Chapter 3~ Way Past Leaving

He could feel it too. A deep emotion lingered in his eyes and it was obvious that he felt the connection too. 

My heart was beating so fast, and not because I was scared or anything, but because I was literally in the presence of my mate. I felt so happy but equally sad. 

Rejection was inevitable, I already knew that. I was already preparing myself mentally for the rejection. Because there was no way that the Alpha was going to leave his wife for me. He barely knew me and I was a nobody. 

I was wearing a weary dress that was far from flattering and my face was covered with acne that I had tried to get rid of for a long time but failed. 

It felt like my insides were on fire. It was a strange yet very pleasant feeling. I felt the urge to get closer to him but I held myself back. What trick was the Moon goddess playing on us? There was no way that this could work!

The Alpha flashed me a dashing smile that caused my heart to flutter. It was like it was only he and I in the crowd of people. This was my first time being in the presence of someone so important. 

I was nervous but also felt so safe and comforted at the same time. He reached his hand out and I shyly responded and shook his manly hand. His grip was firm yet careful. 

The Beta next to him must have noticed the connection. He had a smirk on his face that he was trying to hide but failed to do so. He glanced up at the terrace at the Luna and confirmed that she was still speaking to the crowd. 

He then looked back at us and said, “Um, sir. I think I should get you two in the mansion. How about that?” His voice was a bit heavy. 

The Alpha broke eye contact with me and I whined internally. He looked at his Beta and nodded. “Yeah, I think that would be great, Rafe.” He looked back at me and broke the handshake. “Would it be okay if you come with me into the mansion?” 

I breathed out a shaky sigh and nodded. “Yeah, yeah, sure.” I smiled and followed the Alpha and his Beta into the huge mansion. I could not believe that this was happening. 

First of all, what the hell?! The Alpha of the pack was literally my mate! This was a dream come true! It felt like I was in a fairy tale or a novel!

Secondly, I was going into the royal mansion for the first time in my life! It all felt so surreal! But the most weirded-out and mind-boggling thing was that my supposed mate already had a wife that he had marked as his own. 

When we were in the mansion, the Beta led us to one of the living rooms and we sat down while he stood and kept watch. 

After a couple of seconds of the Alpha and I staring at each other and basking in the mate bond, he finally spoke. “Who are you, and where are you from?” 

I cleared my throat quietly and replied, “My name is Iris Fairchild, my lord. And I’m from here. I’m from this pack.” 

“Hmm.” He nodded slowly as he continued to run his eyes over me. “You have a lovely name. Who are your parents?” 

My heart dropped a bit at the mention of my parents. “Uh…I live with the preacher. My parents left me at his doorstep when I was a baby,” I explained. I broke eye contact with him and stared at my fingers as I played with them gently. 

“Look at me when I’m speaking with you, Iris,” He said in a soft tone, and I did as he asked. I was met with a comforting smile. “Are you talking about the preacher that lost his family and is now a drunkard?” 

I nodded. “Well…he’s kind of the only preacher in the pack so I think everyone should know him. And yeah, his family left him; because of me.” I scoffed very faintly as a wave of sadness hit me. 

The Alpha chuckled wearily. “Preacher John is well known. And I knew he had taken in a child but I did not know that that child was now all grown up and beautiful as ever.” His words were like honey. 

I immediately blushed. I could feel the heat on my cheeks rise up. “I, um…thank you, sir.” 

“Don’t call me sir. You know my name, yes? I’m Alpha Dell. But call me Dell, please.” The smile on his lips was dangerous. 

I kept holding myself back emotionally and tried to silence the mate bond between us but who was I to do that? I just wanted him to get over it; for him to reject me once and for all so I could get back out there and maybe have a chance of finding another mate. 

There was no way that he was not going to reject me, he was married!

“Okay, Dell.” Saying his name raw like that felt strange to me but I liked the way his name rolled off my tongue. I wish I could say it every minute of the day. It was clear as day that the mate bond was there, it was stronger than a bolt of lightning. 

“Sir, you need to hurry. You would soon be called up on stage to speak with the Luna. We have exactly one minute.” He glanced at me and then back at his Alpha. “You can reject her in a single sentence as a way to try to sever the mate bond, and later, I could find out where she lives for you.” 

What did he mean by finding out where I live after then? I may have been attracted to Alpha Dell and really admired him but there was no way that I was going to be a side piece for him! I had way too much respect for myself. 

“Who said anything about rejecting her?” Alpha Dell chuckled. He was awfully calm despite the fact that his wife was right outside, and he was expected to be at her side in a few minutes. 

The Beta chuckled nervously. “Sir…I don’t mean any disrespect but I’m not dumb. I know when two people have a mate bond. And as confusing and impossible as it seems because you already have a Luna, you two are mates,” He explained clearly. 

“So…you either reject her or you’re going to be in a heap of trouble. No werewolf can have two mates,” He continued. 

He did make sense. But from the stubborn look on Alpha Dell’s face, I could tell that he was not having it. 

“I, um, I think I should leave…” There was a nervous shaking in my voice as I stood to my feet. 

The Alpha stood up. “No, you’re not going anywhere.” He then turned to his Beta. “And Rafe, you have known me way too long to think that I would let rules get in the way of something or someone I want.” 

Did he…did he just say that he wanted me? My heart was dancing to the salsa and my emotions were all over the place. 

The Beta seemed stressed. He ran his hand through his hair. “Fine, but you have to get out there with your wife right now.” His voice was firm. 

The Alpha shrugged. “Sure, but make sure Iris stays here. In fact, you’re not allowed to leave her side until I get back.” 

“I think I really need to leave,” I said again but I was completely ignored. 

“Dell, come on, man. You are steering yourself into some dangerous crap.” The Beta folded his arms on his chest. “You know Rose, she would have a fit if she gets a whiff of any of this.” 

The Luna's name was Rose. We actually studied that in school during the first semester. We learned about the history of the pack and that meant different names and dates. 

“I’m not afraid of Rose. Stay with Iris and make her feel as comfortable as ever.” Alpha Dell said, and then began to walk away. He headed upstairs and I was sure that he was headed for the terrace.

“So can I leave now?” I asked tentatively as I played with my fingers nervously. 

The Beta closed his eyes for a few seconds and when he finally opened them, he exhaled deeply. “I think you better sit down, you’re way past the point of leaving right now, darling.”