My Genius Mate

Chapter Nine

The ripples in my water allowed me to space out and stare at them. They came and went with the music, with the footsteps of people who walked by, and every time, someone kicked the table by accident. My mind was racing about what Elliot said. If I wanted to be Luna, if Ronan never left Christa, could I leave and be with him? Did Ronan want me to allow him to be with her? I looked over, trying to find the hot-headed Alpha in the crowd. The hairs on my arms stood up when I saw him already looking at me. I straightened in my seat and fixed my posture. Ronan sat next to me as he sat at his table; his chair and body moved to point right at me. Ronan, who could feel what I felt through our mate bond, felt my mood change suddenly and looked where my line of sight was. He leaned over, not enough for everyone to notice, just enough for me to hear him. "What did he say to you?"

I snapped my attention to Ronan; his eyelids were lowered, and his face was still. He wanted to look serious, but I knew he was worried. I didn't want to burden or worry him more, so I shook my head. "Nothing weirder than normal lately."

"What do you mean by that?" Christa looked over at us; she gave me a death glare, and all I saw was red.

"Don't worry about it." I took a drink to calm my nerves, but it didn't work.

Alpha got on the stage and thanked everyone for coming. "I'd like to give a special thank you to my mate, the love of my life." Luna stood up and blew him a kiss. Gross. "And my son, Ronan. He is joined by his Beta, Henry, with his mate Katie, and his Omega, with his date for the evening, Ali."

I got an applause, but I also knew most of these people. I grew up with these men and women. He went on to tell stories about people he saw in the crowd. Christa nearly shook with rage. She got skipped. She looked at me with another glare that would set me on fire if she could. Gabe reached over and touched my hand.

He was happy I was there with him. After I was done dancing with Ronan, Gabe came over and we laughed together, making fun of how we danced once the music sped up. As I promised Henry, I did have a good time. Gabe allowed me to have a good time. Now, I sat at the table while my mate and his girlfriend started a fight next to me. My best friend and childhood friend were leaning against each other and being cute. They were so in love.

The feeling of everything lately was driving me insane. I was upset about Ronan moving on while I was gone. I was mad at all the hard work I had put in just for my heart to break when I found out. I started to hate this dress as it restricted around my ribs and made it hard to breathe. It was hot in here, my feet were on fire, and I wanted to snap Christa's neck for challenging me to talk to my damn mate. Everything was crashing down at me all at the same time. I wanted to scream at Ronan and demand him tell me if he wanted me to not. I wanted to tell everyone to stop bumping into me on purpose to get more of my scent. The edge was approaching, and I was teetering on it. Elliot was the only one not to make me feel like dying tonight, and that must be wrong.

I stood up and caught my breath. "I'm getting a drink."

"I can come too?" I waved a hand at Katie as I held my stomach. Gabe and Ronan also tried to join me, but I quickly moved through the crowd as Alpha told a story about them, so they couldn't follow me. I turned and passed people who kept shoving into me on accident or purpose. I kept my head down and took a deep breath when I reached the bar.

When I checked my phone, it had only been a couple of hours. A groan escaped me as the bartender walked over to me. He didn't say anything to me; he just held up a bottle of vodka vs tequila. I pointed to the tequila, and he nodded. I turned around to see Alpha laughing onstage, giving his usual 'thanks for coming together as one' speech and whatever else.

Scanning the room, I felt out of place. Everyone was in such a good mood and mingling. I hated this. Was I cut out to be Luna if Ronan did pick me? I rubbed my fingers along my temple as I got served my drink.