Hated by her Alpha mate

A new friend

Rachel had to entertain many people at the party especially those who had started talking to her after Alfred's announcement of his mate. She felt suffocated by all the sweet talk and people acting very nice to her just because she is the future Luna. Most of them wanted to befriend her for their own benefits and others simply wanted to be in her good books. Alfred made an excuse and left her alone with the group.

After a while, the DJ started playing dance numbers and people started moving towards the lit dance floor. Using this opportunity Rachel escaped from the group.

She was searching for a quiet corner to sit down. She grabbed a glass of champagne on her way and was caught off guard when she heard her name uttered. It was a group of women behind the pillar. She halted and gave an ear.

"I know! That was totally unexpected." exclaimed one woman.

"What about that singer, Stacy? I thought they were a thing." asked another.

"Exactly. I saw them just today all over each other." said the first. Rachel lost all the color on her face hearing that.

"I saw them smooching a few minutes ago." One woman whispered. Rachel gripped her glass so tight that it could break any moment. She didn't want to hear anymore. She walked away hurriedly but bumped into another group in a few feet. They were Jason, Ryan, Avery, and two other men she didn't recognize.

"You seem to be in a hurry", said Jason.

"Yes, in search of solitude", replied Rachel and everyone giggled at her remark.

"I presume you are not a dancer", commented Ryan.

"Do I look like one?" Rachel scoffed.

"Not a valid excuse. Come with us. You can at least swing to the music", proposed Avery.

"I doubt if that's a good idea." she tried to refuse politely.

"Come on, don't be such a spoilsport," refuted Avery and she somehow convinced Rachel.

They stood at the periphery of the dance floor. It was Rachel's first time attending a party that was so alive and happening. Half of the crowd was already drunk and letting loose. A pretty woman came forward and asked Jason for a dance. He agreed immediately and joined the lady. Rachel was amused to see him as he was graceful and fun to watch. She, too, started enjoying the ambiance, partly because of the alcohol in her body taking its effect.

Through the corner of her eye, she suddenly saw Alfred. Stacy was dragging him towards the dance floor. Rachel felt a knot in her stomach. Alfred reluctantly joined Stacy and started grooving. She put her arms over his shoulder, and they came closer than expected.

"Sorry guys, I don't feel well. Please excuse me." she walked away before anyone could react. Ryan and Avery understood what happened. Avery too felt irritated looking at Stacy and Alfred. She immediately turned to Ryan and said,

"Please check on her. I am worried."

"Are you sure? You should go instead." reverted Ryan.

"No, no, I am sure you are the better person in the given situation." and she pushed him towards Rachel.

Rachel stepped out for some fresh air onto the balcony that overlooked the rear gardens. It was the first place she could reach which was away from the crowd. She wanted to let it out but was afraid someone would manage to see her. Right after a minute, Ryan appeared.

"Are you okay?" she just nodded in affirmative to his question. Ryan looked at her with concern. Her eyes were on the verge of tears and her face was pale.

"I understand how you feel."

"Do you?"

"I think... I have heard some of it from Avery."

"Can I be honest?" asked Rachel.

"Of course!"

"I feel jealous of you and Avery", chuckled Rachel.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you too look so good for each other. Avery is lucky", Ryan didn't reply. His face suddenly became serious. Rachel was confused.

"Did I offend you or something?" asked Rachel quickly.

"You didn't. Just that the grass is always green on the other side."

"I didn't get you. Look at me and Alfred. I am his mate, but he is dancing with some other woman right now. He neither cares about me nor respects me. I am still here because of his reputation and not his love."

"Every couple has problems."

"At least you are a couple", she said sadly.

"We definitely look like one." smiled Ryan but his dark brown eyes said something else. Rachel looked at him perplexed.

"It hasn't been easy for us either", explained Ryan.

"But you both look so much in love."

"I don't know if it's real or just a facade", said Ryan.

"Don't you love her?"

"Of course, more than anything in this world!" Rachel had a clueless look on her face. Ryan explained further,

"Maybe it's just in my head, but I always felt like Avery was putting on an act. We never fight, we never talk about our future, and everything seems too perfect to be true. She never opens up to me, and she doesn't feel jealous if I am with other women, unlike you do now."

Rachel didn't expect Ryan to share his problems with her so openly. She felt like she understood him.

"You might be wondering if I am drunk", laughed Ryan.

"I won't deny it", teased Rachel. "I never thought it would be so difficult to love and be loved", continued Rachel.

"Definitely it's not an easy ride."

They were silent for a few minutes, both of them occupied in their own thoughts.

"You are a nice man, Ryan." Rachel looked at Ryan and said with a soft smile.

"I know!" Ryan said with a wink. She laughed. He felt a warmth from her. A sudden gush of wind that blew into the balcony sent Rachel's hair flying. In that second, Ryan noticed the scar on her temple. Instinctively, his hands moved and he touched it.

"What happened here?"

"Nobody knows, including me. It's been there since I can remember", she shrugged. His hand was still on her face, their eyes met. She felt enticed by his face. She noticed how flawless his skin was. His eyes glided down from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes. Another gush of wind broke the moment. He immediately pulled his hands and turned away to look out at the garden and the sky to distract his mind.

"The sky is beautiful today."

"Yes, it is." Rachel looked up and cherished the sight.

"Call me whenever you feel like talking", said Ryan kindly.

"You too." Rachel gave him a relaxed smile.