4

ARIANA 

The silence that followed my decision was deafening. If a leaf had dropped, we all would have heard the thud.

 I braced myself for their questions. I hadn't thought this through and I didn't have to. Leon’s betrayal proved the Moon Goddess had done me a favor by not making him my mate. If she had chosen Levi for me, she had a reason, and I had to trust that her reason wasn't to make me suffer more.

“What did you just say?”

The voice thundered through the dense atmosphere, shattering the silence. It didn’t belong to my father, and it certainly didn’t belong to my mother. We turned our heads, and there he stood; Leon.

Liquid fire surged through my spine. My grip tightened around my fork, and it took every ounce of self-control I didn't know I possessed not to stab him with it.

He strode toward us… towards me, his gaze glowing with anger. I finally saw him for what he was; possessive and selfish. This wasn't about love; it was about him losing his claim to the throne. It was about him losing to his brother. He proved my theory the moment he opened his mouth.

“What are you saying?! You want to reject me? You want to choose my own brother over me?” he yelled. I slumped back into my chair, rolling my eyes nonchalantly.

“Answer me!” He gripped the back of my chair and leaned in close.

“How dare you?” I snarled. 

My wolf howled within me. I was certain my eyes had shifted to the deepest shade of blue. Leon swallowed hard. “How dare you walk into my pack’s mansion, ignore the presence of your Alpha and Luna, and dare to question me?”

He straightened up quickly, offering a stiff bow to my parents. “I’m sorry.” He turned back to me, his voice dropping. “Tell me you don’t mean what you said.”

“I do. Every word.” I stood up, staring him dead in the eye.

“So it’s true. You’re leaving me for my brother after everything? You little—”

“Guards!” I barked. A second later, they burst into the room. “Throw this trash out of my mansion.”

The guards hesitated, glancing around. If my past self had seen this, she would have been horrified, she would have choked me to death. But my past self didn't know the truth. My past self believed Leon was a sweet, innocent man who was madly in love.

“My Lady?” one of the guards questioned.

“You wouldn’t dare, Ariana!” Leon hissed.

“Bundle him out of here,” I commanded. I turned a cold gaze toward the guards. “If I ever see him in this house again, you won't live to watch me throw him out. Now, leave!”

They grabbed him, ignoring his shouts, and dragged him off like the low-life he was. I returned my gaze to my parents, who were too stunned to speak.

“I am fine, Father. I’m sorry for the drama.” I bowed.

“My child, what exactly happened yesterday?” Mother asked, worry edging her voice.

“What should have happened years ago,” I replied. Before they could ask anything else, I added, “I will be going to see Levi tomorrow, if there isn't a problem.”

“To see Levi?”

“Yes. There is no reason to avoid him. He is my mate.”

They exchanged a quick glance, then looked back at me. For a second, I thought they would object, but Father simply nodded. “Fine.”

I bowed and left the room.

~~~

The day had gone by without any more trouble, father had tried to talk to me and so did Mother but I couldn't tell them. Father will kill Leon and I didn't want his hands to be dirty with Leon filthy blood

That night, I watched the moon peak through the clouds. I should have been sleeping, getting ready to face my mate, but my mind wouldn't stop racing. Leon’s voice, his hollow vows, and our "sweet" memories which now felt like bitter poison. Everything had been a lie. With every memory that surfaced, I saw the hints of betrayal I had once ignored; the crooked smiles, the greedy glint in his eyes.

He never loved me.

“But our mate loves us,” Raven purred. I had given her that name because it suited her fierce nature.

He did.

We are mates, I thought. Logically, he must care. 

Only heaven knew what was in store for us.

~~~~~~~~

The first time I had walked into Alpha Levi’s estate two years ago as Leon’s girlfriend, I had almost fainted. It looked like paradise; luxury dipped in power. Every inch of the place radiated authority.

Now, my silver heels clicked softly against the sparkling white tile. I was here as his mate. I sucked in a breath and smoothed out my dress.

