I could see the hurt in her eyes before she turned away and walked down the hall. She radiated discomfort and disappointment.
*You are an idiot!* Eques growled. *Go after her! You and I both know nothing happened.*
"Whoopsies!" Said Casia from the bed.
I almost jumped but restrained myself. I'd completely forgotten she was here. I turned to see her exposed breast and grunted.
*Damn, she's never gonna mate with us now.* Eques whined.
"Put your damn dress on." I growled.
She huffed and righted herself.
"And fix your fucking make-up. I told you before and after today I won't tell you again. Regina and I are mates. I appreciate our once misguided relationship but now it's strictly business. Touch me or her and I will end you, regardless of your status in my pack."
Her eyes filled with malice. "She'll never have you. You'll come crawling back in no time."
I watched her saunter out the door before throwing a lamp at the wall. It shattered like my hopes for a peaceful marriage.
The lipstick mostly came off my collar as I straightened up my appearance. Upon entering the room the DJ announced our first dance. Regina strode onto the dance floor. She was absolutely breathtaking.
Her long, dark, raven-colored hair was falling halfway down her back. I remember when she'd chopped it off. She was always gorgeous. Her bright green eyes were emotionless as she looked at me. Clearly a fake smile plastered on her face as she reached toward me. In a few large strides, I was towering over her. One of her hands went to my shoulder while the other found mine. Strong tingling sensations shot up my arm from our touch and I involuntarily smiled down at her. She wasn't looking at me however. With my other hand, I pulled her close to me. I kept my hand pressed flat to the small of her back. She looked up at me with narrowed eyes.
Our bodies were in sync as we swayed to the music. I could feel her body relaxing slowly as the song carried on. As soon as the song ended, her body tensed and she made to pull back. I kept my arm firmly around her, pressing her body flush against mine. A small gasp escaped her before she masked any emotion on her face.
"Let go." She hissed quiet enough that only I could hear.
I growled just as quietly. "Let me explain."
"Now is not the place nor time." She countered.
"Then just let me hold you." I could see her silent rage but she didn't make another attempt at leaving.
Her nose crinkled. "You smell like her."
"Regina, it's not what you think."
"Gin." She corrected. "People call me Gin."
"Well, I think Regina suites you better. Besides, I've called you Regina since we were pups."
She pretends to ignore me for the remainder of the dance and my wolf is anxiously pacing in my mind. Her scent arouses us and her touch is calming.
This time when the song ends she wretches herself from my grasp before I realize what she's doing. She stalks away and I take a few calming breaths before following her.
As she attempts to close the door of the room she's entered, I stop it with my hand, nearly pushing it back in on itself.
"Leave me alone." She growls.
"No." I enter the room and close the door behind me.
"I need a moment to myself." Her arms were wrapped around herself protectively.
"Regina, I didn't do anything with Casia. She threw herself at me and when I rejected her advances you knocked. Her dress wasn't even down before I opened the door and I immediately had her leave once you did. We use to..." I trailed off figuring out how to explain. "It doesn't matter, all that matters now is that I've found you. You are my mate and the only wolf I want."
Her face remained stoic. "My mate died. You're the Goddess' second choice."
The words cut like ice through me. My body tensed and my wolf was bursting at the seams to come loose. How dare she! I stalked toward her and grasped her throat in one hand.
"I may be your second, but you're my first. We are going to be mated whether you like it or not." I eyed her mark from her previous mate.
My wolf was ravenous. He didn't want to see another man had been where only he should. Her eyes never left mine. I placed my face in the crook of her neck and inhaled. Her scent was floral and vanilla. A small moan, she clearly tried to suppress, escaped her lips as I did it a second time. I kissed her neck and slowly released my grasp around her throat.