Two

In my world, the males acknowledged the mating bond first, accepting or rejecting it. Justin didn’t glance my way. His indifference hurt me.

Was I that bad?

I fought against the sting of tears, blinking furiously and pressing my fingertips beneath my eyes to stop the tears from falling.

The idea of anyone seeing me cry filled me with disgust. I could already imagine the gossip spreading like wildfire. Taking a shaky breath, I moved back from the crowd and created distance between myself and the Lycan who had become the source of my pain.

My nails bit into my palms as I fought to steady my emotions. Throughout the festival, I stayed on the sidelines. Nobody noticed or cared. The world moved on without me, as though I didn’t exist.

Except for Brian, my younger brother. He was busy making sure the festival went smoothly. As the future alpha, Brian worked extra hard to prove himself.

At just nineteen, he already had a mate, and they were the picture of perfection. Brian spotted me as he passed by with his mate. He paused and headed to meet me.

“Rissa, are you alright?” he asked, sounding concerned.

“I’m fine,” I replied quickly, though my voice betrayed me with its trembling, mouse-like quality.

He gave me that look that said he didn’t believe me for a second. I couldn’t bring myself to share what was tearing me apart. If I told him, he might storm over to the Lycan and cause a scene.

Unlike our dad, who practically licked the Lycans butts, Brian didn’t hold them in high regard. To him, they were nothing more than arrogant bastards who thought themselves better than us.

“I’ll be right back,” I mumbled, turning away before he could ask more questions. I felt his eyes on me as I headed toward the garden, needing space.

I needed to brace myself for Justin’s rejection. I wasn’t the first female to be rejected, and I wouldn’t be the last. Yet, knowing that didn’t make it any less painful. This was my reward after years of waiting. The Moon Goddess had paired me with someone who didn’t even acknowledge my existence.

My wolf howled within me. Her cries were filled with longing and sadness. She wanted her mate, but what could I do? Humiliate myself further by approaching Justin and announcing that we were fated mates?

Kicking off my ridiculously high heels, I let my feet sink into the grass as I wandered through the garden. The evening air kissed my skin, but it did little to soothe my ache

My heart jumped to my throat as a rich, intoxicating scent of cedar and rain wafted through the air. My mate appeared, moving like someone who belonged on a runway. I thought he was approaching to do the proper thing, but instead, he leaned against the glass wall and lit a cigar. Smoke curled upward as he took a slow drag.

It was odd that despite his silence, I couldn’t look away. It felt like I was under his spell, even as I tried to scold myself. The attraction was magnetic and undeniable.

He looked good—better than good. His broad shoulders filled out his shirt, and it wasn’t hard to imagine women, and possibly men, lining up for a night in his bed.

It struck me—maybe he was gay. Perhaps that’s why he ignored the bond.

Just as that thought flashed through my head, our eyes met.

Holy fuck!

I quickly looked away, pretending to pick a flower. Sweat trickled down my neck, slipping to my nipple and causing an uncomfortable itch.

My wolf begged me to go to him, but I controlled the primal urge to close the distance between us.

That was his job, not mine.

“Are Lycans much to handle for little werewolves like yourself?” he asked, amused.

A sharp response lodged in my throat, but I couldn’t speak or take my gaze off him.

He winked at me. “You’re cute. Unfortunately, I don’t do werewolves, not that there’s anything wrong with your endowed hips,” he said while checking me out.

His gaze shamelessly trailed down my body, causing me to tremble with desire and rage. He chuckled mockingly and took another long drag of his cigar. “No need to be shy. Your thirsty gaze is giving you away.”

I blinked in confusion. His grin revealed a dimple on his left cheek, and his eyes flickered between gold and hazel. It was a mesmerizing combination, no matter how hard I tried to deny it.

He closed the distance between us. I thought he was going to say the words and mark me, but instead, his hand slipped across my waist, and his fingers brushed dangerously low. He dipped his other hand into his pocket and produced a golden card.

My heart thumped in a confused drumbeat at his words.

“Or perhaps I can be generous enough to give you the time of your life. Just one night, though—no strings attached. My family’s at your weakling alpha's house for the night. Meet me outside by eight PM.”

Fury erupted within me, not just because he insulted my family but because he was doing things wrong. Why was he ignoring the bond and acting like it meant nothing? And what did he mean by it being a one-off? Didn’t he know that having sex with me would seal the mate bond?

“Are you intoxicated, or is this just you being stupid?” I asked before I could control myself.

“Playing hard to get, huh? You're not as irresistible as you think. Don’t flatter yourself by assuming I’m that invested."

My mouth fell open in shock as I stood frozen, watching him disappear without a backward glance.