Three marks, one mate

Nineteen

Desiree POV

The arena was still buzzing with whispers long after the fight had ended. I could feel hundreds of eyes on me—some filled with disbelief, others with curiosity, and a few with clear resentment. The tension hung in the air.

Celine was still on the ground, clutching her jaw and stomach as she struggled to breathe properly. The arrogance that had filled her earlier was completely gone, replaced by humiliation and pain.

Elder Maeve rushed forward and helped her daughter stand. Her hands trembled slightly as she brushed the sand off Celine’s clothes, her face pale with anger and embarrassment.

Then her gaze slowly lifted to Brandon.

“My Alpha,” she said, her voice trembling as if she was deeply wounded. “Are you certain you are not making a terrible mistake?”

“What mistake are you talking about, the moon goddess chose her for me, even your daughter couldn't take it away from her” Brandon replied.

“You don't know what I am saying Alpha”

The entire arena quieted again.

Brandon’s posture stiffened.

“She is a witch,” Elder Maeve continued dramatically, pointing an accusing finger at me. “She will bring disaster upon this pack!”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.

My chest tightened. “I am not a witch,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the whispers.

Elder Maeve’s eyes flashed with anger. “Then explain why wolfbane had no effect on you.”

The accusation struck like a stone thrown into still water.

People immediately began whispering again.

Wolfbane.

Everyone had seen it.

Everyone knew it should have weakened me, wolfbane is ever the enemy and it has been banned.

I opened my mouth, but before I could respond, Zachary stepped forward.

His tall frame positioned itself protectively in front of me, blocking me from Elder Maeve’s hostile gaze.

“Your daughter cheated,” he said coldly. “I should have her head for that alone.”

His voice was calm, but the threat behind it was unmistakable.

Celine straightened slightly despite her injuries, glaring at him with bitter hatred.

“There was no rule against it,” she snapped defensively.

“There are no rules against it but do you also remember they are banned in this pack” Zachary replied to her.

“I did it because I love him” she pointed towards Brandon making me scoff at her audacity.

Grayson scoffed loudly from beside Brandon. “Yet she still beat you.”

I couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at my lips.

“Exactly,” I said casually, crossing my arms. “You cheated and still lost.”

Celine’s face burned with humiliation. “You were just lucky,” she spat.

“Lucky my ass,” Grayson muttered under his breath.

Even though he spoke quietly, I still heard it—and judging by the few warriors trying to hide their laughter, others had too.

Celine’s fists clenched tightly.

Brandon, however, wasn’t smiling.

His expression had turned serious again.

“There was a rogue attack last night,” he said slowly, his sharp gaze shifting toward Elder Maeve. “Are you certain you aren’t involved in that as well?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Even Celine looked shocked.

Elder Maeve’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What sort of accusation is that?” she demanded sharply. “You should be asking the woman you decided to bring into this pack!”

Her glare burned into me like a blade. “She is the one causing chaos here.”

Brandon’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Watch your tone with me,” he growled.

The power of his Alpha voice rippled through the arena like thunder.

“And for your information, she was with me last night.”

Elder Maeve’s lips pressed together tightly, for a moment, pure hatred flashed in her eyes.

Then she quickly masked it with a polite bow. “If you will excuse me, Alpha,” she said stiffly, gripping Celine’s arm. “I must tend to my daughter’s injuries.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away, practically dragging Celine with her.

But as they left…Celine looked back at me, the hatred in her eyes made my skin crawl.

The crowd slowly began to disperse, the excitement of the fight fading into quiet conversations as people returned to their duties.

I suddenly felt exhausted and famished.

The adrenaline that had fueled me during the fight was fading, leaving behind a heavy weariness.

“I think I’m going to take a shower and rest,” I said softly to my mates.

Zachary nodded thoughtfully. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Then he sniffed slightly and wrinkled his nose.

“We could probably use a shower too,” he added, glancing at the others.

Grayson smirked immediately. “Someone was a little too eager to run straight into a fight this morning.”

Brandon chuckled quietly. “She knew she could handle it”

His voice carried a deep note of pride that warmed something inside my chest.

“I don't want her to think I fear her” I muttered.

Grayson suddenly snapped his fingers like he had just thought of something brilliant. “I have a better idea.”

Zachary sighed immediately. “That sentence never leads to anything good.”

Grayson ignored him completely. “We could all shower together,” he suggested with a mischievous grin. “Save some water.”

Brandon raised an eyebrow.

Zachary looked impressed.

But neither of them said anything..

I stared at the three of them for a second, then I shook my head with a laugh.

Men would always be men.

“Well,” I said, slowly stepping backward. “If that’s your plan…”

I turned suddenly.“You’ll have to catch me first.”

And then I ran.

Laughter echoed behind me as I sprinted toward Brandon’s room inside the pack house.