DEVIN
"It was a pleasure solidifying this holy alliance with you Alpha Devin. We are certain Luna Valentine will be owning up to her responsibility of being your mate and the almighty luna of the Crow." An elder spokesperson from across the table began, sending a smile coated in nothing but pretense at Valentine. I saw her cringe and it made me angry to know that these were the people she was willing to sacrifice her supposed happiness and freedom for despite her overwhelming hate for me. I personally wanted to see those conniving old farts burn.
"You shouldn't be thanking me," I glared back. "You should be appreciating your Luna, however. Without her martyrdom, you all might as well be good as dead."
The elders sent disapproving glare back at me. With their bare minimum effort to mask the fact that they were more than willing to sell off their own and knowing I could see right through their facade, they dropped their acts and began to walk out of the room in a number of twos and threes up until the room was empty. With the exemption of Valentine and her friend, Abigail.
"They could not even say a proper goodbye or at least fake one. Are you sure you don't want to take back your word, Valentine?"
Valentine swallowed. "They never liked me to begin with so I am not surprised. I am a female after all. In the end, I was never going to be the absolute ruler of my pack. Plus, I owe part of the resentment to the fact that my mate is a mass murderer and an enemy number one on the list of many. You must understand."
"Yet, you jumped on this mass murderer's offer just to ensure the security of your fleeting pack." I teased, sparing Valentine a gaze that she effortlessly deflected. "How long did you think it was going to take before some headstrong beta or sentinel took you on for your title? Do you really think your pack would give a damn what becomes of you then?"
I saw Valentine clutch to her dress as sinking thoughts plagued her mind. Knowing I could easily peek into her mind, she put on a brave front but her act was not a convincing one. As cruel as I might have sounded, I needed Valentine to know that strengthening the mate bond we shared was much larger than some stupid sacrifice to maintain her family's pride in disregard of her own personal feelings. I did not want her to feel trapped. Not for some stupid legacy. So egging her on was my go-to. I knew Valentine being a spitfire who allowed her emotions to get the better of her would eventually break. I hoped so at least.
"I am not doing this for my pack, Devin. As much as you want blood to flow, my personal interest clashes with your bloodlust and my pack happens to be in a safe zone because they revolve around my selfish interests. I thought you wanted this, to finally have your mate by your side. It doesn't matter what manipulation tactics you use now Devin, I'm yours. At least, I have accepted that."
"The mate bond is difficult to fight. My wolf found a way to claim you and it took it. But I won't deny it, I put that thought in your head so I could finally have my mate but with that overwhelming hate you seem to have for me, I was certain you would watch everything burn in hell than be mine. If you are willing to put it all down for me–the man who killed your parents– I know it's because of your family's legacy and if you choose to make yourself unhappy for that facade of a title, you must be really dumb."
My harsh retort made Valentine jump up. Her friend Abigail rushed to her aid but Valentine raised a palm implying that the Beta keep her distance. I felt anger sear hot within Valentine. It was a wonder how she had managed to hide her true emotions all this while. Act sane, Valentine reminded herself. It was infuriating to know what she would do to keep that shaky utopia about her family. I had hoped it was better she lived in the dark about the sins of her late parent but as Valentine continued to chant her mantra for a cool head, I felt the urge to blurt out the skeletons in her pack's closet.
"I don't care what you think about me. I'm sure all of you ravishes my current predicament. You couldn't bless me with the curse of rejection and make matters worse, now that I am willingly giving myself to you, you question it? Devin, you and Jason's tyranny might be fun to you both. Some of us have actually had struggles and we haven't proceeded to take out our sufferings on innocent people. You have won Devin. No matter what you say, no matter how belittling it might sound, I will forever be by your side. I accept the heavy mantle the goddess has placed on me and if the pain has to be my cross to carry, then so be it."
"Innocent?" I scoffed. "You actually believe your pack is innocent. Do you have any idea what your..."
"Alpha Devin!" Abigail stepped in before I could destroy the fragments of any bond I could have formed with Valentine. "That is about enough."
My gaze drifted towards Abigail. Realizing she was scowling at me, my irises burned and the beast within me ached for release. Abigail lowered her eyes—a beta wolf wouldn’t be able to hold an angry Alpha's powerful gaze for very long. "And who are you to tell me what is enough?" I growled.
Valentine slammed on the table had about enough of the drama ensuing. "I can't do this anymore." Then looking at me, she continued. "I'll be outside, Alpha." I watched her strut out of the room leaving me with Abigail. There is no one holding us back anymore, My wolf whispered with cynical glee. Let's snap her neck. As tempting as it was, killing this standoffish beta would do nobody any good considering she seemed to have some sort of a relationship with my mate and a rash action like that would only further strain my future relationship with Valentine. Now that was something my wolf didn't want. So it eventually conceded and relinquished control.
Abigail spoke first. "You cannot tell her about her parents. It will break her."
"So you prefer she continues to live in a bubble? " Abigail went silent and I took the opportunity to stride over to her side. "You know, part of the reason she hates me so much is because she believes I killed her parents despite them being innocent. You of all people should know what secrets can do to the relationship of fated mates. Your mate kept a crucial detail from you once. Do you remember how much you despised him while you were still in the dark?"
"I hated him a lot, I'll admit but Valentine isn't like me. She is not strong. She hates change. What do you think would happen if she learns everything she has grown to believe were all false? I'll tell you, She'll fall into a crisis. One she might never break free from."
I shook my head in disagreement. "I doubt that will happen. You see, I've noticed a pattern concerning the fragile topic of mates and I believe the goddess made Valentine my mate precisely for the truth to come out, and trust me, it will come out but I will not be the one to tell her. If she chooses to remain my mate and go ahead with the ritual, the truth will find her. You cannot blame me for what happens after."