4

Tonight Kaiden is meeting up with some friends to celebrate the launch of his newest exhibition. His paintings are expected to rack hundreds of millions of dollars, with a percentage going off to charity and the development of hospitals. On paper, Kaiden Jackson is everyone’s dream man. He’s rich, he’s handsome, he’s creative and even caring. He’s beyond perfect… on the outside anyways. Men want to be him, women want to be with him. Hell, even I was swayed… until I died, that is.

“Rooftop lounge.” I say into the voice recognition on the elevator. Kaiden told me to come in Black to match him but I dressed in white instead. A fitting color for the rebirth of Carrie Llothair, is it not?

The dress has spaghetti thin straps that lead to a plunging neckline, giving full view of my cleavages. A little too revealing for my liking but I need all eyes on me tonight. The beads on my dress catch the lights in the most dazzling way and I like the way it cinches my waist then loosely frames the rest of my body before giving up a slit at its side, letting the gold shoes have its moment.

My hair is down in its usual curly pattern, my hair pins are gold to match the rest of my jewelry and let’s not forget the soft pink lipstick. Safe to say, I dressed my best since Mother almost smiled at me.

The elevator doors open with a ding, the first thing I am greeted with is a look of shock from the person waiting for the elevator. I give him a once over before stepping out.

The party is in full swing. There is music blaring and people drinking. “I thought this was supposed to be a small event with friends.” I say once Jackson comes over to me. Now I’m in the middle of the room pretending to be surprised by the size of the event, I knew it would be this packed because it was in the past. It’s also why I picked today to do this. His blue gaze rakes over my body like he is ready to rip me apart on this lounge floor. My ears pick up a low rumble on his throat as he eyes me up and down.

“And I thought you would wear blue?” Ia the first thing he says, then he tries to cover it up with, “Don’t get me wrong you look lovely.” He chuckles softly, running those beautiful long fingers through his short fiery red hair. The old me would have swooned and offered myself on a platter like a sacrifice being offered to a god.

“I know.” I give him a smile but the moment he puts his hands on me and kisses my cheek, my smile falls and I can only remember my pleas for help from that night.

“Let me introduce you to my friends.” He calls over a couple people and starts to introduce them but I zone out.

When is the best time to drop the bomb?

“Oh um… she must have forgotten it. Right, Carrie?” Kaiden asks.

“Sorry, I wasn’t listening.” He frowns a bit then repeats himself. “I was just saying how you must have forgotten your ring. Are you okay?” He tries to touch me again but I visibly shift away from him. Kaiden’s face drops to one of confusion and concern.

“I didn’t forget it. It’s right here.” I bring it out of my beaded clutch and drop it into his champagne glass. I hear a few gasps from the people around us. Kaiden’s eyes follow the ring then return back to me.

“Have I done something wrong?” The pure look of sadness and confusion in his expression and tone almost has me believing he is the person I fell in love with, not a ruthless addicted monster.

“It’s a good thing you brought it up because I don’t think I want a relationship with you any more.”

“What are you talking about? We’re mates.” He takes another step forward, I take two back.

“Alpha Kaiden Jackson, Son of Alpha Alpheus Jackson, I reject you as my mate.” I say loud enough for all the heightened eavesdroppers and Kaiden himself to hear. The music stops. All eyes are now on us.

A blue screen with a Wolf and Moon insignia pops up out of thin air in front of me, ‘Are you sure you want to reject your mate bond? It cannot be fixed if you regret it.’, it says.

“Hey, Carrie. Whatever it is, I’m sorry. We can work this out!” Kaiden is horrified by what is going on in front of him.

“I am sure.” I respond as he grabs my hand.

“No no!” He cries out as a thin silvery thread made out of moon dust appears between us for a moment before breaking into two and dissipating. “What have you done?” He asks through the pain.

I clench my chest too but I welcome the pain so I smile, “Ending things with you.” I told him. I yank my arm away from him to leave but he growls and grabs me once again, forcefully turning me to him.

“Carrie, what is the meaning of this? Are you dying of some illness or something? Surely you cannot be seeing someone else… you love me.” I see the gears grinding in his ears, he is trying to understand my decision.

“Let me go, Kaiden. I have nothing to do with you anymore!” I say through gritted teeth, as my eyes glow green. Centuries ago werewolves have evolved from being split into two, human and wolf, to becoming one stronger being capable of shifting at a moment's notice. Glowing eyes are a signal, a threat even.

“No!” He breathes out, towering over me.

Just then I hear a familiar voice, “Could you be a Gentleman and let the Lady go? What part of ‘I’m Ending things with you’, do you not understand?”

I turn around to see Soren Wystern dressed in all black, walking towards us with an amused expression, “Hi darling…” he winks at me.

Darling? What the…?!

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Kaiden seethes when Soren grabs my other arm, keeping me trapped between the both of them.

“What does it look like?” Soren flashes a devilish smirk, “Who are you?” He leans in, provoking Kaiden.

“Get your hands off her. I’m her mate! She is mine!” He tries to pull me again but Soren is smoother.

“Not anymore.” He laughs then effortlessly steps in close to me with those electric golden eyes locked on mine. I watch as they fall to my lips. “W-Who the hell are you?” I hear Kaiden ask.

“Me?” Soren’s arm snakes around my waist as he pulls me into his chest so I am pressed up against him and without a hint of hesitation, he says “I’m hers.”

Then to the amazement of myself and everyone in the vip lounge, with one arm holding up my chin and the other on my waist, Soren Wystern… the man who despises me… kisses me.