"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 alpha you are,"
"Can you boys fill us in about what the hell is going on? I'm losing my goddamn patience here," Mr. Ansaldo spoke, causing everyone to fall silent.
The guy, Ryder, sighed and looked at my mate. "You tell them, Cass. It's your place to do so,"
Cassian looked at me before gritting his teeth. I squirmed in my place. What did I do? Why is he acting like I did this all on purpose? Is it my fault that the goddess paired us both?
"There seems to be a mistake because there's no way I have a second mate–"
"Cassian, for goodness sake stop saying it's a mistake. She's your mate. Second or first, you need to respect her,"
"Second mate?" Cassian's father tilted his head.
I heard another gasp from behind him. "Cass got a second mate?! Oh my god, that's amazing!"
"Mom," Ryder sighed. "Read the room,"
"This is….so unexpected…Who is she?" Cassian's father asked. I couldn't help but gulp. My hands were trembling and I felt like passing out. So many dominant pheromones were in the room and I knew in a few seconds, all of their eyes would be on me. The pressure made it hard for me to breathe.
"Ivy, come here, dear," Mrs. Ansaldo said as she pulled me closer to her. "This is her. Her name is Ivy. She's a rogue we recently took in–"
"We didn't take her in. She's still a rogue," Cassian cut her off.
"Cass, shut up. She's going to be the luna of this pack. What are you trying to say?"
"She's not going to be the luna of this pack, mom. Avery was and will forever be the true luna of this pack. No one can replace her,"
"Cassian, are you hearing yourself? Your mate is right here. We understand that you might not be fully over Avery and she was a great luna but she's no more. Cass…you can't keep holding on to her–"
"Mom," Cassian stopped his mother. "Stop."
"Cassian," Mr. Ansaldo stepped forward. "This pack needs a luna. You know you can't ignore your mate. You're not some young guy without any experience. You know how affected we are because of the mating bond. Do you want to go through that? Do you want to put her–" He pointed at me. "through that?"
He looked at me for a moment before looking away and closing his eyes. "I cannot do this,"
"Cassian, you can. You need to. We will give you some time to talk to your mate. The way you treated her right now was not right at all. You need to apologize and explain yourself to her before things get worse. This is a serious matter, Cassian. Both of your lives and the pack's well-being depend on your decision," Mr. Ansaldo walked towards his son and placed a hand on top of his shoulder. "You're the alpha, Cassian. Act like it. Your pack needs you and your mate. We can't take any more risks,"
Cassian looked at his father. He opened his mouth but then decided against it. He let out a breath of defeat.
His father turned towards the others in the room. "Everyone, let's wait outside," He said and took his mate's hand before walking outside. Everyone in the room followed him wordlessly.
I looked around nervously. I was left alone with Cassian in the room. I didn't know what to say. I was scared. I was angry. And I was sad.
I should feel safe with my mate. But I can't. I'm scared of him.
Cassian glared at me like he wanted to burn me alive. He stalked closer to me and then glared down at me. "Do you want to be the luna?" He asked.
I shook my head. "I want you to accept me,"
"I won't,"
I looked up. "Why?" Tears made my vision blur. I hated that I was crying. I hated that I felt so weak in front of him. "Why do you hate me?"
"Do I have to say it over and over again?" He scoffed. "Because you're a rogue. I hate rogues. You're a traitor's daughter who still defends him. And lastly, you'll never be a luna like Avery,"
"I don't want to! Why do you keep assuming that I want to be her?! I just want you to accept me as me…"
"Nothing about you is likeable. What do you expect me to do?"
Wow….that hurt…
"Oh…" I stared at him. "Then reject me…"
Alpha Cassian raised a brow at my words. "What?" He questioned.
"You don't want to accept me then why don't you reject me?"
"And then what?" He scoffed. "Do you want to die?"
I frowned. "Then what the hell do you want to do with me? You said you won't accept me and you're not gonna reject me too? Do you want me as a mistress or something? Or do you find it fun to insult me every chance you get?"
"Well, yes, I do find it fun. But I don't want you as a mistress. Hell, I don't want you as anything. I'm tied to you against my will. So I'm going to propose something.
You can stay in the pack house. I will take you and your mother in as members of my pack," He crossed his arms. "Staying close to me would be enough to keep the mate bond under control for some time,"
"And then what? What happens after?"
Alpha Cassian glared at me. "We'll see. There's still time to worry about that?"
"I'm not joining your pack if you're planning to continue treating me like this. If you can't reject me, then I'll reject you," I said with a glare.
"Oh, will you? And then? You'd be banished to stay in the woods after that. Your mother will die sooner without protection and you'll have to watch her die in pain because you can't give her a few comfortable last days. Do you really want that?" He raised a brow.
I stood there without being able to come up with a reply. I could feel my confidence slowly faltering. He was right.
What about my mom? Her health is already so bad. I really can't take any risks…
This is such a twisted situation.
This isn't fair.