Utter confusion

GISELLE

I meet Gabriel at our usual spot, and from there, he takes me to the venue. He talks the whole time while driving. I tune in and out of the conversation, mainly focusing on my wolf, who has been acting strange all day. I can't communicate with her to figure out why; she constantly blocked me out.

All I can tell is that she is preparing for something, but what exactly? She won't tell me. She keeps pacing, mulling over things I can't understand. I can't help but frown to myself. She is distracting me from tonight, which isn't good.

I am soon going to enter the enemy's domain, and I need to be focused on everything; otherwise, I'll be walking right into trouble. Well, I am already doing that, but I don't want to do it stupidly. I am going there with plans for a possible ambush, to collect information, and to see my enemies up close.

Focus Giselle. I keep telling myself repeatedly.

"We're here," Gabriel declares, stopping at the hotel's grand doors. He helps me get out of the car before tossing the keys to the valet and leading me inside. I act to be interested in the place as if it is my first time there.

I smile and bat my eyes innocently at him, and that is enough for him to droll over me, disarming himself. I have also worn my unique black dress that hugs my body in all the right places and gloriously highlights my assets... my perky breasts and my round ass.

I have spent far more time working on them to not show them off on such an important night.

I know it is working better than anything because I catch Gabriel staring at me hungrily whenever he thinks I am not paying attention. The tent he has pitched in his pants also doesn't go unnoticed by me. He dreams of getting laid tonight, and he doesn't hesitate to suggest it numerous times.

I can't help but laugh at his face every time, knowing how things would soon turn out for both of us. But despite all this, I remind myself that I am partly there to have fun, too, so I am alive to all kinds of possibilities.

I lead him on with sweet words and encouraging smiles, only to turn him away firmly whenever he tries to get too close. I am not going to allow that, no matter what. Two serious, broken relationships have given me enough heartache to last a lifetime.

Also, the knowledge that he works for the brothers instantly eliminates the possibility of having any emotional investment in our brief fling. Sure, he is handsome, and I can fuck him, but there won't be anything beyond that.

"If I knew you'd look so good, I'd have taken you somewhere more private," he says, helping me sit. I glance around the room and notice a few faces I have some intel on. All the while, I am making many mental notes about everything and everyone around me.

However, I haven't seen any of the brothers yet, which is disappointing. I laugh at Gabriel and focus on him, listening to his discussion. He is very chatty this evening, and I can't help but wonder why. I am not complaining, though. The more he talks, the more I know.

There was an unmistakable enthusiasm in his eyes that is hard to ignore. Man, he has his hopes high for getting laid. I laugh at his face again, sipping from my drink, careful not to drink too much.

"Anyway, as I said, my boss is throwing this party because I closed an important deal for the company. He's deeply pleased by me this time," he says, with a hint of sarcasm.

I ask him casually, "What did you say your work was again?" even though I know all about him.

"Oh, I manage the real estate-" Не stops abruptly, and his eyes drift behind me. His face blanches, and his body tenses, leaving me puzzled.

Before I can turn around, I feel an unmistakably assertive presence behind me. Whoever it is, they have a strong aura that always commands everyone's attention. It makes my wolf oddly alert and tense. I can almost guess who it could be, but I turn around.

It is none other than Patrick Zachary.

The eldest of the Alpha brothers. Of course, his presence is so fucking overpowering, so fucking focus-consuming, that I feel intensely aware of everything around me, especially his presence and how he is watching me as he closes the distance between us.

My mouth dries up as I look into his steely brown eyes, which captivates me instantly. I forget all about Gabriel. I thought I heard him leaving, but I don't pay attention to him. My eyes are glued to Patrick Zachary, and his powerfully charged aura triggers a wave of emotions inside me. The intensity of the emotions shakes me up from the inside.

I forget to breathe or blink as I watch him move with the swiftness and ease of a predator. Even under his clothes, I can see his muscles flexing, making me want to rip everything to shreds so I can see every inch of him. I need to see every inch of him, especially due to how he looks at me.

My heart us erratically beating in my chest, and my wolf howls in my chest with joy and enthusiasm. As he moves to take the seat beside me, I feel curls of heat between my legs due to how close he is. His intoxicating scent hits my nose, making me salivate. I want to taste him to see if he is as delicious as he looks and smells.

"Hello, mate," He greets me with a possessiveness to his voice.

It isn't the first time I have seen Patrick Zachary. I have seen numerous pictures of him in various places. I know what the man looks like and sounds like. I know everything about the man, but despite all my knowledge and intel, nothing could have prepared me for the revelation that I am his mate.

My wolf is over the moon to finally meet our mate, but the only thing I feel while looking at him is dread. This is not what I had asked for. He is not what I want. In my wildest dreams, I could have never imagined that I'd get paired with none other than Patrick Zachary.

