WINTER ROGUE

CHAPTER 3 - FAILED DATE - JAYLA'S POV

I saw Barret's car parked in front of my house, gleaming under the streetlights, as I peeked through the window after he beeped his horn. I could see him leaning against the door, a confident smile on his face, as he waited for me. He was here to pick me up for Logan's party,

''Pathetic jerk can get out of the car, but not actually walk up to the door?'' I complained.

''Stop it Jay, you said you'd try, so don't get off the wrong foot,'' My brother ordered.

''Whatever.'' I snapped.

''Harvey leave her alone,'' My brother's fiancé Lydia scolded him. ''I wouldn't want to date Garret either.''

''Let's just go and get this over with.'' I said, as I grabbed my coat, and walked out of the house.

I walked towards Barret's car, and he smiled as he opened the door, ''You looked beautiful Jayla.'' He tried to flatter me, but I just rolled my eyes.

I was wearing a short baby blue dress and black slip on shoes, nothing special. It was just an old dress from my closet.

''Cut the act, Barret,'' I said, as I sat in the car, ''Your fake flattery won't work on me.''

''It's not fake, you're beautiful.''

I just rolled my eyes, and shut the door, as my brother and future sister-in-law climbed into the back seat.

''Your sister is so frustrating!'' I heard Barret comment to Harvey, who just laughed.

''You're the one who wants to marry her, good luck.''

Garret growled as he walked around the car, and climbed into the driver's side, but he pulled into his pocket and passed me a black jewelry box.

''This is for you, to celebrate our first date.'' He told me, casually, before placing it in my hands, and starting the car.

I frowned down at the box, and opened it. Inside was a beautiful necklace, but it wasn't my taste. It was too flashy, where I preferred simple jewelry.

''Thank you, it's lovely.'' I said as I closed the box, and put it into his glovebox.

''You're not going to wear it?''

''Not to a random party,'' I shrugged, and looked out the window.

''Jay, don't be ungrateful.'' My brother scolded me.

''Mind your own business.'' I responded, and he sighed in annoyance.

We remained silent for the rest of the drive, just listening to music Barret put on, I think to cut the silence. When we arrived at the house where the party was being thrown, laughter and music spilled into the night.

''Looks like the party's already in full swing,'' My brother nudged me as we climbed out of the car

''Just go have fun, and leave me alone!'' I ordered and pushed him away.

I shot him a glare and walked off, but Barret rushed after me, and took my hand. I tried to pull it away, but he held it tighter.

''Don't be difficult, we're on a date, aren't we?'' He asked.

The music pulsed through the air as we walked inside. People laughed, danced, and shared stories, as Barret guided me toward the crowd. I smiled at my friends, who were watching me with wide, confused eyes, but I waved them off when they went to come over to me.

''Here,'' Barret passed me a drink.

''I'm not drinking,'' I told him, and picked up a lemonade instead.

''Suit yourself.'' He shrugged and started drinking.

Moments later, a familiar face emerged from the crowd. It was Jenny, one of Barrets many rotating women. She rushed toward us, her eyes sparkling.

''You’re here. I didn’t think you’d ever come!'' She exclaimed, as she hugged Barret.

I rolled my eyes, and crossed my arms, ''Would you like some privacy?''

Barret quickly pushed Jenny off, ''Compose yourself, and keep your distance,'' He ordered. ''I'm here with my fiance.''

''Finance?!'' She gasped, and turned to me, as did several others.

''I'm not your fiance,'' I whispered angrily.

''Yes you are,'' He snaked his arm around my waist, and pulled me closer. ''So what we had is over now, Jen, sorry.''

He pulled me away, and I rolled my eyes again, ''Nice show, but we both know you'd never be loyal if I married you.''

''You think you know me so well.'' He said, sounding like he was actually offended, ''But you don't. I'd never betray my wife. My family line did learn that lesson because of the curse.''

I frowned, there was no way he'd forsake other women.

''Let's just go mingle,'' I changed the subject.

We joined a group, playing cards. Barret seemed eager to impress me. He pulled out my chair, as he flashed that charming smile at me, while we settled down at a table with a couple of friends.

