Mates of a Werewolf Hunter

Chapter 58 Happy New Year

Lucifer Zades P.O.V

I stepped in front of Gabriella, shielding her from Octavius's intense gaze. His eyebrows knitted together as he growled, "What do you think you're doing?"

Gabriel quickly intervened, "You're our sister's mate?" Octavius gave a terse nod, but his eyes remained locked on me.

Before anyone could respond, Valentine appeared at the top of the stairs, confusion etched on her face. "What's going on?" she asked, glancing between us, her gaze lingering on me longer than necessary. She was dressed in her own clothes, but I couldn't help but think how much better she looked in mine.

"He's keeping me away from my mate!" Octavius's voice was laced with anger as he pointed at me.

Valentine's eyes flicked from me to Gabriella. "G-Gabriella?" she stammered.

"Valentine!" Gabriella squealed, darting over to hug her. Octavius's eyes followed her every move, but he quickly refocused his attention on me.

"She's mine," he snarled, his tone dripping with possessiveness. "Learn your place."

"My place?" I echoed, stepping closer to him. "You tried to forcefully mark my mate."

Gabriella gasped, recoiling as she looked at him with wide eyes. The tension in the room became suffocating.

Octavius huffed dismissively. "And you? You abused her. Who's worse?"

The room fell silent, the weight of his accusation hanging heavily in the air. It was a wound that had never fully healed, one that I knew would haunt me forever.

"I did what I had to," I said quietly, my voice betraying the pain I tried to hide. "To protect her from suspicion."

"No remorse for a young girl?" he sneered, his disgust clear.

"Stop it, Octavius," Valentine's soft voice pleaded, but he silenced her with a raised hand.

"You broke a strong, confident girl," he spat, his words cutting deep.

"I'm a changed man," I warned, taking slow, deliberate steps towards him. "Don't test me."

Gabriel stepped in again, "Octavius, let it go."

But Octavius wasn't done. "Are you really?" he pushed, the challenge clear in his eyes. I could feel my wolf clawing to the surface, angry at the disrespect.

"You tried to take what's mine," I growled, my voice low and dangerous.

He growled back, unafraid. "I was caught up in her heat. But you—" he sneered, "you knew exactly what you were doing."

"Stop it, both of you!" Gabriella shouted, forcing herself between us.

"You don't rule me, honey," Octavius smirked at her, but she met his gaze with fire in her eyes.

"As an alpha's daughter, I can," she retorted, her voice daring him to challenge her. His smirk vanished instantly.

"You're my mate. You listen to me," he demanded, his tone filled with arrogance.

Both Gabriel and I growled simultaneously, a clear warning that we wouldn't tolerate him treating her like a possession.

Octavius glanced between us, disbelief flickering in his eyes when Gabriella didn't immediately obey him. "He rejected his mate, and you're all against me?" he spat, his voice rising in frustration.

He was treading on thin ice. My patience was wearing dangerously thin. I lunged forward, but Gabriel held me back. "I had my reason," I shouted, my canines elongating as my wolf fought to take control. "I regret every day!"