10

GEMMA

I forced a smile as people fixed their attention on us. "You can go to hell." I gritted out in reply.

"We might as well share a place there, darling," Nate replied. "Just me and you in a steamy room."

"You're so full of yourself," I replied.

"I know."

Nate was greeting people with nods and smiles. I copied him even though I didn't know why I was doing this.

"Why are we even doing this?" I asked. "I feel like such a hypocrite. And these people don't care about me. Or you."

"That's life. You have to fake a few things to get a few things." Nate said simply.

I looked in the direction of the Luna Queen. As always, she was stunning. She was wearing an emerald dress and her golden curls cascaded down her back.

This woman did not look like she birthed the grown-ass man next to me.

Nate sighed deeply beside me. "And I'm going to have to act more like one in a few moments." He let out, the humor lost in his voice.

Someone approached us and Nate smiled. But I could tell it was fake.

I looked at the man that stopped in front of us. He looked to be about a little over thirty years old.

There was something about the way he smiled. He held out his hand and Nate grabbed it in a handshake.

"Congratulations. Finally, we have a Luna." The man said.

I realized it then. This man was the Alpha King's enemy. There was no doubt about it. It was in the air.

The tension. These were two people who disliked each other but pretended to be friendly. It was repulsive.

"The moon goddess must have smiled down on me then," Nate replied.

"Won't you introduce us?" He asked before he held out his hand. "I'm Leonard, the Alpha King's cousin."

"Cousin?" I asked, looking between them. Wow. There was a slight resemblance but the hate they had for each other was a lot.

"I'm Gemma," I said and took his hand. He brought it to his lips and placed a light kiss on my knuckles. I tried to hide my disgust.

"You're a fine maiden," Leonard told me.

I removed my hand and wiped it on my gown. "Er, thank you," I replied, awkwardly.

He didn't notice or he pretended not to. I didn't know which but, he was offended. He seemed amused.

"So, tell me, cousin, how did you find her? She's not from around here, is she?" Leonard asked.

"Oh yes. I went out to play. She tried to kill me, this one." Nate chuckled like it was one of the funniest things he had heard.

I scowled at him.

"She tried to push me off a cliff. Like that would have killed me." Nate added.

Leonard glanced back down at me and a smile was teasing his lips. "She must be fiesty then."

Okay…. My guard was up. This man didn't have good thoughts about me.

"Well, she is," Nate said. I quirked my brows at him. There was no way he couldn't hear what his cousin was assuming.

Or was I just overthinking this?

"How's life treating you?" Nate asked. "And the wife?"

Leonard clenched his jaw briefly. "Girlfriend. And she's fine." He said. "She's not my mate and it's not working well."

I don't get any of this. Did enemies waste their time talking about trivia things like this? Or was it just them?

"What about the baby? I thought you all were taking it seriously." Nate said.

Oh, I see what he's doing. This was a sensitive topic for Leonard. He probably didn't want to talk about it.

Especially not in front of a total stranger. I get it. Nate was playing dirty.

"All good," Leonard replied. "Before I forget, Aunt wants to introduce you to an old friend of hers. She says she knows him since her Hawthorne Hall days." Leonard explained.

Nate sighed. "Here we go again." He said. He was about to lead me towards his mother when Leonard stopped him.

"I can watch your mate. She didn't ask for her yet." Leonard replied.

"Well, I want her close to me." Nate insisted.

"Certainly, we'll just be near you," Leonard said.

Nate hesitated before he let go of me and walked towards the Luna Queen. He was stopped briefly but he handled it well and continued till he reached her.

Leonard and I followed after him. We stood a few feet away from him. I folded my hands across my chest.

A waiter passed with a tray of wine and Leonard grabbed a glass. "You want some?" He asked.

"I don't drink," I replied.

"Quite a lady," he said as he let the waiter leave. He sipped from his glass and let the chatter of the dining hall drift between us.

I wanted to go back to my room. Being in this gathering was pointless. I didn't know anyone.

I saw George a few feet away. He smiled and gave me a nod. I waved back at him.

"You know, I could give you a better life. Better than what Nate could ever offer you. He's not worth it." Leonard placed a gentle hand on the small of back. I froze.

"You're a gem, I would treat you so much better." He added.

I saw Nate's eyes darken but he was talking to other guests so he didn't do anything. I liked the look on his face.

He had to know that he didn't own me. He had to understand that. But, for some reason, I didn't like it.

I most definitely didn't like this sleazy man's hand on me.

Even if he was the Alpha King's enemy and we could become allies, I didn't like how this man spoke or behaved.

I stepped away from him carefully. "That sounds like such a wonderful offer but, I have to decline," I said, politely.

"You know that you'll reject this." He tried persuading me.

"The moon goddess doesn't make mistakes," I said even though I knew that the mate bond between me and the Alpha King had to be a big mistake.

Why would I be bonded with my enemy?

Leonard smirked. "I could show you incredible things. Makes you feel things you've only seen in movies. Things you've only dreamt about."

What was wrong with this man? Why was he saying stupid things? I knew that he was clearly talking about sexual things and we only just met.

"You can go and screw yourself." I snapped in annoyance, causing a few people to stare.

Nate chuckled.