*Selena*
“I won’t approve of it!” Zander’s voice echoed in the surroundings. “Just because you now need a mate, you turn to my sister. Otherwise, you were going to reject her. She is not your toy, Maddox,” he drawled in a dangerous tone. “You might be my best friend and the best warrior in my pack, my Beta, but none of these qualities can allow you to be worthy of being my sister’s mate. Not after what you’ve done to her in the past,” his tone turned threatening.
“Zander, it’s about Blair and Maddox. Let her decide what she wants,” I pleaded as I looked into his eyes, but all I saw was anger as he glared at me.
“Selena, stay out of this matter,” he gritted out, clenching his jaw, making me wince.
So he was still angry with me, and I did not know what I should do to make him believe that I did not lie to him intentionally.
“Zander,” Blaire spoke, “I have been in love with my mate throughout my life, even when I thought I could hate him or move on. But I was still in love with him the whole time,” Blaire confessed, getting up on her feet and walking to her brother. “And I realized that I could never stop loving him when I saw him in pain, and it hurt me even more.”
She turned and looked at Maddox, who was also watching her with curiosity.
“Trust me, Zander, Maddox never forced me to accept him, not even came to me after his breakup. But it was me who pursued him because I cannot see him in pain,” she whispered, appealing to her brother for understanding.
Zander was silent for a long moment, staring at Blair and Maddox. Then he exhaled loudly and spoke with a frown, “Are you sure that you want to be with him?”
“Yes, Zander. I am very much sure,” Blair nodded, a soft smile stretching across her lips. “The Moon Goddess has gifted me the most precious person in my life. I am not going to make the same mistake and let him go away,” she said with deep meaning as she glanced intensely at Zander. “Big brother, always remember there is never a time too late to forgive someone just to keep the person you love in your life. It’s your choice to live in pain with your ego or to compromise and live happily with your mate.”
She said something worth a million dollars, and she was absolutely right. That was why I was ready to do anything and put forth my best effort to convince Zander that I was worth a second chance.
Zander seemed blank, staring at his sister. He was literally zoned out.
“Zander! Zander!” I called out, and then he snapped out of his trance, turning his head toward me and locking eyes. I could feel my effect on him, just as he had an effect on me. I still felt a spark from his touch, setting my body on fire, and I knew no one else could make me feel this way. Only him!
I gestured toward Blair, reminding him silently as he seemed lost once again, gazing into my eyes.
“Is that what you want?” Zander asked his sister once again, and Blair nodded. “Very well, then. I am going to announce the mating and marking ceremony for you and Maddox,” he declared, shifting his gaze to his Beta. “You better behave this time and don’t try to break my sister’s heart. Otherwise, you know no one can save you from my wrath,” he threatened in his dangerous tone.
Maddox nodded solemnly, his expression turning serious as he vowed, “I promise I won’t give you a reason to come after me,” he assured.
“I have also learned from my mistake, and I am never going to hurt my mate,” Maddox said, looking at Blair with eyes filled with love.
“Alright,” Zander sighed. “Now everyone, leave the pack office and go to your SEPARATE rooms,” Zander emphasized ‘separate’ intentionally, and I knew why.
From the disheveled look of Maddox’s hair and Blair’s ruined makeup, it was clear what they were doing here in this room that enraged Zander so much.
Maddox took Blair’s hand in his, holding it possessively before they departed together. I felt immense joy for Blair today because I knew how much she had yearned for her mate, and now she was with the only man she had always wanted to be with throughout her life.
I sighed and began to leave.
But before I could take another step, a powerful hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I gasped as I collided with the rock-hard body of my mate.
“Zander?!” I was confused because the eyes that had looked at me angrily a few minutes ago were now filled with so many mixed emotions.
“Selena, I can’t let you go,” he finally spoke, exhaling in exhaustion. I continued to gaze at him, puzzled. What had suddenly changed his mind and heart? Maybe Blair’s words had struck the right chord.
“I know how much I suffered during those years when you weren’t with me, and now that I have you back, I refuse to ruin everything because of mistakes we both made in the past,” he said, regret evident in his eyes and voice.
I felt relieved to hear that he had finally accepted his mistake.
“I don’t want to leave either, Zander. I want to spend my whole life in your arms. I want to give our relationship a chance, but my only fear is…” I bit my lip as insecurity once again surfaced in my heart. I lowered my head, unable to voice out my fear.
“What happened, baby?” Zander asked, holding my chin and lifting my head so our eyes could meet.
“Zander,” I hesitated, but he encouraged me, nodding firmly. “My… my only fear is what if… what if you find your true mate someday?! What will happen to us then, and what will be my position in your life?” I asked him the same question as I did when I first met him.
Zander’s lips parted, and I braced myself to hear the same answer from him.
“If you are insecure because of my mate bond, I will end this today,” he declared with determination shining through his eyes.
“W… What?!” I gasped. He couldn’t be serious?!
“Yes!” He nodded slowly and firmly. “I will go to the Moon Goddess temple and ask to block my mate’s bond, so I will never get a mate, not even in the few months left of my life.”
“Zander?!” My eyes widened as I processed the meaning of his words.
What did he mean by having only a few months left of his life?!