Let Me Go My Mafia Husband (Aria and Alessandro) novel Chapter 606

Chapter 606 Offering Rituals
*Zander*

“Zander, try this—I made it for you,” Anne said as she placed a plate of roasted beef in front of me.

“Thank you, Anne, but you don’t have to go through the trouble,” I murmured, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“I know it’s your favorite,” she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. For a moment, I was struck by her beauty, but there was something about her—something familiar. It was as if she reminded me of someone. I lowered my head, trying to force the memory to surface, but it eluded me.

‘Zander, I don’t feel like she’s our mate. Don’t marry her,’ Lyon’s voice echoed in my mind, filled with unease.

‘I know, Lyon,’ I replied silently, my gaze shifting to Austin, who was grinning as he played nearby. ‘We don’t feel the bond with her, but look at Austin,’ I added, watching my son as he laughed. ‘He’s happy whenever he’s with Anne.’

“That’s true—he does look happy,” Lyon acknowledged, though reluctance lingered in his voice. “But something about this still doesn’t feel right.”

I responded with a noncommittal hum, slicing a small piece of the roasted beef and placing it in my mouth. It was, undeniably, my favorite dish—or at least it used to be. Yet, as I chewed, I realized something unsettling. The flavor, while well-prepared, didn’t stir the usual satisfaction. In fact, it felt almost alien, as though the joy I once associated with it had vanished.

Why was this? Why couldn’t I remember why it was my favorite in the first place? And more disturbingly, why did I find it so unappetizing now, despite Anne’s effort?

“I’m full,” I said abruptly, standing up and pushing my plate back with more force than intended.

Anne’s concerned voice followed immediately. “What’s wrong?” Her eyes searched mine, her worry evident.

“Nothing,” I replied hastily, my tone clipped. “I just remembered I have some pending files to review.” The excuse felt weak, but I didn’t wait for a response.

I needed to get out of there. My legs carried me toward the sanctuary of my study though I could feel the weight of their gazes—Maddox, Blaire, my mother, and Austin—all lingering on my retreating figure.

What was wrong with me? I couldn’t even articulate it to myself, let alone to them.

Maddox remained silent in front of our guests, Alpha Albert and Anne.

Instead, his voice came through our mindlink. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yes,’ I replied curtly, shutting the mindlink before he could press further. I wasn’t ready to talk. Not now. Not when I didn’t have answers.

Maddox knew me too well, better than most, and I was certain he had sensed something was off. He always had a way of picking up on the things I tried to hide—the reason he was my closest friend since childhood. But even he couldn’t help me if I couldn’t make sense of what was eating away at me.

I went straight to my study and locked the door, craving solitude and silence. I needed to think. Settling into my chair, I opened my laptop, diving into the reports on the Dark Alpha. Strangely, he had been inactive lately—a fact that didn’t comfort me but instead deepened my unease. Men like the Dark Alpha weren’t known for enjoying peace and harmony. They thrived in chaos, finding pleasure in the cries of the innocent.

Her persistent voice continued to ring in my head, but I focused on the task at hand, ignoring her entirely. I carefully adjusted my ceremonial attire as I was preparing for the offering session, an important ritual where the people of the Lunar Realm gathered around the castle. They would present their grievances and offer gifts—precious things like silk, pearls, honey, or rare lunar fruits they had cultivated themselves—as tokens of gratitude and respect.

Though I disliked taking offerings from the innocent people seeking my help, Mother insisted it was necessary. She said accepting their gratitude served as a reminder: everything in life came with a price, and this ritual reinforced the understanding that bad karma would also demand its due punishment.

‘You can’t marry God Kaelvor,’ Arena rebuked sharply.

I only snorted in response, silently thinking, Says who?

But I forgot she could hear my thoughts.

‘Okay, I’m sorry for being harsh,’ she backtracked, her tone softening. ‘I wanted to save the realm, but I’ve never wanted us to marry someone who isn’t our mate.”

I rolled my eyes. ‘Isn’t it a little too late for that, Arena?’ I retorted with mockery. ‘The wedding is fixed. I’m doing this to save the Lunar Realm, not because I want to. Isn’t that what you always wanted—to protect the realm at all costs?’

“Selena,” her voice wavered, tinged with panic, ‘we can save the realm, but who will save our mate?’

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. ‘What do you mean?’