Chapter 2 Don't Ruin It with Fighting

Arabella's POV

Lucas had his usual confident look, with red hair and those green eyes. He was thinner than Alexander but still very muscular. Tonight he wore a black suit with his blue Beta moon symbol on it.

Tristan was different, always standing back, watching everything quietly. His blonde hair made him look elegant, and he wore thick glasses over his blue eyes. He was the skinniest of the three, but I'd seen him easily take down guys twice his size.

"The Blood Moon trio reunites," I rolled my eyes. "Don't you guys have real work to do in your territory?"

Lucas smiled as he walked up to me. "Puppy's in such a hurry to ditch us? Picked a weak mate and now can't wait to run off?"

I stood up straight, trying to sound strong. "Wesley is my fated mate. I don't need you three 'messing with' me anymore."

"By the way," I pushed his arm away when he tried to touch my shoulder. "Wesley treats me better than your stupid games ever did."

Alexander stepped closer, looking straight at me with those annoying amber eyes. "Look at our puppy, all grown up and showing teeth. When you get bored with him, welcome to play with us."

I clenched my teeth, trying not to get too angry. "You three are such assholes. I'm never coming back to you."

Just then, I smelled strong wolf liquor coming from the forest path. Wesley walked out, looking angry, with gold wolf light already flashing in his eyes. I got nervous—he wasn't this drunk during our ceremony.

"Looks like I missed a party," Wesley sounded dangerous. "What the fuck are you all crowding around my mate for?"

The air got super tense. I could feel the Blood Moon trio getting all defensive with Wesley showing up. Alexander stood taller, like he was trying to flex or something.

"Just saying goodbye to Arabella," Alexander said with total authority.

Wesley pushed between Lucas and me, yanking me to his side. I frowned. His breath reeked of alcohol, worse than I thought.

I put my hand on Wesley's chest, trying to calm him down. “Don’t worry. They’re just saying goodbye to me.”

Wesley suddenly turned to me, his face angry. "Don't act like a whore with other males. You trying to make me look like a joke to my pack?"

His words felt like a slap. My face burned with shame. I couldn't believe he called me that in front of everyone, especially on our bonding night.

"What did you say, Wesley?" I asked in disbelief. Was this still my gentleman-like mate?

Wesley cut me off, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Leave with me! Now!"

He grabbed my wrist so hard I yelped in pain. Before I could say anything, the three wolves reacted in a way that shocked me.

Alexander's eyes turned solid wolf gold, and his Alpha power filled the air like you could touch it. Lucas's muscles got tight, like he was ready to attack. Even quiet Tristan took off his glasses—which meant he was ready to fight.

"Let her go, Wesley," Lucas didn't sound playful anymore, just threatening. "You hurt her."

I saw Wesley let go of my wrist, but he still faced the three guys. He looked strong, but I could tell from his breathing he was nervous.

"This is between me and my mate," Wesley said firmly. "You have no right butting into our business."

Alexander stepped forward, looking even taller now. "Mate or not, she's Blood Moon. Nobody fucking touches what's mine on my territory."

"Then what?" Wesley asked, his voice a little shaky.

Alexander let out his full Alpha power, making the air feel heavy as his voice got deeper, "Then I'll rip your wolf balls out through your throat. You won't even deserve to be called a dog."

Wesley's body got stiff under Alexander's Alpha power. He tried to look tough, but his smell changed—angry mixed with something he was trying to hide.

Seeing things getting worse, I stepped between them, trying to stop the fight.

"Tonight's supposed to be special," I tried to sound strong. "Don't ruin it with fighting."

Alexander and Lucas seemed to calm down a bit, but Wesley turned his anger at me.

"You're defending them against your own mate?" Wesley growled, making me jump. "Your loyalty should be to me only!"

I realized Wesley's ego was hurt bad in front of these three powerful wolves, especially by Alexander's threat that he couldn't match. Now he was taking it out on me, and I felt scared and helpless.

"I'm not taking sides, Wesley," I said as calmly as I could. "I just don't want our special night ruined."

Wesley growled and yanked my arm. "Enough! We're leaving! Now!"

He pulled me fast toward the parking lot, rough and in a hurry.

I could feel the three wolves watching us until Wesley pulled me through the trees and to the car.

Wesley slammed the car door so hard the whole car shook.

The car was quiet except for Wesley's heavy breathing. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. I'd never seen him this mad.

After a few really uncomfortable minutes, I carefully said, "Wesley, I didn't mean to embarrass you..."

Before I could say anything nice, Wesley's hand hit my cheek hard. The pain shot through me, and my head slammed against the window. Everything went blurry for a second.

"Did you see how they looked at me?" he growled. "Like I was garbage not good enough for you! Especially that damn Alpha—who the hell does he think he is?"

"And you!" Wesley kept yelling, sounding humiliated and furious. "You took their side in front of me!"

I cried quietly, shocked that my fated mate would hit me on the first night of our bond.

This is my fault. I should've known Wesley would be insecure, especially around Alexander. I shouldn't have stayed alone after the ceremony or let those three wolves surround me. Everything I did wrong tonight just made him feel worse.

"I'm sorry, Wesley," I said weakly, crying. "I didn't know they'd be waiting for me."

Wesley started breathing more normally, the gold in his eyes fading, though he was still angry.

"You should be sorry," his voice got softer but still sounded like a warning. "If you want our bond to work, you need to know where your loyalty belongs."

"I understand," I nodded, my cheek still hurting. "It won't happen again."

After a few quiet minutes, Wesley calmed down and reached out to me like he never hit me at all.

Even though my cheek hurt, I put my hand in his. He held my hand tight, possessively, but without the warmth and safety I thought mates should feel.

"I love you, my mate," Wesley suddenly sounded gentle, "From tonight on, you're mine, only mine."

"I love you too, my mate," I forced a smile.

Back then, I had no idea what was waiting for me...