REVENGE OF THE REJECTED MATE: WINTER IS COMING

CHAPTER 3 (Just a Pawn in their Game)

LONDON POV

The whole company was in a frenzy when I arrived. Xavier wasn't at the head office but at one of his food franchises. The company's public image was taking a serious hit as they were accused of using drugs in their products. I walked into Xavier's office. He was pacing the floor, with his executives standing silently. I had only been granted access to the room because I was his wife.

“Our replies seem to make the situation worse. The PR team is on it but things are not looking good. There is video evidence as we speak,” one of the men reported.

“You should stop responding to them because your responses will only make things worse. You're adding fuel to the fire. Instead, we'll write press releases. I can help with that. Ensure it circulates through various media outlets. We'll have Xavier speak to the customers directly through a press conference. That will show how much you value them. Then we'll prove our innocence with our factory process of making those products among other measures,” I explained, cutting into the meeting and gaining everyone's attention.

The room went dead silent after my speech. Xavier glanced my way. He avoided my gaze but his eyes were obviously on my body. I slayed in my pink suit jacket and mini skirt.

“I love that idea. Do you all agree?” he asked, watching the executives. They all shared their thoughts and got to work immediately, leaving me and Xavier alone.

“Why are you here?” he asked, walking up to his swivel chair.

“My husband needs my help so I have to be there for him,” I replied, following him. I sat on the table, facing him. I had him cornered by his right side so he would look at me.

“You didn't have to,” he said, his eyes wandering around the office.

“Please, let me be your wife. I want to,” I pleaded, holding his eyes with mine.

“Fine,” he looked away but I jumped up from the table, turned his face towards me, and placed my lips on his. I was afraid he might explode and turn me away so I drew back. Instead, he grabbed me and pulled me closer. We sucked at each other's lips, hard and long, till his executive assistant, Josh, walked in.

“I'm sorry to interrupt,” he said, turning to leave. I disentangled myself from Xavier, looking sideways at nothing in particular. I wondered what to make out of the situation. He had stayed away for days without calling or texting me. Locking lips for that long wasn't what I expected. He stood from his chair and approached Josh.

“What's the status?” he asked, turning his face back and forth while his thumb played over his lips. I giggled, licking my lips. He watched me for a few seconds while Josh gave his report. I couldn't keep a straight face. The man was so good at making me nervous. His gaze made me fidget with my bag and his voice made me blush.

“You should leave now,” Xavier said, striding to his chair. The glee on my face disappeared. He always had to be a mood wrecker. “I mean, you can visit the PR department. Josh will make your visit comfortable,” he added. His lips shaped into a grin which I could notice even though he tried to hide it. My heart beat fast as I watched him. Xavier smiled because of me for the second time since we got married. My day was made already.

“Thank you,” I replied, following Josh. I turned my head backward for the umpteenth time before the door closed.

The PR team welcomed me when they learned I was Xavier's wife. They praised me for my precision and worked on the measures I provided. I had fun discussing with the team which had members of my age group. I wished I could start working with the food franchise but my uncle had said that as Alpha Xavier's wife, I had to make myself available for social gatherings, sit still, and look pretty.

I left the office and visited the nearest restaurant to get Xavier a food pack. We had only eaten together once. It was an eight-chair dining table with each person sitting at the extreme. The kiss we shared earlier and his smile reassured me. He could act cocky and harsh towards me but I could tell from his eyes that he was a good person. The handsome business tycoon I fell in love with on Stargram.

I arrived at his office but his secretary informed me that he had left. It would be weird to ask her to call him so I got his next schedule instead. It was a penthouse located a bit farther from the city center. That must have been where he frequented whenever he left home. I ordered my driver to race over to the penthouse. It was the perfect opportunity to strengthen my relationship with Xavier.

The penthouse was a block of suites. Each housed prestigious individuals who stayed there to pass the time. I smirked; the life of the rich.

I got to know that Xavier owned the building at the reception. The lady was quick to respond to me when she knew I was Xavier's wife.

“He's in but has a guest and doesn't want to be disturbed,” she said with a bright smile. However, I was determined to visit him. We kissed. He held me in his arms and sucked my lower lips till it flushed. He smiled at me, something he had not done in weeks. I wasn't prepared to lose the chance to meet him even if he had guests.

“He knows I'm coming. You don't need to ring him,” I returned her smile with a wide grin.

“But…” she muttered but I cut her off.

“It's just to give him his meal. We have dinner plans,” I said. She nodded and described the suite but the problem was how I'd get in. I could not get a key since he was supposed to be expecting me. Damn! I got myself with that one.

My heart beat rapidly as I stood before the door. I was about to knock when I realized the door was unlocked. Phew! I pushed the door in but quickly retreated.

“London,” Xavier called. His eyes were bulging out of their sockets.

“I didn't see a thing,” I dragged my words and ran off. It didn't matter if people were watching me. I raced to the car; my collar soaked in tears.

“Are you okay, madam?” My driver asked.

“Take me home!” I ordered.

Xavier didn't come home despite what he had done. He probably didn’t feel remorseful for cheating on me. I didn’t know which was worse; watching him lie on top of another woman or seeing how shameful they were to try to have s*x on the floor at the entrance of his suite.

Xavier had successfully torn my heart to shreds. It was clear that he never loved me. He always loved Selene, the other woman. Even as I trespassed into his study, I could see parts of her around the room. Her picture was lying on his table beside an open book. I grabbed the book and began to read but it made me curious. I had never read a book on werewolf survival before.

*******

I was like an outcast standing beside the table at Valentina's brand launch party. I could guess that every member of the Moon Stone pack was at the party. The hidden werewolves in New York were very successful. The party was purely for the elite and the way the older women threw me death stares made me retrace my steps. Xavier had left me to myself. Typical of a man who doesn't love a woman. I sighed, picked up my purse, and proceeded to the garage.

“She’s just lucky that Alpha Xavier still has a bit of compassion. Why would he ever marry such a worthless outsider? They said she's wolfless,” an older woman said. I stopped dead in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat but I was willing to hear what they had to say. From their looks, they were Valentina's friends or associates.

“Our Alpha made a great sacrifice. He could have obtained the seed moon in her without marrying her,” another added.

“He's a decent man. He wouldn't have s****l i*********e with her if he didn't marry her,” another said and they all nodded in agreement. My legs trembled, and my hands shook, losing their grip on my purse. I had read about the seed moon in that book.