Chapter 2
1339 Words
Ariana
The party was already in full swing by the time I came downstairs. Music floated through the air, mixing with the hum of laughter and chatter.
Pack members filled the wide hall, dressed in colourful outfits that sparkled under the chandelier light.
I smoothed down my simple dress, already feeling out of place.
Everyone looked so comfortable here. Everyone except me. I stick out like a sore thumb and something else.
I forced a smile when a young man stepped into my path, holding out a glass of champagne.
He was tall, a couple of inches taller than me but not as tall as my stepfather and definitely not as hot then again he looked my age…he was hot though…but Marco. Wait a minute.
Why was I comparing him to my stepfather ?”
“You must be Ariana!” he said warmly. “I'm Caleb, the Beta’s son. Welcome to the pack.”
“Thank you” I replied, taking the glass mostly, so I had something to hold.
“Your mother looked stunning at the wedding,” he went on. “We were all surprised when Alpha Marco married so quickly, but it's good to see him happy. He deserves it”
I nodded, though my throat tightened at his words.
My stepfather. My mate. My stomach twisted. “Yes. He makes her very happy.”
Caleb grinned, leaning a little closer. “And what about you? Do you plan on staying here, or are you just visiting?”
He smelled like Vanilla and cinnamon. It was a nice smell from a man. Most of them insisted on smelling like a hydro plant.
“Just visiting,” I said quickly. “I live in the city. School keeps me busy” I said absentmindedly.
“Oh well. I hope we become friends before you leave”
The way he said the word, friend sounded very suggestive like he was flirting with me but I didn't have time to flirt, not when my stomach was tied up in knots.
“Yeah. I guess..”
Before he could say more, I excused myself with a polite smile and moved across the room. I couldn't stand small talk.
Not when Marco's presence was like a shadow in every corner of the room, pressing against my body even though we were miles apart at every second.
My mother looked happy in his arms and that's all I truly ever wanted.
Then again, my mother was always a happy woman except when she was in a bad mood but she never seemed like she needed anyone else but herself. It was a trait I admired.
I let out a sigh as he kissed her forehead with love in his eyes. Jealousy found its way to my chest and I quickly looked away.
I tried to distract myself by greeting a few others. A woman named Rosa complimented my hair, an older man asked me what I was studying, and a group of girls my age tried to pull me toward the dance floor.
I answered their questions, but I wasn't really there. My eyes kept wandering back to him. My eyes kept wandering back to him.
Marco stood near the head of the room, tall and commanding in a black suit. He didn't laugh as much as the others.
He didn't need to. His presence alone was enough to command the space.
And he was watching me. Again.
Our eyes met across the crowd, and I froze. His gaze burned into mine, steady and unreadable.
The moment stretched, thick and heavy, until I looked away, heat rushing to my cheeks.
I couldn't take it anymore. My chest felt like it was closing in. I had to talk to my mother.
I had to let her know before I combusted. It was the only way we could work this out. Maybe she would allow me to leave and I could forget this ever happened.
I spotted her laughing with two women near the stage. She looked so beautiful, her eyes glowing with happiness. For a moment, I hesitated.
She looked so content. Did I really want to ruin her by telling her the truth?
I forced myself forward anyway.
“Mom, can we….”
Before I could finish, someone stepped into my path, Marco. His towering frame practically stole my breath away.
Up close, the pull of the mate bond hit me like a wave. My pulse raced and my hands gripped my glass so tightly I worried it might shatter.
“How are you enjoying the party?”His voice was calm, smooth, but his eyes never left mine.
I swallowed hard. “It's nice. Very nice.” I cleared my throat very awkwardly.
“Only nice?” He tilted his head slightly, as if studying me.
“I mean,, it's wonderful,” I corrected quickly, forcing a small laugh. “I just don't really know anyone here yet”
“You will,” he said simply. “Give it time.”
Silence stretched between us. My breath caught as he leaned closer, just enough to make the space between us feel dangerous.
For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. My lips parted, my heart hammering.
Instead, he reached up and plucked something from my hair. He held it out to me. “You had something in your hair.”
I blinked at the tiny speck of dirt resting in his palm. Heat flooded my face. “Oh,, thanks..”
Before he could say anything else, I blurted.. “I should go get some air..” I rushed past him, my heels clicking too loudly against the floor.
Upstairs in my room, I slammed the door shut and pressed my back against it, gasping for breath. My face burned, my body trembled.
What was wrong with me? Why had I even thought he was going to kiss me? He was my mother's husband. The thought alone was sickening.
I tossed and turned all night, my sheets tangling around me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him, his eyes, his voice, the way the bond tugged at me like a chain I couldn't break.
I hated it. I hated myself for feeling it. Goodness, I needed to leave this place or at least avoid him or be with my mother every time.
It was the only way this was going to fully work.
By morning, I was exhausted. I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen in search of coffee.
The house was quiet, too quiet, as if the celebration had drained the life out of it.
On the counter, sat a folded note with my name written neatly on the front. My stomach sank before I even opened it.
Ari, I'm sorry I didn't tell you in person, but I had to leave early this morning. I’ll be gone for a week to attend a medical conference.
Don't worry, I'll call when I can. Please make yourself comfortable and try to spend some time with Marco. He wants to get to know you. I love you.
I read the words again, and again, untill they blurred on the page.
A week.
She was leaving me here alone with him.
Yes, the moon goddess definitely hated my guts. It couldn't be more obvious now.
I sank onto a chair, clutching the note in my hand. My chest felt heavy, my pulse uneven. The party had been hard enough with him watching me from across the room.
How was I supposed to survive a week in the same house with him?
The bond pulsed inside me, mocking me. I wanted to run, but my mother's words held me in place.
Try to spend some time with Marco. He wants to get to know you.
I dropped my head into my hands. “This can't be happening.”
But it was. And deep down, I knew things were only going to get harder from here.
- Writer
