head high, proud of my love.
She smiled. "I must say your Luna is very lucky."
"I am the lucky one to have her," I smiled, thinking about such a remarkable lady as my mate and Luna.
"Alright, let's proceed with your wish. Come with me, she instructed, and I followed her to the divine chamber of the Moon Goddess. The chamber was brightly lit as if all the stars had descended to Earth. The ambiance was serene and divine. The Moon Goddess idol appeared so lifelike, as though she resided there in reality.
"Give me your hand and listen, it will be painful, but I will try to lessen the pain with my powers quickly," she informed me.
"I don't care. Just do it," I said firmly, offering her my hand.
She held my hand while chanting something under her breath, sprinkling the holy moon water obtained from the Lunar realm and blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.
The high priestess closed her eyes, continuing her chant. Suddenly, she jerked her hand away from mine as if burned, shock widening her eyes. Her unexpected reaction left me dumbfounded.
"What happened?" I murmured, my brow furrowed in confusion.
"You can never find a mate because your wolf's mate bond is cursed," she announced, her voice tinged with fear and disbelief.
Chapter 564
"As I can sense," the High Priestess took my hand again and closed her eyes. "Your wolf has carried that curse for years, spanning across past lives. The bond between you and your fated mate is already blocked by the curse, preventing you from sensing your mate." The revelation was shocking, leaving me conflicted about whether I should feel happy or worried. It was true that I didn't desire my destined mate; I only wanted Selena. However, the curse on my mate bond hinted at something profoundly serious and perilous. Could it be related to the prophecy?
The thought made me crave more time to live for my people and for my Selena if somehow I could find a solution, even though I knew the prophecy couldn't be altered. Selena didn't know my cold demeanor stemmed from the prophecy. I didn't want them to grow too attached to me, knowing it would be excruciatingly painful for them to live without me. But I lost control when I lost my Luna because of my cold nature and indifferent behavior. Yes, this time I became selfish and confessed my love to her. At least, in the few days I had left on this earth, I could spend time making her feel my love and cherish the beautiful gift I received in this life-her.
"It means I don't have to worry about finding my true mate?" I mumbled unconsciously.
"That is not the primary concern, Alpha King. The main worry is that you can never sense a mate, as this curse is an eternal enchantment that cannot be broken," she emphasized.
What the fuck was that now?
"What would I have done in my past life to be cursed like that?" I muttered in disbelief.
"I can't tell you about it, but one thing is certain: the curse was placed upon you by a very powerful entity, perhaps even a deity!" she exclaimed.
"Damn! I must have really upset some kind of deity," I snorted.
"That is not a laughing matter, Alpha King," the High Priestess warned.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" I shrugged. "You're not providing a solution."
"Because I don't know myself," she murmured, looking helpless. "Maybe," she turned toward the Moon Goddess idol, her eyes glinting with hope, "the Goddess can show you the way. Wait for her sign," she said, her voice calm again.
She closed her eyes and folded her hands, silently praying. I gazed at the Moon Goddess, desperately seeking a solution, but the idol stared back at me without any sign.
I sighed. I didn't have time to wait for a sign; there were so many things to be done in this short period.
Leaving the temple, I went straight to my pack's office and sent a mind link to all my officers, calling for an urgent meeting. I needed to make some critical changes promptly.
*Selena*
I knocked on the door of Zander's mother, Catherine's room.
She opened the door and scowled upon seeing me. I was aware she didn't like me, and I couldn't say I felt any warmth towards her either.
"Can I come in?" I had to ask as she appeared unwilling to let me enter. She huffed and reluctantly stepped aside to allow me passage.
As I entered her room, she spoke in a voice laced with frustration, "What do you want, Selena?"
I turned to face her.
"Please close the door. I need to discuss something personal," I said politely.
She seemed reluctant to entertain my request, but eventually, she turned and closed the door, crossing her arms over her chest as she faced me.
I glanced around her room, seeking a moment of peace between us before I began with my questions.
"Are you going to tell me now?" She sounded irritated.
I turned slowly toward her. "Catherine, why does Zander have only a few days left?"
"W...What?" she seemed taken aback. "What are you talking about?" She attempted to sound clueless, but the way her face turned pale told me everything. "Don't hide it from me. I am his Luna and have the right to know about it," I demanded.
"Then ask your alpha," she snapped.
"You know, Catherine, if he had told me, I would never have come to you," I sighed.
"Selena, if he didn't want to tell you about it, how could I defy the Alpha and tell you?" she countered.
I knew it wasn't going to be easy to
uncover the secret from her when visited her room, but I was
determined to understand what was happening with my mate.
"Catherine need to know. Maybe we can both find a solution," I insisted, and she averted her eyes. "I know you also care about your son and don't want any harm to befall him."
She inhaled and exhaled loudly.
