Married

The room was filled with guests of different calibres. Everyone had rushed at the chance to finally get a good look at the beast lycan. The thought of it humoured me. 

I stood in a corner with a champagne glass observing it all. I started to grow weary so I decided to leave the main party for a while. 

I made my way out of the sprawling mansion and into the gardens. I'd barely moved when I felt a hand grab onto me. I turned around, startled and my eyes locked on his. 

The man who had caused me so much pain. 

“Iris, it's you…” His voice voice softer, more tender than I remembered. It my chest ache for some reason. 

It had been months since I last saw Jacob, the last time I'd set my eyes on him, he'd humiliated me and rejected me as his mate. Seeing him again brought back a rush of old feelings which I thought I'd buried. 

“Jacob… W-what are you doing here?” 

“I had to come see you, after I found out your father married you off and to such a beast of a man, I couldn't stop thinking about you… this was my only chance to see you again” 

His words surprised me, the ingenuity and the way he looked into my eyes. I wished he'd looked at me that way months ago; then, perhaps I wouldn't be here. 

“I… I don't understand what you mean Jacob, why would you care about me because you made it crystal clear that you don't actually”

He let go of me as he ran his hands through his hair, seemingly exasperated.

“I know Iris, I know, I messed up. What I did to you was awful… but rejecting you as my mate was the worst decision I've ever made”

I felt a tug in my chest, my heartbeat quickened as he spoke. 

“I want you back Iris, please come back with me”

“It's too late for that, Jacob. You rejected me and humiliated me in front of everyone… I can't go back to a pack that related me so cruelly” I tried to sound firm but my heart was breaking. 

The man I'd loved finally felt the same way about me but I couldn't… I just couldn't… not anymore. 

“And how does he treat you?” Jacob questioned as I turned to leave, stopping me in my tracks. 

I knew he was referring to the beast Lycan. He was the man my father had married me off to and he had an awful reputation. 

“That doesn't matter… he's my husband. I'm a married woman, Jacob, so leave me alone” 

“Does he hurt you?” Jacob held me again as he stared into my eyes, searching for something… an answer… the truth but he didn't deserve to know. 

“Jacob, leave me alone,” I said with a tone of finality as I shook him off and walked back into the party. 

The bright lights made my vision feel hazy and weak as I stumbled through the guests. 

I could hear Jacob calling after me but I chose to ignore him. 

He couldn't just change his mind as he pleased and expect that I'd be willing to jump into his open arms. 

Jacob soon grabbed onto me and I froze… No, not in front of everyone, not when he'd be able to see me. 

“Jacob… l-let go of me. Everyone's here”

“I don't care, all I care about is you. Just hear me out, Iris”

I tried to rip his hand off me but it didn't work. He pulled me in closer to me, and he whispered in my ear; his warm breath on my neck sent involuntary chills throughout my body. For a moment, I forgot where we were. 

“I know I hurt you, Iris, and for that, I am so very sorry. But since you left, you have no idea how I've pined for you each and every single minute of every day. I couldn't stop thinking about you… Come back with me, give me a chance to make things right” 

Jacob was the stable beautiful life I'd always dreamed of… but that was all it was. Dreams… I'd come to face the real world and it was the opposite. 

“I'm married” 

“Do you love him?” 

I looked up at Jacob, his question catching me off guard. 

“If you tell me right now that you love him and you're happy with him, I'll leave. I promise you” 

Did I love my husband? 

I didn't have an answer to that question yet. 

I was about to speak again when I heard everyone in the crowd go silent. I didn't even have to look to know he had entered the room. 

His aura was so powerful and intense, I felt it in every breath I took. I couldn't let him see me with Jacob.

“Jacob, Jacob… you have to let me go now” I whispered sharply. 

“Answer me first” 

I looked towards him as he approached us, his cold blue eyes had already locked on me the moment he entered. I let out a sigh, anticipating what was to come. 

“Unhand my wife” His voice came out like a low growl as he came up behind me and wrapped his hand around my waist. 

Jacob looked up at him, an unreadable expression on his face. 

“We were just talking”

“And I'm here now, so leave” 

Jacob stared at me longingly for a second longer and I felt my husband pulling me on even closer. He was jealous, I knew that for a fact. And I also knew he would do something crazy because of it.

He guided me through the crowd to the staircase which served as a podium. I stood beside him as he addressed the crowd, all the while, Jacobs's words replayed in my head.

“And now… I introduce to you all, my mate” I heard him say as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I looked around at all the people staring at me and I began to feel uncomfortable. In the midst of the crowd, my eyes locked on Jacobs. 

My husband pulled me closer with a strange look in his eyes

“W-what are you doing?”

“I'm marking what is mine” 

Before I could say another word, he sunk his teeth on my neck as a loud moan escaped my throat. 

The suddenness of his action weakened me and he held onto me like I was but a doll. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Jacob walking out and I couldn't help but think about the moments which had led up to this…