Chapter 28: Mates
Azalea stood frozen in Federico’s office, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from her chest. The revelation that her sister was meant to marry Federico had already shaken her to the core, but what she felt now-the pull, the undeniable force between them-was something she couldn’t ignore.
Mate.
The word echoed in her mind, terrifying and bewildering. It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t.
Federico’s piercing gaze remained locked onto her, his confusion evident despite his anger. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, and Azalea found herself taking a step back. Their connection was unmistakable, something primal, something far deeper than the arranged marriage they had been thrust into. It felt like fate itself was mocking them.
“You’re my mate,” she whispered, barely able to get the words out. Her throat felt dry, and her pulse quickened.
Federico’s jaw clenched. He shook his head, as though trying to deny what they both knew to be true. “No,” he said firmly, though his voice betrayed a hint of uncertainty. “This can’t be happening. You’re not my mate.”
Azalea took a shaky breath, trying to hold herself together. “It doesn’t make sense. I… I would have known. You would have known.” Her hands trembled as she tried to wrap her mind around the revelation.
“I won’t accept this.” Federico’s voice was harsh, final. His eyes bore into hers with a mixture of anger and something she couldn’t quite place. “You can’t be my mate.”
She wanted to argue, to tell him that she couldn’t accept it either, but the truth was undeniable. The bond was there, pulling them together like a force of nature. But just as strong as the bond was the bitterness that came with it-the bitterness of deceit, of their complicated past.
Azalea turned away from him, her heart racing. “I need to go.” Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to sound strong. She couldn’t stay in his office any longer. Not like this.
Federico didn’t stop her, and she didn’t look back as she hurried out of the room, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The air in the hallways felt stifling as she made her way back to her bedroom, her chest tightening with every step.
When she finally reached her room, she slammed the door behind her and collapsed onto the bed. Tears filled her eyes, the overwhelming weight of everything crashing down on her all at once. She buried her face in the pillows, sobbing quietly.
The betrayal of her sister, the lie of her marriage, and now this-the cruel twist of fate that tied her to a man who despised her. It was too much to bear.
She cried until her body was drained of tears, her heart aching with every breath. When the knocking came, she didn’t have the energy to answer.
“Azalea,” Federico’s deep voice called from the other side of the door.
She stayed silent, hoping he would just leave her alone. But after a moment, the door opened, and he stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
“We need to talk,” he said firmly, crossing the room with purposeful strides. He held a document in his hand, and Azalea’s tired eyes followed it as he tossed it onto the bed beside her. “You’re going to sign this.”
Azalea pushed herself up into a sitting position, wiping at her tear-streaked face. Her eyes flicked from the document to him. “What is this?”
Federico folded his arms, his face hard, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something she couldn’t quite name. “It’s a contract,” he said coldly. “From now on, we will act like a powerful couple in public. We’ll maintain the appearance of a happy marriage in front of my family, my pack, and everyone else.”
Azalea’s heart sank as she stared at the document. Of course. He didn’t want her, not truly. Not as his mate, not as his wife. He just wanted a business arrangement-a facade.
“And inside?” she asked, her voice low. “What happens inside, when no one’s watching?”
“Nothing,” Federico said bluntly. “Nothing happens inside. You’ll have your space. I’ll have mine. This is strictly for appearances.”
Azalea’s eyes met his, and for a brief moment, she saw the pain behind his cold facade. He was hurting too, though he was doing everything in his power to hide it. But she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much this hurt her.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “What’s my gain in all of this?” she asked, her voice surprisingly steady.
Federico raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by her calmness. “You’ll be respected,” he replied. “Once I become Alpha, you’ll be Luna. That title comes with power and influence. You’ll have a standing that no one can challenge.”
Azalea nodded slowly, considering his words. She could feel the walls closing in around her, but she didn’t have much of a choice. If she refused, she would be cast out, left with nothing. But if she agreed, she could at least have some semblance of control over her fate.
“Fine,” she said after a long pause. “I’ll sign it.”
Federico’s eyes widened, clearly surprised by how easily she agreed. “You don’t want to negotiate?” he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Azalea shrugged, reaching for the pen that lay beside the document. “What’s the point? You’ve already made up your mind. This isn’t a negotiation. It’s an ultimatum.” She quickly scrawled her signature at the bottom of the page, her hand steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Federico watched her, his expression unreadable. He seemed unsettled by her lack of resistance, as though he had expected her to put up a fight. But Azalea was too tired to fight. Too tired to care.
She pushed the document back toward him and stood up from the bed, moving toward the window. The night sky was dark, the moon hidden behind clouds. Her chest ached, but she forced herself to remain composed.
Federico stayed where he was, watching her with a look of quiet confusion. He didn’t say anything as she turned her back on him, pulling her robe tighter around herself.
Without another word, she climbed back into bed, pulling the covers over herself. She didn’t even glance at him as she lay down, her back to him.
Federico stood there for a long moment, his presence looming in the room before he finally picked up the document and left.
Azalea closed her eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket. She had agreed to be his Luna, but at that moment, she felt more alone than ever.