"It doesn't matter how much I love my son, the prophecy will snatch him away from me," her eyes glistened as she whispered in her helpless voice. "What?!" I frowned. "What do you mean?"
Catherine took a deep breath. "I think it's time I confide in someone about what I've kept to myself."
I became more attentive; all my senses were alert and focused.
"It all started when I was pregnant
with Zander," she began, staring into the void. "It was a blood moon night when George and I were wandering hand in hand near the lake. A seer appeared, gazing at the sky and then my swollen belly. She proclaimed that a prophecy had emerged from the heavens: our unborn child would become the most powerful alpha, destined to rule the world as the invincible and mightiest Alpha King. However, she foretold a tragic fate - he would die a month before his thirtieth birthday," Catherine said in her gloomy tone.
"And his thirtieth birthday is in two months," I gasped, feeling my heart sink with realization.
Chapter 565
*In The Meanwhile In Lunar Realm.*
The High Priestess climbed the stairs of the Moon Goddess temple in the lunar realm. Her steps mimicked the urgency of her thoughts.
"Goddess! What is happening with my daughter? Why does she have to suffer this much?" the High Priestess, Thalassa, cried.
"Thalassa, I think it's time for you to tell her about her real identity," The Goddess smiled serenely.
"I did it to protect her. If her father knew about her powers, he would have taken advantage of it and used her for his bad intentions," Thalassa said with a remorseful voice. "Then I was afraid her mate would take advantage of her powers."
"But now you have seen she is safe with Alpha Zander, and he loves her so much that he was ready to sever his mate bond with his true mate," The Goddess emphasized.
Thalassa nodded. She had seen that Alpha Zander had chosen Selena over his true mate, and he would never take advantage of her and her powers because he truly loved her.
"She is my descendant, and I chose her to be born from my most favorite devotee, that is you, the High Priestess of my temple, Thalassa," the Goddess declared.
"But why is Zander cursed, and why is Selena with him?" Thalassa asked curiously. The Moon Goddess remained silent.
"I wonder who Zander's true mate is," Thalassa mumbled unconsciously.
The Moon Goddess knew everything. After all, she made the decisions and paired werewolves. It was all crafted by her, but she didn't say anything and kept smiling mysteriously. "This is not the right time to think about it. Zander is dying because of the prophecy, and Selena needs her powers to find a way to save him," the Goddess enlightened.
"Is it possible, Goddess?" Thalassa asked in astonishment. "Can a prophecy be changed?"
The Goddess again smiled mysteriously and said, "Why don't you find out for yourself? Because I am also curious about what Selena can do to save her mate."
"It's time to meet your daughter, Thalassa. It's time to tell her the truth," the Goddess insisted.
Thalassa nodded, taking a deep breath. The truth was very hard to confess and even harder for Selena to accept.
*Selena*
"Selena!"
"Selena!"
I heard someone calling my name while I was asleep. I wanted to open my eyes. But I could not wake up from my sleep. What was going on with me? I didn't know. Then, I found myself in a valley of beautiful pink flowers which were scattered everywhere in the valley, with bushes of large leaves. This place didn't seem like it was on Earth; it looked like heaven.
I looked around to find the source of that serene voice, but no one was there, only me.
"Selena, my daughter, come here," again, the voice guided me in a direction, and my legs moved on their own. After taking a few steps, I saw a majestic temple glowing brightly with divine light coming from the sky above it.
"Come, my dear, I am waiting for you," the sweet voice called again, and I walked spellbound without any thought.
I climbed the steps of the divine
temple, crossing the altar, and
reached the huge hall where a lady with a divine aura stood. The otherworldly glow on her face made it difficult to clearly see her. I could fathom that her lips curled up, and she smiled softly.
Оры
"Who are you, and where am I?" I asked, frowning.
"Selena dear, you are in the lunar realm, and I am your mother," she said.
"My mother?" I asked, forgetting that I was in the lunar realm. It was a surprise, considering I knew who my mother was, and she had died with my whole family.
"I know what you are thinking, but she wasn't your mother," she explained.
"That's bullshit. I have known my mother my whole life since I was a child. Now you're telling me that you are my mother and want me to believe you?!" I retorted.
"You know her as your mother because your father wanted you to think of her as your mother and forget about me. But this is the truth; you are my daughter," she came closer, and now I could see her face clearly.
"High Priestess?!" I know her. She was the High Priestess of the Moon Goddess temple.
"That's right. I am Thalassa, the High Priestess," she said, smiling.
I am still confused as the High Priestess wouldn't lie to me. But what she was saying was hard to believe and if I trusted her words, it would make my whole life a lie.
"I know you have many questions in your mind," she said as if she could read my mind.
