My Favorite Beast

Nicole

After receiving a call from my friend Tammy, who informed me that Xion—my Xion—was at the mall trailing behind his sister and some new girl like a lost puppy, I quickly got dressed and headed that way. I told her to keep an eye on them and to let me know if any funny business occurred.

Xion had been promised to me since birth. For a few years now, he's been acting as if he didn't know that. However, his behavior has never been a significant problem for me, as all the girls in this town understand that he is mine, and they would face severe consequences if they tried to test me. I made it clear to everyone that Xion was off-limits, and I intended to remind him of his place soon enough. It was only a matter of time before he realized that defying our bond would not end well for him or anyone who dared to interfere.

As I stepped out of the car, the warm sun kissed my skin, and I felt a rush of confidence. Today was not just any day; it was an opportunity to remind everyone of what Xion meant to me and the lengths I would go to protect our bond. The mall buzzed with activity, a mix of laughter and chatter that filled the air. I navigated through the crowd, my heels clicking purposefully against the tiled floor, drawing attention as I passed. I could feel the eyes of other girls on me, some whispering, no doubt aware of the unspoken rules that surrounded Xion and me.

I made my way toward the food court where Tammy told me they were, my heart racing with anticipation. Each step was a declaration: I was his, and I would not tolerate anyone trying to encroach on what was rightfully mine. As I entered the food court, the familiar scent of mall food filled my nose, making my stomach roll in disgust. I spotted him standing extremely close to some chic, staring at her as if she's the love of his life. The sight of him ignited a fierce protectiveness within me. He would understand soon enough that our connection was not just a fleeting thing; it was a powerful bond that commanded respect.

I cleared my throat of all emotions that would give away the fact that I was bothered by what I was seeing and began to make my way toward them.

"Xion!" I yelled across the food court to get his attention. He didn’t react at first, as if he couldn’t hear me.

"Xion!" I yelled once more, getting closer to them. This time he looked at me over his shoulder and took a step back from the b***h.

"Xion, baby!" Once I was within arm's reach, I skillfully stepped in front of her, effectively blocking Xion's view of her. I tossed my hair over my shoulders and smiled up at my man, offering him my most charming smile.

"Baby, why didn't you tell me you were coming to the mall today?" I could've met you here." I continued, my voice sweet as honey. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes, and I could tell he was trying to gauge the situation.

Before he could respond to me, this chick, whoever she is, stepped around me and pulled my man to her, saying something I couldn't quite hear, but she was shooting me daggers with her eyes as if she had any right.

I stood here, blood boiling, as he responded to her and handed her his debit card. He watched her for a second before taking a deep breath and turning to face me, running his hand down his face and pulling at his beard.

"What the f**k are you doing here, Nicole, and why are you trying to cause a scene?" His voice was hoarse, and his eyes were hard, like I was the one in the wrong when he was the one disrespecting our bond.

I clenched my fists, feeling the anger rise within me. "I'm not trying to cause a scene," I shot back, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside, "but you need to understand how your actions affect us both."

He stepped closer, the tension thickening the air between us. "I told you last time we were together that I am done with this s**t, Nicole." He snapped, frustration lacing his words. "I've found my mate, Nicole, and I need you to step off."

I felt a sharp pang in my chest at his words, the finality of them cutting deeper than I expected. "You think it’s that easy?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, "That I can just walk away from what we had?"

“We didn't have s**t, Nicole, just s*x. You knew this day was coming."

My heart raced as I fought to keep my composure. I wanted to scream at him, to make him see how much more it had meant to me, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his indifference pressing down on me, and whispered, “You’re wrong. It was never just s*x for me.”

He shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips as if my feelings were nothing more than a joke. "You're overthinking this, Nicole. You always do," he replied dismissively, and my heart sank further.

I could feel the tears welling in my eyes, but I swallowed them down, refusing to let him see how much his words cut deep. "I know our Goddess didn't make us true mates, Xion, but we belong together. We've been promised to each other since birth. I'll make the best Luna at your side," I said quietly, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would see past his arrogance.

He took another step closer to me, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes changed to the color of his wolf, and his canines grew as he spoke, "Drop this s**t, Nicole. Our parents had a silly dream for us, but our moon goddess had other plans."

"Don't get in our way, Nicole, or you're going to regret it, love. I promise you that," he warned, his voice low and menacing, before walking away. I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I stood my ground, refusing to let fear dictate my next move.

As the tension in the air thickened, I could feel my heart racing, each beat echoing in my ears like a war drum. The moonlight cast eerie shadows around us thanks to the glass roof of the food court, but I drew strength from its glow, reminding myself of the power I had within. "You think you can intimidate me?" I called after him, my voice steady despite the dread that lingered. "You may have the strength of a wolf, but I have the will of a warrior." I took a deep breath, my resolve hardening. This was not just about family legacies or ancient dreams; it was about carving my path.

The food court stilled at my words, and everyone turned to give us their attention. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. However, I remained steadfast, prepared to confront any upcoming challenge, fully aware that this was my opportunity to demonstrate to Xion my seriousness.

Fuck what the moon goddess has in store. Xion is mine and always will be. He just doesn't realize it yet. But soon, he and his so-called mate will.