My Alpha Mate (Completed)

Chapter 8: Temptations

"What ceremony?" I ask.

"The joining ceremony, of course," Darius states.

Terry chuckles. "Don't tell me you don't know guys from the high ranks host them once they find mates."

I shake my head. Am I really that uneducated about wolf stuff or was I simply desperately disinterested in those customs?

"It's like a wedding in your human world," Debra clarifies, amused, having noticed my distress.

"Right," my food suddenly climbs back up my throat. I was supposed to marry Ian this year. And now...it turns out I'll be marrying someone else. I can't help feeling the Moon Goddess' blessing is more a curse.
Why is she doing this to me? Ian didn't deserve to be left. We didn't deserve this - all those years of love and support ending in one damned second.
Is Darius really worth it? I sure hope so. "And when is this ceremony supposed to happen?" I clear my throat.

"Don't worry about that," Darius puts down his fork and knife. "It will happen when we say it will."

Debra claps her hands. "Oh, I can't wait. I love celebrations!"

He stands up slowly. "Alright then. Have a good night, everyone."

Does this also refer to me?

I get my answer as he stops behind my chair and takes his hand out. "Join me to the bedroom?"

My throat goes stiff. I should just say no, but then I will portray myself as a coward to these people.  And a weirdo. No one behaves this weird with their mates but me. Then again, not everyone had a human fiancé just a few hours ago.

I decide to play it cool and place my hand into his. "Have a good night," I say as I stand up.

I can almost hear my heart pounding as we walk hand in hand, him leading me to the stairs.

It is the most normal thing in the world, my wolf reassures me. All werewolves are crazy over their mates once they find each other. What's your problem?

What is my problem?
Still having feelings for Ian? A fresh breakup? A new love forced upon me? Or is it embracing someone as my Alpha? I'll go for all of the above.

Ugh, you suck.

Shut up. I'm the boss of us in human form.

He intertwines his fingers with mine quite roughly, then lifts my hand up to lay a strong kiss on it. "It pleases me that you came this soon, Lila," he says in a deep sexy voice. "I would've hated it if I had to come and get you myself."

I can't with this dominance.

"I just felt a bit tired, that's all."

He smirks as if he has all the power over me.

I abruptly take my hand away and stop.

"'What?" he asks, confused.

"Introducing some nice manners wouldn't kill you, you know," I scratch my neck in anxiety.