"If you know that I am confused and curious, then why don't you start from the beginning? Why did you leave me alone after giving birth? If I were your daughter, why didn't you ever visit me and check on me to see how I lived?" I countered, hurt and angry.
My own parents treated me like a mere object, using me as a pawn in their lives and playing with it as if they had every right to make decisions about my life-I was a ragdoll for their entertainment.
"Alright, if it makes you believe me, then I will tell you everything from the beginning when I met my mate and all hell broke loose."
I stood there silently, listening to her as she turned her back and looked out of a small window.
"Twenty-three years ago, when I
found my mate and discovered he was a devil in the skin of an alpha," she started with a deep breath, her voice filled with hatred. "I truly challenged The Moon Goddess's choice to bind me with a demon like Alpha Albert. I wanted to reject him, but he did not accept my rejection and forcefully took me to his territory. He locked me in his pack house and mated with me against my will. He kept me there until I was pregnant with his child. He was seeking a powerful heir from his
fated mate. Knowing I was a blessed wolf with special powers, he
anticipated that his child born from me would possess unique abilities."
"The moment you were born, he took you away from me, rejected me, and threw me out of his pack," she turned to look at me, her eyes filled with pain as if remembering those days were the worst nightmare. I could feel, from her description, the anguish she must have endured with a demon mate like my father.
"But then I never shifted, and that's why Father hated me because I disappointed him," I mumbled as I remembered when Father found out I was not able to shift on my sixteenth birthday. He started showing me his hatred towards me. The High Priestess nodded silently.
"You never shifted because I didn't want your father to know about your wolf. I knew the moment you were born that you were a special wolf, a descendant of the Moon Goddess," she revealed.
"A special wolf?" I furrowed, shocked.
"Yes, and I had to suppress your wolf to protect you, my dear," she said in her dull voice. "But now it's time for you to meet your wolf," she added, with a soft smile gracing her face again. "It means..." I trailed off, dumbfounded.
"Yes, it's time for you to shift and get your wolf and the powers that come with her," she announced.
Chapter 566
I woke up gasping for air as if I had just regained my physical form. I instinctively touched myself with my hand, reassuring myself that I was in my room, dressed in my sleepwear, while the divine temple from my dream had vanished. Still confused, I grappled with the uncertainty of whether it was merely a dream or a profound sign. The only way to unravel the mystery was to seek answers from the high priestess; finding her became my immediate priority. Zander hadn't returned since last night, but he had sent a message that he was occupied with documenting necessary amendments.
"Mom!" Austin rushed towards me and leaped onto the bed beside me. "You're awake."
"Yes, baby boy. I am awake. How are you feeling here? Do you like your new home?" I asked, taking him onto my lap and hugging him affectionately.
"Yes, Mom. This packhouse is like a palace, and I like it more than our old home," he told me, his eyes shining brightly with joy and excitement. I smiled as I ruffled his hair.
"Can we live here forever?" he asked innocently.
"Of course, munchkin. This is your home, and you are the prince and heir of the Moonglow pack," I assured my son.
"So, you need to stop calling me munchkin because one day I am going to become the Alpha King," he said, trying to talk like an adult.
"Hey, hey, you naughty boy! Come here." I took him into my embrace and tickled him as he laughed. "You will always be my munchkin, no matter how old you become. Don't forget that," I said softly as I kissed his cheek. He giggled.
"Okay, Mom. Now leave me. I will die from laughing," he said, screeching between laughs.
"Alright, did you have your breakfast?" I asked, smoothing his hair and kissing the top of his head.
he grinned, excitement bubbling in his voice. "Dad fed me breakfast today, right from his hand, and then we strolled to the park nearby while you were still asleep."
My eyebrows shot up, forming a perplexed furrow. "Dad's back?" I blurted out, a mix of surprise and confusion coloring my words. "Then why didn't he come to the room?"
Austin nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling. "Yeah, he's back, but he didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep. Said you looked exhausted last night."
A warmth spread through my chest at his consideration. My cold Alpha had a soft side.
"Where is your dad now?" I inquired, suddenly feeling incomplete without him.
"He left for pack duty, but he told me to let him know when you woke up," Austin explained, his voice tinged with a hint of responsibility.
"Alright, I'll hop into the shower. By the time I'm done, your dad should be back," I said, planting a quick kiss on his forehead. With that, I untangled myself from the sheets and made my way to the bathroom.
The entire time, I tried to unwind in a soothing hot bath, but my mind couldn't shake off the strange dream I had earlier. After a quick shower, I stepped out of the room, only to be greeted by the heart-melting voices of my mate and our son. I paused, taking a moment to savor the sight of them together. Zander had never seemed so patient and tender as he looked now when he was talking to our son.
Zander's voice pulled me back to reality, "Why are you standing there and staring at us?"
He tilted his head in my direction,
and I tried not to squirm under hie
intense gaze, feeling like he was undressing me with his sharp blue eyes.
