Chapter 6

Jesse

I didn’t know what had gotten into me but the moment I saw her beautiful smile, my feet grew a mind of their own. I just found myself walking towards her, throwing all my inhibitions in the process. I thought it was all on me until I felt Vigo’s presence. I realized that we both wanted to do this, making me a bit braver in doing so. 

I pulled my mate’s waist and tilted her chin up. The next thing I knew, my lips were pressed into hers. I had tasted multiple lips before but nothing compared to hers. It was sweet and addicting, something that I would never stop craving for the rest of my life. It was nothing like I imagined, only a thousand times better. 

I knew everyone’s eyes were on us at that point but I simply didn’t care. As I let go of her lips and stared at those beautiful orbs, I whispered, “Mine. All mine.”

The world seemed to come to an abrupt halt, time freezing in its tracks. My heart pounded in my chest, the suspense thick in the air. A few seconds passed, and just as my mate was about to utter something, a small cough escaped my mother's lips, piercing through the tense silence, and demanding our attention.

"Ahem. I believe it's time for all of us to gather in the kitchen and share a meal. There's certainly much to discuss," my mother declared, her words carrying a hidden meaning that caused a surge of warmth to rise to my cheeks. I knew exactly what she was implying.

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and regret, I instinctively reached up and tenderly caressed the back of my head, my voice barely a whisper as I confessed, "I'm sorry, I got carried away."

A soft chuckle escaped my mother's lips upon hearing my admission. "Oh, you certainly did," she replied, amusement lacing her voice.

Meanwhile, the rest of her family remained eerily silent, their expressions unreadable. The absence of formalities only served to intensify my growing anxiety. It was difficult for me to discern their true thoughts and feelings about the situation. Thankfully, my mother, a beacon of guidance, was present to steer us in the right direction. The truth was, I felt completely disconnected from myself at that moment as if I had transcended my usual state of being.

As we sat down to eat, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. My mother took it upon herself to introduce me to everyone and bring up the events of that fateful gala night, recounting the moment when I stumbled upon my destined mate and engaged in a conversation with her brother about orchestrating this gathering. And then, I heard her name again—Caroline, or Carrie as some called her.

Such a beautiful name!

The room fell into a hushed silence as everyone listened intently to her captivating words. But my attention was solely fixated on her as if nothing else mattered. Her perceptive father took notice.

Suddenly, he turned to me, his eyes filled with curiosity and concern. His question hit me like a ton of bricks, catching me completely off guard. "Do you accept my daughter as your chosen mate?"

“Dad!” Carrie quickly objected, her discomfort evident on her face. I didn't want her to feel any less important, so I answered with utmost conviction. "Sir, I adore your daughter. The moment I laid eyes on her at that party, she stole my heart with her grace and beauty. She's everything I've ever dreamed of and even better than my wildest expectations."

The room held its breath, waiting for her father's response. I met his gaze with unwavering determination.

"I would do anything to protect her and make her happy," I declared passionately. "She's not just my chosen mate, but I also want to make her the Luna of my pack. I promise to love and cherish her for eternity."

My words hung in the air, heavy with significance. They were a testament to the depth of my commitment. Now, I anxiously awaited her father's verdict, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension, as our future hung in the balance.

The tension in the room reached its peak as her father's piercing gaze shifted to her. His voice carried a sense of expectation, his words hanging in the air, pregnant with anticipation. "And what about you, Carrie? Are you willing to give this pairing a shot? Do you want to see where it goes?"

My heart skipped a beat as I watched her, searching for a glimmer of assurance. With a shaky hand, she reached for a glass of water, seeking solace in its contents. Her response, lacking the enthusiasm I had hoped for, came out cautiously. "Y-Yes, Dad. I'm willing to give it a try."

Try. That single word echoed in my mind, stirring a whirlwind of uncertainty within me. Should I find comfort in her willingness to give us a chance, or should I be concerned by the hint of doubt in her voice? We were destined to be mates, bound by the threads of fate, yet her hesitation pierced through me. It hurt. It hurt so much.

I couldn't help but notice Carrie's reaction as we stood there. She didn't say a word, and suddenly everything clicked. The excitement I felt being around her wasn't reflected in her vibe. She seemed distant, and it baffled me. Wasn't she happy that we finally got together? Why didn't she share the same level of joy as me?

Confusion and frustration flooded my mind. I just couldn't wrap my head around what was going on.

My mom, picking up on the heavy atmosphere, decided to break the ice. "Well, maybe it's time you two had some alone time to get acquainted," she suggested. She signaled for Carrie's dad and brothers to step out, and the maids quietly made their exit, leaving us alone in the room. Carrie played along, going with the flow, but I could tell something was bothering her beneath the surface.

As the door shut behind us, trapping us in that private room, I felt myself wrestling with the mounting uncertainty that was starting to take over.

Finally, I mustered up the courage to speak my mind. "Can I ask you something?" I ventured.

Carrie lifted her head, her brow creased in curiosity. "Hmm?"

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I was about to say. "Aren't you happy to be here?"

Her response was shy, almost hesitant. "It's not like that," she answered, her gaze lowered.

Confusion gnawed at me, and I couldn't hold back my question any longer. "Then what's wrong? Why does it seem like you're drifting off and not interested in any of this?"

This time, it was her turn to take a deep breath. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Of course," I replied firmly.

"The truth?"

"I want the whole truth," I insisted.

"Okay," she said, gathering her courage. "I wasn't expecting to meet my mate."

"Neither was I, but fate had other plans," I interjected.

"No, let me explain. I'm just not interested in finding my mate."

I was taken aback by her honesty. "I'm sorry?" I stammered, trying to process her words.

"I mean, I'm not interested in finding my mate because, well..." She paused, lifting her head to meet my eyes, and dropped a bombshell that shattered my world. "I'm in love with another man."