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 using his Alpha voice as if he’s ordering a Slave.
Hestia remained stubborn, never heeding her husband's command. “No!” she shouted, sounding almost crazy. “I’m not following you anymore.” Alpha Brandon seemed taken aback, muttering curses under his breath. His eyes locked onto mine. I could see the fury building within him.
“You are not my mate,” I face her, looking deep in her eyes. She didn’t budge. “You. Are. Not. My. Mate,” I reiterated firmly, hoping to make it clear to everyone present. And to her. “I am not your mate. You are not my mate. I am not your mate. You are not my mate—” I stated again and again and again that I felt no connection to her, emphasizing that she was definitely not my mate.
“No, I am. I am your mate, and you are mine.” Her persistent attempts were starting to irk me, but I tried to maintain my composure. The bond between mates was sacred, something revered in us werewolves. It was a connection beyond words, an unbreakable tie that ran deep through our souls. And severing it, denying and rejecting it…it causes severe pain and sorrow in our hearts and soul. And I know with absolute certainty that Hestia will never be my mate. I will never accept her for all the things she’s done to me and Cassidy even if fate dictates it.
Besides, I have the love of my life now. She’s staring right into my soul...Cassidy Salem Bentley. My Luna, my love.
And she looks shocked with what comes between me and Hestia. Damn.
I want to erase all of her doubts and negative thoughts about this dilemma. I want to kiss her right now in front of all those people witnessing this catastrophe and show to the world that this woman had claimed my heart, soul, and body. Nobody could replace her.
Even if Cassidy is not my mate in every sacred sense of that word, she is my one and only world no matter what happens.
“No. I strongly believe that you are my mate, Zarion. The moment I saw you, I knew it...that’s why I often bully you because I cannot believe it and accept it because I’m in love with Brandon. I knew there's something going on with my body. I did not follow my guts because I was married to your brother, Brandon, but—”
“Hestia, that's enough!” Brandon said with a voice of finality.
The confusion among the gathered was palpable, but I couldn't let their opinions sway my judgment. “Hestia, get up now.”
Men approached her in the arena, but that didn't stop her from rumbling more words. Pleading more. “Please, Alpha Zarion! You're not going to reject me, are you? I'm your... I'm your mate. You're going to choose me over Cassidy because that’s what mates do!”
I stood there, paralyzed with disbelief and shock as Hestia's desperate words hung heavily in the air. My heart pounded in my chest, torn between compassion and responsibility. I had always known that being an Alpha came with its own set of challenges, but I never imagined I would be faced with a situation like this. Hestia, my brother's wife, claimed to be my mate. Her revelation had sparked a whirlwind of chaos and confusion around us and within me.
“HESTIA!” Alpha Brandon's voice cut through the tension like a blade, commanding Hestia to stop. “Fucking woman! Get your ass right up here!”
The crowd surrounding us in the arena seemed to hold their breath, eagerly awaiting the outcome of this unexpected revelation. I could see men approaching to intervene, but Hestia remained undeterred, her emotions consuming her. Commanding her.
I had never seen her like this before, and it troubled me deeply. It was clear that her feelings were genuine, but I couldn't just abandon my responsibilities and give in to the emotions that threatened to engulf us all.
My duty as an Alpha came first, regardless of my personal desires. “Hestia, you must understand the gravity of your words,” I sighed, trying to remain composed despite the turmoil brewing within me. “I cannot make decisions based solely on emotions. You were married to my brother, Alpha Brandon. The bond between you two must be respected…” I lifted her chin so that he’ll see the weight of my words in my eyes. “Even if we are mates.”
Her eyes pleaded with me, desperately hoping that I would choose her over Cassidy, the woman I had already chosen as my mate. Cassidy stood to the side, her face flushed with embarrassment and confusion, unsure of how to respond to this unforeseen turn of events.
I signaled one of my Beta, Achilles, who understood my intention for summoning him. He gently guided Cassidy away from the intense scene unfolding before us, into the coldness of the night outside.
She needed to be out of harm's way. I couldn't bear to see her caught up in this confrontation that is all about me.
“Please, Zarion. You're not going to reject me, right? I'm your... I'm your mate!” Hestia's voice trembled as she spoke, revealing the depth of her desperation. Her words tugged at my heartstrings, but I had to be resolute in my decision. “If you are my mate, you already knew the rumors about what I can do to my mate.”
At that moment she gasped at the realization, my eyes locking with hers. Fear flickered in Hestia's eyes as she finally comprehended the gravity of the situation. “You're... y-you're gonna kill me?” she stammered, quivering.
I hesitated to reply, not wanting to be the cause of any harm to her. But everyone knows my intentions if I find my mate.
Everyone knows that I will kill her, even if she happens to be my brother’s wife.