The Quiet Giant's Mate Chapter 9 - Ivan

If Regina hadn’t been in my lap when that little shit dared to intrude, they’d be scraping him off the wall. And when I considered moving Regina to do just that, Delilah Fayte intervened. I watched in shock and confusion. I’m impressed with how the youngest Fayte turned out.

I’ve heard plenty of the might of her older sisters, but I’ve not witnessed any of it. So seeing the soft-spoken Fayte, known as the sweet one taking Valter down with aggressive vines, complete with apple gag, was something. This was proof that you shouldn’t judge someone by what you see. Everyone has a depth you’d never know unless you look closer or provoke them.

I froze when she recognized me. I was waiting for disapproval. I did commit unforgivable things during the war, including against Nebrodi. Alpha Tiberius, still weird to call him that, still won’t look at me. I won’t blame him.

I was forced to kill the Nebrodi Delta couple to kill Tiberius’ parents. Even in death, I cannot forgive Gastone for killing my parents or Ignazio for cutting out my sister’s tongue. So I have accepted that Tiberius could never forgive me.

But there wasn’t even a hint of disapproval that Regina was my mate and the improper scene she found us in. She seemed almost happy about it. That or maybe the smile she had was that she enjoyed the torture of Regina’s ex. That’s highly probable, and I can’t blame her. I wasn’t even the one that took him down, and I was fighting back the urge to laugh.

Once they were gone, I wouldn’t let Regina apologize. It’s not on her. She should not apologize for other people’s actions. She doesn’t control his actions and shouldn’t be held accountable. People should only have to answer for their actions.

When I told her it was fine, I half expected an argument. For her to think my words were dismissive and that I didn’t truly mean it. However, she went a completely different route. There was no argument, nor was there a renewed conversation. And I don’t think I should complain that she’d rather spend the rest of the night kissing.

Even if I’m still concerned about her underestimation of the logistics of this going further physically. And even if there are still things we should be discussing. Again logistics, but more about how we would even be together.

She said I’d come to Incubi to be her Beta mate. And I get that I’d be the one to move as she holds the higher rank. But it would be up to her Alpha and Luna if they’d accept me as a ranked member.

‘For someone who doesn’t talk much, you sure think too much.’ Cain rolled his eyes.

He had a point, as my thoughts distracted me from Regina and our kiss. That isn’t fair to her. She deserves my full attention. So, I pushed aside the thoughts and, for now, gave into the bond and enjoyed kissing and having her in my arms.

After all, this could be the only time I get to do this. I know I’m a pessimist. I accept that about myself. I find it hard to believe us being together will be as easy as she thinks.

‘Nothing worth having is ever easy.’ Cain pointed out.

‘You’ve never been afraid to work to get what you want.’ He added. ‘And don’t lie and say you don’t want her, that you don’t want a mate.’

I internalized a sigh when Alpha André made this announcement calling for those who had found mates to come to the dance floor. I wrinkled my nose at his wording, certain there was some innuendo or deeper meaning to the words. I hoped Regina wouldn’t give in to her cousin’s request.

And this is what I get for having optimism. I’ve been brought to the dance floor, a place I don’t want to be, to appease Regina. She can make all the promises she likes, but nothing in life is ever guaranteed. I have two left feet when it comes to dancing. Regina was right. I had to take lessons, and my instructor gave up after a week. So, I have a bad feeling about this.

I grimaced as the orchestra started, and the unfortunately familiar tune Tale as Old as Time from Beauty and the Beast, one of Amelia’s favorites as a child, began. And now André’s words made more sense. He was hinting at what song would be played. Regina smiled as she took my free hand and placed it on her waist, and rested her hand on my arm.

“Look only at me. Block everyone else out.” She encouraged me with a smile.

“It’s a basic waltz. Step forward with your left foot, then step to your right, back with your right, and to the left. We’ll repeat it.” She outlined the basic box step instructions I already knew.

I was hesitant as she stepped back and pulled me forward. I tried to cut my stride down and still managed to step on her foot. I winced, but she didn’t flinch, moved her foot, and continued the dance steps. I could hear the snickers when I messed up again.

“What was she thinking?”

“He’s too big for dancing.”

“They should leave the dance floor.”

“He’s going to put her in the hospital at this rate.”

“What a horrible dancer.”

“No way are they mates.”

“Does he have cement shoes?”

Regina had been ignoring them all till that last comment. Her eyes only cut away from mine momentarily and locked on the feet of the couple who had said the last line.

“No, but you are.” Regina scoffed before she looked back at me with an innocent smile as she led us further from the couple.

“What the hell!?” Someone shouted before there was a thud.

I glanced back and saw the rude couple had tripped on their stone feet and fallen, taking down a few other couples nearby. I looked back at Regina and saw the satisfied smile on her lips.

