Cassian's POV
This is ridiculous.
The whole situation I'm in feels like a joke. A second mate? And an eighteen-year-old on top of it?!
I really want to rip everything to shred because of the anger and frustration I'm feeling right now.
I can't think straight. I'm still not over my mate's death. My true mate's death.
My wounds are still fresh. I just recently started giving rogues another chance and the goddess is already playing games with me.
Well, I'm not playing her games anymore. I'm not going to give into this sick fate.
"Cassian," My father's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I entered the private living area in the pack house. Everyone was in there, waiting for me to return. I didn't reply to him as I walked straight towards the liquor cabinet and poured myself a glass of whiskey.
"Cassian, it's only morning," My mom scolded me.
"Does it look like I care?" I said nonchalantly before downing the drink in one go.
I heard her let out a defeated sigh as she stood up. "Did you talk to her?"
"I did,"
"Did you apologize?"
"No," I answered, pouring another one.
"Then what did you talk about?" My mother frowned.
"I convinced her to stay in the pack house. I'll accept her and her mother as our members. Staying close to each other must be enough for a little while. I'll give her some of my clothes to get by in case she needs my scent. She agreed to do that till we find a way–"
"A way to what?" My father cut me off as he stood up.
I closed my eyes in irritation. "A way to undo the bond,"
Gasps and sighs echoed in the room, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Cass, do you hear yourself? There's no way to undo the bond!" Sarah, Ryder's mother, looked at me like I grew two heads.
"I'll find some witch to find a way. There's gotta be a way at least for us to stay away from each other without complications,"
"There's no way. Do you know how many people tried to do this and failed miserably? The results were insanity, turning feral, and death. You're digging your own grave if you do that!" She exclaimed.
"What else do you want me to do?" I voiced irritably.
"Marriage and mating obviously!" My mom replied, causing me to frown.
"What?" I scowled and looked at her like she just turned into a whole different person.
"Why are you surprised? She's your mate. You can't stay away from each other for long, Cassian. Even if you do, nature is going to force you two into heat and rut. It's no use other than getting physical and mental problems. Do you really want that?"
"Mom, she's eighteen," I frowned. "And I'm twenty-eight. She's too young for marriage and mating. I can't even think about it. This is ridiculous!"
"So is her age the only thing holding you back from marrying her?" My mother raised a brow.
"No." I looked at her. "I'm still not over Avery. I'll never be over her. She was my mate. The one who stood by me in every conflict. She was murdered by those fucking rogues. She sacrificed her life for this pack. It angers me how you all forgot her so easily when you saw that rogue omega," I gritted my teeth.
My father sighed. "Nobody forgot Avery, Cassian. We still miss her. But she's no more. The goddess gave you another mate. The goddess blessed us with another luna. We can't ignore that and still cling to Avery. It seems that the reason you lived even after Avery's death is because you have a second chance mate. If you don't give it a chance and do something stupid, we're going to lose you too. I don't think any of us has the mental strength to deal with that," He walked closer to me.
"You also have to think about the pack. You're the last one able to carry on the bloodline. If you don't have an heir, the alpha line will end. Our pack will be prone to attacks and the members will have to live in fear. You have to think logically. Now, you're only thinking about yourself. That's not what an alpha should do." He breathed out.
"I'm perfectly capable of protecting the pack, dad. I've done it alone and you know it," I glared at him.
"Yes, I know. You're perfectly capable of protecting the pack alone for now. But what would you do when you're old and not strong like you are right now? You won't be able to fight for the pack like you do right now. You will need an heir to take over the pack. Also, you won't even make it to your old days if you ignore your mate.
Cassian, let go of your hate for the rogues for a second and think about the girl you're mated to. Do you really think she deserves all that you're trying to put her through? Is it her fault that she's mated to you? Don't be selfish, son. I know you're not someone like that. You're acting out of character because you're confused, frustrated, and angry. We all understand that but this is really not the time to act based on your emotions. You need to think rationally. The pack trusts you to make decisions that are better for them,"
I gripped the whiskey glass tightly. My father is right and I hated that. I really don't want to be an immature alpha. I've never been like that. I always did what was best for my pack. This is the only time I wanted to do something selfish.
But I can't.
I have responsibilities. The pack trusts me to protect them. I can't break their trust.
I took a deep breath. "Fine…I'll do it," The words left my mouth begrudgingly. The elders always find a way to make me do things they want. I hated it. "But the pack won't accept her as the luna and I won't force them to,"
"The pack will slowly give in," My mother replied.
"So when is the marriage?" Ryder's father spoke up. He was a silent man. He doesn't like arguing and always observes things silently unless he really has to intervene. Ryder is the same as him. I admired him for that because I was glad he didn't take part in forcing me into things like my parents.
"We're thinking next week,"
"What?!"
"What?" My mom frowned and looked at me when she heard me shout. "The sooner, the better. What's the point of postponing it?"
"Mom, she just turned eighteen yesterday! I'm not marrying her until next year or something,"
"Cassian, are you kidding? She will go into heat anytime in the next six months if you don't mate her. Neither you nor she won't be able to resist the pull. Do you really want to mate her without marrying her?" She crossed her arms.
"She's right," Sarah, Ryder's mother, stood up. "You both need to get married. We'll leave the mating matter to you. You both take it at your own pace. We won't force you to do it. But the marriage needs to be done. It's not safe for her to be staying in the pack house as an unclaimed omega. Words spread like wildfire. We can't risk her safety,"
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed in frustration. What the hell did I do to end up in this situation?
Fuck! I hate this!
"Do as you please. I'm going for a run," I slammed the whiskey glass on the counter before walking out of the room.
I didn't make it far before I was stopped by Ryder with a hand on my shoulder. He looked at me as he sighed. "I know you're pissed off but everything will be alright. You need to trust the goddess,"
"Nothing is alright, Ryder. I'm going to marry a fucking teenager. And don't mention the goddess. I despise her with all my heart," I spat out before walking away from him.
I needed to let my wolf out. Being in the pack house was suffocating me.