Word Count: 1579

~Kezziah

I'm not sure what this revelation should mean to me.

Part of me immediately feels sorry for the oblivious girl out there who doesn't know who the two mates arguing over her. One, a powerful immortal who belongs to a group of sins who want nothing more but for this world to burn. And an Alpha, who runs a Pack created of secrets, and what I've gathered, a sort of protection against the immortals.

Having either of them as my mate would be too much for me. So to know there is someone would there perhaps about to realise who their mates are, I can feel nothing but sympathy.

"Hiding her from me is not going to change the facts," Cian seethes, his grip on me tightening on my arm as his angry increases in intensity. "I'm her mate."

There's something frightening in Noah's gaze.

"We agreed she would go about her life unaware that either of us were her mate. For her safety," Noah says. Fair. I would be grateful for that, if it were me. Noah seems like a fair man, considering he is the Alpha of Harmony. I can't imagine him wanting anything else but this. "Why, all of a sudden, do you want to ruin this."

"Something made me realise I'm not about to live my life without my mate," Cian says firmly. Surely it will be impossible for Noah to convince someone like Greed out of having his mate to himself.

Noah's jaw clenched, Cian taking a step too far. "Greed."

For a moment, I was convinced Cian would do something to hurt Noah, to use some immortal power to kill him right here and now. But he doesn't. And I think I know why. I can't imagine killing an Alpha would go down very well. He has no other choice but to bargain.

"Allow me to see her, at least once," Cian offers calmly, although his tone shakes. It's intimidating, watching these two men face off, close to ripping each other's throats out.

Noah shakes his head. "I cannot allow that. She is blissfully unaware, living her life. She has another lover, who may not be her mate, but she wants to be with him. And we must, as her mates, strive to do what is best for her. Knowing we exist as her mates, will do nothing but damage her."

At those words, I gather a lot of respect for Noah.

"Another lover?" Cian questions, seemingly taken aback for a moment. "That can't be true. I thought she would be waiting for her mate.

Noah seems peacefully calm, hardly touched by this information. Were it me, knowing my own mate chose someone else, I would be heartbroken, as confused and offended as Cian seems to be.

"She doesn't know about us, and that's how it's going to stay," Noah tells him, his tone firm, not wavering in its intensity. I can almost feel the defeat in Cian, as if his aggression and ego deflates in the moment.

There's a stare off, hazel on green.

Finally, Cian relents, sighing deeply. I can almost feel the heartbreak seeping from him. It must have taken all of his self control not to demand for what he wants. Especially being Greed, and all. Despite being impressed, I find Noah to be the best in this situation. He may be close to his mate, but instead, he's allowing her to live her life how she wants.

I assumed we were about to leave, but Noah turned his attention to me, pinning me under an emerald gaze. "And how did you wind up on Cian's arm?"

Were I able to speak, I wouldn't have known what to say.

"We are helping each other tonight," Cian says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I don't pull away from him and jab him in the side like I want to. Instead I stare at Noah, unable to smile or anything. Not like he would be able to see it.

"How so?" Noah questions, eyeing me as if he is considering whether there is something else going on here. "Can you not talk for yourself."

Cian's arm tightens as he looks down at me. "She's shy."

"It's a shame, I would have loved to hear you talk," Alden says smoothly, a pointedly glare followed in the direction of Cian. He must know my voice is being withheld by Cian with magic, however, he doesn't contest him. Convincing Cian of anything more than he already has would be foolish.

Cian didn't say any farewell to Noah, instead, took me by the hand and lead me from the room. We had barely stepped through the threshold when the floor fell out from under me, and the picture of dancing, celebrating people disappeared into a shadow of ebony darkness.

I've decided I hate the magical way of transporting. Especially since when I next open my eyes, I'm standing back in Cian's office, and he's pacing on the other side of his desk.

I let my equliriblem return before I say any more. "There's nothing you can do."

"You don't think I know that?" he snaps, causing me to flinch. I don't hold it against him, though. I would be irritable too were I faced with what he is. The idea of never having a mate doesn't sit well with me, and clearly not with him either.

"I think I should get back," I tell him nervously. I don't want to be in his presence if he explodes. "This is something you should work through yourself."

Cian watches me silently for a moment. The stare is so intimidating, I feel myself want to recoil, the relentless observation followed by no words. It doesn't waver, even as he begins to speak.

"Want to know something?"

I frown, unsure of his motivation. "What is there to know? And what is the cost?"

"I thought maybe you would like to know something about Time. About why that brand on your shoulder is so different to everyone else's," Cian says tentatively, trying to lure me in with the idea of information. Especially with information I've been wondering about for awhile now. That has made me different to everyone else.

"I already know what Time wanted with me," I tell him warily. What he did to me that night separates me from anyone else he branded, however, a part of me doesn't see why that would change the type of mark that is upon my skin.

Cian snorts. "As tragic as that was, that's not what I'm talking about, darling Kezziah. I know things that you don't."

I narrow my eyes on him suspiciously.

He rounds the table, closing the gap between us. "You have to promise me, though, that if I tell you what that brand means, you'll tell no one."

"Okay..." I say, unsure if I mean it or not.

Cain smiles devilishly, inducing an ounce of fear within me. How much of my perspective is going to be tainted because of this? After this, will I still be able to be here without constant worry? Will it leave me feeling worthless, or will it leave me feeling frightened? With the smile on Cian's face, I cannot be so sure.

"Time is a sneaky man. Everything he does is for a reason, and once I saw that brand, I knew exactly what he wanted with you. And why, also, although we might as well save that for another time," he says delightedly, his mood vastly improving now that he has the opportunity to mess with my life.

"Get on with it," I mutter irritably.

"Well, Kezziah, as I've deduced, it seems Time has marked you, in a special sort of immortal way," Cian explains. "How do I say this...I think Time has claimed you as his mate."

***

As much as I hate myself for this, this is the best idea I can have. Throughout my walk up to the top floor of his office, I thought about how he might be the only one to remove what has been marked upon me.

Nervously, I take a deep breath, knocking a few times on the door.

"Come in."

My shuddering voice won't do me well right now, hearing his deep one through the door. He doesn't know it's me, and perhaps if he did, he would be right at this doorway at this moment. So before I can change my mind, I slowly turn the door handle, and let the heavy door open to reveal the Alpha.

He's sitting on one of those couches, pouring over documents on the coffee table. As I walk in, he doesn't look up right away, not bothered by who may have wandered into his office. When he does finally look up, I can see the surprise all over his face.

It is evident he can barely believe I'm standing in front of him right now, but he doesn't move, simply stares with those stunning navy blue eyes.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "It's about time you have a look at this brand on my back."

🖤••❤️

If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

Hope you like (:

Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