Geez! We were in public. I needed to be more composed.
“Thank you for the vivid description of how long I’ll be stuck with the monster.” I rolled my eyes.
“Monster? He doesn’t look like a monster, Ly. He’s the complete opposite.”
I rolled my eyes again, refusing to dignify that with words.
We were soon interrupted by the presence of Kael. Geez, I preferred dealing with Nerion.
Kael was always grumpy and short tempered, while Nerion was the gentle one. I wasn’t surprised Jaris picked Karl as his beta. The two were a perfect match made in H
“Ms. Harper.” He kept his gaze solely on me, not even yancing at Jace. a public event, and as you must know, people tend to make news out of things like this. It might get out bad when they u advise you keep your distance from men. This is discover you had been engaged to Jaris the whole time.”
Woah. Just when I thought I’d seen the worst id it.
But what men have I been with exactly?
“Are these Alpha Jaris’ words or yours?” Jace asked with a grimace.
Kael finally looked at him, but his eyes were icy. ‘Doesn’t matter to you. What matters is they weren’t referred to you” “Well, sadly, I’m not wearing a skirt and a wig. So please, don’t tell me the men she’s meant to stay away from is me Kael shrugged. “If you think yourself a man, why not.”
Jace huffed. “I am more of a man than you can ever be, brute.”
“Really? You didn’t fight like one at the restaurant the other day. Or maybe it’s because I’m just a lot stronger. I hardly noticed whatever skills you’ve been honing for years.”
This seemed to get to Jace more. The mirth vanished from his eyes as he stepped up to Kael
Oh, please. I couldn’t deal with this again. Not anymore.
“Jace…” I tried to hold him, but he wrenched his hand free.
“Are you sure about that?” He was staring Kael right in the eye. “If I remember correctly, you left with some really bad bruises. Unless you want to pin it on a Halloween costume.”
“Like you said, “if you remember correctly. I guess now we know you also have memory problems.”
“Guys, please stop.” I stepped in their middle.
It was a good thing they hadn’t drawn any attention yet.
I turned to Jace. “Jace, it is the King’s funeral. Trust me, the last thing your father wants is you getting your knuckles bloody here.”
I turned to Kael next. “I heard you, and for the sake of peace, I’ll avoid every man here at the party. Thank you. Now, can you go? Please.”
I desperately prayed in my heart that Jace wouldn’t utter another word.
Thankfully, Kael left, but not without giving Jace a threatening glare.
“I honestly don’t know how long I can put up with this,” I said to Jace with frustration.
If I had known Jaris would be this controlling, I never would’ve left Draconis to listen to what father had to say.
Jace had gone back to drinking, but I could tell he was really pissed.
“I need some air, I muttered and left the hall.
But as soon as I stepped outside, I regretted my decision.
LYRIC
Seriously, I can’t deal with this right now.
I turned around to leave, but as expected, he was faster and rushed to stand in my way.
“Please, I can’t do this. I’m not doing this with you,” I said with irritation while avoiding his gaze.
“Really?” He scoffed. “Don’t you think that’s a little harsh for someone you’re still bonded to?”
I gave him a fierce, cutting stare. “I am not bonded to you! Every connection we had ended the moment you rejected me as your mate, Roderick.”
“Is that so? I doubt the ribbon at the temple would agree, though.”
He stepped back, as if to properly admire me. “Well, you look stunning, Lyric. I promise, if I had seen this part of you five years ago, I’d have treated you better.”
I crossed my arms, hating that he had the privilege to even look at me right now.
“My father has been trying to reach you. You’ve been ignoring both of us, Roderick, and you know it’s important.”
“Yeah, I know. And I’m so sorry. But don’t worry, Lyric, I’m ready to meet your father. He and I need to talk about our remating ceremony.”
“Sorry, our what?” My face crumpled like I’d just tasted lime. “I’ve told you; you’re more than delusional if you think I’d ever get back with you. Even if you were the last male on earth, I’d rather remain single till the end of my life.”
“Hm. Speaking about being single…” he tsked. “You wouldn’t happen to slept with anyone while you were away, right?” My chest swelled with the emotions threatening to consume me. Memories of the nights he would come home with different women and make out with them in our matrimonial bed haunted me. He had been a true monster! He despised me so much he wouldn’t even touch me for once.
In that little moment, I was tempted to tell him I had given my virginity to someone else on the very day he broke up with me. How lovely his reaction would be.
“Fuck you, Roderick.” I turned to leave, but his hand grabbed mine.
“Let me go!” I struggled with him, then suddenly, I felt a new presence. A familiar one.
“Is there something going on here?”
My heart skipped a beat as I turned to find Jaris watching us, a glass of wine in his hand.
Oh, no. No. Roderick and Jaris shouldn’t be in the same sentence.
“Alpha Jaris,” Roderick called with a small smile, releasing my hand. “Please, go back to the party. There’s nothing here you should bother yourself with.”
Jaris’ face remained impassive. “Are you sure? Because you seem to be troubling something that’s of importance to me.” Something? Hold on, was he referring to me as a tool?
Roderick seemed surprised. His gaze slid between Jaris and 1.
“Do you… know her?” He asked.
“I more than know her. Actually, we’re getting mated in a few days. So, I ask again, Roderick, is there something going on here?”
I watched Roderick’s jaw drop, and my stomach did the same.
No. Roderick couldn’t tell him we were still bonded. That would totally ruin things for me.
“Are you being serious?” He huffed. “You… and Lyric are getting bonded?”
I turned quickly to face Roderick, turning my back on Jaris as I whispered. “Please, we’ll finish this conversation some other time. For now, could you just leave?”
“What’s going on?” Jaris demanded, coming closer.
Oh, no.
Roderick looked speechless. But above all, het
“Please,” I mouthed to him.
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.