"What's happening here?" A new voice echoed around the room and I looked towards the door to see a middle-aged guy walk in with a confused face. He looked really similar to my mate. Behind him was another man and a lady of the same age. "Jax! Thank god you're here. You need to talk some sense into your son's head!" Mrs. Ansaldo said before going towards the man. He quickly pulled her in for a hug and placed a gentle kiss on her head before looking around. "Dear, what did Cass do this time?""Nothing to worry about—""Cass," The guy who opened the door cut Cassian off. "Now that the elders are here, let them know about the situation. You should explain to them–"There's nothing to explain. This is a mistake–" "Cass, you're acting like a teenage guy. You're more mature than this,""Shut up, Ryder. You don't understand the situation I'm in,""Yeah, maybe I don't. But anyone with a brain can see how shitty you're handling it. This is not the right way, Cassian. Think and act like the
Cassian's POVThis is ridiculous.The whole situation I'm in feels like a joke. A second mate? And an eighteen-year-old on top of it?!I really want to rip everything to shred because of the anger and frustration I'm feeling right now.I can't think straight. I'm still not over my mate's death. My true mate's death. My wounds are still fresh. I just recently started giving rogues another chance and the goddess is already playing games with me. Well, I'm not playing her games anymore. I'm not going to give into this sick fate. "Cassian," My father's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I entered the private living area in the pack house. Everyone was in there, waiting for me to return. I didn't reply to him as I walked straight towards the liquor cabinet and poured myself a glass of whiskey."Cassian, it's only morning," My mom scolded me."Does it look like I care?" I said nonchalantly before downing the drink in one go.I heard her let out a defeated sigh as she stood up. "Did y
Ivy's POV"I, Cassian Ansaldo, Alpha of the Dark wood pack, take you Ivy Elsher as my mate and Luna," The words fell from his lips simply. Cold. Nonchalant. Emotionless.My teeth sank into my lips so I could stop them from trembling.God, it hurts like hell. Everyone said this was going to be the most beautiful day of my life but why don't I feel like it? Why do I feel suffocating while standing opposite to my mate on the stage? I want the ground to swallow me up. I want to cease my existence. Knowing that the person who's marrying me doesn't love me makes my head spin. This is a nightmare. A terrible nightmare.I took a deep breath, the chill night air filling my lungs as I did so. His scent wafted into my nostrils, making me shudder.It was a full moon and the night was beautiful. The place was decorated with red roses and curtains. Colorful lamps spread their beautiful light everywhere. I've never seen such a beautiful setting before. It must be mesmerizing for everyone else he
I stared at myself in the mirror. The new dress that I had changed into looked beautiful. It looks like something that was made specifically for me. I took a tissue and tried to fix the smudged mascara around my eyes. My aura is already pitiful. I need to at least look presentable.A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I said before taking a deep breath. The door opened, letting the calming Jasmine scent reach me. I turned back to see Luna Evelyn standing there with a small smile. "I came here to get you. Do you need any help?" I looked down and threw the tissue in the trash can. "Can you help me run away?" It was a dumb question I know, but at that moment that's what I felt. I wanted to run away.Thinking about being in a loveless marriage like this makes me feel sick. "Oh, dear…" Luna Evelyn whispered, her shoulders slouching. She walked up to me and pulled me into a hug. "I know you feel like everything is falling apart. I know that feeling. I have been t
"So about your honeymoon–""There is no honeymoon," Cassian interrupted his mother halfway through.Stella frowned. "What are you saying? You are a newly wedded couple. You should enjoy some time away from all these pack things. It's for the better—""Mom," Cassian said sternly. "I told you. There's no honeymoon." Mr. Ansaldo, Cassian's father, cleared his thoughts, sensing the awkward conversation. "Darling, let the kids decide these matters. It's better not to push these things. Let them move at their own pace." I smiled back at him when he glanced at me for a few seconds. "For now, it's better if we give some time to our new Luna to get familiar with the pack." Stella sighed in disappointment before she put a smile on her face. "That is right. I should have thought about this. I will introduce you to the pack members today and we can spend some time with them to get you familiar with them. There are a lot of girls your age in our pack. Maybe you'll find a good friend." She gleam
I was thankful to all the gods that exist because I didn't have to see my mate's face first thing in the morning. The bonehead alpha had already risen before me and went out for his training. It was a peaceful morning and the fact that Stella told me that I would be able to make friends today was the icing on top. I really want to make friends. Getting to know people and learning from them is something I look forward to doing a lot. I need to be better for this pack. "Mom?" I called as I entered my mother's new room to check on her before going to meet Stella."Ivy?" I heard her voice. It sounded a bit weaker than before."Mom, are you okay?" The change in her voice is enough to send me into panic mode. "I'm fine, dear. I just woke up so I have a sore throat." She laughed.I still didn't feel convinced. I'm on the edge every time I think about her. Her health is getting worse day after day. She tries to hide it from me but I can see it. Her trembling every time she tries to stand u
"Oh, umm…it's not so bad. You'll find it beautiful when you get used to it. There are a lot of amazing things in the woods that we won't be able to see unless we bond closely with the forest. It's truly an amazing place," I grinned."So you got no education?" Jackson raised a brow."I did. You can get education anywhere, you know?""How? You didn't go to school? Or were there schools in the woods that we don't know of? Is it something we can't see unless we bond close to the forest goddess?" Ryle laughed, causing his friends to follow. I let out an awkward chuckle. "No, there weren't any schools there but I did learn a lot of things. Education is learning. You and I might be learning different things but it's both education so it's the same," "Luna, not to offend you," Liya laughed, covering her mouth. "We're talking about actual education." My smile faltered. "Oh,""Yeah, like do you know biology, physics, and chemistry? We were taught science. It's not the same as using sticks an
"These are the clothes my mom bought for me even though I don't like this style at all. She thinks I'll change one day and wear the dresses she buys for me," Ruth rolled her eyes before she picked out some colorful clothes from her closet. "I don't have many clothes for you to try on. These are the only ones I think will suit you. The others are clothes that are my style. It won't suit you since you're someone who'll look best in a soft girl aesthetic." I tilted my head as she talked. I don't understand much about style. I always thought of clothes as something worn to cover your nakedness and keep you warm. I never really looked at it as an accessory until I came to this pack.Meeting new people really changes your whole perspective on life.I don't understand what she meant by soft girl aesthetics. Does she think I'm some kind of defenseless soft girl? "I'm not a soft girl actually. I know how to fight. My father taught me. I can easily take down men who are double my size," I said