Rejected By My Mate, Chosen By Fate
Chapter 114

I sighed as Linda helped me get ready. I really don’t want to go to this party, I don’t know why but I have a pretty bad feeling about it. I won’t let myself be fooled by him, I’m pretty sure that Zephyr has a motive behind this party but I can’t seem to figure out what it is.

Even though I don’t want to, I have no choice but to go and besides, I want to know what Zephyr has planned for me.

She finishes putting my hair in a tight bun and places a tiara on my head.

“Take it off.” I order instantly and she seems stunned for a moment.

“But why your highness? It suits you perfectly, delicately complimenting your beauty and besides, you’re a Princess.” She said with a smile and I wanted to play into her innocent mindset but I couldn’t. She’s ignorant and naive, she has no idea about my past and she certainly doesn’t know how much I want to avoid Zephyr and hide the truth of my current life from him.

“You don’t have the right to question me Linda, I said take it off now.” I replied harshly and she seemed a bit frightened before complying to my order.

“Yes, your highness. I apologise if I offended you.” She said humbly and took off the tiara while I clutched the edge of my dress, in guilt. I really don’t want to sound mean but if I truly wish to protect all that is dear to me, it’s a necessary approach sometimes.

She gives my makeup a few light but finishing touches before helping me stand up. I took a look at myself in the mirror and I wanted to smile at how gorgeous I look but I quickly resisted the temptation. There’s really nothing to be happy about. I had worn a black dress on purpose, I wanted to low-key let Zephyr know that I’m not attending the party willingly, I’m only going because I don’t really have a choice.

I walked over to the bed and stared at Nevaeh a bit, she was sleeping peacefully and it warmed my heart.

Thankfully, the party is taking place in the evening so in order to ensure that nothing goes wrong during the party, I had made sure to put Nevaeh to bed early.

I’m not confident in Linda’s skills, if Emily had been here, I certainly wouldn’t have any worries but as for Linda, not only is she new, she’s also very clumsy as well and for something as crucial as this, I don’t want to allow room for mistakes.

In this regard, even if Linda’s attention on Nevie is divided, I won’t have to worry since my little angel will be asleep.

I only plan to show up at the party for a short while, two hours max and I’ll politely retire back to the room. I’ve endured Zephyr’s tricks up until this moment but after this party, I won’t take any bullshit excuse from him anymore, we’ll have the discussion tomorrow whether he’s willing or not.

I k**s my daughter on the forehead before heading towards the door but before I leave, I give final instructions to Linda.

“Linda please stay with Nevaeh at all times and try not to leave this room till I return.” I order her and she nods continuously. “Yes, your highness.” She replied and I left the room.

It took a few minutes but I finally arrived at the Grand Hall where the party was taking place and it already seemed to be in full swing. I’m fashionably late but I honestly don’t care, it’s not like I’m excited to be here.

The place is full of people but not much is going on yet. A small band plays soft music in the corner of the room, all the Pack members are well dressed and are conversing with each other, some are eating or drinking and the Alpha is surprisingly nowhere to be found.

At this point, I have to convince myself not to be shocked by whatever Zephyr does anymore.

Since he’s not here to acknowledge my presence then I don’t see any reason why I should stay here. I’d rather just return to my room and get some rest. At least it’s not my fault anymore, what am I supposed to do in a party in which the host is missing?

I turn around and head back towards the way I had come. I had barely taken two steps away from the Great Hall when I nearly fell down, courtesy of the heels I was wearing. Thankfully, I had held on to the wall in good time or I might have sprained my ankle. I g*****d internally as I tried to stand straight. I’m not used to wearing five inch stilettos, I’m more of a flats type of girl but Linda had practically pressured me into wearing them since they matched my dress.

Thank goodness I won’t have to wear these anymore or else I might have embarrassed myself at the party.

I stand properly and instead decide to concentrate on my feet so I won’t miss my step and fall but that turned out to be a mistake in the short run.

Barely two minutes later, I bumped into someone and quickly closed my eyes, bracing myself for the fall and the pain that would erupt immediately after but instead of meeting with the hard floor, big hands wrapped around my small waist and stopped my fall before easily bringing my body to press against theirs.

I kept my eyes closed and my cheeks heated up from a mixture of fear and embarrassment.

I feel a hand come to my ear, pushing back a stray lock of hair and soon after, a soft breeze brushes past my ear, causing the hairs behind my neck to rise on their own as his deep and somewhat sensual voice filters into my ear, his hands still securely wrapping around me.

“You’re safe with me now, I won’t ever let you fall again.” The words instead of comforting me, only brought shivers down my spine because of who was saying it.

“You look very beautiful tonight, Evelyn.” He continued, still whispering.

Despite the fact that I know this voice all too well, it still takes a minute for my brain to register, my body stiff on the spot.

“Act, Evelyn. Act.” Tara screams at me and I quickly recover from my stupefied state, my heart starting to beat rapidly again. I quickly detach myself from him, pushing him away from me. I soon came face to face with Zephyr. He’s very nicely dressed and he gives me his biggest smile which I quickly return with a frown.

“What is the meaning of this, Alpha? I must admit I expected better from you. Don’t you know that you should always respect a woman’s personal space or is this just a bad habit that you learnt over the years.” I asked tactfully, my words carefully selected to display my angst.

“But I just saved you.” He defended. “I didn’t ask you to save me, Alpha, you did that on your own and even so, that shouldn’t be an excuse for you to misbehave with me.” I fired back at him.