“I told you before. If someone has a problem with you, they have a problem with me. And having a problem with a Petridis with the Deluca gift is not a choice they’ll make again.” She shrugged innocently.

I shook my head silently, laughing. It’s a nice feeling that she did this for my sake. It’s also a little worrying. If she would do this to strangers, I’m not sure what she’d do to people in our packs who would gossip.

‘It was hilarious. They got what was coming to them, and it’s a good sign our mate would stand up for you.’ Cain snickered.

We wouldn’t get away even if we had danced further away from the incident. The commotion on the dance floor brought over the chaperones, aka ranked Madonie wolves. It didn’t take long before I could smell Aleph Darren coming up on our right. He cleared his throat, and we stopped dancing.

“Regina…” His eyebrow arched as he looked at me and then shrugged. “You need to undo what you did.”

“Darren, I would be happy to. After they offer genuine apologies for talking shit about my mate.” Regina smiled as she turned to look at him.

“Regina, you know better than to use your powers like that.” Darren folded his arms, giving her a disappointed look.

“Right, because you wouldn’t use your gifts to make someone pay for talking badly about my cousin.” Regin scoffed.

Darren started to open his mouth but quickly stopped as Regina waved a winger at him.

“Don’t say that it’s different. Talking shit is talking shit.” Regina clicked her tongue.

“I still need you to free their feet before they lose them. We need to send all participants of the ball home in the same condition they arrived in.” Darren sighed.

“Fine, but they will be apologizing.” Regina snorted and took my hand. “Come on, let’s get that apology.”

I shrugged and gave Darren a half-hearted apologetic look as I followed Regina back to the couple on the floor with a large crowd gathered around them. My sister and André were at their sides, tapping at their stone feet. As we approached, everyone looked at us and parted to let us through.

‘So do I get to say I told you so now or later?’ Amelia asked as she noticed Regina’s hand in mine.

I rolled my eyes at her. The couple growled at us.

“That’s them. One of them did this to us.” The male growled as he pointed at us.

“I bet it was that bitch. You heard what she said just before it happened.” The female accused as she glared at Regina, pointing her finger in blame.

Cain didn’t like her tone, and neither did I. My growl caught everyone’s attention, and I saw the couple shrink back when I made sure to stand at my full height. André threw his head back in laughter.

“I already knew who did this.” He shook his head as he stood.

The couple looked more confused as André laughed, hugged Regina, and kissed her cheek.

“Darling, Regina. Congrats on bagging a giant. Now, will you do your cousin a solid and unstone their feet?” André smiled as he gestured to the couple.

The look on the couple’s faces and the faces of everyone that had gathered was amusing. These were couples not from the Sicilian packs, as everyone from any of those three would realize behind the mask was Regina Petridis. At the crowd’s edge, a few Sicilian pack members snickered with their newfound mates, whispering as they explained the connection.

“C…cousin?” The female stammered.

“Si, this is my baby cousin and the Incubi Beta heir.” André proudly proclaimed. “And this is her mate, my Gamma’s brother.”

“I’ll restore their feet.” Regina started to answer.

The couple looked relieved for half a second as Regina kept talking.

“When they apologize to my mate. My rank and family connection to you aside, their remarks were unnecessary and rude. So, I expect an apology if they want to keep their feet.” Regina gave her terms.

“Well, you heard her. I suggest you apologize for whatever you said to or about my cousin and her mate. If she doesn’t undo this…” André gestured at their feet.

“You risk losing your feet in the time it would take for me to get her mama here from Incubi to do it, and well, my Zia is where the vindictive streak comes from.” He shrugged.

The couple shared a look of defeat when they realized they had no other choice.

“We are sorry for our remarks while dancing.” The female apologized with a bowed head.

“It is not our place to pass judgment on others or the pairings of the Goddess.” Her mate also bowed his head.

“Do you think they are sincere or bullshitting?” Regina asked as she looked at me.

“Let them go.” I shrugged because while I’m sure they don’t truly mean the apology, they want to retain the use of their feet.

“Be thankful my quiet giant is also a gentle one.” Regina scoffed and blinked.

The couple quickly reached to touch their feet now that they were flesh again. Once they confirmed their feet were okay, they hugged each other and carefully stood up. Amelia and Stephen had to help support them when they started to wobble.

“We’ll take these two to the infirmary to be sure they are okay.” Stephen nodded as he led them away.

‘I doubt you want to bring her to our villa or André’s. So, take the Alpha suite upstairs. We were reserving it for if any ranked or ranked heirs attended.’ Amelia snickered her suggestion as she left.

Why did she have to tell me that? If she’d said nothing, I would have a reason not to deal with the awkwardness of Regina wanting to be physical, as I could say it would feel weird to have sex in my sister’s or Alpha’s villas.