Chapter 78: A Mate’s Anger
Ramona took her seat at the high table beside Lance, her expression composed, almost serene, as though nothing in the world could disturb her calm.
Yet the moment Lance leaned toward her, to kiss her in greeting like he usually did, she shifted ever so slightly to the side.
Her fingers grazed the hem of her gown, tugging at the folds as if fussing over something but the way he stiffened, it was enough for him to know that she had done this knowingly. No one else might guess it. But he would know it was a deliberate refusal.
And when Lance’s gaze lifted to meet hers, steady and searching, she knew he had caught her anger and hurt. She knew it was not convenient to talk right now. After all, there were no ’whispered’ secrets among the werewolves. Their senses were too sharp to not hear something.
His hand reached for hers under the table and even though she wanted to snatch her hand away, she gripped it tightly, letting her nails dig into the back of his hands. He gave no reaction, simply turned his head and continued to talk to the elderly witch who had been invited to look up the most auspicious time for their mating ceremony.
Ramona turned her head and frowned at the two empty seats on the other side of her. Zen and Kael’s place. These places had been empty for three years. She could not help but wonder if Zen would bring that Omega slave with him or not.
On the one hand, she was curious to see her but on the other, she hoped he wouldn’t. If he brought her here and showed off his affection for her, she wasn’t sure she would be able to control her wolf. Already, it was seething and pacing in her head at the thought of her mate being with someone else.
She knew her wolf blamed her for prolonging the Final mating bond and being unable to bond with Kael. To her, all three of them were theirs. But thankfully, her wolf cared enough about her wishes that it did not try to forge a bond forcefully and continued to keep it’s distance from Kael, for her.
Just then, there was a commotion at the door and many heads turned in excitement. Ramona felt herself light up as Zen entered the large room. Finally, he was here. They were going to sit together and eat after so many years. Perfect.
Zen entered with the ease of a man who knew the room belonged to him the moment he stepped inside. Ramona smiled fondly. He’d always been like that, all smiles and jokes. It felt so good to look at him smiling and laughing.
She watched as all the older woman crowded around him as though he were their own long-lost son, touching his arm, smoothing down his sleeve, praising his strength, and marveling over how he had grown even more striking over the years.
Zen bore it all with effortless charm, giving them all their time and attention. It was like this, too. When you were talking to him, you had his complete attention, as if you were the centre of the world. This was Zen-her Zen- loved not just by her but by everyone, the one most deserving to stand by her.
At last, he began to move toward the raised platform. Ramona straightened, smoothing her gown as anticipation thrummed through her.
When he leaned toward her, she instinctively tilted her face, raising her cheek in readiness for the kiss she had craved and missed for three years.
But his lips never touched her.
Instead, there was only the faint warmth of his breath against her skin, gone as swiftly as it came. He drew back at once, his expression unreadable, and lowered himself into the seat beside her.
Ramona blinked, her throat tightening. She forced a tremulous smile, as though nothing had happened, and lifted her hand to gesture toward the maid behind her. "Now that everyone is here, let the feast begin," she said happily but in the next moment, she felt Lance’s hand in hers stiffen. She turned to him in question but before she could ask him what he meant, Zen’s cold voice cut through, "Everyone is not here. Kael is not here yet."
Ramona felt the room go still and stiffened. The maid froze in place, her head still bowed. And Ramona nodded awkwardly," Yes. I just meant to say that she should move to the kitchen to order them to bring everything outside. Kael must be on his way already."
Zen gave her a look that seemed to be mocking her and even Lance shifted slightly, taking his hand away from her. She gulped. Dam* it! How had she ended up making such a mistake?
Ramona forced herself to hold Zen’s gaze for a heartbeat longer before turning away, her throat dry.
Instead, she wondered if he had brought the Omega with him. He’d entered the room alone but what if she was waiting outside, to enter later. Her eyes swept over the room, scanning the crowd with a hint of nervous curiosity. Was she already seated here? But as she scanned the place, no new person stood out. They were the same people of her pack.
She sighed in relief. At least that Omega was not here to add to her humiliation. As long as she knew her place and did not try to overstep her bounds, she would overlook it for the time being. Once they were mated, she’d find a way to break this bond.
But her relief lasted only a breath.
The great doors creaked open again and soon a hush fell over the hall as Kael stepped inside. It was like this. Everyone in the pack respected and looked upto Lance, adored Zen and feared Kael.
His presence alone filled the space with an edge of tension, the kind that made even seasoned warriors straighten in their seats. Added to that, he was known to have some strange hobbies that made everyone wary of him.
But soon, she felt the air change as the fear was almost overshadowed by someone following him...Ramona stiffened.
A woman, her head bowed low, her movements quiet and hesitant, followed in Kael’s shadow.