Chapter 4: First Unpleasant Meeting

When we arrived at the main palace, there were many people there waiting as well.

They are the members of the pack. However, I didn't see the Alpha around. 

Meanwhile, some maidservants were pouring these people tea on their teacups.

The pack members greeted Ericka enthusiastically like she was already the lady of the house. And Ericka greeted back cordially but her composure remained elegant. 

I saw Tanya as well and she stood up to greet Ericka. Then they indulged in conversation while I just stood there like a statue doing nothing like the other maidservants.

My ears perked up when they mentioned the future Alpha, Robin. So I listen carefully. 

"I heard Young Master Robin received an award this year!"

"Yes! He is a genius!"

"Our future Alpha is great!"

"Of course, he is our pack's treasure!"

Hearing their praises aloud, I couldn't help but wonder if what they said was true. For some reason, I am looking forward to meeting the great future Alpha.

The pack members continued talking about Robin and Rowan while also comparing the two.

Suddenly, I felt eyes on me and when I looked on the side, Tanya girl was eyeing me with furrowed brows. I returned her intense gaze and our eyes met.

Tanya's lips curved into a smile and raised an eyebrow. 

What's her deal? 

Hah!

I remained motionless and expressionless. 

She snorted and turned her attention to the others. 

A few minutes later, I heard vehicles entering the territory. And soon arrived at the entrance of the palace. 

All the pack members walked towards the entrance to receive their future Alpha. And all the maidservants followed excitedly like they were about to meet their idols. 

I was about to go over as well when a strong scent assaulted my nostrils and my heart pounded. 

I stood rooted to the floor while clutching my chest at the sudden reaction. 

What's happening to me all of a sudden? 

And the intoxicating scent... who does it belong to? 

A voice suddenly echoed in my head. 'Arielle! It's our mate! We are finally going to meet our mate!' Elle said with excitement. 

My eyes widened slightly in surprise. This is unexpected. 

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the commotion at the entrance where I sensed a strong aura. 

My curiosity about finding who my mate was made me subconsciously follow the others. 

When I arrived, it was just in time when a figure got out of the car. 

My heart pounded so fast like a drum and time felt like moving so slowly. 

The figure tilted his head, and his scrutinizing gaze met mine. 

The scent became so strong that I subconsciously walked in his direction. 

Elle's voice in my head brought me back to my stupor, and I froze completely. 

'Mate! Mate!' 

I don't know how to react. What should you do if you meet your soulmate suddenly? 

What to do?! 

Should I go over and say, 'Hey, mate?' 

It sounds cliche, and I felt reluctant to call out with so many people around. 

However, why do I have a feeling that I wasn't welcome at all? 

He looks so cold and domineering. And he looked unhappy... or rather he was disappointed to find out his mate was a slave? 

Should I act like I didn't know he was my mate? 

There are many people around and I'm uncomfortable being the center of the gossip if I act on impulse now. 

I mean, I still don't know the identity of my mate. 

"Young Master Robin, welcome back!" I heard the pack members greet him. 

I was stunned. He is Robin? The future Alpha of the pack? 

He is my mate? 

Impossible!

No, I mean-

This is unbelievable!

No freaking way!

What should I do?!

That cold-blooded future alpha is my mate?

Are you kidding me?!

My lips twitched and avoided his piercing gaze.

"Young Master Rowan, welcome back as well!"

I looked up and saw a smiling, handsome young man standing beside Robin.

However, I shouldn't have looked because Robin's cold gaze made my back trickle with cold sweats.

What does he mean by that look?

Oh well, I finally saw the two devils.

Just then my gaze met Rowan's, and he froze for a bit. Then in front of everyone, he strode in my direction while smirking.

I panicked a bit when I remembered the unpleasant rumors about him.

Hey, why are you walking towards me?

Go away!

I have to do something!

A bulb lights up in my head.

I stepped back and pretended to fall on the floor. "Ah!"

"Pft!" 

I felt eyes on me and Tanya stifled a laugh. "Stupid," she murmurs.

"Please forgive me..." I said as I stood up and walked to the side like I didn't notice Rowan's presence.

To complete the act, I didn't bother to look up again and just bowed my head like I was embarrassed.

"Rowan, where are you going?" I heard a deep and enticing voice say.

My heart trembles. It's him!

But still... I didn't bother to look up and just stared at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world right now.

Oh, how I wish the floor would open up a hole right now and swallow me whole.

"Oh, nowhere. I thought I found something interesting just now but... I was wrong, I guess." Rowan replied cheerily. 

The pack members immediately surrounded the two devils and sang praises to them. Then they walked inside the palace with long strides.

I felt an intense gaze on me as if trying to burn holes in my body. I looked up and gasped inwardly when I met Robin's disappointed cold gaze.

He passed by coldly and I felt chills run all over my spine. For some reason, I was disappointed as well because he didn't recognize me as his mate.

Was I expecting him to acknowledge me first?

I feel a pang of pain in my chest.

"Robin!" Ericka walked side by side with Robin and held his arms passionately. As Ericka's attendant, I followed behind them. 

Looking at their backs, I just remember that Ericka was Robin's fiancee. 