"You both were so engrossed in conversation that I thought not to interrupt," I smiled, slowly striding toward the bed where my two worlds sat.
"We're never too busy for you, my love," Zander husked out, and Austin giggled, reminding us he was also part of the conversation.
"Mom, Dad, and I were
brainstorming what to do today. Yesterday, Aunt Blair gave me a tour of the whole pack house. I went to the nearby park with Uncle Maddox, and now, I'm bored," Austin sighed, weaking a truly bored expression. Zander and I exchanged glances before bursting into laughing at our little munchkin's adorable complaints.
.n
"Goddess, I've missed so many moments, and now I don't want to miss anything. So, I worked the whole night to make arrangements and assigned duties to my best warriors. I gave strict instructions that no one should bother me unless it's very urgent," Zander said with a stern expression. "I don't want to miss a thing and want to live every moment of my life with my family."
My heart ached to hear him because I knew the reason behind his actions.
But, my mate, this time I won't let you go away from me; I'll fight destiny. No one can take you away from me.
"Yay! I'm so happy, Dad will be with us!" Austin squealed, standing on the bed and starting to jump.
"Yes, honey. Dad will always be with us," I affirmed, locking eyes with my mate. Zander frowned.
Yes, my mate, I knew what you were hiding from me. But what I just said is also true.
"So, where are we going to explore today?" Austin asked cheerfully.
But I had another idea.
"Baby boy, today Aunt Blair and Uncle Maddox will take you to the amusement park because Mom and Dad have to go somewhere else," I said softly. "What?!" Austin looked upset. "No, Mom. I want to go with you and Dad."
"Honey, try to understand. Mom and Dad will accompany you another day, but today we have urgent work," I explained with a helpless smile.
"Selena, where are you talking about going?" Zander asked, his eyes filled with so many questions.
"To the Moon Goddess Temple," I announced.
"Moon Goddess Temple?!" he mumbled in confusion.
"Yes, because I need to find some answers," I declared, determined.
Chapter 567
Underneath the silver glow of the moon, Zander and I stood at the entrance of the Moon Goddess Temple. He was willing to join me when I told him about my dream. However, he received an urgent message from his pack office and had to leave. However, he assured me to wait for him, promising that we would go together. And now, here we were. As we stepped inside, his hand holding mine, the temple's interior mirrored my dream.
The familiar architecture triggered memories of the vivid dream, each detail unfolding before my eyes. The air within the temple felt charged with anticipation as if the walls held secrets waiting to be unveiled.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows - the High Priestess.
"Selena and Alpha king! I was waiting for you," she announced, her voice resonating in the sacred space.
A surge of skepticism overcame me, and I confronted her with a challenging question. "How do you know that we were coming?"
The high priestess met my inquiry with a mysterious smile that told me everything. The dream was not a mere illusion. The high priestess, standing before us, was a living embodiment of the mystical vision. My heart raced as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. If the dream was real, then the words she spoke in that dream were true as well and she was my mother.
"Yes, Selena. You are thinking correctly. I am your mother, and what I told you was all true," she affirmed, her words resonating with a mystical certainty that left no room for doubt.
However, instead of solace, the confirmation of my lineage fueled the flames of anger and pain within me. The questions that had lingered in the depths of my soul erupted like a tempest, and I couldn't contain the torrent of emotions.
"If I was your daughter, why did you never come to see me in those years?" I poured out my grievances, the accusatory tone in my eyes reflecting the years of abandonment that had festered in my heart.
"Tell me, why?" I demanded, my voice rising to a yell, echoing through the hallowed halls of the Moon Goddess Temple. Zander, standing steadfast beside me, held me in his arms. His eyes mirrored the concern etched on his face, watching as the floodgates of my long- suppressed emotions burst open.
The high priestess took a deep breath, her eyes revealing the scars of a painful past. "When your father took you away from me and rejected me, I was in pain and extremely hurt. I needed time at that moment to recover from the heartbreak and trauma," she confessed, her voice carrying the weight of years of suffering. "The Goddess took me under her wing, and slowly, I began to heal. I immersed myself in serving the people and caring for the Moon Goddess temple, but deep down, I was running away from the truth and from you." The pain in her voice mirrored the depth of the scars left by a tumultuous past. "You were a child born from forceful mating, and it reminded me of all the torture I had gone through while Albert kept me as a prisoner."
Her confession struck me with a profound sense of shame for what my father had done to my mother. I had never imagined that he could be such a monstrous figure, especially towards his own mate.
"So, what happened now? Why did you appear before me, revealing your true identity?" I couldn't help but sound accusatory, the weight of years of abandonment and unanswered questions fueling the frustration in my voice. "Because now you need your wolf and your powers," my mother revealed, her gaze shifting between Zander and me.
