Part 9
1013 Words
"Rose", I heard my father's voice sounding so far away. Raising my head, I raised my brow, taking into his features. He appeared older and wiser than actual age, the lines on his face more prominent, his face looked dull against the walls, lips twisted. "We have already informed the pack council of Cara mating ceremony to Alpha Aiden. Make sure everything is running smoothly."
Right. The pack council. I swallowed the lump in my throat. That felt like a final nail to the coffin. Pack Council is the body of people, mostly elder Alphas, who look after the adjoining packs. Before any huge event or ceremony, they must be informed for their blessings considered to be a gift.
I was so tired. These kinds of arrangements have been going on for a while. My mother included me in every small decision regarding the marriage of my sister. Mostly because Cara seemed to be avoiding her at every turn, rather preferring to stay late at her uni.
"So...Is the date set?" I asked, my heart throbbing against my chest.
Due to these festivities taking place in our pack, especially in our family, I was bone tired. My plan on meeting with Zain kept on postponing making it two whole weeks since I've last heard from him.
"Oh, we have decided it to be this Sunday!" My father exclaimed, his eyes glistening with moisture. "Alpha Aiden asked us to show up to his pack house. The ceremony will take place there. Your mother can find you a dress and some flowers. I'm sure your sister will ask you to be her maid of honour."
"Okay," I breathed through my mouth, my throat feeling desert-dry all of a sudden. "Is that all?"
My father gave me a strange look. "Are you in a hurry?"
"Umm...kind of"
I wanted to meet Zain. Finally, this was my chance. My mother had dragged Cara for her dress fitting, allowing me to escape. As I did not have a phone, I messaged him using my sister's cell. He would recognise the number as we frequently used it to converse with each other.
My dad chuckled. "You're always busy. Okay, I'll see you later."
"Bye, dad."
***
When I reached the garden, Zain was slumped against the bench; his feet pulled together. His hand kept on tweaking the leaves nearby, breathing in through his nose. What was he so nervous about? It's not as if we fought for the first time.
"Zain?"
"Rose!" He breathed, standing on his feet. I eyed the sweat clinging to his forehead, hair slicked back. "Hi!"
The Alpha turned around on the balls of his feet immediately, "We can't see each other anymore, Rose."
It took me entirely by surprise, so unexpected I never even considered it and my lips parted. My pathetic self didn't see it coming—the way Zain jerked back from my touch.
"What are you saying? Is this a joke?"
"I'm serious, Rose. Let's end this."
I recoiled as those words echoed in my ears, stumbling back few steps. For few seconds, I froze on the spot; my heart stuck in my throat. Why was he doing this to me? I thought, curling into myself.
"Please don't..." The words were ripped from my mouth, dripping with confusion and a dash of fear. My eyes were wild, looking around just in case it's one of his pranks.
"Don't what?"
I blinked rapidly at him, my hands still lifted in the air. I was still trying to reach out—to hold on.
"How could you say that?" I breathed sharply, sounding hurt, sounding angry. "How could you say that? We have been together for years, Zain! Why do you not want us to continue this relationship?"
My boyfriend ran a hand through his hair, tugging frustratedly at his locks. A furrow formed in between his brows, mouth twisted. "Why can't you let it go, Rose?"
"No," I huffed, shaking my head. "How can I let it go? It doesn't make sense. And it doesn't feel right to me."
"You can't be serious right now," Zain tilted his head, meeting my eyes. "Surely, you know it was going to end anyway. Our parents don't like each other; we are always fighting over silly things. Honestly, it isn't worth it anymore."
His words pricked my skin, harsh and devoid of emotion. Why was he so cold? What might have gone down in few days? At my silence, his lips were stretched into a thin line, and it's hard to imagine days ago they used to curve into a smile.
"Will you say something?!"
"You know it doesn't work like this," I exhaled, my voice wavering. All the memories we shared flashed in front of my eyes. Tears trickled down my cheeks, his stature in front of me a blur. "You can't abandon me."
"There's only one thing I know," Zain calmly said. "I don't want to have you as my mate."
I cringed; it's not from the words themselves, but from the conviction behind them, the complete and utter belief of its truth.
"Is that how you truly feel?"
"Yes," He answered sharply, the bob of his adam's apple distinct as he swallowed. "Goodbye, Rose. I hope you have a nice life."
"No," I hiccuped, my hands fumbling and trying to reach out. Somewhere inside, I hoped that he would change his mind. The warmth that enveloped my whole body just minutes ago completely vanished, leaving behind nothing but chills.
"Zain, please listen..."
"Don't try to contact me again", He said firmly and then walked away, disappearing among the bodies.
Every breath felt excruciating, an ache fostering between my heart and spreading like wildfire, clogging my throat. Suddenly, I was unbelievably nauseous.
The next thing I knew, my body gave away, crumpling, crashing down to my feet, a sob wracking through my body. I slapped a hand over my mouth, tears dripping from my eyes and down the cheeks, burning against my skin.
What did I do to deserve this cruel treatment?
***
- Writer
