Tangled With The Fated Mates

Ariella Demands 'Lunaship'

Ariella was in disbelief—Denzel was mated to Claudine. "No, this can't be," she exclaimed. "Claudine cannot be Alpha Denzel's mate; it's impossible." "Why?" Denzel asked. "Because I'm superior to her." "And if you are?" "Then, logically, I should be your mate. She's not worthy of you." "The moon goddess knows best," Denzel said, his brows furrowing. "Claudine, tell him you refuse him," Ariella turned to Claudine. "Tell him right now!" "What? I can't do that," Claudine said, looking bewildered. "I can't refuse my mate." "Claudine, you selfish... Tell him now that you are unworthy to be his mate." Choosing not to respond, Claudine shifted her gaze away from Ariella. Ariella lunged at her, but Denzel caught her and slammed her to the ground, his eyes flaring red. "Ariella, enough," Denzel commanded firmly. "Mating isn't about dominance; it's a connection that surpasses our werewolf understanding. Respect that." "Alpha Denzel," Ariella's father said, approaching cautiously. Ariella's mother nudged him to go closer. Denzel turned to him, still pinning Ariella. "What?" "Alpha, I apologize for Ariella's outburst," he faltered. "She's looked up to you since she was a child, always dreaming of being your mate. It feels unjust that, well... this outsider, not even her sister, not our blood, gets to be mated to you under our roof. It's unfair to Ariella, after all we've done to support her." Denzel's disappointment simmered as he regarded Ariella's father. "Now I see that Ariella's behavior reflects poorly on how you've raised her," he said sternly. "Being mated is not a reward for childhood fantasies or familial support; it's about genuine connection and mutual respect." Reluctantly, Denzel released Ariella, his gaze shifting to Claudine, who stood with a mix of uncertainty and apprehension. He approached her, his demeanor softened but resolute. "Claudine, do you truly wish to be my mate?" Claudine met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a blend of vulnerability and determination. "Yes, Alpha Denzel," she whispered. "Then, Ariella," Denzel turned back to her, his tone firm yet compassionate, "you must understand that love cannot be demanded or coerced. It must be freely given." Ariella scoffed and walked inside. Her mother immediately goes after her. "Alpha Denzel, please reconsider," Mr. Zayender said. "Claudine has no family, no pack, she's an orphan–" "One more word and I'll rip you to shreds," Alpha Denzel cut him off. "I'd leave Claudine to gather her belongings and say her goodbyes. I'll be back in a week to take her to my pack. You and your family better be good to her, understand?" Mr. Zayender nodded, showing he got it. Claudine's mouth dropped open as Denzel started to leave. She wanted to yell for him to stop. She wanted to go with him right away. Why wasn't he taking her now? Why say he'd be back in a week? She worried about facing the Zayenders for a week, especially after what just happened. She shook, scared, watching Denzel get farther away. "Go inside now," Mr. Zayender's cold voice broke through her thoughts. Claudine turned obediently toward the outhouse, but before she could move, Mr. Zayender grabbed her roughly, pulling her back. "Into the main house, you little piece of shit!" he spat, his grip tightening on her arm. Stumbling, Claudine staggered as he dragged her toward the main house. Denzel had vanished from sight, but she could still perceive his scent. She hoped for Denzel to come back and kill Mr. Zayender for daring to touch her. "Get in there!" Mr. Zayender shoved her toward the door, his anger palpable. Trembling, Claudine pushed open the door and stepped inside, aware of Mr. Zayender following closely behind. Inside, Mrs. Zayender and Ariella awaited her, their expressions filled with disdain and hostility. "You're dead," Ariella's mother hissed, delivering a sharp slap across Claudine's face. Claudine's hand shot up to her stinging cheek as she stumbled back, her breath catching in her throat. Before she could regain her balance, Mr. Zayender's hand swung out again, this time landing a sharp blow across her face. Ariella and her mother wasted no time, launching themselves at Claudine with a flurry of kicks and punches. "Enough!" Mr. Zayender's voice cut through the beating. "Pin her down, restrain her limbs." In a synchronized effort, Ariella and her mother grabbed Claudine's arms and legs, immobilizing her mid air. With a chilling calmness, Mr. Zayender unbuckled his belt, the metallic clink echoing in Claudine's ear. The leather lashed out, finding its mark on Claudine's outstretched form which made her tremble. "You worthless wretch! How dare you think you're worthy of Alpha Denzel?" Mr. Zayender spat, his voice dripping with contempt. Ariella's grip tightened on Claudine's legs, her eyes ablaze with fury as her father delivered yet another strike with the belt on Claudine. "You think you can replace me? You're nothing but trash!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the room. Claudine's body convulsed with each strike, bruises blooming like dark flowers across her skin. And as the beating intensified, a desperate plea escaped her lips. "Please, stop," she begged, her voice barely a whisper. "I didn't ask for this..." But her words fell on deaf ears as the onslaught continued, each blow driving her further into unconsciousness. And as the darkness closed in around her, the last thing she saw was Denzel's face. Ariella and her mother dropped Claudine's limp, unconscious form to the floor, their chests heaving with exertion. "Let's kill her," Ariella suggested coldly, her breath still labored from the frenzy of violence. "No, no, no," Mr. Zayender interjected hastily. "If we do that, Alpha Denzel will kill us all." Ariella's eyes glinted with a sinister gleam as she raised another suggestion, "What if we imprison her somewhere far away?" Mrs. Zayender's lips twisted into a calculating smile. "Yes, we could arrange that. And when Denzel returns, we'll tell him that Claudine simply ran away." Mr. Zayender hesitated, his brow furrowing with doubt. "I'm not so sure about this..." "Stop being a coward," Mrs. Zayender snapped. "We have to do anything to ensure that Ariella ends up with Denzel. Her or no one else." Ariella nodded in agreement, her resolve hardening. "Yes, mom. Nobody else is going to take Denzel away from me. I'll die before anyone else becomes his Luna." With a heavy sigh, Mr. Zayender reluctantly acquiesced. "Alright, let's take her away."