Athena
"Mam, Alpha has sent these for you to wear tonight." A servant handed me a few bags before she got out of my sight.
I curiously opened the bags and the first thing that caught my attention was the wine-red gown. My brows rose in surprise as I looked at the gown. It was stunning— The elegant V neckline, the stones, embroidery, laces and embellishments, complimented the beautiful dress, and the side slit cut skirt made the gown look even prettier. It was hard to take my eyes off the dress yet I managed to get myself to look at the other bags.
As I opened the second bag, there was a blue velvety box. I took it in my hand and unlocked it. There was a beautiful ruby necklace and earring set. It could be said without needing to examine twice that this was worth more than a fortune.
I moved to the next bag and there was a pair of lace-up ankle strap high heels. It screamed the same luxury as the other accessories.
The fact that he spent so much for the sake of one party astonished me. However, it added to my worries because these purchases he made surely told me that this event was important for him; He'd already mentioned that there were going to be a few of his business associates. The last thing he'd want was to attend the party with a woman dressed like shit.
Deep down in my heart, there was hope sparking these gifts were not only to preserve his image in front of those people who might be there at the party. I wished....these meant something. Maybe not something huge or shocking that might turn everything upside down and put an end all these predicaments to an end, but...something.
But perhaps it meant nothing.
The other half of my soul was too numb to emotions for something like this. He did not care about my feelings because he was simply incapable of feeling anything at all. The one who can't sense his own sentiments how would he ever understand the importance of this eternal bond that is not meant to be severed but to be fulfilled?
******
I stared at my reflection in the mirror in surprise and bewilderment. The dress hugged my curves like a second skin, my skin seemed to shine under the influence of the red colour, the light makeup made my features stand out and the waves of my hair looked silky and smooth than they ever looked before. It was hard for me to believe that it was me I was looking at in the mirror.
I looked so dissimilar; I'd never seen myself in this way. Every time I looked at my reflection it was always the flaws and despondencies that caught my eye but today there were none. I glowed differently.
What could have changed? Nothing, however, but something about this attire made it seem as if everything has reversed even though the backstory was really odd and horrid.
Perhaps, if the situation was different there would be a smile on my face as well but my life and the circumstances I was trapped in did not make it possible.
As I began getting lost in my own thoughts, Sebastian walked inside the room before I could fully zone out. He dropped his black overcoat on the couch and was about to walk into the closet but something made his feet halt.
It took a second to realize that the reason was me. He turned around to look at me and a flicker passed through his cold blue orbs.
Heat punctured my skin and my heartbeats went fast; It did not take him any effort to make my mind go into a frenzy, his gaze alone was enough to do the job.
He walked towards me from behind, taking one slow step at once. Both of our eyes were fixated on the mirror because that was the only way for us to look at each other. For him to look through my soul and for me, to try for that one glance where I could see through the mask he put on.
He closed the distance between us and stood right behind me. So close that I could feel his breathing on my neck whereas he silently observed me as if noticing every little detail I had to offer.
He slipped his hand around my waist, stopping at the belly as he pulled me towards him until my back pressed against his chest.
I was not able to read him. I could not distinguish what was going on in his mind. His countenance was impassive, too hard to pierce through. But he radiated the same cold and emotionless personality, there was no change in his body language.
Not for once, his eyes moved away from looking at me from the mirror, nor I could break the eye contact.
He took a whiff of my scent as he pressed his nose against my hair, his eyes closed for a second and his body stilled.
Seconds later his question came once he looked at me again, "Where's your necklace?" His raised eyebrow gave away his speculation.
I looked at my neck before my stare fell on the box laying on the plain glass table beside me, settling right across from the couch. It was then I remembered that I totally forgot about wearing the necklace after I'd worn the earrings because of getting trapped in my surprised daze.
"Um...I forgot to wear it," I stuttered, finding it extremely hard to keep up with his gaze, "I'll wear it right now, just give me a sec—"
My attempt to get the box went in vain because Sebastian seized my action by tightening his hold around me.
"Wait, here." It was his cold command that made me freeze on the spot.
He withdrew his hand and grabbed the box from the table before he once again stood where he'd stood before. He took the thin necklace and threw the box away carelessly, which to some extent was unexpected for me.
Moving closer, he pushed my hair to the side, his fingers brushed over my skin ever so slightly and the hair on my arms stood up like needles. The craving for closeness started to simmer, however, the urge to watch his next move was stronger than everything else.
He slowly slipped the necklace around my neck and once he was done, his stare fixed on me likewise. Brushing his fingers over the ruby, he moved them upwards tracing the chain and my skin underneath it. Warmth spread all over me, his touch sent bolts of electricity all over my body.
And then, out of blue, he grabbed my arm and turned me around. My chest came colliding against his and our faces remained only inches apart. The tension spiked up to a few scales and my breathing got heavier matching the pace of my pulsating veins.
"At least, you look presentable for once," He spoke, his tone disrespectful and insensitive, "This attire is convincing enough."
I already knew the purpose of these gifts was only to preserve his image. To be honest, these could not be called gifts at all. These were just mere investments a wealthy man like him made only so that he could maintain his reputation in return.
But why did it hurt so much when I already knew the truth?
"Now listen to me very carefully," He spoke, "You'll come to the party with me, stick to my side till I want you, and won't talk to me unless I do. Also, you won't let anyone know that you are my mate; You'll come there as my girlfriend, if asked about your pack and background, just simply avoid the questions. There are going to be a lot of people. Certainly, not everyone is my enemy but they are not my friend or well-wishers as well, so I need you to remember that you are responsible for your own safety, so staying around and not getting out of sight would be the wise choice for you, however, it's your choice what you'd decide for yourself."
He'd never sounded so casual. There was no harshness in his voice just like last night and this demeanour made a strange feeling twist in my gut.
"Other than that, you are free to do anything you want. Drink, chat with anyone you want, do whatever the shit you'd like to, I don't care. All I want is that you will handle your mess by yourself and won't turn out to be a fucking problem to deal with."
He was actually treating me like a 'nobody.'
Even his hatred was better than this treatment.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from losing it. I did not want to cry and fall weak right now.
He released me, no signs of emotion etched on his face.
"We'll head out in a few minutes." With that being said, he walked into the closet.