Chapter 01

“Crap,” I groaned when the sound of my phone ringing breached through my sleep. I rubbed my eyes frowning and mentally preparing the series of curses I would give whoever it was that interrupted my short sleep.

I have stayed up all night studying for a test, falling asleep sometime around 4:00 am.

I glared at the alarm clock beside my bed. It read 5:05am. Apparently, the universe just didn't want me asleep.

I picked up my phone, and my anger dissipated a bit when I saw the caller ID.

“Hello, you bitch!” I cringed as Kiera’s loud voice pierced through the speakers.

“The hell? Are you high Kiera? That had better be the reason you're waking me up this early and screaming my ears off.”

She responded with a throaty laugh and I frowned. Yup, definitely high on something.

“I was expecting more enthusiasm from you, girl.”

“Sorry for the disappointment. My enthusiasm is always out of reach when my sleep is disturbed barely one hour in.” I said, with a fond smile.

I could never get myself to be mad at Kiera. She was my soul sister and if she was calling, it had to be for a hot gist, or something more.

If the gist was hot enough, then I suppose her interruption would be forgiven.

“Well well, I do not know what has got your panties all up in a twist. Today of all days.”

My response was a frown.

What did she mean ‘today of all days’?

What was happening today-

“Oh my God!” I yelled, “Oh my God, oh my God, I cannot believe I forgot.”

A snicker followed my exclamation. “I knew you did, bitch. That is why you have me in your life. Moments like these. I am the second half of your brain.”

I laughed, sitting up straight. The frustration I had felt was getting rapidly replaced with excitement. “Sure sure sure.”

“So, how are you preparing for the day?” She asked and we shrieked together, giggling like a bunch of crackheads.

Today was the day. Today was THE fucking day. I had waited for six whole months. My body shook with excitement.

“How do you think he is going to pop the question? Reed has always been a tad dramatic.” Kiera asked, and I grinned.

“However he pops it, whatever he does, you know what my response is going to be, Kiera.”

“Ugh, you love smitten idiot.”

I hugged my pillow against my chest with my left hand, resisting the urge to not shriek once again.

Reed was my boyfriend - well not exactly a boyfriend per se but that was going to change after today though.

We were childhood friends, joined at the hip since we were five and ever since I was old enough to recognize what love was, I had been in love with him.

And then the moon goddess made it all better. Two years ago, I found out he was my mate. Definitely the universe and the moon working in my favour - again.

Ever since we discovered our mate bond, our relationship had taken a very beautiful turn and we became more than just best friends. But we remained unlabelled and while I didn't want to be that girl who cared about labels a lot- I was that girl.

I love being able to call things out as they are without being confused. Was he my boyfriend? My fiance? I wanted a label so bad.

So a few weeks back, we overheard him telling one of his friends that he was going to officially ask me out when they won the game against the dragon claws and they had won!

“Picked a dress for the after-party?”

“Not yet,”

“Are you kidding? I'm coming over. You need to look as ping as humanly possible. I know how important this is, for you.”

Kiera was right. This is definitely very important to me.

I blushed, still smiling, “It is really not that big a deal you know,” I lied through my teeth, “this is just to attach an official label to things, to our relationship. In our hearts we know what our relationship is.”

“Go narrate that bullshit to someone who doesn’t know you as do, Nina Frost.”

I laughed, shutting my eyes blissfully, “I cannot believe it is going to happen.”

Kiera sniffed. “Just be careful, yeah? Don’t get too excited so you won't get disappointed, love.”

“Disappointed?” I scoffed. “How could that possibly happen? What could possibly go wrong today?”

But I really should not have challenged the universe.

Twelve hours later, I stood, -frozen to my feet- in front of Reed’s room, totally dumbfounded and void of emotion.

Void? No, void was the wrong word.

I had millions of emotions swirling through my head as I stared, horrified at the sight before me.

I had decided to get to Reed’s place early, to spend some time with him before the after party.

But nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

“Ni…Nina!” Reed stuttered rushing out of the bed with the blanket around his waist.

Reed, my mate, the guy i had grown to adore and worship was in bed, cheating on me - not just cheating but being fucked by a guy i recognised as their quarter back.

He was totally bent over being ploughed by another man.

Oh dear goddess.

