Snarls of fury

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Hera raised her eyebrows at the two betas. Who were they trying to fool? It was so obvious that they knew something and from the suspicious manner in which they acted, they were not planning on telling her but she was going to get it out of them no matter what.

“You two are hiding something. What is it?” Hera narrowed her eyes on the betas, trying to look as intimidating as possible but it didn't seem to have any effect on them and Asha managed to look slightly amused which was surprising to Hera.

She had no clue that the left-hand beta was capable of making any facial expressions as she looked stoic most of the time.

“What do you mean? We are not hiding anything. What could we possibly be hiding?” Knox asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Hera shrugged. “You tell me.”

“We're not hiding anything.” Asha assured her but she just couldn't bring herself to believe them.

“So you two have nothing to say about everything I just told you?” Hera asked and there was a twinge of disappointment in her voice.

Knox let out a sigh, running his fingers through his hair and Hera couldn't help but notice that his mood seemed to have plummeted slightly. “From what you told us, Hera, you might have found your mate.”

Hera raised a confused eyebrow. “My mate?”

“Do you want me to explain it to her or will you do it?” Asha asked Knox and he let out another sigh.

“Just do it.” Knox said sourly and Hera couldn't help but wonder why he was in such a bad mood.

“Fine.” Asha said before focusing her intense forest green eyes on Hera.

“In our world, all werewolves have mates and these mates are our destined soulmates specially chosen by the moon goddess, Selene. Our mates are our partners for the rest of our lives.” Asha explained and Hera raised a quizzical eyebrow.

Although a lot of what Asha just explained sounded strange, she seemed to get the general idea.

“The moon goddess?” She asked as she was still confused about that part.

“Yes, Selene, the mother and creator of all the werewolves.”

Hera's eyebrows shot higher. “Does that mean she created me too?”

Asha's eyes went wide slightly and she glanced at Knox before looking back at Hera. “Well— uhm—that's—” She muttered incoherently and Hera chuckled. It was fun to see the iron woman so flustered.

“Nevermind,” She said and Asha visibly let out a sigh of relief. “So a mate is like a predestined partner?” Hera asked and Knox answered this time, although glumly.

“Precisely.”

Hera shot him a worried glance before looking back at Asha. “So what you’re telling me is this Selene lady has already decided who I get to spend the rest of my life with?”

“She’s the moon goddess, not a lady but yes, that's precisely what I'm saying.” Asha asked and for some reason, Hera felt her temper flare and she tried very hard to get it under control.

“Wouldn't it be polite to ask for my permission first?” Hera asked in a controlled voice and Asha scoffed.

“The moon goddess doesn't need your permission to do anything. She needs no one's permission.”

“Well, she certainly needs my permission to meddle with my life, don't you think?” Hera asked, raising her voice and Asha’s eyebrows shot up instantly.

“Meddle?!” She exclaimed. “How dare you?! The goddess doesn't meddle. She makes decisions that are best for everyone!”

“Well, if she's going to make a decision that has to do with my life, I deserve to have a say!” Hera shot up to her feet, standing toe to toe with the left-hand beta.

Asha was a scary woman but Hera didn't know if it was because she was a newly turned werewolf but at that moment, she was too winded to care.

“Ladies. That's enough!” Knox thundered in a voice that she never heard him use. One that exuded power and authority and even Asha clamped her mouth shut. He was definitely the right-hand beta for a reason.

“Look, Hera. You may have a point. Maybe it's unfair that you already have a partner picked out for you without your knowledge but that's just the way things are done in the werewolf world. It has been like this for generations and it will remain like this for generations to come and there's really nothing you can do about it. I'd advise that you make the most of it while you can.”

Knox finished with a stern expression on his face. It would be difficult getting used to this werewolf stuff but she had no choice but to try and adjust. She was one of them now after all.

But if this pre-chosen mate of hers turned out to be an asshole, she would kick his ass and even that god-damned moon goddess wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.

“Fine. I understand.” She replied and Knox nodded in satisfaction.

“Good.” He said and Asha watched her, with a stern expression on her face, her arms crossed across her chest. Hera knew that the argument with Asha was far from over and she was looking forward to the next round, whenever it would be.

“But you two are still going to tell me about the werewolf with red eyes aren't you?” Hera asked and the betas glanced at each other with that panicked expression once again and it was seriously starting to get on her nerves.

Why wouldn't they just spit out what was on their mind?

“I'm sorry, Hera but I have no idea what you're talking about.” Knox said, averting his eyes and Hera scoffed. Sure he didn't.

“We actually have somewhere we need to be.” Asha said and Knox instantly got off the couch. The two began making their way toward the front door and Hera gaped at them in shock. They were just going to leave like that?!

“Wait! But you've not answered my question yet!” Hera called and Knox shrugged.

“Sorry. Beta business calls.” He said and the duo exited the room, shutting the door behind them.