Chapter 7:Jude
1400 Words
It was already the weekend I have not gone to work for the past four days my mum advised me to take some time off I have not been able to get any decent sleep for the past few days Adrain has been calling and dropping by the house the only good thing he was not forcing for me to go live with him. He will just visit spend sometime then leave and today he will be coming by for dinner later this evening…………………The scent of roasted herbs, butter, and freshly baked bread filled the large dining room, yet it did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside jude He sat quietly beside his mother, hands folded neatly in his lap, while conversation flowed around him as though he were merely another decoration at the table.
Across from him sat the Adrain
Perfectly composed.
Perfectly confident.
As if he belonged there.
The alpha wore a tailored charcoal suit with the sleeves rolled just enough to reveal his strong forearms. His expensive watch caught the light every time he reached for his glass, but unlike the previous days , there wasn’t a trace of coldness on his face.
He was… respectful.
Even smiling.
The omega hated how good he looked.
His father laughed loudly.
“I’m telling you,” his father said proudly, raising his glass, “I’ve never been happier. Our families joining together… it’s an honour.”
Adrain nodded respectfully.
“The honour is mine.”
His mother beamed.
“We’ve already started looking at venues.”
“Oh!” his brother interrupted excitedly. “The botanical gardens would be beautiful!”
“No,” his dad disagreed immediately. “Too small. This wedding needs a ballroom.”
“Ballrooms are boring.”
Everyone laughed.
Everyone…
Except the Jude
He simply stared at the food on his plate.
He wasn’t hungry.
His future was being discussed like a business merger.
Without him.
His mother suddenly turned to the Adrain.
“We insist on contributing. It’s our son, after all.”
Before she could continue, the alpha shook his head.
“No.”
The room fell silent.
“I appreciate the offer,” he continued calmly, “but I will cover every expense.”
His father frowned.
“There is no need. We can afford our share.”
“I know.”
Adrain voice remained respectful.
“I’ve never questioned your family’s wealth.”
He glanced around the table.
“But he will become my husband.”
His eyes briefly found the Jude
“It is my responsibility to give him the wedding he deserves.”
His father crossed his arms.
“I won’t have people saying we couldn’t provide for our child.”
“They won’t.”
The alpha smiled faintly.
“They’ll say I wanted to.”
Silence.
Even his mother looked impressed.
Adrain continued.
“The venue.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“The catering.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“The flowers.”
“The photographer.”
“The honeymoon.”
“The attire.”
“Everything.”
His mother blinked.
“You don’t have to do all of that.”
“I know.”
“But I want to.”
The omega clenched the napkin beneath the table.
Why?
Why was he acting like this?
One minute he was controlling every part of his life…
The next he was charming his family.
His brother gasped dramatically.
“A honeymoon!”
He looked at Jude
“Where do you want to go?”
He froze.
Every eye turned towards him.
His throat tightened.
“I…”
He didn’t know.
Because no one had ever asked him until now.
Adrain noticed.
“You don’t have to answer tonight.”
Everyone nodded, quickly moving on to another topic.
Jude silently mouthed a thank you.
Adrain gave the smallest nod.
Barely noticeable.
Dinner continued.
Guest lists.
Colour themes.
Music.
Flowers.
Children.
Future grandchildren.
House renovations.
Every sentence felt heavier than the last.
Jude barely spoke ten words the entire evening.
He simply watched.
Watched his family decide what the rest of his life would look like.
…
Nearly three hours later…
The evening came to an end.
The servants cleared the dishes while everyone gathered in the foyer.
His mother hugged Adrian warmly.
“Thank you for coming.”
“My pleasure.”
His father shook his hand firmly.
“I’m glad my son has someone capable beside him.”
The words stabbed deeper than they should have.
Jude lowered his gaze.
His father had never sounded that proud…
Not about him.
Only about the man standing beside him.
Adrain looked towards Jude
“May I borrow him for a moment?”
His father smiled.
“Of course.”
Jude blinked in surprise.
Before anyone could tease them, Adrain gently gestured towards the garden.
“This way.”
…
The evening air was cool.
Moonlight bathed the garden in silver.
The fountain trickled softly nearby.
For several moments…
Neither of them spoke.
Jude stood with his arms folded tightly across his chest.
“You’ve been quiet.”
“I usually am around you.”
Jude looked at him.
“You weren’t eating.”
“I wasn’t hungry.”
“You barely touched your drink.”
“I’m aware.”
Another silence.
Adrain sighed quietly.
“You looked uncomfortable.”
Jude laughed softly.
“Uncomfortable?”
He finally looked up.
“My entire future was planned over dinner.”
“My wedding.”
“My honeymoon.”
“My house.”
“My children.”
“My life.”
“And everyone seemed excited except the person it actually belongs to.”
The words came out before he could stop them.
Adrain didn’t interrupt.
“I felt…” Jude whispered.
“…invisible.”
The confession hung heavily between them.
Adrain looked away briefly.
“I noticed.”
Jude frowned.
“You noticed?”
“I did.”
“Then why didn’t you stop them?”
Adrain was quiet for a long moment.
“Because…”
He chose his words carefully.
“…they’re excited.”
“And because if I’d stopped them, your father would’ve assumed you didn’t want this marriage.”
Jude swallowed.
“I don’t know if I do.”
The words were barely audible.
Adrain looked directly into his eyes.
“I know.”
Jude’s breath caught.
“I know this wasn’t your choice.”
“I know you’re angry.”
“I know you don’t trust me.”
His voice remained calm.
“And I’m not asking you to change your mind overnight.”
Jude searched his face.
For arrogance.
For manipulation.
For the controlling man he’d come to resent.
Instead…
He looked…
Tired.
Almost guilty.
Adrain stepped a little closer.
“But there is one thing I need you to know.”
Jude stayed still.
“No matter how many plans they make…”
Adrain’s voice softened.
“…there will not be a wedding unless you stand beside me willingly.”
Jude stared at him.
“What?”
“If, on that day…”
Adrain continued steadily,
“…you tell me you cannot do it…”
He swallowed.
“…I will be the one to cancel everything.”
Silence.
Jude couldn’t believe what he’d heard.
“You’d… do that?”
“Yes.”
“Even after spending all that money?”
“Money can be earned again.”
Adrain looked into his eyes.
“A forced marriage cannot become a happy one.”
Jude’s heartbeat quickened.
This wasn’t the answer he’d expected.
Not from someone so possessive.
Adrain reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a small velvet box.
Jude stiffened.
His breath caught.
Slowly…
Adrain opened it.
Inside rested a simple silver bracelet, elegant and understated, with a tiny engraved moon charm.
“It isn’t an engagement gift,” Adrain said quietly. “Think of it as… a promise.”
Jude looked at him, confused.
“A promise that I’ll earn your trust instead of demanding it.”
He held out the box but didn’t move any closer.
“You don’t have to wear it.”
“You don’t even have to accept it tonight.”
Jude stared at the bracelet, then at Adrain
For the first time since their meeting …
He didn’t know what to think.
And somehow…
That uncertainty frightened him far more than hatred ever had.
- Writer
