Alpha's Obsession: His caged Luna

Chapter 9: Not a rebound

Desmond's POV

I stayed around Lucien's pack, lending a helping hand, while I bribed someone to let me know the moment Raine was alone. It took almost forever, but it finally happened.

I went to join Raine in the longue, where she sat alone, busy on her phone. She obviously knew that I was coming, but she didn't bother to look up at me.

I didn't let that deter me though.

I knew that she'd rather be anywhere but here, but I had to try. We were fated mates. The bond affected her as much as it did me. I would use that to my advantage.

Thankfully, Raine didn't bolt when I sat next to her. She still didn't look at me, but at least, she didn't try to stab me or anything. So it was still a win.

"Hey."

Silence.

I've never felt this much anxiety because of a woman before. "Raine, I can explain."

That seemed to pique her interest. She kept her phone aside and turned to me.

Damn, she was so close. If either of us moved an inch, our bodies would touch. And I wouldn't complain.

"Okay. Explain."

I was taken aback by the calmness in her voice and the fact that she actually faced me, giving me a chance to explain.

Was this a trap?

I cleared my throat, feeling... nervous?

I was an Alpha for crying out loud. I speak in public all the time. I travel and meet up with different calibers of people. Anxiety wasn't my thing.

"I believe I wasn't feeling too well that day. I entered the place, feeling the mate bond. I noticed you from my peripherals, but..." I shook my head. Trying to explain out loud, it sounded like a made up story, even to me. But I had no other option, but to hope she believes me, or at least, not push me away. "For some reason, I couldn't focus on you. It was as if a force..."

"Force, as in, Davina." She didn't look pleased at all.

"No. Not at all. I feel nothing for Davina. She's Lucien's mate."

"But you claimed her as yours. Publicly. You wanted her that bad, you had no problem putting up a show."

Oh, f**k me now.

"Raine," I attempted to reach for her hand resting on the seat, but she pulled away.

I tried to ignore the small pinch I felt in my chest.

"The only reason you're here now," her voice had reduced to the minimum, "is because Lucien has Davina now. If they were not mates, you would never have looked at me." She then lifted her chin, eyes locked with mine in resolve. "I'm not going to be your rebound, Alpha Desmond."

"You're not my f*****g rebound. You're my mate."

"That's how you claimed Davina that night."

One more mention of the name "Davina", and I might be forced to chop my own ears off.

I shut my eyes and blew out a breath. I felt so helpless and frustrated. If only I truly understood what happened to me that night.

"Raine," I tried again, keeping my voice calm. "I'm sorry for treating you the way I did. You didn't deserve it."

I watched her face. She tried to hide it, but there was a small shift in her expression—her frown eased a bit, her lips quivered very slightly, I would have missed it if I weren't paying so much attention to her, and her palms curled to fists on her laps.

"Sorry can't fix it." Her voice lacked the usual firmness this time, and she struggled to maintain eye contact with me. "Your story does not make sense. You being unwell will not stop you from noticing that your mate was standing right next to you when you were publicly claiming another woman." Her chest rose and fell as she let out a sigh. "Alpha, I don't think I want to do this with you. I can't... I don't want to be connected with you..."

My heart stopped functioning for a moment, while my brain went into overdrive, trying to figure out where she was heading with this discussion.

"Meaning?"

"I want us to break the bond." She turned away this time, clenching and unclenching her fists, tapping her right leg on the floor continuously. "When I left in that taxi that night, I said that I was going to reject you when I see you, and I meant it. So..." An audible swallow. "...don't make this any harder than it has to be."

A frown hardened my face. I didn't really know Raine. Apart from the information I gathered, stalking her, she was almost a canvas. I had no reason to be so attached to her. Rejection was easier when the parties involved have not developed any kind of friendship or bond. Yet, the thought of Raine rejecting me made crimson cloud my vision. Something cold and ugly crawled up my skin, settling at my chest.

"I, Lorraine Sky Richmond..." I didn't think before I reacted. Before she could say more words, I clamped a palm over her mouth, prompting her eyes to widen.

"Over my dead f*****g body!"

She froze beneath my hand, shock flashing through her eyes, her anger melting under whatever she saw in my eyes.

For a moment, none of us moved.

This was the first time that I was getting to truly touch her, even though I was practically gagging her. She was so close, her scent so potent that it was so difficult to think of anything else. Something sizzled in the space between us, and from the look in her eyes, I knew that I was not the only one that felt it.

Until she suddenly blinked. Then she shoved my hand away. Hard.

"Tell me what to do." I said before she could open her mouth. "Tell me how I can make it up to you. What will make you forgive me?"

She looked like she was contemplating for a while, before she shook her head and hardened her resolve again.

She got up abruptly, and I stood as well.

"I have something for you," I said, pretending as if I didn't know that she was about to walk out on me. "Come with me."

"Alpha..."

"Please."

I stared, waiting for her to refuse or simply just walk out, but instead, she let out a resigned sigh. "Fine."

I stretched out my hand to her, and she glared at my open palm. "Now you're pushing it."

I bit back a smile.

She was still mad at me, but she agreed to come with me. A win was a win.

Raine and I walked around the busy warriors outside until we got to my car. She gave me a skeptical look when I gestured for her to get in. She obviously didn't trust me.

"I won't take much of your time, Lorraine."

She muttered some words under her breath before she obliged. She got into the passenger's seat as I settled into the driver's.

"Now, what do you have to say to me?"

I ignored her glower, as I reached for something in the backseat. Raine's gaze followed me when I took out the bouquet of golden roses I got days ago, and handed it to her. They were still fresh because I had someone take care of them.

I had no idea what kind of flowers she liked. I didn't even know if she was a flower person at all. I was just desperate, and the flowers were beautiful. All women love flowers, right?

Raine's gaze fell to the bouquet, then at me, then at the bouquet again. Her expression didn't change, almost like she had no idea what to do with it. I might have been deterred and think she was not affected at all, if not for the small pink tint that appeared on the top of her ears and her cheeks, and the change in the pace of her heartbeat.

"Do you like them?" I asked expectantly.

Raine blinked. "I... It... They're beautiful."

I couldn't resist a smirk, seeing her fumble for words. I reached for the other boxes and handed them to her.

"What are these?" She asked curiously. I could tell that she was battling within herself if she should be happy with the gift or not.

"Open them."

I watched with immense focus as she patiently opened the boxes, and I almost chuckled at the gasp that escaped her mouth when she saw the first item.

Emerald silk, lace and pearls was neatly wrapped and folded, looking as expensive as it was.

Raine looked at me. Instead of a smile, surprise or a hint of happiness, her scowl returned. Deeply.

"Are you trying to buy me off, Alpha Desmond?"