He still wouldn’t look at me. The expression on his face terrified me, just as much as it wounded me. What was wrong with him!?
My lips quivered as I glared at him. He hurt me. Abandoned me. Yet he had the nerves to stand here and act all grumpy!? Oh, really?
It was even more painful that I couldn’t do anything about it. He was the only one with the right to terminate the contract. All I could do was stand her and take all the bullshit he offered.
The Priestess started the process.
I dropped my teary gaze to the floor, praying for the strength not to break down in front of him. But who was I kidding? I was already a weeping mess.
After a long procedure and proclamations, Jaris and I were mated.
She retrieved a jar of ribbon and guided us into knotting it.
“Congratulations, Jaris Dreadmoor and Lyric Dreadmoor. Henceforth, you are both one.”
The very few people in the hall clapped. But even I could notice how sad it was.
Who would’ve thought that this very day that I looked up to would turn out to be the worst day of my life?
******
“You have to say something!” I said in a near-cry as I ran after Jaris who had stormed out of the hall as soon as the Priestess joined us
“You can’t just leave like nothing happened!”
He stopped walking, taking a while longer than necessary to turn to me.
His eyes were so cold, devoid of any warmth or of days. man that had made me blush in the last couple
“Let’s get one thing straight, Lyric Harper,” he started toward me, so intimidating. I stood my ground, forcing myself not to retreat. “I only came here ’cause you’re a necessity. Because I need you for something. But know this-you’re to stay as far away from me as possible. I’ll have nothing to do with you. And hopefully, the year runs quickly so we can put an end to this.”
What? Tears streaked my cheeks.
“How can you say this?” I asked when he turned around. “I thought we were… I thought we were good.” My voice broke at the last word.
I hadn’t felt pain this deep in a long time.
He looked at me again, his eyes not any warmer.
“I should’ve known you were all the same.” He stared down at me in a degrading manner.
What did that mean by that? What in hell did I do?
“Stay away from me.” He added and left, going into his car.
I remained there, sobs wracking my shoulders as I watched the car drive off.
He was gone. He hated me. But what exactly did I do to deserve this?
“Hey, Lyric.” Jace tapped me from behind.
I turned and fell into his arms, letting my tears run free. “I didn’t do anything. I don’t deserve this.” “Sshh. It’s okay. It’s fine.” He cooed, stroking my hair.
MARTA
Marta kept looking around as she met with Zarek a short distance from the temple.
“How can you come here? What if someone sees us?” She asked with a snarl, her eyes darting around.
“Well, that would be your problem, not mine. If you hadn’t ignored my calls earlier, I wouldn’t be here,” Alpha Zarek gritted the words. He was pissed. “What happened? I told you I loved playing fair!”
Marta rolled her eyes. “Well, it was fair, wasn’t it? She willingly followed you to the room.”
“Yet, she kept moaning the name of another! She thought I was Jaris. Can you explain that?”
“Please, I’m really not in the mood for this. You got what you wanted. As for me, I’m the one at a loss here because they still got mated!”
Zarek roughly seized her wrist, making it hurt.
“What’re you doing? Let me go!”
They were in the dark. No one could see them.
“You ruined my plans, you know that? I wanted her to fall for me. That was how I wanted to win the game! When you told me you could help, I thought you had something good up your sleeves. You told me you wouldn’t use any of your grandmother’s…”
“No. I told you I was only going to help you play fair. She willingly kissed you and went along with you. What game can be fairer than that?”
Zarek released her hand, but the rage in his eyes remained.
He felt deceived. The potion was meant to hypnotize and make her see the face of the man she loved. He was a bit surprised that Lyric loved Jaris that much.
“At least, tell me you slept with her. Give me something good to help with this mood,” Marta said with pain in her eyes. “You’re sick if you think I’d sleep with a woman while she’s moaning the name of another.”
“Ugh!” She grunted in frustration. “I hate this! I shouldn’t have helped you if I had known, since you’re so ungrateful.” She stepped toward him, meeting his gaze with defiance. “This should be the last time you contact me. You and I, our business is over. Don’t get me in trouble because, well, you’d be in trouble too.”
She turned on her hell and walked away, fury bubbling within her core.
In the end, she failed Lyric and Jaris still got mated. Her grandmother was going to kill her.
JARIS
I was on my sixth bottle.
It was infuriating because I hated drinking this much. I was always in control of how much alcohol I took into my system, but tonight, I wanted it all.
I stayed in my office for hours, replaying everything in my head. Drinking made me feel slightly better.
Nerion came in to remind me that it was too late and I probably should get some sleep.
Ugh. The good guy. It was in such situations that I missed Kael. He’d have drunk with me, knowing I needed the sensation.
Unfortunately, he was out, executing a task.
But Nerion was right. I was tired and could use some sleep.
I left the office for my room, and right there, on the bed was Marta.
She was wearing a red transparent night dress. I could see the small red bra she had on, and the small red pant. The dress was as good as useless because it was a see-through.
Her hair was stretched and packed to one side, a red color tinting her lips. Right there, she looked like a seductress.
“Fuck, Marta. What did I tell you?” My voice was less critical.
“I’m sorry,” she said in a rather seducing tone as she slowly sat up, her both hands on the bed beside her waist. “I have been waiting for quite a while.”
My head was a little woozy. All I wanted to do was get off this stupid suit and crash into the bed.
Facing my dresser, I took off my jacket and started undoing the buttons of my black shirt.
Marta stood up. “I was worried and wanted to check on you.” She walked toward me, taking slow, enticing steps. “I don’t really know what happened, but I know you’re not someone who acts out without a reason. I need you to know I’m here, and I’m sorry for what happened.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.