Chapter 3

Sidelined

Ryder didn't answer anymore. Having her standing so close to him seemed to have stolen his ability to speak. She still had their arms linked.

My breath hitched at the bold move.

My eyes desperately begged Ryder to take his arm off, but he just stood there, motionless. I was panicking, and his silence wasn't helping.

“Ryder, who is she?” I tried sounding less panicky. “is…is she a distant relative?”

“Would a distant relative hold him so possessively?” The girl asked with a fake, sweet smile. She was beautiful, I couldn't argue that. Even more than I was, if I was being honest. And that fact had me feeling very insecure right now.

“Wh…what?” I asked breathlessly, realizing what she just asked.

“It's nice meeting you, Luna Celine. I've heard a lot of stories about you. I also heard you're smart. I guess that part was a lie.”

“What?” My heart slammed at her bold swipe at me. Again, my eyes begged Ryder to interfere. To defend me. Because I was too speechless to do it.

But he didn't seem like he would be doing that anytime soon.

“I'm Jade, Ryder's fated mate.” She finally dropped the bombshell, running her long, red nails on his arms, and then kissed his cheek.

Suddenly, I couldn't breathe anymore. The room was suffocating and I was feeling claustrophobic. For the first time.

With tears burning my eyes, I turned and ran out of the office. The hallway was endless. Walking through it, her words repeated in my head.

She's Ryder's mate. His fated mate. He found his fated mate.

“Celine!” A hand grabbed mine firmly, spinning me around. It was Ryder. He came for me.

I hugged him ever so tightly, sobbing. “She was kidding, right? That was a prank, was it not?”

He didn't answer. He wasn't hugging me back either. I let go of him, searching his face for something. A reassuring emotion. Something that would calm my panicking heart.

“I'm sorry, Celine. But she wasn't kidding. She's my mate.”

My head twirled dangerously and my knees grew weak. Holding onto his shirt was the only reason I didn't hit the ground from the forceful impact of his words.

My breathing was dangerously labored. It was becoming to look like I was having a panic attack.

“You…you found your mate?”

He nodded, still avoiding my gaze.

When? Where? Why didn't you tell me? All these questions stabbed my heart, but they weren't a priority right now.

“Alright. Uh…but you're gonna reject her too, right?” I asked, half chuckling and half sobbing. It was official. I was having a panic attack. Because why else was I being so chaotic?

“I don't know..” he finally met my gaze. His eyes were heavily conflicted.

“You have to. I rejected mine for you.” I didn't mean to rub it in his face like that, but he should know.

I gave up mine for him. I chose him over the moon goddess' wish. He should do the same for me. In a heartbeat. With no hesitation.

But why was he making me feel so scared and jittery right now? Why did he look so unsure?

“I know. I know. It's just…” he sighed, taking a sharp exhale.

“I'm pregnant,” I blurted out with a sad, hopeful smile. I didn't mean to say it this way. I just thought he needed more reason why he had to choose me.

“You're pregnant?” His lips tilted in a smile. It wasn't the wholesome reaction I was expecting. But it was okay. He didn't look disappointed.

“Yes, I am.” I wrapped my arms around him, resting my face on his chest as tears poured heavily down my eyes.

“That's great, Celine.” He finally hugged me back. But his words weren't comforting. They weren't what I wanted to hear.

Still, it didn't matter. He was hugging me back. That should count.

“So please, Ryder. You need to choose me. You need to choose us. Please.” I was all shades pathetic, but it didn't matter.

I would be anything right now if it would make him choose me over her. Over his daring, fated mate.

“Alright.” He replied and I quickly looked up. He flashed me a half smile and kissed my lips. “I'll let her go.”

“You will?” My eyes beamed.

“Yes. But I'll have to talk to her first. So you should head home. I'll be back soon.”

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

And I held on to that promise and went home. It's 10p.m, but Ryder wasn't home yet.

I've been calling him but his phone is switched off. I bawled my eyes out, wondering what happened to him.

Somehow, I slept off. When I woke up, he was back. Seeing him sprung me into a happy mood that I jumped on him, hugging him tightly.

“What happened yesterday? You didn't come home. And your phone…”

“The battery died,” he replied briskly, subtly pushing me off him. There was no warmth in his eyes. He was just weirdly cold. “let's talk later, please. I'm late for a meeting.”

Only then did I notice that he was dressed again.

“Where did you spend the night? What time did you get home? Did…did you reject her?” I couldn't hold back the questions.

“Not now, Celine. I'm in a hurry.“ He pushed me aside and left our room.

I slumped dejectedly on the bed, clenching my fists as my heart felt like it was gonna burst open. Endless tears left my eyes and I wasn't even sure why I was feeling so sad. He didn't say any mean words. So why does my heart hurt so much? Maybe because I can feel him drifting away from me.

He didn't come home again tonight. And the next night. A week later, and I barely saw him at home anymore.

His phone was always switched off at night and during the day, he was always in meetings or too busy to talk.

It was another night with him not here by my side. I tried calling again, after wetting my pillows with my tears. It rang. My heart leaped in excitement. And even more when he picked up the call.

“Ryder, please come home.” I sobbed. “Please. I need you.”

“I’m afraid that's not gonna happen.” A female voice replied. It wasn't any random female.

It was her. His mate. Jade.