Chapter 114
-APOLLO-
“Step aside,” I command Jada, knowing full well that none of this was her fault. It was true that I had agreed to marry her, but I did so merely to appease my mother. Deep down, I never wanted to be with her; I was aware that she held no real love for me, either. For her and her family, it was all about power.
“No,” she replies defiantly. “Today is important to me, and I won’t let your step–sister ruin it!”
Why was everyone blaming my mate for my choices? She hadn’t done anything wrong. This turmoil was all my doing, I should have stayed away from her. I was the one who pursued her, fully aware it would not end well.
I had set something in motion that I couldn’t take back. I had no intention of hiding my relationship with Lana any longer. No matter how things turned out, I’d have to face the consequences. I realized my siblings would probably bear the brunt of my decisions today, but I would find a way to make it up to them.
For once, I wanted to be selfish and do something that brought me joy. My entire life, I’ve taken care of those around me, trying my best to make sure that my family was always in good health and spirits. This time, I wanted to focus on my mate. She needed me and I planned to stay by her side for as long as I possibly could.
Just then, I spotted my Beta approaching, likely sensing the rising tension.
“Is everything okay, Alpha?” he asks, joining us and trying to gauge the situation.
I focus on him and contact him through mind link, laying out what was happening. I needed him to create a distraction so I could leave with my mate. I was done listening to everyone judge her for something we were both involved in.
Jake immediately turns to my mother, “Can we talk about this inside?” he suggests, “I don’t think this is the right place for such a discussion. Many guests are trying to see what’s happening out here.”
She narrows her eyes at him. “I don’t want to talk to anyone but my son. I expect you to go back inside and inform the guests that the ceremony will resume as planned-”
While she continues to rant, I seize the chance to lead my mate away. Without hesitation, I shift into my wolf form.
Lana quickly climbs onto my back. By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, I’m already fleeing the scene with her.
“Apollo!” my mother screams as my wolf races off.
Lana grips tightly to my thick, warm fur as I turn left and sprint through the dense, vibrant forest, the sounds of branches snapping underfoot and leaves rustling in the wind around us. Every powerful stride I take sends a thrill of exhilaration coursing through my veins, this is the first time I’ve felt this free in a long time.
In this moment, with my mate on top as my wolf sprinted through the forest, I understand there’s nothing in the world I would swap for this experience.
I don’t stop until I reach the pack house, the very place I’ve longed to bring my mate since discovering our bond.
I had kept her true identity hidden from my pack, but tonight, I intended to reveal her as my mate to everyone, fin
“What are we doing here?” she asks as I shift back into human form. I give her a reassuring smile. This moment is important for me; my pack is about to meet their Luna–the way it should have been done the first time,
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I take her hand in mine. “This is something I’ve wanted to do since I learned you were my mate. I couldn’t before because you‘ didn’t know the truth, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever truly be able to call you mine.”
She frowns, clearly unsure of what I mean. But soon, all her confusion will fade away.
I lead her into the house, and the moment we step in, we are greeted by the pack members. They all look at us with curiosity,
“Alpha, what are you doing here?” Mathew asks. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting engaged right now?”
I glance at Lana to ensure his question doesn’t make her uncomfortable. When I see her relax, I respond, “I didn’t get engaged
They exchange puzzled looks, trying to make sense of my words. I knew I gave them all a panic attack last night, they were still trying to recover from it. Yet, here I was again to drop a new bomb onto them.
“You didn’t get engaged?” Derek asks, disbelief written all over his face. “What’s going on here? I hope this isn’t a repeat of last night when you almost got yourself killed for no reason.”
I look over at Lana to gauge her reaction, not wanting to alarm her with last night’s details.
Offering her a reassuring smile, her face brightens. “I can promise you that I won’t do anything reckless tonight. Not with Lana by my side.”
“Forgive me for asking, Alpha,” one of the older members says as he steps forward, “but isn’t this your step–sister? How are you here with her instead of the woman you were supposed to marry?”
The man looks apprehensive about bringing it up, wary of my response. They’ve tried their best not to meddle in my personal life, but it’s understandable they’d question my actions today.
Raising my hand, I proudly hold Lana’s up in the air. “Because Lana is someone very special to me, someone I should have introduced to you all a long time ago. I know you’ve seen her a few times in the past–maybe once or twice, and for some of you, perhaps a bit more than that. Still, I didn’t introduce her to you the right way.”
Curiosity sparked in their eyes as they leaned in closer, anxious for more information.
“Well, who is she?” they asked, growing impatient.
I hadn’t expected it to feel this exhilarating. I knew I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Lana is my mate,” I declare, speaking loud enough for everyone to catch my words. “I realize took too long to make this introduction, but today, I want all of you to officially meet your Luna.”
A wave of gasps rippled through the pack as they try to come to terms with my announcement.
“Our Luna?” Adrian questions, his eyes widening. “So, this whole time we’ve been watching over her was because she was our Luna all along? Your odd behavior is starting to make much more sense now.”
“His crash–out last night makes a lot more sense now, too, doesn’t it?” Jake chimes in as he strides into the room.
I turn to face him, sensing that my parents had given him a hard time before he left.
“Well, that was quite an experience,” he adds with a chuckle when he sees my concerned expression. “Tonight reconsider ever finding my mate. It’s a good thing I don’t have a step–sister.”
s me
Adrian looks surprised, “Did something happen?”
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Jake laughs, “Oh, you’ll see it all over the news, that’s for sure. Apollo’s mom had multiple reporters in attendance for the ceremony; they’ll have a field day with everything that unfolded!
Ah, fuck.
I completely forgot about those reporters. Given my mother’s success and Jada’s family’s prominence, they were practically celebrities.
I dreaded seeing what would be written about tonight’s events.
One thing was clear: if anyone tried to tarnish my mate’s reputation, I would make their lives a living hell.
