Chapter 21: A Beautiful Piece Of Him

Vanya's life had changed drastically in just a few hours, leaving her in a desolate state. She had been sobbing in her room after completing her last routine check in the woodland. Wiping away her tears, she began packing her things without realizing that her window was open. Once she closed it, she sensed movement behind the door but paid it no mind. As the knocking grew louder and more persistent, she finally opened the door to find Ares standing there.
Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, but she refused to respond to her desires. "What do you want?" she asked, leaning against the door frame.
"Are you all right?" Ares inquired, surprised to see her.
"Fantastic," Vanya responded sarcastically. "Now, what do you want?"
Ares chuckled and attempted to calm her down. "Can't we just talk?"
But Vanya pushed him away and sat as far from him as possible on the couch. Despite her feelings of betrayal, she couldn't trust her body around him. "I have nothing to say to you," she said coldly.
Ares appeared perplexed. "I'm not sure what I've done to you. Please tell me what's wrong."
"You should know!" Vanya snapped, her eyes icy. "I shouldn't have to explain it to you."
Ares sighed and sat down next to her. "I'm sorry, Vanya. I'm just trying to understand what's going on."
Vanya spoke sharply to Ares, "You knew about this, didn't you? How could you possibly think I'd never find out?"
Ares responded, confused, "I don't know what you're talking about, Vanya."
Vanya continued, "It doesn't matter now. All I want is for you to reject me."
"What the hell is going on? You can't be serious!"
“You promised to take care of everything, and I trusted you. I waited for you to do something, to make a move so we wouldn't have to keep our relationship a secret. I waited for your father to accept us, but you did nothing. I can't wait any longer. It's time to stop this."
Vanya couldn't bear to look at Ares, so she focused on the wall in front of her. As Ares noticed her suitcase, he asked with concern, "Are you leaving me?"
"Your father is sending me away, and you didn't try to stop him," she replied through tears
"What? I don't understand." Ares was shocked.
Vanya rose from her seat and strode over to Ares, her tone urgent. "You were there, Ares, when your father ordered Lachlan to take me to The Capitol. Don't play dumb!"
"I swear to you, Vanya, I wasn't there," Ares protested, frustration lacing his voice. The image of his father's wrath still burned in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal.
Vanya's mind raced, wondering if Ares was telling the truth. "You weren't there?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Ares's hand hovered over the doorknob, ready to leave, but he couldn't bear to let Vanya go. "This is bullshit!" he exclaimed, turning back to her. "I can't just let you leave like this."
Vanya's eyes glistened with tears as Ares approached her, his hands tenderly cupping her face. "Don't cry, Vanya. I'm sorry," he whispered, his gaze locking onto hers. "I swear to you, I had no part in my father's decision. Please, believe me."
A shiver ran down Vanya's spine as Ares ran his fingers through her hair. "It doesn't matter," she choked out, feeling defeated. "I have to leave or else I'll be stuck at The Capitol."
Ares's jaw clenched, his anger rising. "No, you can't go alone. I won't let you," he declared, determination in his voice.
Confused, Vanya furrowed her brow. "What do you mean, Ares?"
"You can't leave without me," Ares stated firmly.
"I'll leave if you do."
Vanya was taken aback by Ares' words. "Wait, what? Are you sure about that? You have a duty to the pack as a general."
"You're my mate, Vanya. My ultimate duty is to you. And I can't live without you," Ares replied, still holding her face. "I was foolish to believe that my father would change his mind about you, even after you proved yourself to him and the pack. You are a beautiful part of me, and I was wrong. I'm sorry, my love."
"Did you just call me a beautiful part of you?" Vanya asked, tears streaming down her face.
"And sometimes a pain in the ass," Ares chuckled. "But you challenge me in the best way possible. I'm willing to defy my own father for you."
"I like the sound of that," Vanya said, taking a deep breath before kissing him.
Ares kissed her back with equal passion, and soon they were both lost in the moment. His hands moved over her body, igniting every nerve in her being.
As they broke apart, Ares sighed. "I missed your taste. I've been so busy, I took you for granted. I'm sorry."
Vanya smiled weakly. "I should have confronted you sooner. I was angry and heartbroken when I found out about my move, especially knowing that my father knew about it and did nothing."
"Randall can't change my father's mind," Ares said. "No one can."
"I understand that now," Vanya replied, tears still flowing down her cheeks. "I can only imagine how much it's hurting him. I was so mad at him that I didn't even talk to him today." 
Ares looked puzzled as he asked, "Who told you about the whole thing?"
"Selene. She came to me last night," Vanya replied, feeling the hurt, anger, and frustration slowly melting away with her tears.
"Maybe you should speak with your father. Maybe there isn't any truth to any of this. I mean, if my father sent you away, I'd know," Ares suggested.
"Perhaps the alpha withheld it from you because he was afraid you'd do something stupid," Vanya said, but she felt relieved as the emotions faded away.
"So we're really leaving, aren't we?" Ares stroked her cheek, gazing into her eyes.
"Yes. I can't take any chances. Whether my father knew or not, I'm leaving. If Alpha Callum doesn't want me to stay in the pack, and unless you reject me, we're leaving," Vanya said, feeling unable to bear Ares' rejection.
"Yes, we are," Ares confirmed, kissing her gently on her forehead and wiping away her tears.
Do you like it, Vanya? Do you like me bonding with you? Vanya shuddered as soon as she heard Cassian's voice, as if he was speaking directly to her. You're already fucking wet for me. Good girl.  Now spread your legs for me, Vanya.
She gasped.
Ares noticed her reaction and asked, "What's wrong, Vanya?"
Shaking off Cassian's face and voice from her thoughts, Vanya hugged Ares tightly, bringing him as close as possible. "Nothing," she said, but the thought of leaving Cassian stirred her wolf.
She wondered, What am I going to do with my other mate? And should I tell Ares?