“You know what I really like about you? It’s the fact that you never relent and you just don’t give up. Why don’t we put this act aside and discuss this as adults, shall we? ” He requested and I felt the urge to laugh long and hard. If only he knew how much restraint I’m exercising.

“I don’t think we have anything aside from work to talk about Alpha.” I stubbornly kept up my formal behavior.

“Oh we do have a lot to talk about and you’ve been running away from this discussion ever since you arrived but no more. As regards respecting your personal space, I would but unfortunately I can’t, it’s difficult to resist my mate, especially when she’s looking this gorgeous.” Zephyr said and his words sounded like needles to my ear.

I practically lost my cool when he shamelessly called me his mate.

“How dare you?” I questioned under my breath.

“How dare you call me your mate? I’m not your mate, you fool. You rejected me four years ago after mercilessly assaulting me and though it was extremely difficult to forget about it, I moved on. I’m pretty sure you did as well, you’ve always been such an offish person. You never cared about me in the past so I wonder what’s changed now.” I fought back with a confident front but deep down, I was trying my best not to break down.

No matter how hard I try, this is the only topic that makes me unable to control my emotions and that’s why I hate discussing it but if there’s anything Zephyr seems to enjoy, it’s opening old wounds.

Why can’t he just behave civilly with me and let me do my work here so I can quickly return to the Kizmet Pack?

Zephyr sighed before speaking. “I know that there’s no excuse for what I did in the past but I sincerely feel guilty for it and I would like to atone.” He said and I clamped my hands into fists.

“Do you think this is a joke?” I questioned tautly, trying to hold back a tear that was threatening to fall.

He seemed confused for a bit but I didn’t let him reply before continuing.

“My life is not a game and I won’t let you toy with my emotions. What you did to me is utterly unforgivable because although the physical injuries have healed a long time ago, the trauma was so severe that it almost ended me but when you and everyone else asked for forgiveness, I decided to forgive you all. Isn’t that enough? What more do you want for me? Why can’t you just leave me alone? You’ve ruined my life in the past, I almost died both physically and emotionally because of you but I survived and now you suddenly want to return to my life, but why?

Is it because you didn’t succeed in destroying me the first time so you wish to continue from where you left off?” I asked and he shook his head continuously.

“No, that’s not it.” He denied but I had no reason to believe him and I wasn’t going to even if there was.

“The truth is finally out. You’ve finally found out that I’m innocent and that I didn’t kill your father so what more do you want from me? Why won’t you just leave me alone? What are you punishing me for this time?” I questioned, unable to hold back anymore, tears were beginning to fall down my cheeks even against my own will.

“You’re misunderstanding me, I really don’t…..” He began but was interrupted by someone.

“Alpha, there you are. Please come with me to the party, everyone’s waiting.” The lady said and I saw disappointment flash through Zephyr’s eyes before he stormed into the party. I’ve told myself never to fall for any word that comes out of his mouth.

I turn my back once more, finally ready to leave when the same lady stops me.

“And where do you think you’re going, Miss Evelyn? You’re our special guest and you certainly can’t miss the party. I apologise for Alpha Zephyr’s belated arrival. I’m sure he must have been caught up with important work, please come with me.” She requested and I had no choice but to follow her back into the party.

Aargh!!!

So much for escaping.

As I got back into the Hall, I just went straight to a corner while the Alpha took center stage to open the party. As he went on with his boring speech, much of which I purposely zoned out on, my parents approached me.

They complimented my looks and thanked me for agreeing to attend the party. Well, it’s not like I was even given a choice.

They told me that tolerating Zephyr’s whims for the meantime would be essential so I could get my work done without anyone ever finding out a thing about Nevaeh. Their words encouraged me a bit and helped to lighten my mood.

I told them that I was willing to exercise as much patience with Zephyr as possible, so that I would get what I want.

They encouraged me and left while I stood there, still feeling mildly uncomfortable.

No matter how much I try to convince myself that I don’t hate Zephyr, I still can’t feel at ease when I’m near or around him, especially when he’s close to me and believe me, it’s not the good kind of tension.

His touch feels like a searing fire brandishing me every single time, reminding me of the terrible past which I long to forget and if only he knew this, I’m sure he would keep his distance.

Besides, I’m a mated She-wolf and I’m even pregnant with my mate’s child but unfortunately, I can’t tell him that, because he is clearly unstable. I don’t want him to create chaos in my life.

Zephyr’s finally done with his speech and the party is in full swing. I suddenly feel very hungry and I can feel the movements in my stomach.

“Sometimes I wish you had been the wolf and I, the girl. You clearly don’t know how to take care of yourself and our baby. Do I have to tell you this, every time? I understand what you’re going through right now, handling human emotions can be tough especially in your sort of situation but I really don’t think that’s enough reason to starve our child.” Tara scolded and I twirled a loose curl nervously.

I had been so upset about attending this party that I had forgotten to eat anything this afternoon. Well, thankfully it is a party so there’s food.

I head towards the buffet table which is luckily not too far from where I stood. Upon arriving there, I was immediately enthralled by the mouthwatering light food and snacks that filled the table. I sigh and look around, feeling a bit embarrassed. No one is watching me, everyone is just having a good time but I still feel nervous because this is usually not my style.

I just take a plate and quickly serve myself. I only take a little food before going to take a seat not too far from the table. I start eating the food and I’m pleasantly delighted at how delicious it turned out. Eating really helped to calm me a bit but little did I know that my anxiety wasn’t actually stemming from the fact that Zephyr is in the party, it was a forewarning for the terrible thing that was going to happen next.

Something I would never have expected.