BEGININGS
1307 Words
REDMOON PACK
HELION
No! No! No!
It couldn't be.
Helion stood frozen to the ground, his new mate in his arms. The revelation that Tamlin was his mate was utterly unexpected. Anyone could be his mate—anyone except her.
How could the goddess punish him this way?
Still stunned, his hands refused to move and hug her back. He scrunched his face, trying hard not to fall for his mate's scent and dip his nose into the crook of her neck.
She hugged him tighter, inhaling his scent, her hot breath brushing against his skin and awakening the mate sparks. He had to knot his fists to avoid losing control.
His gaze briefly swept the area, reassuring him no one had noticed their encounter. Everyone was too focused on the marking ceremony.
Not waiting to see the Gamma mark his mate, he dragged Tamlin away. Still lost in his scent, she could barely walk, and he had to half-carry her out of the venue.
Once they were out of earshot, he finally set her on her feet. After swaying for a few moments, she lifted her face to his, a radiant smile breaking through.
"I can't believe we are mates, Helion!"
"Tamlin... look at me," he interrupted, his voice low, before she could hug him again. He felt sick for what he was about to do.
"Can you believe it? We are mates. But the funniest thing is, I had feelings for you before the revelation," she gushed, not allowing him to speak.
He swallowed, but then determination filled his eyes. It had to be done.
"We can't be mates."
Her eyes widened. Was it surprise? Hurt? He couldn't tell.
"The goddess made a mistake." This time, he saw confusion clouding her features.
"What are you saying? The goddess never makes mistakes," she replied, a hesitant smile playing on her lips.
"But this time, it is a mistake," he interjected, his voice hard.
Realizing he was serious, she let her arms fall to her sides. "What are you trying to say?" All traces of confusion were gone, replaced by dawning curiosity.
"This is a misunderstanding. A mix-up. Whatever it is, you and I can't be together!"
"Why? Why can't we be together?" she asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Because you are of Beta blood and I am of Alpha blood. You aren't fit to lead," he said, the words harsh and final.
"So it's all about rank? Other Alphas accept their mates irrespective of their ranks! As the Alpha, aren't you supposed to be the one to guide me into being a Luna?" her voice rose, laced with disbelief.
A heavy silence fell, broken only by Tamlin's shaky breaths.
"Stop insisting. You are good at tracing scents and locating lost pups, but that's not the only quality a Luna needs. A Luna needs more, and you don't have those qualities," he said through gritted teeth.
"Anyone else could have said this and I'd believe it, but not you. Since when did you start placing ranks above everything else? Even above the goddess?" she yelled, now sobbing.
He grabbed her arms, flinching as sparks shot through him at the contact. He shook her lightly. "Get a grip of yourself, Tamlin. It's what's best for both of us. You are not fit to lead, and I don't want you as my mate."
The final blow landed. She fell to her knees as if physically struck.
"I hate you so much right now," she whispered, her sobs intensifying. After a moment, she choked out, "Go ahead and ask for a rejection ceremony from the witches. I'll notify my parents."
Another tense silence stretched between them.
"It's not happening, Tamlin. We are telling no one about being mates, and we are not having a rejection ceremony," he announced.
Her sobs stopped. She released a heavy sigh and lifted her tear-streaked face to his.
"I can't reject you either," he said, clenching his fists, hating himself.
Her nostrils flared in anger as she abruptly stood up. "What do you mean?"
"Who do you think you are, Helion? Do you plan to play with me like this your whole life? You can't accept me, and you can't reject me? Who do you think you are?"
"Stop throwing a tantrum. We aren't having a rejection," he said, forcing calm into his voice.
Her face filled with indignation. She lifted her hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist in mid-air.
Shaking with fury, she spat, "Bastard! I've had enough of your games, Helion. Reject me. That's all I ask of you."
"I can't accept you because you are weak, but neither can I reject you because it will break us both, and I can't afford that," he stated, staring into her beautiful, hurt eyes.
"Do I look like I care?" The question was a dagger to his heart. If only things were different.
"I don't want to have anything to do with you. So I advise you to consult the elders. The earlier we reject each other, the better for us," she retorted, her eyes filled with pure hatred.
"I won't do it," he replied softly.
"If you won't, then I will," she threatened.
Helion's patience snapped. His wolf surged to the surface, his brown eyes rapidly changing to red.
But Tamlin wasn't afraid. In that moment, she didn't seem to care that he was losing control.
"Do not push me. Go home, and no one should hear about this," he warned, stepping closer. Too close. Her scent intoxicated him, making his nostrils flare.
"You have no right to threaten me, Helion. I will tell my parents and Witch Rosa, and there is nothing you can do about it."
He snarled, tightening his grip on her wrist. "You won't like my reaction."
She met his piercing gaze without flinching. "Do your worst, Helion."
Sidestepping him, she headed back toward the marking venue, but his next words stopped her in her tracks.
"Your brother!"
Alarmed, she spun around. "What is wrong with my brother?"
"He will have to pay if you disobey me, Tamlin," he replied, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
Lost for words, she stared at him, her mouth agape.
"I mean, it won't be my fault if Kallias is unable to become First Beta in command on his twenty-second birthday because he lost a limb and can't defend his people," he taunted.
Her face shifted from confusion to sheer horror.
"Since when did you become a monster? I thought you were just a bastard. Turns out you are worse. What does my brother have to do with this?" She launched herself at him, pounding his chest with her fists. "Bastard! May the goddess curse you and take all your happiness like you are doing to me!"
He stood there, his face a mask of cold indifference, until her strength waned and her blows ceased.
"How can you be this cruel?" she sobbed, collapsing to her knees.
"I have always been this way, but you were too in love to notice," he taunted, twisting the knife.
She didn't reply, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"Do as I say, Tamlin, and nothing will happen to Kallias." With a final, unreadable glance, he turned and left her sobbing on the cold ground, but not before hearing her broken, whispered question:
"People have difficulties finding their mates, but we are blessed with each other at this young age. Won't you regret your decision?"
Without a word, he walked away, leaving her there—her beautiful dress dirty, her face red and swollen from tears.
Walking into the silent night, he headed back to the pack house, all desire to witness the marking ceremony gone. What good was it to watch others be marked when he could never claim his own mate?
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- Writer