The man whom I hate fiercely. The man who is the reason for many people's suffering. All I had asked for was a kind and nurturing mate who'd love me no matter what. But the man sitting closer to me and gazing at me is anything but kind and nurturing.

He is a ruthless beast. And he is my mate. I am doomed!

I should've seen this coming when I asked the moon goddess for a mate. Back then, I had suspected there must have been a catch somewhere, something I had been missing. Now, I can see what she did. This is terrible!

Why did she do this to me? What did I do to deserve such a terrible fate? Why does such things always happen to me?

All I wanted was a mate, but I got a monster. All I needed was someone to love me, but the man before me was only capable of destruction and ruin. I could never be with someone like him.

"What is your name?" he asks me, his gaze intensely possessive. I swallow hard and tear my eyes away. I need to leave. Otherwise, I am afraid I'd end up doing something stupid. I need some time to think. I am not prepared for this situation, but I should've known.

I should've seen this coming. How did I miss such a thing? My wolf already knew this was going to happen. That's why she has been acting up lately. I should've paid more attention to her.

"Where's Gabriel?" I snap, leaning back to create as much space between us as possible. I need to get away from him- I can't stay here for another minute. His eyes darken with rage when I mention Gabriel, and his nostrils flare.

"Are you with him?" he asks-no, scratch that, he demands to know as if I owe him an answer.

"It doesn't matter," I snap, taking my my purse and leaving. But I should've thought it out well because the way Patrick looks at me, it is clear that he won't leave me alone anytime soon.

"Lady, stop." He tries, but I am determined. I storm towards the exit, leaving him behind. But before I can exit, he grabs my arm and tugs me behind. I hiss as soon as my back presses against his front, and he wraps an arm around me.

"You aren't going anywhere until we talk," He declares, dragging me back. I want to fight him, but I know it'll be futile. I can feel all his muscles pressed against my back. I won't win against him. Talking about muscles, feeling my body pressed against his is an instant distraction.

His intoxicating scent and my wolf's eagerness to jump him aren't helping me either.

I give him a threatening look as he takes me to one of the private meeting rooms of the hotel. As soon as he releases me, I ensure to put as much distance between us as possible.

It is for my best. I can't afford to get distracted at that moment. He locks the door and turns to me, eyes blazing with desire and possessiveness. My wolf starts pacing inside me, wanting to get closer to him and kiss him and claim him and...

I block her out before she can make it worse and glare at him.

"I know I interrupted you and Gabriel, but you must have figured out why I got you here," He speaks, his voice smooth and businesslike. I should've hated it immediately, but I feel butterflies in my stomach. A part of me imagines how he'd sound like whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I snap out of the thought before it could get more heated.

In response, I cross my arms on my chest and sharpen my glare.

"I was here on a date with my boyfriend," I say, even though Gabriel isn't my boyfriend. A part of me wants to see him jealous, and oh, did he instantly look like he is going to murder Gabriel.

"Boyfriend," He mutters, disdain in his voice. "I didn't know he was seeing someone!"

"Well, now that you know, you should let me out," I press.

"We are not done talking yet," He says, pouring me a drink before setting it in front of me and taking the seat opposite me.

"I'm not interested in talking further," I tell him, ignoring the drink and glaring at him. He doesn't touch his drink either. Instead, he watches me with his scrutinising gaze, taking in every single detail about me.

I have been stared at numerous times before, but it never made me feel anything like he is making me feel. Under his gaze, I feel like a unique specimen being studied. He looks at me like I am the most important thing on this planet, and I don't like how good it makes me feel!

I should've hated how he focuses his attention on me single-mindedly, but I love it too much. I try to remind myself that I shouldn't feel this way.

"Is it serious with Gabriel?" he asks, and I notice his jaw seems tense.

"Maybe it is," I shrug. I might as well be endangering Gabriel, but internally, I am enjoying this. "It's a personal matter, and you shouldn't interfere-"

"Gabriel works for me, and you're my mate. I had to interrupt," He states, his voice stern. I cock an eyebrow at him and glance around, taking in the room. There is no way I can leave this room without him blocking me physically.

I can't beat him physically, but I can always talk my way out of it. I need to act. I need to put on a show for him, enough to distract him while keeping my emotions in check.

I act stunned by what he has told me.

"Oh," I breath, "What is your name?" I ask even though I know the answer. Something flickers in his eyes, making the butterflies in my stomach flutter aggressively. I ignore them and focus on him, maintaining my aloofness.

"I'm Zachary," he answers, his tone firm and proud. His gaze is intense with interest.

"Patrick," I test his name, oddly liking the sound of it. His eyes soften and flicker to my lips. I suck in a breath, imagining him kissing me.

Fuck. No. Focus Giselle. Fucking focus.

"I'm Giselle," I introduce myself and quickly add, "I'm with Gabriel. He is going to propose to me tonight!"