Run Away, Pussycat

Game On

[[ Chanel's POV ]]

"Have the candle sticks arrived?" I asked as I made my way around the kitchen, making sure everything was close to being done for the rehearsal dinner tonight.

Evalina had surprised a lot of people by announcing that she all of a sudden wanted to move the wedding up (and that of course entails everything else to also be pushed up).

It wasn't until later on that she pulled me to the side and confessed that it was really Cesare who wanted to have the wedding pushed up sooner, meanwhile I knew the truth all along.

But as a good friend I played along and continued to play the perfect maid of honor, making sure that everything moved forward smoothly.

"They've arrived an hour ago." One of the ladies sounded tiredly.

"And may I see the glasses, they mustn't have even the slightest smudges." I emphasized.

I knew I was being a bitch, but this is my best friends rehearsal dinner and dammit I was going to make sure it was perfect.

"Yes ma'am." The staff chimed together.

I was just about to go over the food preparations when Vincent walked in.

He came over to me and kissed my hair, having been away from Luca for a couple of days really helped me keep up the charade of playing the good girlfriend. Well, it at the very least allowed me to be touched by Vincent without pulling away in an obvious fashion.

"Chanel my dear, why don't we let the kitchen staff do their job." He suggested sweetly.

I couldn't help but smile and agree, "perhaps I should start getting ready."

He nodded and then looked to one of the women in the group, "please make sure you set up an extra seat at the table with us, one of the wedding party has a guest coming in for the remainder of their stay."

"Oh?" I couldn't help but wonder as I tried to think of who could possibly have a guest coming.

I was certain that Kammie hadn't met anyone yet.

"Who are we expecting?" I finally asked.

"Well it seems as if Luca has a date coming into town." He filled me in.

An anger so ravenous suddenly filled the very depths of my entire being. I was on the cusp of shifting right where I stood, in front of everyone without a care to the world.

Until the sound of Evalina's laugh suddenly filled my ears.

My heart and wolf were conflicting with each other.

While I wanted to be angry even my wolf knew better than to ruin things for Evalina.

"I wasn't aware that the man-whore had found a girlfriend." I spit out, finally finding my voice.

"Woah" Vincent chuckled, "reign in the claws kitten-"

Kitten

The very word was too close to the name that I've grown too accustomed to hearing from Luca.

I stepped away from Vincent and he noticed.

"Everything alright?" He asked with worry.

I put on my best smile to assure him I was fine, "just remembered that I promised to do Kammie's hair tonight, so unfortunately I should go if I want to get back here in time for the dinner."

He nodded and bent down to kiss me but I dodged it and opted on giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Even pissed off at that asshole Luca, I still couldn't betray him by allowing myself to be even the slightest bit intimate with someone else.

I rushed out of the house so as not to cause a scene and found my way into the woods where I let my anger come forward in the form of shifting.

I paced angrily, stalking about and arguing with my wolf.

"How could he?" I thought to myself.

'Luca is Mate...he wouldn't hurt us.'

"Yeah like he didn't hurt us when he left."

'He came back...he's waiting for us, he's been waiting for us.'

I growled in frustration...my wolf was right, he had been waiting for us to be together from the very beginning, why would he ruin what we've got going now?

Knowing I wouldn't get any answers here I knew I needed to go and get ready.

Once I reached the bridal cabin I actually did run into Kammie who was just on her way back to her room, a towel wrapped around her body.

"Showers free if you need it...but waters running a little cold."

I made a face, it was the downside to the cabin...three separate rooms and one communal bathroom. And since it was an older property that Vincent never really bothered updating. The electricity and plumbing weren't the best anymore.

"Thanks...And hey, if you want I can do your hair for the evening." I offered.

She smiled and nodded, "thanks, it's such a rats nest j never know what to do with it."

She went into the room and I went into the room I was staying in. After getting everything together I had a super quick shower, and honestly the cooler water helped to calm me down and clear my head.

I did my makeup pretty quick as I kept it light.

I helped Kammie get her hair done and before too long Evalina arrived to get ready and Kammie and I were wrapping everything up.

"You two look great." Evalina sounded as she walked into my room.

"Thanks." Kammie blushed.

"I have a super cute necklace that will go perfect with your dress." I added as I got up and went over to my jewelry box. "Here you go." I said as I handed her the gold necklace with a small sapphire that would go well with her dee navy dress.

"Oh my goddess!" Evalina sounded excitedly.

I looked at her curiously before it clicked and I snapped the box shut immediately.

"Was that what I think it was?"

I sighed, "Yes."

"So Vincent proposed?" She asked for clarification.

Kammie caught my eye and she offered me a look of sadness as she was the only one who knew I had a Mate (other than Cesare).

"He did." I said as I opened the box and pulled out the ring. It was beautiful of course, I sighed and put it on my right ring finger.

"And you said yes?!"

I shook my head, "I haven't given him an answer...although I did ask him not to propose."

She pulled her eyebrows together in confusion, "Wait...what?"

"He asked then said don't answer."

"B-But you have an engagement ring." She pointed out as if it were as simple as all of that.

"I do...and I have to wear it."

"Have to?" She asked.

I sighed once again, "it's complicated." I said as I let my hand fall to my side...the ring felt too heavy and I just wanted to get this whole wedding over and done with so I could take it off for good and leave this place without ever looking back.