001 - You are not fit.

“And why aren't you yet ready for your date?” Jax asked as I walked out of the room.

I raised my brow, looking down at myself- at the red gown I had on.

What does he mean not ready?

“What are you talking about? I am ready.”

He scoffed, “Okay.”

“If you've got anything to say, fucking spit it out.”

Jax sighed and dropped the book he was reading on the table to face me. 

“Today is your two year anniversary, and if my guess is correct, you suspect that your boyfriend is gonna propose today.”

I nodded with a grin, the thought sending butterflies in my belly all over again. 

“Not just suspect. I saw a ring with him a few days back and he's been acting so weird so yeah - I know for sure that he's gonna propose.”

Something flashed in Jax's eyes but disappeared so quickly, I thought I must have imagined it.

“Okay. And you are going, in that?!”

I looked at my dress again, “I do not understand what you mean. This happens to be one of my favourite dresses. Roy got it for me some months back.”

“And this man claims he loves you? Honey, that's a hideous dress.”

I rolled my eyes, “fortunately for the dress and I, we do not need your opinion. I love the dress and I'm going in it. Besides, I do not have the time to change.”

Jax tilted his head and looked at me from head to toe with a frown that really got to my nerves.

“This is possibly gonna be the best day of my life and all you can do is criticise me?” I pouted, “what kind of a best friend are you?”

“The kind that loves you enough to tell you the truth, sugar. You are dating the Alpha's son for fuck sake. Please try to look more presentable.” He shook his head, “I've asked you countless times to allow me to work on your wardrobe.”

“Absolutely not! Forget about it because I'm very satisfied with my wardrobe and guess what? So is my mate. Now with that being said, I'll be on my way. Do you have any boyfriend visiting you tonight?”

Jax gasped and placed a hand on his bare chest, “what do you take me for? A whore?”

I chuckled, “one has to wonder.”

“Wait!” He called before I could leave, “I'll let you go in the dress but…I have something that will make it prettier.”

Before I could ask - he dug his hand into his Jean pocket and brought out a tiny box, a jewellery box.

My hand went to my lips, “Jax Anderson, you are not planning to propose to me are you?”

“You wish! I know I'm a way hotter shot than your mate, but you are simply not my type, no offence.”

I laughed, but the laugh quickly died in my throat when he opened the jewellery box.

It was a necklace. And simply the most beautiful one I've ever laid my eyes on.

“Oh my -” I gasped, taking it out from the box.

The pendant was a breathtaking piece, a silver dragon coiled gracefully around a stunning sapphire-blue crystal.

I dangled it in my fingers, marvelled as the intricate scales gleaned, catching the light with every movement, while its wings, detailed and delicate, seemed ready to unfurl at any moment. 

The dragon’s tail wrapped elegantly around the crystal, giving the piece an ethereal quality.

“This is so…beautiful. I've never seen anything like it before.”

“I had it custom made,” Jax said, taking it from me and motioning for me to turn around so he could put it around my neck, “I know how much you love reading about dragons.”

I really did. 

My eyes gleamed with unshed tears when the weight settled on my neck spreading beautiful shivers down my spine.

“Thank you so much Jax.” I said and meant it. When I turned, Jax was looking at me with a very strange expression.

“You deserve the world, Selene.” He murmured his finger trailing down my cheek. There was something in his deep gaze that held me transfixed. It was like he was staring deep down into my soul and searching out dark secrets.

The short spell was broken when he smiled, “You will be late to your date.”

I forced out a laugh and kissed his cheek awkwardly before leaving the house.

When I closed the door behind me, I took a sharp breath in.

Jax is gay. I reminded myself.

Jax is gay, and you have a mate whom you love.

Then why have I been having these feelings for him for the past few days?

༺༺♡♡༻༻

“You are late!” Roy snapped the moment I sat my ass down on the chair and I smiled.

“I'm sorry about that. I got caught up in a few things.”

“You got caught up in a few things that were more important than being on time when I clearly asked you to? Do you think I have nothing better to do too?”

“I'm sorry,” I said calmly, “it will not happen again, but I am here now.”

“There are some bad habits I wish you would have discarded a long time ago once we started dating, Selene. I know you really know nothing about what it means to be from a higher social status, but I'm the future Alpha. Everything you do, as my girlfriend reflects on me. Good or bad. The life you live, how you talk.” He took a deep breath and shook his head, “and honestly you haven't been doing a good job.”

Yeah, yeah.

“Forgive me. I promise I'll try to do better from now on.” My smile was still on my face, because I really had zero strengths for another of his temper tantrums, but Roy wasn't done.

“I will be ascending as the alpha, the next full moon.” He announced and I gasped.

“Oh my! Really? Congratulations! I'm so happy for you.”

“It's not a big deal,” he waved his hand in dismissal, “it's my birthright.”

“Of course.”

I was starving. Really starving but I dare not mention food when Roy is talking about something so important. So I ignored my discomfort and focused on listening to him and appearing attentive.

“As the alpha, I will be expected - it's my duty to have a partner, a Luna who's strong. Who understands what it means to be a leader. Someone who is smart and fearless and can contribute to the growth of society besides me.”

I nodded.

Sure that made sense. He has been giving me this orientation since we found out we were mates, and I've been trying so hard actually - to meet up with living up to the standards expected of me.

“I understand perfectly.”

“I know you would. Now this is why - I knew you would understand too when I told you that last night, I got married to the Beta's daughter - Shayla.”

Everything, including me froze and my jaw dropped as I stared at Roy shocked.

Surely I didn't hear him correctly. 

Surely he didn't just say he was married - married to who?

Wait…what?

“I'm sorry, what?” I gasped out, with a frown.

Roy gave me a nonchalant shrug, “you do not have to look so shocked, you know. You are a smart lady, so I expect you to understand. You are not from any good family, you have no status so you do not fit into the picture of an Alpha's wife. I had to get someone more fit.”

The way he was Saying it so casually, like it was nothing. Like he wasn't just ripping out my heart from my chest and shredding it to pieces.

Suddenly the restaurant started spinning around me and my vision turned blurry as I stared at Roy dumbfounded.

“You are married? To another woman?”

“Yup!”

I released a breath but blinked back my tears - trying so hard not to give into the pain I was feeling.

If I did, I'd be so shattered beyond repair. If I do that, I'm going to collapse on the floor sobbing.

I won't.

Nothing made sense yet.

“But what about me Roy?” I asked, my voice still impossibly calm despite the turmoil in me, “I'm your mate. What about me?”

“Ah yes. About that little detail,” before I could bat an eye, Roy reached across the table and grabbed my arm, staring deep into my eyes.

“Under the sky and stars, with the goddess and the universe as my witnesses, I Roy Moondrop reject you, as my fated mate.”