Rayna's POV
We lay there for a while silently, but this time it was different. I could tell something was wrong; the air between us felt uneasy, and a sense of guilt hung around us.
Guilt? Wait a second.
I sat up quickly, staring at Ryan, whose eyes were shut even though I could tell he was awake. The guilt I felt wasn't mine; I knew for sure it belonged to him, and being his mate, I could feel it almost as intensely as he did.
"Are you serious, Ryan?" I asked, glaring at him.
The feeling of peace and quiet I had experienced not long ago was quickly being replaced by anger.
His eyes fluttered open, mirroring the same guilt I felt. But a flicker of something else, maybe regret, darkened his gaze. Regret? No, was he insane? After what we had just shared, that was what he felt? regret?
"Rayna, I think that was a mistake." He said it slowly, almost patronizingly, rising up on an elbow to stare at me with a serious look on his face.
The gall of this asshole.
"You do?" I asked, my voice thick with bitter sarcasm, "Let me guess, you think your cock is so magical, so irresistible,I am just going to fall head over heels for you? Unable to leave your side just because we slept together?"
He remained silent for a while before replying, "I know how it sounds."
"Don't." I cut him off before he could voice whatever apology or explanation he had brewing. "In case you are wondering, Ryan, what we did means absolutely nothing to me. Nothing has changed; our agreement remains the same. If that is what you are trying to ask," My voice was a low growl, laced with the raw edge of betrayal.
Mates or not, this behavior was completely uncalled for. This was childish, and it was filling me with anger to be on the receiving end.
He flinched, for the first time showing some actual emotion, whether it was embarrassment or pain I couldn't tell. "Rayna, I—"
"Just forget it," I spat, the anger finally erupting. "This. This will never happen again. We'll make damn sure of it."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Yes, Ryan," I snapped back, separating myself from him as my anger rose. Who did he think he was? Who did he think I was? A starry-eyed, naive teenage girl who just fell in love immediately deemed it appropriate to have sex? I clenched my fists, my fingernails digging into my palm. "Yes, you did. And I don't care what you have to say, but this... " I looked around us and said, "This was a mistake."
He said nothing; he just kept staring, a slight frown on his face.
"Call it the Full Moon, call it whatever; I don't care at this point, but it can never happen again; under no circumstances can it repeat itself; is that clear?"
Anger burned my cheeks, turning my face a bright pink under the moonlight. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go. I had gone from the most amazing time to this humiliating conversation in no time at all.
Ryan, to his credit, didn't argue. His jaw clenched, mirroring the anger I felt within. "You're right. We should call it a night."
I felt disgust rise in me as I got on to my feet, seeking out my discarded panties and sliding them back on. Why did he have to do this? Why did he have to act like an absolute idiot for no reason? We could have just had a quiet, guilt-free evening for once, maybe even an enjoyable one, but Ryan had to choose that moment to behave like a freaking asshole.
I fought the urge to scream out loud in frustration. The guy was an absolute dumbass.
We got dressed quickly and quietly, refusing to meet each other's eyes, and when he reached over to help me with my zip, I slapped his hands away.
"Don't you dare touch me."
He raised his hands and said, "I was just trying to help."
I ignored him, fumbling a bit in the dark before fixing the zip myself.
"So," he finally ventured, his voice rough, "who leaves first?"
The question ignited a fresh wave of fury. "Are you kidding? I will, of course," I said, my voice tight. "I won't have whispers follow me out of here. I leave, and then you can do whatever you want; I honestly don't care."
Without waiting for a response, I threw on my dress and stalked back towards the party. The cool forest breeze felt like a balm against the scorching heat of my anger. I brushed my hair off my face and took a deep breath, cleansing my lungs. The lingering scent of Ryan clung to my skin like a bad memory.
Damn the moon goddess for giving me this arrogant, pompous guy as a mate, and damn my body for not knowing to stay off him, and damn my father for even thinking of trying to link us up. Damn him, damn Ryan, damn everybody!
I walked back into the party, ignoring the stares and the whispers as I passed. Walking towards the exit. I realized that with my rumpled dress and the state of my hair, even with my best efforts to pluck out as many leaves as possible, I still looked quite messy, but I didn't care. Let them talk all they wanted.
I found my father by the door, a drink in his hand, talking to another Alpha. I walked up towards him and said, "I am tired, father." I said shortly, with a clipped tone, "I think I will leave now."
He raised an eyebrow and responded, "Already? The party isn't over yet."
I shrugged. "I am tired; I can't stand the noise much longer, and the shoes are hurting my feet. I need the rest."
He looked surprised at the tone of my voice, gently placing the drink he held on a nearby stool before turning to face me squarely.
"Are you okay, Rayna?" He asked, looking deep into my eyes.
"Perfect."
That seemed to drive the message home. I wasn't in the mood to talk, especially not to him. He took a deep breath, resignation etched on his face, before he turned to look around.
"Where is Ryan? Is he taking you home?"
I forced a smile, bitter and unconvincing. "Actually, Dad, I'm driving myself. And please," I added, leaning closer to whisper in his ear, my voice laced with steel, "don't mention Ryan to me ever again."
With that, I swept past him, the weight of my father's confused gaze a heavy burden on my shoulders. Tonight, the only company I craved was the solitude of my car and the roar of the engine, drowning out the rush of emotions warring within me.