THE ALPHA’S ACCIDENTAL WIFE

SELENE EVANS Astrid and Maeve dance beside me, and I laugh when one of them pulls me. I don’t remember how many tequila shots I’ve had by now, but I can feel I’m really drunk. “Let’s toast to our best friend who’s going to marry Jasper Willians!” Astrid teases, nudging my arm with her elbow. I raise my glass with a crooked smile. “Be happy, Selene. You deserve it!” I drink more, glancing around as a strange feeling creeps inside me, like someone’s watching me. I turn my head, but before I can figure it out, Maeve shouts: “Come on! This song is perfect to forget that in two days you’ll be a taken woman.” I let myself go. I spin, letting my loose hair sway over my shoulders, but there’s a sting deep in my chest. “Wait, I need to call Jasper,” I announce, breathless, slipping away from my friends. I leave the bar and head to the casino area, leaning against a neon-lit column and trying to focus on my phone screen. When he answers, I hear male laughter in the background—the sound of glasses, loud voices. “Hey, love. Is everything okay over there?” I ask. “Of course, babe. I’m with the guys. I’m gonna beat them all. Just have fun with the girls, okay?” I force a smile. His tone sounds… strange. Fake. But maybe it’s just in my head. “Okay. I love you.” “Love you too. Talk to you later.” I hang up, letting out a sigh. Maybe it’s just anxiety. “Come on, Selene! You can handle one night without him!” “Let’s drink more!” Maeve shouts. “We need more tequila in our blood!” I laugh, but my stomach starts to twist. I need some air. I stumble away, passing through the golden columns of the hotel hallway. “That’s enough for me. I’m heading back to my room. You two keep having fun.” “Are you sure?” I nod, kissing them on the cheeks before heading to the hotel entrance. I feel way too dizzy to keep drinking. I step out of the elevator and walk down the hall when I hear laughter from the other side. My heart almost stops inside my chest when I hear that familiar voice. I turn my head, and there he is. Jasper. He’s holding a blonde woman by the waist, right in front of a room door. His hands slide down her back. They kiss. The world spins. This time it’s not just tequila. It’s betrayal. The woman smiles, laughing, while he opens the door. His hand is where it should only ever be on me. “Jasper?” My voice comes out as a whisper, broken. He turns, his eyes wide when he sees me. “Selene?” He pushes the woman inside the room before running over to me. “No… it’s not what you think!” “Not what I’m thinking?” My voice starts to tremble. “You’re kissing another woman!” “I know how it looks, but I love you, Selene. We’re getting married in two days. This… this means nothing!” Tears fill my eyes. They burn like alcohol on an open wound. “You lied to me! You said you were at home playing with your friends!” “I… I was, but…” “Enough, Jasper.” My voice is cold as ice now. “You lied to me and cheated. Do you think I’ll marry you in two days after this?” His green eyes widen. “What? What are you saying?” “There won’t be a wedding anymore. Enjoy your night.” He tries to grab my hand. “Selene, please. Listen to me. I can explain.” I pull away angrily. “Get out of my sight.” I rip the engagement ring off my finger. The ring shines for a second before hitting his chest. “Keep it. Give it to your slut.” “Selene!” he keeps shouting my name, but I don’t turn around this time. I step into the elevator, wiping the tears from my eyes. When I return to the bar, I see my friends having fun at the casino and decide not to bother them. I need to be alone right now. I drag my feet to the bar counter, ordering another shot. I feel like crying, but I can do that tomorrow when the wedding dress arrives. I turn, holding the glass, when I trip in my heels and almost fall—but someone catches me, though it’s too late. The glass flies. The red liquid spills all over a man’s white shirt. “Oh my God!” I exclaim, trying to steady myself against the counter. “I… I spilled it all over you!” I widen my eyes and then lift my head, blinking several times to make sure I’m really seeing what I’m seeing. The man looks down at his stained white shirt before looking up at me. His eyes are golden. I’ve never seen anything like it before. He smiles. He doesn’t look angry. Not even a little. “Well… I needed to wash this shirt anyway.” “Your eyes… they’re… they’re golden.” I tilt my head, trying to focus. He shrugs, relaxed. “It’s a rare genetic condition.” I stare at him, hypnotized. He’s wearing a white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He looks absolutely ordinary. But there’s something about him… something strange. Almost wild. “I... I’m so sorry…” I murmur, feeling his hands let go of my waist. He sits at the bar and wipes his shirt with a napkin. “It’s okay, but you should be more careful next time. Too much alcohol’s no good.” I blink before sitting next to him. “Well, I know that. But alcohol helps me forget the disaster of my wedding. Or almost wedding.” I order another drink and take a long sip. The man beside me looks at me with curiosity, and when I turn my head, he seems to be trying to understand me. His hair is black and straight, falling over his forehead and eyes. He’s very handsome. “What happened?” “I was cheated on. Two days before the big day.” I smile, drinking more. “Well, that’s crap. I’m sorry.” I nod, glancing at his shirt that’s still ruined because of me. “I hope that shirt wasn’t expensive.” “Don’t worry. I didn’t like it anyway.” I laugh, and so does he. “I’m Dorian. I work as a security guard at a casino here. And you?” “Selene.” He takes a sip of his whiskey before sighing and leaning his face closer to mine. “You know, Selene, if he cheated on you, then he wasn’t the right man for you. Find someone else. And marry him.” He doesn’t look away. His golden eyes shine, intense. Almost… predatory. I let out a short laugh. “You’re joking, right?” I ask Dorian, who chuckles while still drying his shirt. “This looks awful, let me help you…” I say, grabbing a napkin and helping Dorian with the wet shirt. He raises his eyebrows, and before I can continue, my body tenses immediately at the sound of Jasper’s voice behind me. “Selene.” I turn slowly, and there’s Jasper. But what makes me even more tense is the look of anger in his eyes—directed at me and Dorian—and then at my hand on Dorian’s chest.