My mate was already tied with someone else and I don't know how or what to feel at all. 

I just followed dejectedly.

'It's okay, Ari...' Elle said sadly, and she was disappointed as well. Oh, how stupid of me. Of course, Elle and I are one and we feel the same way. 

We were both disappointed, and it made me uncomfortable. 

I couldn't help but stare at Robin's broad back with resentment. With his back on me, I feel like we were miles apart even though he was just a few steps away.

As though he felt someone eyeing him, Robin tilted his head and met my gaze. This time though, I look at him without fluctuations in my emotions.

He narrowed his eyes, and his lips twitched. I looked away and pretended he wasn't there.

When I looked at Ericka, her face darkened and glared at me menacingly. Did she notice me staring at Robin?

"Arielle, go back first. I'll call you if I need your assistance," she said.

"Miss Ericka, I don't have a phone."

She looked at me in disgust and reproached, "How can you not afford to buy one? It's so cheap! Nevermind. Just go back and do whatever slave job you have!"

"As you wish..." I said and spun around.

Yes! Ericka, you are my savior!

I felt suffocated around Robin's terrifying presence. And I can't stay around for much longer.

When I step foot outside, I feel relief as I breathe in fresh air.

I looked up at the bright sky which was contrary to what I felt inside at the moment. My heart was in turmoil and I'm afraid there's a slight crack in it.

Of all people, why is it that my mate happens to be the future Alpha Robin?

This is so complicated.

I guess if no one was around us when we met for the first time, he would outright reject me because he already has his future Luna.

He had already chosen his bride, and it wasn't me.

I should prepare and protect my heart for the upcoming pain when Robin decides to reject me at any moment. 

Sigh...

Our first meeting turned out to be unpleasant.

"Arielle! What brings you here?"

A voice snapped me back from my stupor.

Oh, I didn't notice I walked into the garden. 

Rosie was watering the plants. "Shouldn't you be inside with Miss Ericka? Did you see the two devils?" she asked curiously. 

I nodded my head and said, "Miss Ericka sent me away. And yes, I met the two devils. You are right... They were devils in human skin. I felt suffocated around their terrifying presence. I thank my lucky star earlier for getting away from Rowan's clutches."

Her eyes slightly widened. "What happened?! Tell me quickly!" she immediately stops whatever she's doing. 

I smiled wryly and said, "Well, Rowan saw me and was about to approach me when I pretended to fall as if I was stupid or something. Then Robin indirectly helps me by calling him. I was saved!" 

Rosie gasped and eyed me intently. "Robin help you? That's impossible!" she sounds shocked or something... 

Huh? What's with that reaction, Rosie? 

"Why?" I was confused at Rosie's reaction. 

"Robin won't care about someone like us. Most of the time, he would do whatever Rowan wanted to do and that included disrespecting maids he took an interest with." Rosie explained. 

"Is he really that cold-blooded?" I murmured. 

"Yes, he is. You'll know once you see his true color." Rosie replied. 

Then Rosie told me a lot of things she knew about the two devils. 

When I returned to Ericka's palace chamber, my mind was still wandering about a certain cold-blooded yet undeniably gorgeous person. 

Ah, what should I do if we meet again later or tomorrow? 

Should I hide? 

Dammit! I wasn't ready for this! 

I should stop thinking about it for now and I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. 

To put my mind at ease, I ended up cleaning Ericka's palace chamber until noon. 

It was lunchtime, so I went back to the servants' quarter to have my meal. 

"Arielle!" Mina called out with a smile. 

I smiled back, and we sat in the dining room. The others in charge in the kitchen serve us food and we eat together. 

Oh, some maidservants were still at the main palace serving the Lords of this territory. 

Robin's cold face immediately appeared in my mind, and my appetite was gone. The bland dishes became even more unsavory.

Time ticked away and now it's close to midnight.

I couldn't sleep so I strolled outside until I reached a gazebo. At first, I hesitated whether to go in. Well, it might take forever to go out of the maze if I go inside.

However, before I could decide, my feet already brought me inside.

I didn't expect the night breeze would be so chilly, but I ignored it and continued walking deeper.

After a while, I finally reached the center of the gazebo which has a lonely pavilion standing in the middle of a small pond.

The moonlight shines through the water, and the view looks magnificent. I fell in love with it.

So I step into the pavilion and take in the nice view. I leaned at the railings and stared into the dark clear water. 

At the same time, my mind wandered again, and I only came back to my senses when an intoxicating scent filled my nostrils.

Before I knew it, a hand grabbed me harshly and pinned me at the post. My eyes widened and wriggled in protest but stopped when a familiar cold gaze pierced mine.

"How dare you ignore me!" he scowled as he squinted his jet-black eyes at me. 

Ignore him? 

Hah! You also ignore me, jackass! 

"But you ignore me first. I thought you didn't want me so I assume that you silently rejected me." I said nonchalantly, but I was hoping it wasn't true. My heart throbbed just thinking about it. 

"Rejected you?! Hah! When hell freezes over! You are mine! Only mine!" he growled with a hint of possessiveness. 

I was dumbfounded.