Zander's expression contorted into a frown as he looked at me, confusion etched across his features. Yet, I grasped the significance of her words. It was about the prophecy and she already knew about it.
"Selena, are you ready to shift and meet your wolf?" she inquired, her eyes piercing into mine.
"Just as I am ready, High Priestess," I responded with unwavering determination, a newfound resolve coursing through my veins.
"Call me Mother, Selena. After all, I am your mother," she added, her tone filled with yearning.
The words hung in the air, and my throat tightened at the realization of the complex emotions swirling within me. She was the one who had given me life, but seeing her for the first time brought forth a torrent of mixed feelings that I struggled to fathom. "Mother," the word left my mouth as a whisper, but she responded with a gentle smile.
"Come with me," Mother instructed, leading the way toward the back door of the temple. With a flick of her wrist, she opened the door,
revealing a breathtaking sightnet
dense forest illuminated by the ethereal glow of the moon in the star-clad sky. The moonlight danced through the leaves, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Zander, breaking his silence for the first time since our arrival, questioned, "Why will she have to shift here?"
"Alpha, she is not an ordinary wolf, and you will understand why she has to be kept hidden from the eyes of evil," Mother replied calmly. Then, turning her attention to me, she spoke with a reassuring tone, "I am going to lift the barrier, and your wolf can contact you then."
The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning - it was finally going to happen. The anticipation tingled through my nerves, excitement and a hint of trepidation blending in a cocktail of emotions.
Mother whispered ancient words. I couldn't comprehend the meaning, but as the incantation filled the air, a warmth enveloped my throat, and a soft glow emanated from within A small bundle of radiant light е emerged from me, leaving my body with a sensation of liberation as if I were breaking free from an unseen confinement.
"Ah!" I breathed out, the experience overwhelming me as my body began to tremble uncontrollably. I sank to my knees, hands pressed against the cool earth beneath me. My head instinctively turned towards the moon, its silvery glow casting an otherworldly sheen on the transformative process unfolding.
With the first appearance of golden fur, my claws extended. The warmth intensified, and an unfamiliar sensation gripped me as bones seemed to break and shuffle within me. A series of audible cracks echoed through the night, accompanied by the surreal feeling of muscles stretching and clenching, adjusting to their new form.
Amidst the bone-breaking sounds and the shuffling of muscles, the golden fur began to spread across my changing frame. The pain and discomfort were intense, but
beneath it, a surge of power and net
ancient energy fueled the
metamorphosis. As my human form waned, the golden fur enveloping me, the consciousness of the wolf within took prominence. In that transformative moment, I felt the mind connection solidify with my wolf.
"Selena! I am your wolf, Arena!" she spoke, her voice resonating within the mental link we now shared.
"Hi, Arena! It's so nice to finally find you," I responded, genuine happiness coloring my thoughts.
"A rare Golden Wolf!" I heard Zander gasping, his astonishment audible. "It happens once in five thousand years!"
Chapter 568
True or False *Selena*
"And look at this red crescent moon on her neck!" Mother exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the spot where my neck met my torso.
I couldn't see what they were referring to, but the astonishment in their eyes made me realize this mark was something special. And I could feel the power and strength in me. Arena howled in joy and hopped a few steps.
"Wow! It feels so amazing!" I couldn't help but whisper in my mind.
"Do you like it?" Arena asked.
"Yes!!" I admitted.
"Then let's go for a run," she suggested.
"I'm in," I agreed excitedly.
"Wait, I will join you," I heard Lyon's voice in my mind. He could mind-link with me.
"Yes, Selena! Now we are able to talk to each other through this mind link," he said as Zander shifted swiftly.
My big and gorgeous mate stood before me, the situation utterly mesmerizing. My body responded instinctively, a magnetic pull toward him surfacing. As if he could read my mind, he growled loudly before gesturing for us to start running into the woods. I glanced at Mother, and she nodded in understanding.
"It's time for you to connect more with your wolf and mate. I will meet you later," Mother said, heading back to the temple.
I looked at my mate; his eyes were dark with desires, mirroring mine. We began running, the soft leaves and grass under Arena's padded claws hissing as we pushed past the firm ground and darted across the woods, weaving through the tall, vast trees. It felt exhilarating, a sense of freedom and limitlessness washing over me for the first time in my life. Now I knew what I had been missing throughout those years: my other half, my wolf.
We ran, climbing hills and crossing rivers until we came to a halt at the cliff of the highest mountain.
Catching our breath, Lyon and Arena exchanged glances. I could see through Arena's eyes and sense the emotions she felt in that moment. Every heartbeat of mine screamed only one thing: I wanted him and was dying to be touched by my mate so badly.
"I met our mate for the first time. I want him too," Arena spoke to me through our mind link, aware of my longing for our mate.