I staggered back as the image flashed through my mind again, clutching my stomach as a wave of nausea hit me.

“Nina, this is not what it seems…” He stammered, at least having the good sense to stand as far from me as possible.

Not what it seems?

Is he going to stand there looking all stupid and call me blind?

“Of course it isnt,” I replied when i finally fund the right words to say, “Of course it isnt what it seems like because i am very sure that i did not just see you being fucked by Andy over there. I am sure my eyes were just deceiving me. Maybe it was the light.”

He hung his head shamefully, and twisted his fingers together.

I looked at the bed where Andy was laying, his eyes darting around the room carefully avoiding my gaze.

The bastard. I knew his girlfriend too. Was she aware that he loves dipping his dick in men’s ass?

In my mate’s ass.

This has to be some sick joke.

My knees weakened, and I sat down immediately on a nearby chair to avoid collapsing.

“So why don't you tell me exactly what it was, Reed? So we can compare with what i saw and maybe decipher what the fuck is going on here.”

Reed’s eyes darted to me then down to the floor. Those blue eyes that I loved so much.

I had been head over heels for a man who loves having dick in his ass. My stomach violently churned again, and I clutched it tightly.

“You better keep talking you fucking bastard!” I yelled.

“You do not have to yell at him, Nina. You do not need to be so dramatic.”

I can't even. I turned my gaze to Andy who was now sitting down and not avoiding my gaze anymore.

“Excuse me?” Because he definitely was not talking to me. No way did he just open his stinking mouth to interfere.

My fists clenched tightfully, as he shrugged, looking unconcerned.

“I said you do not have to be so dramatic and I mean it. Reed and I love each other, we have been in love for years now even before the whole mate thing between you two.”

I was reeling. The ceiling seemed to be spinning right above and I tightened my fist trying to steady myself.

He was lying, he had to be lying.

“I do not believe you.” I whispered.

“You can hear from him. Come on baby, tell her. You do not have to be ashamed of anything, alright? I’m right here with you.”

The waves of shock just kept hitting me over and over again.

Baby?

Baby?!

“He is right, Nina.” Reed murmured, “Andy and I…I love him. I have always loved him.”

“You told me you loved me. Every night, every day. For two years, you whisper those very words to me.”

When he matched my gaze he looked so guilty. That only fueled my anger. He did not get to be guilty. To look sad like a kicked puppy! Not at all.

“Yes, and I do love you Nina but as a friend.”

“You knew that wasn't what I thought so do not

make that excuse! You made a fool out of me and my feelings for you. You deceived me!” I screamed and took a deep breath before whispering, “Why?”

Might as well listen to any reason behind this even though all I wanted to do was rush over there and gauge his eyes out with my claws.

“Andy explained that it would be a good opportunity and I,” He looked at Andy who nodded before he continued. “I agreed. No one knows about this, about us and I was not ready to come out to the public. When I found out we were mated I figured it would be a good idea to make use of that so no one would pay attention to…” He trailed off.

My shoulders drooped and I blinked rapidly trying to hold back my tears. “Are you really standing here, shamelessly admitting that you used me to hide your relationship, Reed?”

“I am sorry. I didn't want to hurt you.”

“Of course not. But as usual you only thought about yourself and what was good for you. To hell with other people’s feelings.” I retorted angrily.

He said nothing and I stood up, almost falling because of my weak knees.

“I really thought…that you were going to ask me to be your girlfriend tonight.” I whispered and blinked hard when I felt tears blurring my sight.

No way was I going to let myself down by crying.

Reed did not respond to my words, instead he looked away all flustered and I laughed when realisation hit.

“Of course you were going to. It is still going to be a perfect charade. I am going to be your perfect public girlfriend while you go around messing around with your stupid lover.”

“Hey!!”

“Speak, just one more time Andy…just say one more word and I am going to tear your balls out and feed it to you. Or maybe to Reed since he seems to like them so fucking much! Just say one more word.”

Luckily for him he didn't.

Perhaps because he could see just how angry I was.

I'd had enough of this bullshit. I snatched my purse from the table, my blood simmering as I marched towards the door.

I turned around and faced them, curling my lip in disgust.

“Go find someone else to play cover girl for you. And I cannot believe that you actually kissed me with Andy’s dick on your lips.”