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, studying him with his unreadable expression . “Words alone do not undo the pain you've caused, Brandon. Your actions have consequences, not only for Cassidy but for the entire pack. And your pack too. It will take time to rebuild trust, if that's even possible.”
“As if we’ll allow it,” I hissed. The weight of their conversation settled on me and I felt torn. Part of me wanted to hold onto my anger and hurt, not ready to forgive the wolf who had caused me so much pain. Yet, another part of me saw the subtle sincerity in Brandon's eyes and I couldn't help but wonder if redemption was even possible.
Zarion's decision will shape the future of our pack. It was a pivotal moment. I knew that whatever he chose, it would be for the good of everyone. The mark on my neck was a symbol of our bond even if I wasn’t his mate. The strength of Zarion's leadership and the unity of the pack that would determine our fate, I know that deep in my heart.
Before Zarion could speak, I cut him off. “Alpha Brandon,” I said, recognizing his actual status as an Alpha. He looked up at me, from his head bowed down to cocking his gaze to meet mine. “Yes, Cassidy?”
I saw how Zarion wanted to choke his brother the way Brandon uttered my name. I mind-linked Zarion to stay calm and let me speak first. He nodded at me.
“What about your wife? Your Luna, Brandon? Does he know you are here?”
“Oh…” he chuckled without humor—like he's even embarrassed to talk about Hestia. “Well, she's fucking worthless to me now. Haven't you heard? Our son, who was supposed to be my first heir, got killed when she was pregnant with him!”
Shock is an overstatement. Everyone knows that Hestia had a miscarriage. “Perhaps you’ve stressed her too much.”
Brandon ignored my words. “I am in need of a Luna. Cassidy, you will be a great Luna of the Madfur Claws Pack. You’ll make a great asset, a great wife, and a great mother. Will you be my Luna?” He smirked, the rest of his soldiers cheering for him. “After all, you're my previous mate…”
Did he just... fucking—Brandon asked for my hand in marriage in front of the man I love?!
Fuck this psycho!
“Consider this a truce,” added Brandon.
I couldn't believe what I'm hearing. I looked at Alpha Zarion beside me, staring at me with his teary eyes. What am I supposed to do, Zarion?
No Zarion replied to me.
What the hell?
I don't want to hinder your decision. I want you to decide your own fate, Cassidy Salem Bentley. This is your choice, not mine.
I remembered our joyous nights. The night when I doubted that he loved me. The nights when we just recognize each other’s love and trust.
I took another deep breath, trying to sort through these tangled emotions. Zarion is my rock, the one who held me together when everything else seemed chaotic. He is my beloved.
I closed my eyes and my mind drifted back to that night.
“Zarion, I want to believe you,” I inhaled, my voice wavering slightly. “But it's just hard to wrap my head around everything. I'm scared that I'll lose you, that someone might come between us. Brandon, or Hestia, or the Rogues…I can’t bear to lose you.”
Zarion's hand gently cupped my face and he brushed his thumb across my lips in a soothing gesture. “Trust in us, Cassidy,” he said with conviction. “We'll face whatever comes our way together. No one can break us apart.”
His words resonated deep within me. He was right—no matter what challenges we faced, we would confront them united in the end.
I involuntarily closed my eyes when he kissed me deeply. Zarion held my waist and pulled me closer while he was sucking on my lips. Then, he pushed my mouth open with his tongue to explore my mouth. I sucked on his tongue and held his shoulders for support.
I trust Zarion. I love him.
I opened my eyes and reality greeted me. Zarion’s still silent beside me. Brandon’s flashing grin is annoying as ever I swallowed another lump in my throat, it seems it has become my habit. The glare I gave Brandon is incomparable. “I can be your Luna when I'm buried six feet below on the ground, Alpha Brandon.” I uttered his title ‘Alpha’ with wholly disgust.
The members in our pack who heard me laughed in the background. I saw Alpha Brandon's grin and arrogance vanishing in the air in a blink of an eye.
Beta Achilles smirked at me, a playful grin plastered on his lips while he was leaning his shoulders on the windowsill.
“What?” I mouthed at Zarion’s Beta. I cocked my eyebrow at him.
“You're so hot, Luna,” he mouthed back.
“You should go home, Alpha Brandon,” I announced to everyone. “If you came back in our pack once again, together with your dogs, I'm sure as shit I am going to kill you.”
He stopped and a playful grin split his face. “Are you declaring a war, then?” Brandon’s not asking me but his step-brother, Alpha Zarion.
“Yes.” Alpha Zarion replied without even batting an eye. A smirk on his face made me smile.
What the—
“Wait...this isn't supposed to happen. You promised me peace, Zarion. Peace!”
In a dangerous voice, Brandon stalked us slowly.”"Alright. If we win, she will be my prize. And I know she is going to be mine.”
Zarion only gave his brother a tight nod. “Then let the war begin.”