Chapter 4: A minute from you

Raine's POV

By the time I went back into the ballroom, the dust had settled. Alpha Lucien and Davina had already left, and Desmond was no where to be found. Beta Dominic was at the center stage, trying to salvage the situation. But nothing could be done about my dignity.

Mom approached me again after a while. "How about you go join the other ladies, mm? If you sit here, the men will assume that you're not interested in being chased. Some of the big sharks are here, and you need to keep your eyes on them."

Good Lord. She's insufferable.

I turned my gaze to the guests, and the light of my eyes dimmed further when I spotted my father. His gaze was trained on me so intently, and I could already see the disappointment in his eyes.

The thought of going back home with them made my stomach churn.

"Alpha Sienna and I are still talking. I will join them later."

Mom smiled as she glanced at Sienna beside me, and I swallowed back my mortification. Thankfully, she got up when she made eye contact with my father and she walked to him.

I breathed.

Beside me, Alpha Sienna's phone rang, and when she picked it up, I heard Lucien's voice. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she was close to me, and I was a werewolf. Plus, I was looking for anything to distract me from my self pity.

"Davina wants to speak to you."

I stiffened, hearing her name. She might have been hostile when we first met, but she came around and turned out to be an amazing person. I hated that I felt this way— jealous and bitter —about her.

"Hello, Alpha. Please I wanted to know if Raine is okay." Guilt bit at me seeing as she was just calling to check on me.

Sienna turned to me. Seeing as I already heard, she didn't bother to move away. I gave her a nod to go on with the conversation.

"Her parents wanted her to go sit with the unmated ladies, and they were mad at her for starting drama."

I drowned out the rest of the phone call, even though Sienna kept looking over to know when she was crossing a line. But I didn't bother.

I didn't wait till the end of the party before I decided I couldn't stay anymore. The whole place was making me feel sick. And even though I wasn't sitting with the single ladies, men still approached me. I wasn't in the mood, and it was a chore to be polite.

After bidding Sienna goodbye, I stood up to leave. My parents would be mad, but that's not something new.

I'd gotten to the gates before I ordered a taxi.

Just before the taxi approached me, I felt a chill behind me. A presence that made my nerves jump and my wolf to prance restlessly.

I knew who it was. I've only felt like this once in my life. Tonight.

My heart drummed as I felt the presence approach, and even though I didn't want it to, my stomach still fluttered.

I sucked back the feeling. I wouldn't let myself get swept away by the mate bond when he was the same guy that humiliated me.

The taxi stopped before me, and I rushed to open the door, but he was faster.

"I'm sorry for the interruption." His voice rolled out smoothly as he spoke to the driver. "Please go ahead. I still need some time with this particular passenger."

"Ah, no problem, Alpha." The driver smiled. And his smile only brightened when Alpha Desmond paid him off.

He turned to me and waved, looking too happy to have gotten free money.

I rolled my eyes so hard, my eyeballs nearly got stuck.

"I was about to use that taxi." I internally cheered myself for how I managed to keep my voice stable.

"You were not fast enough." His nonchalant words didn't match the look on his face— confusion, fascination, interest, and something that looked like sadness.

"It was rude." I answered, mentally building bricks around my heart. I knew how strong the mate bond could be, and I wouldn't be foolish enough to fall for it.

"I don't mean to be rude. I just want a moment of your time." His expression softened, so did his voice. "Please."

Typical player.

He probably thought I was a fool.

Forget the walls I was building. The anger rising in my belly was enough to shield me from whatever delusions I might have.

"May I know your name?"

Would I get in trouble if I cussed out an Alpha in his own pack? "I am not interested in making small talks with you, Alpha. I'd rather keep my name to myself, board a taxi and go home."

"About what happened earlier..."

The memory of it made me cringe. How he had fiercely stood in front of Davina, claiming her as his, even when she denied him. He was ready to get into a physical brawl with Lucien just to get her. Totally disregarding me. Hell, he didn't even turn to me once.

"Alpha, I understand. You have feelings for Davina and she's the one you want. You don't need to explain." I let out a small scoff. "Though she's taken."

He shook his head, confusion slipping between his brows again. "I don't know what happened back there. I can't explain."

Of course. He would say that.

"You truly don't need to explain." I forced a smile. "You had a rough day. You should be somewhere relaxing or spending time with friends."

"I just need a minute from you."

I shook my head. "I don't have a minute to spare." I proceeded to order another taxi.

"I just want to know your name and where you're from."

I hated the effects his voice had on me. Deep, soothing, masculine. The pathetic part of me imagined him behind me, whispering sweet nothings. But then I pushed that thought far, far away.

I came here to search for a mate, but even my desperation had limits.

I stood without answering him, hoping he would go. But he didn't.

Until the taxi arrived.

"My lady, please. I'm sorry for what happened in there. Maybe we can meet some other time? Where can I find you?"

I ignored his question and walked towards the taxi. I'd only opened the door when he gripped my forearm, and I almost lost my mind by the way the sparks instantly travelled through my body and settled at my core.

Fuck!

But I did well to hide the shameless desires.

Instead, I trailed my gaze to the point where our body was connected, and when I looked at him, I couldn't control my anger anymore. "Don't fucking touch me. I'm not a toy."

He left me immediately, his eyes expanding in shock.

I slipped into the taxi at the opportunity. "Drive. Please. Phantom stars pack."

I knew he could stop me if he wanted to. We were still in his territory, and he had all the power here.

Thankfully, he didn't.

The day didn't go well. I didn't get to meet anyone I wanted as a mate.

But I met someone I would never choose, even though the Goddess thought otherwise.

Next time I see him, I would have gathered enough courage to reject him on the spot.