REVENGE OF THE REJECTED MATE: WINTER IS COMING

LONDON POV Excitement, anxiety, and anticipation were what I felt as I glanced up to see my groom. My stomach tightened, and the hair on my head stood still as his gaze fell on me. I chuckled and bit my lower lips seductively. There were just about fifty guests in attendance. A small number, I'd say since Xavier Campbell was the most popular and appealing bachelor in New York. I could even scream that he was the most beautiful man in the United States. Although I expected to see about a thousand guests filling the hall, he wanted the event to be private. I can't confirm any of this because I don't know him. Today was the first time I'd met him after my uncle shared the good news. “As we witness this special occasion today, we are…” the priest spoke, but his voice was distant. All I could see was Xavier, the man of my dreams. I would never have imagined that someone like Xavier, Alpha of the Moon Stone pack would choose me, a wolfless werewolf, as his bride. He must have been charmed by my beauty. At least, that was what my uncle told me. I lifted my lashes to see his face again, but his eyes were not on me. It was somewhere else. Distant, away from the altar or the crowd. I bit my lower lip. My gaze followed his until it landed on a figure standing at the entrance. “Xavier!!!” a female voice called while a few women struggled to pull her out of the hall. And she had a wedding gown on! What the hell? Did he ditch another woman? It could not be. I shook off the feeling and surveyed the room. The guests were not as distracted as I felt they should be. I glared at Xavier whose eyes held a sadness I couldn't fathom. Something was fishy about this whole affair but my uncle told me that he chose me because he was attracted to me. The priest wasn't bothered by all the drama as he declared, “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” My legs trembled while I held both arms at my side. I swallowed what was left of the saliva in my mouth as my throat burned. Xavier drew me close, his cold lips touched mine and sent shivers over me. It wasn’t a long, passionate one like I hoped for but getting even a peck from Xavier was a dream come true. “I'm so honored to meet you,” I whispered, caressing my fingers. Why did I say that? I'm such an i***t. I giggled; I wished I could hide my eyes behind my hair because of the embarrassment. “I mean, I… I've always wanted to meet you and it's still unbelievable that we're married,” I continued, hoping he would say something to break the ice in the car as we drove home. However, he remained quiet. I took a deep breath and kept my eyes on the road. We pulled into the garage of his duplex, and he stepped down. He marched into the house while I hurried behind him. I wasn't even allowed to bask in the joy of being in such ambiance. What's wrong with my husband, anyway? “Welcome back sir and congratulations to you and madam. We have prepared your room for the…” one of the maids who I presumed was the head maid said but he cut her off. “Tell everyone to leave the building. I want to be alone,” Xavier pulled off his suit and climbed the stairs. The nuts in my stomach became tighter. He wants to be alone with me. I held my breath and chuckled, rushing behind him on the stairs. Our room was an A-level suite, filled with petals, scented candles, and lights for a newlywed couple. I felt grateful to the maids for the effort. I stood at the entrance. I didn't know anything about being a bride or what to expect on our first night except a consummation of the marriage. My uncle told me about it. It was the only thing he kept telling me to do. I had to give my husband crazy s*x to keep him, but poor me. I have no idea about how to keep a man or give him crazy s*x. Since he wouldn't speak but move around the room like a robot and undress, I made the first move. I wish I had not. “I’m curious about something,” I muttered, finally gaining his attention. “I noticed another woman in the hall. She was wearing a wedding gown and called your name, but it felt like I was the only person who noticed her. Do you know her?” Even though I was determined to make this man happy in every way, the scene at the hall had been eating at me for hours. “That is not your concern. Get on the bed,” he ordered, pulling off his shirt to reveal a set of curves on his chest down to his abdomen. I gasped and looked away. “The only thing I know about you is your name and that you're the Alpha of the Moon Stone pack. You don't even know me. How about we talk or …” I suggested, hoping he would oblige. I had never been in love. The only romance I knew was the one I watched on TV and I expected the same to apply to my relationship as well. “Talk?!” he exclaimed and muttered a few incoherent words. “Look, I'm exhausted and want to get this over with so get over here,” he stressed. His look was indifferent. I drew back and stumbled over the tiled floor but managed not to fall. Where is the man I had always admired? The man I'd followed on Stargram for twelve months and watched all his interviews looked kind and courteous. “I am your wife, not one of those pick-me-up girls on the street. We just got married today, having little knowledge about each other. If you're exhausted, that's fine. We can both sleep and get to know each other tomorrow,” I said, staring at him. He might be crazy about s*x but he should be a bit decent to his wife. “Your uncle didn't add that you're such a pain in the a**. I'm not going to argue with you. Just do as you're told and we'll be good,” he said, moving towards me. “I can't do that. I've tried making conversations since we sat in that car and you ignored me. There was another woman in a wedding gown in that hall today and you refuse to discuss it. You refuse to tell me anything about yourself. How am I supposed to be your wife if I don't know you?” “Will you just stop that crap! Stop it!” He barked. “I'm not cut out for this today,” he turned into the closet and got out after a few minutes. “Are you leaving?” I asked, frightened at what I knew would be his next course of action. He ignored my question and strode out of the room. I was too startled to run after him or beg him not to leave. I forced my heavy legs to carry me to the bed and sat at the edge. I was trying to know what I did wrong. I realized that I was wrong in every way. I should not have asked him who she was. I should have laid on the bed when he asked me to. “What if he never comes back? What will I do?” I bit my thumb finger aggressively, hitting my head till I fell into a deep sleep. The next day wasn't different from the previous one. He wasn't home yet. I was all alone— on my honeymoon! This wasn't the married life I imagined. His maids were the worst. None would talk about him or make small talk. The emptiness made me remember how lonely my life always was as an orphan. “London, I'm sorry,” I heard a masculine voice pierce the silent room. I glanced up to see Xavier, once cold and haughty was in the calmest form I'd ever seen him. My lower lip dropped while I tried to process what was happening. I wasn't expecting an apology. He approached me and sat by the bed. “I'm so sorry about how I reacted yesterday. I'm not used to having a stranger in my house. I— you looked so beautiful that I became overwhelmed. I just wanted to be with you. To hold and feel you in my arms,” he dragged his words slowly, softly. Everything was music to my ears. I sat up on the bed and placed my finger on his lips. “You don't have to apologize. I was about to start nagging yesterday. It's all my fault. I'm sorry,” I whispered, avoiding his gaze. Those eyes made me fall in love with him, even from afar. He held my chin up and placed his lips on mine. My entire body froze. His lips were warmer than the previous day. He slid his arm around my waist and ate my lips slowly as I fell back to the bed. I felt at a loss. What was a girl supposed to do at this point?