I was here in Alpha Levi house, as his bride.

I sucked in the cool air then ruffled it out.

“Greetings, milady,” a maid said, bowing so low her head nearly touched the floor.

“I am here to see—”

“The Alpha is in a meeting, but I can take you to his room,” she offered. I gaped at her. Last time I was here, the rumor was that no one, not even Leon, was allowed in the Alpha’s private quarters.

“That won’t be necessary. She’s here for me.”

An arrogant voice chipped in. I turned to see Leon.

“I am not here for you. I am here for my mate,” I snapped. Leon looked like the only thing stopping him from slapping me was the fact that I was an Alpha’s daughter.

“How dare you?” He bridged the distance between us. I stepped back, hating his proximity. It was strange how quickly love could turn into pure disgust. “What are you playing at, Ariana? Fine, I’m sorry I shouted at the party, but I was heartbroken. You can’t leave me. We belong to each other!”

“Firstly, you never belonged to me,” I snapped. “Secondly, I don’t belong to anyone, especially not you. Now, excuse me.”

“The only reason you accepted my brother is because he’s the Alpha. You just want power. I never knew you were so shameless.”

“I am the heir to my own pack. I have all the power I could ever need,” I countered. “Now, get out of my way.”

As I tried to move past him, his hand shot out to grab me.

In a split second, I didn't know if it was my reflex or Raven’s, I dodged his hand and landed a sharp slap across his face. It was so quick the maid jumbled in fright.

“You bitch!” Leon raised his hand, ready to strike me, when a cold voice sliced through the air.

“Lay a finger on her, and I will tear you apart in seconds.”

Leon froze, his hand hanging mid-air. I turned toward the voice.

There he stood. My mate; Alpha Levi.

He was 6’3” of pure muscle, clad in a black turtleneck and deep red velvet trousers. His dark hair which shimmered under the rays of the chandelier above us was gel and a few strands left to fall into the face—his signature look. A black earring dangle for only one of his ears, light eyebrows, sharp pointed nose and red lips that made me want to taste them, to know if it tasted like it looked, strawberry.

Leon scoffed, turned, and hurried out. The maid scurried away too, leaving me alone with Levi.

“Greetings, Alpha Levi.” It hit me then this was the first time I had ever said his name out loud.

“Mate! Mate!” Raven growled happily.

Levi turned and walked up the stairs, gesturing for me to follow. He hadn't said a word yet, and I was almost glad. I feared that if he spoke, Raven would pounce on him and only heaven knew what would happen after.

We walked down a vast hall and into his bedroom.

His room!!!.

“Did he touch you before?” he asked. His tone was raw, and the look in his eyes suggested he was ready to go on a murder spree if the answer was yes.

“No.”

His gaze swept over me to make sure I was unharmed but they didn't stop my stomach from flipping, or my cheeks from flushing hot red, our stupid breathing. My body reacted to his gaze, thank heavens he hadn't touched me. Although my illness won't let him.

“You came,” he said, his voice relaxing slightly.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Because you are my mate! I couldn't say that. “I...”

He closed the space between us in two powerful strides. My breath hitched. 

“Because you finally realized who you belong to?” A sly grin touched his lips as he leaned in.

“Claim us!” Raven squealed.

Shut it.

He raised his hand toward my face. He hadn't touched me yet, but he was considering it.

“I…”

Suddenly, his hand snaked around my waist, pulling me against his hard torso. 

My legs went wobbly. Heat smeared through my skin and pulled up between my legs. He leaned in until his hot breath fanned my cheek.

“Answer me, mate.” He brushed a strand of hair away from my face. Mindlessly I ached for his touch.

Then, it clicked. My eyes widened. He was touching me! He was holding me, and I wasn't shivering in disgust. I didn't feel the urge to pull away.

 I felt safe. I wanted more.

I met his gaze, shocked and happy and fucking wet.

“Fuck it,” he growled.

That was all I heard before his lips crashed onto mine.