Was he shy?
1167 Words
Veronica POV
Veronica was puzzled. They were mates, why wasn’t he smiling and claiming her? She was a gift from the Moon Goddess herself and any Alpha would die to have her by his side… what made this Alpha Braxton so special?
Was he playing hard to get? But why? That was her job!
The moment they’d scented each other and she’d wanted to go to him, he’d practically ran into a group of other Alphas.
She’d attributed to him wanting to talk business fist, getting it out of the way before he would ravish her. Yeah, that was probably it.
He wanted to take his time with her, so he was getting the business talk out of the way. Veronica practically giggled out loud. Goddess, he was so romantic already.
She smiled, thinking of how he would be begging to mark her. It was going to be perfect.
But when at the end of the night, he hadn’t even spoken to her yet, she was getting worried. Was he… avoiding her?
No, that couldn’t be it. Something else just had to be going on. Men didn’t avoid Veronica Hale.
Veronica gasped. Oh, he probably had a medical problem he was ashamed of… or bad breath. She wrinkled her nose while her wolf snorted.
Wolves don’t have medical issues or smelly breaths.
Hmm, Veronica thought, tapping her chin, then what was the problem?
Maybe he was shy and needed a little push?
Yes, that was it. The poor man was shy. Veronica was just about to try and talk to him again, when her mother appeared at her side.
“Why are you acting so strangely?” she asked, looking at her as if she was walking around like some crazy person.
“You should be out there trying to seduce one of the Alpha’s to take you as their Luna. We talked about this Veronica. You’re beauty won’t last forever—you’re twenty-five and probably already deteriorating.”
Veronica shrugged off her mother’s comments like she always did.
“Actually, Alpha Braxton is my mate, but he—seems shy or something,” Veronica twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers.
“Oh honey, there’s an easy solution to this. Go and talk to Alpha Everett, he’s been trying to get your attention all night,” her mother gushed.
Veronica tapped her chin. That actually wasn’t such a bad idea. If he wasn’t going to make the first move, she would just... encourage him. A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone.
She batted her lashes at Alpha Everett. Tall, handsome, not too bright. Perfect bait.
Within seconds, she had him laughing and leaning closer, just enough to make sure Braxton would see. And when she risked a peek across the room—
He was watching. Her heart gave a little kick. Good.
She kept at it—laughing, touching arms, flashing bright smiles like confetti—all the while keeping eye contact with Alpha Braxton from across the room.
She could see the tick in his jaw, the way he balled his hands to fists. He was close… just a little push… she let her fingers glide over Alpha Everett’s chest—
“Mine!” The sound ripped out of him in a warning growl. Everyone looked around confused, while Alpha Everett was clueless.
Victory sang through her veins. Oh, he was jealous. He just needed a little nudge to stop pretending he didn’t want her. And Veronic had never been afraid of making the first move.
“You might want to step back,” Veronica warned him, “my mate is com—”
Gone.
He had disappeared out one of the side doors, the heavy panel swinging shut behind him.
Veronica huffed, crossing her arms. What the hell was his problem?
She was his mate, for Goddess’ sake! He should have been groveling at her heels, not storming off like a tantruming pup.
No. No, she wouldn’t lose her cool. Veronica inhaled slowly. She would fix this.
I'll just go talk to him, she thought firmly.
One real conversation, face-to-face, and he’d realize how lucky he was.
Men were simple. They needed things spelled out sometimes.
Straightening her shoulders, Veronica set off toward the balcony doors with renewed determination.
The cool night air brushed against Veronica’s skin as she stepped onto the balcony, her heart fluttering with excitement.
There he was, his broad shoulders tense as he leaned over the railing, staring out into the darkness like some brooding hero from a storybook.
Mine, she thought smugly, smoothing down her dress.
He didn’t turn at the sound of her approaching heels, but that was fine. He was probably just trying to play it cool. Men were so predictable.
“You’re different than I expected,” she said lightly, sidling up next to him and resting her arms on the railing, mimicking his stance.
Still no reaction. Goddess, he was stubborn.
“I mean, I knew you were older," she continued, flashing him a sweet smile, "but I thought you’d be more… charming and handsome. Not so… caveman-ish."
There. A compliment, sort of. And a tease. That always worked.
His jaw ticked, but he still didn’t look at her. Veronica bit back a pout. Fine. She’d try something else.
"Shouldn’t you be inside entertaining the others?" he asked, voice low and gruff.
She laughed, letting it tinkle like bells. "They’re not the ones who claimed me," she said coyly.
Now that got a reaction. His shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Encouraged, she leaned a little closer, letting her perfume (a very expensive floral blend) waft between them.
"How big is your pack?" she asked, batting her lashes. "Do you have your own helicopter? Or do we travel the old-fashioned way—private jet, or blacked-out SUV?"
That would impress him. Men loved talking about how important they were.
He finally turned to her, his eyes hard. "You think this is a game?"
"No," she said sweetly. "But if it was..." she let her gaze drop meaningfully to his chest, "I’d still win."
She was winning already. He couldn’t resist her forever.
Veronica let her hand drift up, barely brushing the fabric of his jacket.
"I can’t wait to see your large..." she leaned up on tiptoe, whispering near his ear, "luxurious packhouse."
She saw it—the flicker in his eyes. The crack in the armor.
Gotcha, she thought, triumph blooming.
But then—
He stepped back. Hard and fast, like she'd slapped him.
“You won’t,” he said sharply.
Her smile faltered.
“You’re not ready for what comes with being mine,” he added, voice dark and full of something Veronica didn’t quite understand. “And if this is how you think it starts, you’ve got a lot to learn.”
And just like that, he was gone, stalking back inside and leaving her standing there in the moonlight.
Veronica stared after him, stunned.
What the hell just happened?
- Writer