"You're incredibly beautiful, Arena!" Lyon howled, and I sensed Arena blushing. "I'm the luckiest wolf to have the most powerful and divine wolf, a descendant of the Moon Goddess, as my mate," he added.
"We promise to love and cherish you as much as we love Selena," Zander's voice, intertwined with Lyon's, echoed through the mind link.
"I feel fortunate that you chose me as your mate, Alpha," Arena admitted softly, and I could feel love naturally blooming in our hearts. Lyon moved closer, gently resting his head on the crook of Arena's neck. She visibly shivered as tingles ran down her spine, and I felt the intensity of desire and lust flowing through our mate bond.
"I want you," Lyon growled. "It's time we complete our mating and strengthen the mate bond by marking each other."
"Are you ready, Selena?" Arena purred through our connection.
"Yes, I am ready. I also want to complete the marking," I affirmed. I couldn't mark him back then, as I didn't have my wolf, but now our bond will be fulfilled.
Arena and Lyon both howled, lifting
their heads toward the sky. They lunged at each other, nuzzling faces, rubbing bodies, licking each other's faces and everywhere. It ignited thousands of electric tingles all over and made feel us light-headed. And soon, they became one. The intimate bonding sealed their souls and tightened the connection even more. The bond became powerful during mating in wolf form, and this couldn't be easily severed.
Every fiber in me screamed with the pleasure of connecting with our mate. The moon shone brighter, and stars emerged in the dark sky, as if eager to witness the sacred union of two souls in love. Then, Lyon claimed us fully by marking Arena. His canine sank deep as if branding the soul with his name. His thick warm tongue licked the pain away, looking at his mark with eyes full of love and admiration. Arena, overwhelmed, instinctively bit the neck of our mate, and Lyon growled, his voice filled with pleasure echoing in the valley. Our bodies, surrounded by the golden light, made it appear as if we were true mates!
What?!
How... how is it possible? It only happens with true mates, but... Zander and Lyon were not our true mates; otherwise, Arena would have felt it, right?!
Maybe it's a sign from the Moon Goddess that we were fated to be together?! Yeah, right! It could be the fact.
"Stop it, Selena!" Arena scolded. "In this moment, I don't want to think about anything else but our mate. They are so amazing and hot," she purred in my mind.
That was right. I also didn't want to spoil this moment with those irrelevant thoughts. We were together, and no one could separate us.
After hours of the mating process, while Arena and Lyon remained connected with the golden light surrounding us, Lyon ejaculated multiple times inside Arena before we all were finally satisfied and content.
"Let's head back to the pack house. I can't wait to see our pack members' reaction when they lay eyes on their Luna's wolf," Zander suggested.
"But you haven't officially announced me as their Luna yet. I stepped down from that position when we rejected each other, remember?" I reminded my mate.
"That was the biggest mistake of my life. I'm going to correct it and have your Luna ceremony along with our wedding in two days. I'm making the announcement today," Zander declared. I was surprised at how much he had planned at this moment. "Can we go back to the pack house now?" Zander asked softly.
Arena nodded, and Lyon and Arena sprinted back to the pack house. As we arrived, everyone in our pack observed Arena with awe and curiosity in their eyes.
"A Golden Wolf!"
"With our Alpha!"
"Is she our Luna?!"
So many eager eyes followed her as she walked through, flanked by their Alpha, and all of them trailed us to the pack house. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness through our connection, eager for Zander to make the important announcement.
However, when we reached the pack
house, a strange, enchanting smell caught my attention. I hurried toward its source, shifting back
behind a pillar where an omega net
handed me my clothes. I quickly put on my long dress and rushed toward the hall, where the sound of Austin's laughter mingled with someone else's.
My heart thumped louder when I saw Damon sitting on the couch, engaged in conversation with Austin. As he lifted his eyes, our gazes locked. It felt as if my heart had stopped beating, and my breath caught in my throat. Arena whispered in my mind with a dull voice, "MATE
Chapter 569
I stood there, blinking in disbelief after hearing my wolf speak.
How... how was it possible?!
Damon couldn't be my mate.
He used to insist on this all the time, but I didn't want anyone else other than Zander. I truly loved him. "Selena!" Damon whispered urgently, looking at me intently. Ignoring him, Zander stood by my side.
"What did you just say?" Zander looked shocked and hurt as his eyes bore into mine. We had just mated and marked each other, and now this revelation was something I couldn't help, as the feelings intensified with each second I looked into Damon's eyes. "As I told you I have always known that you are my mate, Selena. But now you can also feel it. You belong to me, always and forever. Let's go home," Damon said, extending his hand towards me. Zander, however, slapped Damon's hand away.
"She is my mate, my Luna, the mother of my son. She doesn't belong to you," Zander snapped fiercely.
