The Rejected Alpha's Vengeance

Chapter 375 For You, Mi Reina, Just For You

[HAWI]

"Because she is your mate, Mbali," Hawi said earnestly, her statement making Mbali lift her head to look at the woman who was supposed to be ruthless with the Russels.

Hawi would never have let Amina go just like that. The woman was the first real asset they had gotten and while she had been set to be executed this morning, something had clearly changed.

"What?"

"Your mate. She is your mate and she is genuine with you. I know you didn't need to hear those words from me, your commander, but she really does care about you. The execution was her idea.

"She had begged me for it, but I couldn't do it, not to you. Maybe that makes me a sentimental fool, but being the four of you taught me what love was, and you all taught me that love and pain can coexist in the same picture," Hawi said and Mbali stared at her like the woman had gone bonkers.

Maybe she really had, because otherwise, the Hawi Mbali knew was a cruel woman who wouldn't hesitate to cut heads off for going against her, it was obvious on so many instances and yet today seemed to be an exception, something that Jabali Lihle couldn't understand.

Maybe she was glad that Amina was alive, and that there was a way out for her relationship after all, but goddamn there had to be more to this, right?

"What's the catch?" Mbali asked with a raised brow.

"Catch?" Hawi asked sincerely, making Mbali falter. Sure, she was eaten on the ground beside Nik's apparently useless body, but damn she hadn't expected that Hawi would be that sincere with her.

"You let her go, what was the catch?"

"Your life," Hawi responded simply by saying she hadn't just thrown the woman in chains again.

What the hell was this even to mean for them?

Life and love were different things and Hawi was suddenly talking about love and domain and things to do with humanity. Whatever happened to the plan to stay cold until it all ended? And what was Hawi yapping about with Mbali's life?

"Interesting," Mbali sighed. She was at a loss for words, and finally, she wasn't sure if she wanted to know more or if she was to wait out her end, because there was no way Amina Russel would ever consider not putting Mbali's life in danger.

The Russel woman had nothing to lose and with Mbali there was nothing she could do, as long as Mbali was under the protection of Hawi. So, this was what Mbali would easily consider a lost cause, because how the hell was it ever going to happen?

"Aren't you going to ask me about it?" Hawi asked as she closed the distance to Mbali.

She could see the Lycan warrior fisting and unfisting her hands anxiously. It was something Hawi had done one too many times, and in all those times, Mbali had always been there for her.

They hadn't exactly been the best of friends by the time Hawi was banished, but their relationship had got and gotten better to the point that instead of being frenemies, they were allies, bound by love first, and then fate.

"No… I don't want to know what she gave me up for," Mbali said and Hawi stopped in her tracks.

Of the responses she had been expecting, this hadn't been it. She had been sure that all was well, but now as she watched Mbali, she could tell that maybe just maybe she had miscalculated this time. It wasn't the best of things for Hawi, but goddamn.

"I'll tell you anyway," Hawi began and before Mbali could protest, she continued, "I told her that her freedom and safety would last for as long as there wasn't a tear on your face because of her."

"You're crazy," Mbali said with a laugh as she stared into the face of her fellow warrior. She hadn't gotten a title for Hawi, but he wasn't sure she meant much to Hawi other than her being a useful warrior to the white wolf.

"You're my friend, before you are my subject… or at least I hope. And I always protect my friends," Hawi said and Mbali let out a soft laugh. Of course, that was the one thing everyone in the realm knew.

Elodie Kane, and Farida were proof of the friendships that Hawi valued more than anything else in the realm. They had seen first-hand how Hawi had been loyal to them and protected them with her life.

They had seen how Hawi had done everything it took to make sure that her friends were alright. So Mbali hearing Hawi say that about her, made her feel included in her innermost circle.

But then again, Hawi had stopped loving her people commands months and months ago. They had been functioning as one unit, a group of five who had mastered the art of religion on each other.

"That… I mean.. I—" Mbali struggled to form words as she looked at Hawi who was smiling softly at her.

She knew that for Hawi to let Amina go, it would set them back probably a few years, but then she had done it for Mbali. To see Mbali happy and frankly, the smile on Mbali's face made Hawi feel like the sacrifice she had made was worth it.

"Come along now. She will be back. She promised she would be back before the hundredth year hits. Until then, you are stuck with us, rowdy creatures of the realm," Ruru said as she rushed to Mbali and helped her get up, before pulling him into a hug, one that Malika, and Hawi joined in.

They really felt like family at that point and that was better than anything Mbali had ever imagined. There like this, she was thankful for the insane family she had been a part of. The family that had been through hell and was about to cause hell in the future.

"Alright, I'm hungry," Hawi whined, breaking the hug like that was supposed to make them forget she was a good person who had done whatever she could for her friend.

Perhaps it was something for them to remember someday, but today, they would keep themselves on track and possibly collect more memories along the way anyway.

"Best idea ever," Mbali said excitedly, all traces of her depressed and disappointed face all gone. Your next chapter awaits on empire

She was glad that there was a chance she would see Amina again. It didn't matter that it would take so long, because at the end of the day, Amina would be alive and waiting for Mbali. That was the only thing that mattered to Mbali.

Malika watched her sister change significantly in a few minutes and she loved it. She loved seeing the smile on that face and she loved that her sister was willing to waiting that long.

Mbali trusted Hawi, which was why Malika wasn't going to say anything that would take away that smile.

They were in a complicated spot, with the Russels and the mate bond, especially since Amina already knew that she wouldn't be able to weaken Mbali anymore just by being around.

Perhaps Malika was just being the overthinking older sister, but wat if she was right and Amina wasn't good for her sister? What if she found out at a later time that letting MAian go was one of the worst mistakes he and Hawi made?

"Aren't you coming?" Mbali asked happily and Malika sighed before joining them.