''Alpha Barret.'' Robert greeted him, ''Beta Jay, are we dealing you in?''

''No, we thought we'd sit down and watch you.'' Barret rolled his eyes, ''Of course you're dealing us in.''

''We're playing strip poker,'' Robert said as he shuffled and passed us our cards.

''Dream on, pig.'' I said, as I scooped up my cards.

''Then you can't play.'' Anita complained, as she picked up her own cards.

''Don't tell your Luna what to do.'' Barret warned, and I growled internally. I wished he'd stop telling people we were getting married!

''Sorry,'' Anita looked down at her cards.

''Jay, I’ll teach you how to play,'' Barret said, confidence.

I wanted to tell him to get lost, I was great at poker. My grandfather had taught me, but I reminded myself I was giving him a chance, and as he was being nice and offering, I just nodded, pretending to pay attention.

The first round began, and Barret explained the rules, and what cards beat the other ones, and I pretended to listen intently. But as I played my cards, luck was on my side, and I won the first match.

Barret raised an eyebrow. ''Beginner's luck,'' He said, grinning, as he took off his jacket, while the others also removed an item of clothing.

The second round started, and I won again, but this time, I could see the frustration creeping into Barret's expression.

''Have you played before?'' Saun asked, as he eyed me.

''Once or twice.'' I shrugged, as they took off another article of clothing.

''Deal the next round,'' Barret insisted.

''I'll do it.'' Anita insisted and took the cards, but I got the impression she was plotting something, so I watched her every move. Being a white Lycan, I could sense when something was off.

And then I saw it, she casually gave Barret an extra card. Garret saw it too, because he quickly hid it over another one. Had he linked her to help him cheat?

I smiled, and held up my hand, ''What's wrong Anita,'' I said sweetly, ''Can't you count?'' I reached over and took the extra card, ''You accidentally gave Alpha Barret an extra card.''

''Oh, did I?'' She said quickly, ''I'm sorry.''

''It's alright.'' I smiled and picked up my own cards.

I could tell Barret was frustrated, and I smirked to myself.

As the match began, I could see his confidence slip, and I could hardly contain my laughter when I won a third time. The other players groaned angrily, as they pulled off more clothes.

''Okay, okay. Let's go again,'' Barret said, but I could hear the annoyance in his voice. This was turning into a fun challenge.

He shuffled the cards and dealt this time, but I didn't get anything good, so I passed, and I think BGarret thought he'd win now, but he lost to Saun.

The next two rounds, I won, and I could feel Barret's Alpha competitive spirit flare up.

''How did you win again?!'' He exclaimed, throwing his hands up in anger.

I couldn’t help but taunt him. ''Maybe you should stick to teaching instead of playing, Alpha.''

Finally, after another crushing defeat, Barret slammed his cards on the table. ''That's it! I'm done. We're leaving!''

His frustration was palpable, and I wished I could say I was taken aback by his outburst, but I wasn't. He'd just proven why we'd never work.

I leaned over and touched his arm, before linking him. ''This, right here. Your immature, spoiled side is why we'll never marry. I won't be with someone who thinks he's better than anyone else.''

Barret grabbed my wrist, and gripped it hard in anger. ''Don't act like you don't believe you're better than all of them too!'' He snarled angrily, ''Because I know you do!''

I ripped my arms free, ''Thank you for driving me here, but I'll find my own way home.''

I marched out of the stupid party, fuming angrily.

''Jay,'' My brother linked me, but I cut him off after a second.

''Well that went well,'' Willow sighed, ''You do realize dads going to yell at us. Why did you have to tease Alpha Barret over a stupid card game!?''

''I don't know.'' I admitted as I walked down the driveway, ''He just p*sses me off!''

''I don't want to marry him. We have to come up with a plan to get him to cancel it. That way we can't be banished.''

''Oh, that's a good idea.'' I agreed, ''What can we do?''

For the rest of our walk home, we came up with a mental list, and my spirits were up by the time we arrived home. As expected, the moment I walked through the door. My father shouted at me for walking out of the party, and leaving Barret behind, and asked what had happened.

Once I'd filled them in on the failed date, I went to take a shower, and go to sleep. I just wanted this damn day to be over.