Zander's pov
It's so hilarious, we're at the mating ceremony of Kareen's former stalker and his boyfriend, but I can't keep my eyes off of Ayden, Kareen and Derrick. Derrick is doing everything he can to get Ayden to look at him, but he won't even turn in his direction and to top it off, Kareen smirks at him every time their eyes meet . . . the humor quickly fades when I realize that Derrick was staring at my mate a little to much.
"Stop staring at my mate."
Derrick turned to me in confusion, before a slow smile of understanding crossed his lips.
"What's wrong, jealous? Well I can see why, he's really cute."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ayden flinch and Kareen grab his hand in a comforting manner.
"Are you stupid?"
Derrick's smile fell and he glared at me angrily.
"What did you just say?"
Rolling my eyes, I decided to state what should have been very obvious to him.
"You don't compliment another wolf's mate, especially while your own mate is within earshot."
"Just like you don't mark someone else's mate while yours is waiting at home for you? You have no right to criticize me."
"Fine. Do what you want, but stay away from my mate."
Without replying, Derrick turned his attention to the front of the room where the ceremony was still taking place and I listened to the words as my eyes met and held Kareen's.
"Do you promise to be faithful to each other, to love and honor each other and to work together for the honor of your family and your pack?"
After both men said I do, the Elder gave them permission to kiss and everyone started cheering. I turned my attention back to Ayden and Kareen, only to find the two of them rushing out of a side door. I growl at Derrick, who seems to realize he'd hurt his mate, but I don't wait for him, rushing to catch up with the two of them before the exiting crowd puts too much distance between us.
"Wait!"
The two of them freeze, turning to face me and I take the chance to catch up to them before they could run again. Kareen pushed Ayden behind him, his vulnerable yet strong gaze locking with mine.
"What do you want, Zander?"
"I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, Kareen, I've done so many to hurt you because of my own arrogance and the worst part was I believed that as my mate, you were supposed to just accept anything I did to you as long as I always came back to you . . . I ignored my guilt for making you cry by convincing myself that you were weak . . . and when you started shutting me out, I figured you would just break and come running back to me. It wasn't until the day I left to bring Ayden here and saw another man comforting you that I realized you didn't have to stay by my side. I didn't say it then, but I'm begging you now . . . please, don't leave me Kareen. I need you."
I dropped to my knees at his feet and Kareen let out surprised gasp.
"I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you and I promise that I'll try my hardest to never do anything to hurt you again."
A crowd had gathered, waiting to hear his answer and he nervously glanced around before looking back at me.
"I . . . I-I__________."
"You don't have to give me an answer right now . . . Moon Goddess knows I've put myself first long enough."
"I want to . . . you are my mate and I__________."
