Ariana
"Ariana," My best friend and coworker called, "Someone ordered a bouquet of roses for you!"
My heart began beating erratically.
Is William finally coming around?
William Sloane was my fated mate and I loved him with all I had.
I lived and breathed for him. Every inch of my body was created for him. He was my light.
However, regardless of how I treated him, he had been acting cold.
I rushed to the entrance.
The man that delivered the flower asked, "Are you Miss Ariana Glade?"
I nodded with a smile on my lips.
I squeezed a rumpled note into the man's hands as a tip.
I signed on the notebook the man presented before I received the flowers.
I inhaled the lovely scent the red roses emanated.
I was working in a high-end restaurant as a waitress.
William was a man that was well to do. He might not be rich but he could provide whatever he needs for himself.
I didn't want to be a burden to him so I hunted for a job.
My wishes was answered and I stumbled on this great job.
The pay was okay and I met my best friend, Gracie here too.
After inhaling the roses' fresh and relaxing scent, I opened the note that was partially hidden in the bouquet.
A familiar handwriting came into my sight but it wasn't what I was looking for.
William didn't send this roses, Gary did.
Gary was one of my coworkers.
He had expressed interest in me and I made sure I told him that I was taken.
Still, Gary continued his relentless pursuit.
Anger surged through me.
The pain that came with my hope dashing to pieces fueled this anger.
I was angry because Gary made me rejoice for nothing.
The man that delivered the roses knocked at the backdoor only the employees use.
I walked back into the area that had been set aside for employees only. There was a huge metal bin beside the entrance.
I dumped the bouquet of roses into the trash can.
I don't want to bring it home. Such things would incur William' jealousy and wrath.
As much as I liked the moments William goes into fits of jealousies, I preferred his smiles and happiness more.
"Gary! Get over here." I said.
Gracie popped her head in the doorway to the employees area.
"What happened? Gary is serving customers outside. He won't be able to see you now." Gracie said with a curious fire burning in her eyes.
Gracie was an omega like I was.
If I was still living the life I left behind for William, I might not get the chance to meet people like her.
These kind of occurrences assured me that my decision to chose William over everything is correct.
I am sure the moon goddess agrees with me too.
I sighed and the anger flowed away like a tide.
"Gary sent the flowers. I thought William sent the gift, I was happy for nothing." I said with a melancholic smile on my lips.
"Ariana, you know you are the closest friend I have in the whole world." Gracie began and she walked into the employee only area.
She shut the door behind her before she looked at me passively.
I noticed that the curious fire in her eyes turned into the emotions of pity and anger.
I could not grasp why she was feeling pity and anger.
Is she angry at me?
I didn't think so. We did not get into any disagreements.
I smiled, "Your words are a bit exaggerated but you are right. We are the best of friends."
"Good." Gracie continued, "You know I would never lie to you, right? I would never do something that would hurt you."
I nodded.
I was a bit confused about what Gracie was getting at.
Still, I felt an uncomfortable feeling bubble in my gut.
I sat down on a chair.
"Yes, you would not purposely hurt me." I agreed, "Say what you want to say Gracie, nobody's going to eat you or beat you. You are a blunt person, cowering away like this doesn't suit you."
"When I went to visit my sister, I saw William and a woman in Four Squares Kitchen. The woman has long black hair and green eyes. She and William was behaving like a couple." Gracie seemed to get encouragement from my words so she said everything she had to say in a rush.
Her words felt like a clap of thunder and my head rang.
"N-no." I disagreed subconsciously.
I did not even know I was shaking my head.
Gracie had to have seen the wrong thing. William wouldn't do that kind of thing to me. He loved me.
I could still remember when we first met. I had another identity then, an identity I wanted to forget.
I could remember the ecstasy of our eyes colliding. I could still remember the pleasure of the mate bond forming.
William wouldn't betray me, he won't do that kind of thing to me.
Truly, he had been cold these past few months but my position in his heart was heavy.
I finally found my voice, "Gracie, you must be mistaken. William wouldn't do something like that. You must have seen someone that looks similar to William. You know there are people that would look similar to each other without being biologically related."
The pity in Gracie's eyes became heavier and I disliked it.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't like it. You are making it seem like I am a pitiful animal." I said as I stood up.
I knew that Gracie recognized William. I had shown his pictures to her whenever I wanted to brag about our love.
Still, I believed that Gracie made an identity mistake. She recognized the wrong person.
"Ariana, this matter is serious. You don't have to defend him blindly. I know love is blind but you have to let your love wear glasses so you can see the real situation." Gracie argued.
I raised my hand, "Stop it, Gracie! The person you saw isn't William."
Gracie looked down and then, she stared at me again. The pity and anger in her eyes was gone.
For some reason, my heart pricked me but I ignored it.
'Don't worry, Ariana. Our mate won't cheat on us.' Ruby, my wolf assured me.
I was getting a little shaken and Ruby's encouragement came at the right time.
'I know.' I replied my wolf.
"Ariana, have I ever complained about William? You should know how truthful my words are by answering the question I asked." Gracie said softly.
I could not get why Gracie was being adamant.
Did she really see William in the Four Squares Kitchen?
I shook my head to get rid of the crazy thought that sprouted.
I was William' fated mate. I shouldn't be doubting him.
"Gracie, let that conversation end there." I said, "Today is William' birthday and he is going to celebrate it grandly. I want to give him a gift he would never forget."
Gracie did not mention the matter about William again.
"What do you need to prepare this unforgettable gift?" She asked in a quiet voice.
I knew she still had her opinions about William but I ignored it.
What the eye doesn't see, the mind doesn't grieve over it.
"I am thinking of giving him my first time." I whispered secretly, "Do you know any ad-dult—" I began but I wasn't able to finish my words.
My face colored with a red tint.
William had always wanted to bed me. I didn't see anything wrong with that since we were fated mates. It was his principles and I had mine.
I refused his advances because I wanted to give myself away to him in a special way and on a special day.
Now, the special day had arrived.
I wanted to take a step forward in our relationship.
He had been a bit cold to me recently. I felt like an intimate connection like the joining of body, spirit and wolf would bring him closer.
"Are you talking about an adult store?" Gracie said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
The Gracie I knew was back.
"You don't have to blush this hard." Gracie joked, "Say it with me. Adult store."
The red color on my face burned brighter, "Adult store."
Gracie patted my shoulder before she hugged me with her right arm.
"You don't have to be shy when you mention an adult store. You are an adult and your intimate life is between the moon goddess, you and your lawful mate." Gracie said with a smile.
"Whatever." I grumbled, "Do you know where I can find one?"
"I do. It is on Allen Margo Street, you just have to go deeper to see it." Gracie explained and I nodded.
I disengaged from her hug, "How do you know about this adult store? It seems like you have been doing naughty things behind my back."
She was making fun of me, it was time to get back at her.
Gracie flicked my forehead, "Your imaginations are a little active. I was just buying it for my sister, Julianne didn't want to go there herself. You and Julianne belong in the same group, you are both shy. She is just more passionate."
Gracie winked.
I rolled my eyes.
"Let's get back to work." I said to Gracie before leaving the employee area hastily.
I wanted to finish my job for today as fast as I could. I wanted to visit the adult store before going back home.
I was going to give William a beautiful surprise.