Chapter 48

Chapter 48:

LYRIC

I didn’t know where Jaris was in this huge hall, and I didn’t want to.

I knew the party would be fun. And since he wouldn’t come with me, I decided to come alone.

Unfortunately, Jace got very busy and couldn’t make it, but I didn’t let that stop me.

I knew the attention I garnered from the guests tonight, and I really wanted to have fun.

I turned around to find two smiling ladies before me.

“Hi.” I furrowed my brows but waved.

They didn’t look familiar. Although they were richly dressed, letting me know they were important figures.

One was light-skinned, and the other dark. But they were both very beautiful.

“You’re Lyric, right?” the lighter one asked.

“I’m Juan. And this is p>

“Becky. I can introduce myself, J.” The dark one rolled her eyes.

“So, we’ve had our eyes on you for some time now,” Juan said. “I mean, you’re pretty p>

“And Jaris’ mate p>

I chuckled. I liked the way they spoke.

“Actually, I’m Rhys’ mate,” Juan said.

Oh.

“Nice meeting you.” I extended my hand, and they gladly took it.

They joined me at the counter, and just like that, we started talking like we had known each other for weeks.

“Tell me, what is it like being mated to Jaris? Is he a bit romantic?” Becky asked, unsettling me.

Discover your escape on

I shrugged. “Can’t really say p>

“Yeah, sorry if you feel bothered. It’s just that… we didn’t think Jaris would have a mate. Of course, he needed a Luna as an Alpha, but we didn’t think he had it in him to be even a bit loving p>

“You don’t need to love someone to make them your mate, Beck,” Juan nudged her. “Are you forgetting that most Lunas suffer a loveless union with the Alphas p>

Mine was worse than lovelessness. He hated me. And he was only going to use me for a year.

The MC suddenly climbed the stage, announcing the dance.

“Oops. Time to leave you ladies alone. I need to go dance with my birthday boy.” Juan winked at us and left.

“I guess someone like me would have to wait for a Prince Charming to approach me,” Becky pouted.

“Um… don’t you think you should be dancing with Alpha Jaris? Although, he did come with Marta p>

“We’re not dancing.” I took a sip from my glass.

Couples were already filling the dance floor.

“Hi.” A young man walked up to me.

I didn’t know his name, but I knew he was an Alpha.

He held out his hand. “Can I have this dance p>

My breath froze for a moment. I wasn’t sure Jaris would like this.

“Jaris is here with Marta p>

“And you’re here to have fun.” Yes. Fun.

Smiling, I took the Alpha’s hand, and he led me to the stage.

“Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers hit the stage, and together, we danced to the rhythm.

I kept scanning my eyes around the room, looking for him and the woman he chose over me. But I couldn’t find them. Shouldn’t they be dancing?

“You’re quite beautiful, Lyric,” my dance partner whispered in my ear.

“Thanks p>

“I hear you’re Jaris’ mate p>

I stiffened. Geez! It felt like everyone knew me already as his mate. How sad.

“He’s a lucky man, I must say. If I had met you before him, I’d have fought tooth and nail to get you by my side.” He chuckled, trying to make it sound like a joke.

Only I knew he wasn’t joking.

“You don’t have a mate?” I raised a brow.

“Well, I do. But with a face like yours, I’d reject her in the twinkle of an eye.” He laughed again. But this time, it wasn’t funny. I detested men like him. Men like Roderick.

I was about to pull away from his grasp when Jaris—shockingly—appeared beside us.

I startled, taking a moment to regain my calm.

“Alpha Jaris.” My partner stopped moving with me.

The dance was still ongoing, and it felt awkward that the three of us just stood there, unmoving.

“With me, Lyric. Now.” He spoke in that tone that usually brooked no room for argument. That tone that told me he was pissed.

I excused myself from the Alpha and went after him.

I followed Jaris out into the cold night air.

“What are you doing, Lyric?” He stopped as soon as we were far from the noise. I looked around before lifting my hands up and down. “I don’t think I follow p>

“You being here.” He slipped one hand into his pocket. I could tell he was fighting to keep his cool. “You dancing with the men and p>

“Sorry, am I not allowed to come to parties myself when you wouldn’t want to go with me? Does my life revolve around you now p>

He stepped toward me. “You don’t interrupt me when I’m talking, Lyric. Never p>

I balled my hands into fists.

Taking a deep breath, I forced my voice to sound as clear as possible. “I’d like to go back to the party if you don’t mind.” I turned around to leave.

“Damn it, Lyric! Don’t make me do something crazy!” He snapped, turning me back to him.

“What exactly do you want from me p>

“You’re my Luna now! Almost everyone knows this. And while I don’t want to give a shit about what you do with your time, I can’t have you bring more shame to my name p>

More shame? What was he talking about?

“Right now, I’d rather you go home. But if you choose to stay, then you must make sure you’re not even a hundred feet close to any man p>

My eyes turned glossy as I gave him that ridiculous stare.

“What makes you think it’s cool that you get to set the rules?” I half-yelled.

“Just in case you have no idea, Alpha Jaris, it is utterly tiring that I get treated like trash while you get away with so many things p>

“You think you’re being treated like trash p>

“Yes!” I cut him off. Oh, to hell with the rules! “First, you show up late to our mating ceremony and act like I was a slave being forced on you. You didn’t even give me an explanation. Instead, you slept with Marta that night. You slept with another woman p>

“I understand… I understand that it’s all a contract and we have no business in each other’s lives. But it was our first night being mated. Did you have to do that!?” Tears streaked my cheeks. “Be so mean? You get to break the rules while I get treated like trash. Why don’t we both live fairly, huh? Why don’t you let me live freely, as much as you do? Why don’t you free me from these chains!?” I dabbed my tears. “I didn’t deserve what you did to me. It was more than a betrayal, Alpha. You fucking hurt me p>

“Jaris?” Someone called behind me. I noticed his gaze also shift.

When I turned, Marta was there, looking concerned.

I wiped my face as I turned back to Jaris. “Your date is here. Why don’t you go back to her while I find something else to do with my life?” It was a bit stunning—his silence. But I didn’t bring myself to care.

I just walked away from them both, heading to my car.

Gods, I hated my life. I hated ever coming back home. And I hated ever listening to my father and going to Darkspire.

JARIS

I was pissed. Throughout the remaining hours of the party, I kept myself busy with drinks. Lyric’s words replayed in my head. She thought she had the right to be angry? After everything?

And oh, she even thought I slept with Marta that night. I was tempted to laugh at her at that point.

Obviously, it hurt her. And I liked it. At least she got a taste of what she made me go through that night.

I’d been compelled to confront her about what she did, but if I did, things would get really bad between us. She probably thinks I don’t know what she did. She thinks her secret is safe with Zarek. If I bring it up and we talk about it, I’ll watch her cry and apologize, and I’ll never be able to look her in the face again.

The only reason I’m still able to tolerate her sometimes is because she hasn’t confessed to it herself.

I didn’t wait for the party to end before I decided to go home. I left with my people and didn’t say a word the entire ride, not even when Marta tried to strike up a light conversation.

I headed to my bathroom, taking a quick shower and ignoring the bulge in my pants.

I changed into my nightwear and decided to check for updates on my laptop. Turned out there had been some rogue attacks an hour ago, though it was far from Darkspire.

I was checking for more updates when Nerion knocked.

“Boss.” He entered. He always preferred calling me “boss” instead of “Alpha p>

“Thought you’d like to know that Lyric is not back yet p>