"Whatever you say, Alpha King, won't change the fact that she is my mate," Damon fought back.
"Damon!" Zander growled a warning; his claws came out, and his eyes turned red. Lyon was surfacing and he was ready to attack Damon, who was equally furious. Damon's teeth pulled out of his lips as his claws grew longer, and he took a position to counter the Alpha King.
"No! Please, stop it," I intervened, pushing them apart before they could kill each other.
"Reject her!" Zander thundered.
"No. I won't," Damon growled. "Vampires never reject their mates, unlike you werewolves. We cherish and treasure our mate," Damon mocked, causing Zander to snarl in annoyance. "Selena, reject him," Zander demanded, turning to face me.
I stood frozen, surprised by the unexpected desire for Damon. I couldn't comprehend the fog that clouded my thoughts, and the words that left my mouth were, "I want to be with my mate."
Zander looked hurt and shocked, staggering a step back.
"Mom! Dad! What's going on?" Austin ran to hug me, but Zander pulled him away.
"Mom has chosen him over us, son," Zander spat with disgust.
"Reject her, Alpha King! Selena is meant to be with me, and she has accepted she wants me," Damon demanded.
"I won't reject her or accept her rejection. She is mine, whether she is destined to be with me or not. She will be mine as long as I am alive," Zander roared his claim, and my heart cried. Arena was saddened as well. She felt a connection with Lyon and Zander in the woods. "But she will always choose me over you, Alpha King. I am taking her with me," Damon snarled.
"She won't go anywhere," Zander said, his protective instinct on full display.
"Dare to stop me!" Damon challenged as he took my hand in his, pulling me away from Zander.
I felt like I had no control over my body and mind. I never knew the mate bond would be so powerful.
'Arena, can you also feel it?' I thought foolishly.
'I can feel it more than you, but this seems like a more potent force as if the mate bond pull had been intensified hundreds of times. I couldn't fathom what it is,' Arena sounded unsure.
I also wanted to think about this, but suddenly my thoughts seemed to be overpowered by Damon's voice.
"Selena, my mate, we should leave. Let's go," Damon declared.
"What? You can't take my mom with you," Austin ran towards me, freeing his hand from Zander.
"Hey, kiddo! You will also come with us. I don't want to separate you from your mom," Damon smiled.
"No, I won't leave my dad," Austin protested.
"I don't want your mom to be sad missing you," Damon said as he tried to reach for Austin.
"No, don't touch him," I didn't know where I got this power. "He is Zander's son, and no one could take him away from his father," I emphasized.
Damon looked surprised for a moment, but again his eyes glowed as he smirked, and I felt my resolution weakening as if my mind belonged to him.
My eyes moved to Zander. The hurt and sorrow were hard to miss on his expression as he clutched Austin to his chest.
"Selena!" His voice pleaded with me, and his eyes begged me for the last time. Austin was crying, and my heart ached, but as if I had no control over my body, I couldn't stop when Damon held my hand, and I was forced to go with him.
*Zander*
I couldn't believe Selena had chosen that wicked vampire over me. Just moments age, we were happy, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone with her mate. Just like that?! It felt like the ground had crumbled beneath my feet, leaving me with nothing but the echoes of our laughter. All I had left was Austin. How could fate be so cruel, tearing her away from me once again?
I glanced around, and everyone was there my family and pack members, all wearing expressions of sympathy and pity. The weight of their eyes bore down on me, amplifying the emptiness within.
"Dad, where is Mom? Why did she go with Uncle Damon?" Austin's innocent voice broke the heavy silence, and I found myself at a loss for words. I looked at him with sorrow-filled eyes and gently wiped away his tears.
"Austin, Mom will come back soon;
she went for work," Blair intervened,
coming to my side. She scooped
Austin into her arms, offering him comfort. She shot me a glanceza
up
silent understanding passing between us, before carrying him into her room.
"Alpha, are you okay?" Maddox approached hesitantly, concern etched on his face. "Yes, nothing can make me weak. I have more work than mourning over losing my Luna," I declared as I strode toward my office.
I didn't show them the pain inside
me. Lyon was also feeling the agony and hurt; I felt him becoming distant as if going into his safe space, cutting away from me. I didn't blame him for it. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have let her go. I should have fought for her. But the moment she said she wanted to be with her fated mate, I lost it. I felt no reason to stop her. However, I wanted to be selfish again. But that was what I had always been for her. Just once she should have the choice to make her own decisions.
"Alpha, Miss Avery has come to see you," a guard informed me through mind-link.
Avery?! A frustrated sigh left me as I remembered her.
Now, what did she want, and why did she come here?
Chapter 570
"Welcome home, Selena. This place finally feels complete now that you're here. My life was incomplete without you, and this place felt empty in your absence," I said as I stepped into the castle together, holding my beloved's hand. "Thank you for accepting me." I was overjoyed that she was finally here with me. Though the bright and lively Selena I first met seemed lost, I knew it was only a matter of time before she adjusted to this place and regained her spirit.
I stood there silently, observing her as she looked around eagerly. Everyone who came for work greeted her and introduced themselves.
"What are you thinking, Selena?" I asked, stepping forward to take her in my arms, but she tried to pull away from my embrace. I could feel her hesitation.
"What's wrong, honey?" I asked, frowning, though I knew what was wrong.
"Damon, I need some time," she whispered. "I just can't jump into a new relationship just because I found out you are my mate. I have been in..." she paused, looking at me cautiously before whispering softly. "...love with Zander for my whole life." I sighed. "I understand, Selena. But don't you think it's unfair to me that I waited for my mate my whole life and I can't have her?"
"I am here, Damon," the frustration in her voice was unavoidable. "Can't you wait a little longer?" she said softly this time.
"Okay, my mate. If you want this, I am willing to wait for a day or two, but I am dying to touch you and mark you with my scent and... seeds," I whispered in her ear and felt her gasp. I didn't want to leave even a single chance for negotiation. "Harper!" I called for the royal maid. She promptly stepped forward. "Take your queen to her room," I instructed, gesturing towards Selena. Harper nodded and began to lead Selena to her room.
"Selena, I'm allowing you to reside in a separate room until you make up your mind. However, ultimately, you must accept that you belong to me, and this is non-negotiable," I declared firmly. Selena remained silent and followed Harper to her room.
As I watched her walk away, disappearing from my sight, I made my way to my royal chamber. Approaching the large portrait of Arabella, I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance. Last time, she betrayed me by choosing to be with her mate while still married to me. This time, she never got the chance to find her true mate and had to leave her husband to be with me. Now, nothing and no one could come between us because I had already set my next move in this game. The Alpha King would eventually forget about her. No one could figure out it was a fake mate bond that I had forged with Selena's blood. Now, no one could break this bond, not even their Moon Goddess, and she remained bonded to me. A deep, joyous laughter rumbled from my chest. My wait of thousands of years had finally come to an end.
**********
*Avery*
As per the plan, I had to appear at the Moon Glow pack after Damon took Selena with him. Zander would be sad and in need of a shoulder to cry on. It was the best opportunity for me to make my place in his life once again. He would be mine, and this time, I would waste no time fulfilling my purpose.
I slowly strode toward Zander's office. I softly knocked on the door before entering and found Zander leaning against the desk. His face was, as always, unreadable, but his eyes reflected the pain he was trying unsuccessfully to hide.
"Zander!" I greeted him with my seductive smile.
"Avery, what brings you here?" he asked coldly.
"Why? Can't I come to see my best friend without any reason?" I asked in an offensive tone.
"No, I didn't mean that," he murmured, turning his back toward me.
I stepped closer and touched his shoulder, making him turn to face me again.
"I missed my best friend," I whispered, my eyes glistening with emotion.
"I'm sorry, Avery. I was not in a good mood and took it out on you," he said, closing his eyes and exhaling loudly. "Of course, you can come to see me anytime," he breathed out.
"Zander, I came because I missed
you. But I
was shocked to hear what happened before my arrival. Maybe it was a kind of intuition that my friend would need me, so I came here instinctively." I tried to sound gentine, but Zander's suspicious gaze made me swallow with fear. I needed to convince him before he started dwelling on it further.
"I can't believe Selena could do something like this to you and your child. I came here so I could be friends with Selena, and we all could be like old days, but it broke my heart to see her betrayal," I sobbed as tears dropped.
"That's none of your business," Zander growled, shaking in anger.
Oh, so Alpha still had feelings for his ex-mate.
"I... I am... I am sorry, Alpha," I bowed quickly. I knew offending the Alpha King could cost me my life, friend or not.
"I was just trying to console," I murmured meekly.
"I don't need your concern," he spat out. "Tell me, what do you want and leave," he ordered, and his aura intensified, making it difficult for me to stand before him. I knew he could see through my eyes and knew the truth, so I avoided eye contact with him.
"I want to stay here for my friend," I said firmly.
"No need, Avery. I am fine," he replied curtly.
"Please, Zander!" I pleaded. "Let me stay. Not for you, but for me, so I should know you are actually fine," I literally begged and wanted to pat my back for such a realistic performance. Zander let out a frustrated breath, and I bit my lip, knowing he was again going to reject my plea.
"Okay, I will ask Blair to prepare a room for you," he said, taking me suddenly off guard.
"Thank you," I murmured, wiping my eyes and trying to smile. Showing off my happiness would be overacting, so I decided to play the sad character.
Zander left, but I got a place in his pack again, and very soon, I would be in his heart again.
Bye-bye, Selena, and this time, permanently.