Lunar Temptations

Ch 62

A person would normally express their anger in my situation, or at least shoot a glare or two, but I was left unmoving at the sight. Surprise and shock had taken over me as I stood frozen. Her arms were wrapped around Zayden in a way I doubted mine would ever have. She had her entire body pressed to him as if she was glued and unable to get off him. Whatever delight I had felt at the jet's view was long gone and was displaced by distaste. I wanted to rip those hands off and tear her leeching body off him. I was too enraged to comprehend why she was here. She could be taking a flight as well, but that was when my alarms went off again.

They pulled away, and Zayden hadn't returned her hug, but it hurt nevertheless to see his ex clinging to him. My attraction towards him wasn't profound after yesterday, and it had been there from the moment I had found out about us. And no matter my past hate towards this man, I wasn't okay with any woman trying to take my place as his mate, especially when it was his ex-girlfriend.

"Thank Goddess you're here. I couldn't bear being alone here another second," Audrey gushed out, her gaze settled on my man as if his fiancée and "mate" weren't standing behind them. Rage filled my senses until all I could feel was it pumping through my blood. I would bash that woman's head, and for the time being, I wouldn't even feel bad about it.

What the f**k did Zayden have to do with her being alone in a departure lounge? Did he owe her his company, or was she making another attempt at him, thinking she could still steal someone's mate? I had never wished so badly for someone to find their mate as much as I was doing then. If it meant she would keep her hands off him and stop texting and calling him, then I wished for her to be mated this very week.

"Audrey," he simply said, not entertaining her. "It—" he cleared his throat before stepping away from her. "-it's good to see you."

I clenched my jaws and decided to intervene.

"Did I miss something?" I asked, forcing a polite smile. Taking my place beside Zayden, I ran a smooth hand over his shoulder, directing my question to him. His head snapped to me, and for the first time, I saw that man hesitant. It took me by surprise, but I raised a brow inquiringly. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Audrey chiming in.

"You didn't tell her?" she said, an amused expression overtaking her face. "Zayd and I always go together to Senenia Island before—" she paused, giving me a once-over. "You showed up."

I resisted the urge to glare at her. "Oh, is that so?"

Zayden gave me a wary look. "Raya, can we talk?" he said, leaning into me. His words told me enough, but I nodded still. Suddenly, it was making sense, the text and the call earlier.

"No worries, I'll be right there," Audrey said and backed off towards a couch. For the first time since we had arrived, I didn't find her as bad. Her presence was still annoying though, and we might have gotten off on the right foot, but everything was thorny afterwards. When she was out of hearing range, Zayden turned to me.

"What is this?" I asked, softly giving him a chance to explain. He inhaled deeply as if preparing himself for the worst. Well, I didn't know about him, but I sure as hell was expecting the worst now.

"She will be travelling with us," he said, and I couldn't help but blink and look away. At first, it felt like a joke, but then my mind reverted to earlier, and it made sense then. He knew about it, and she had been calling him because of it. I should have been relieved that the call and text had only to do with her travelling with us and not something far worse, but then it hit me. Zayden and I would be stuck on a 10-hour flight with none other than Audrey.

Yes, it was the worst still.

I clenched my jaws. "And why did you not care to tell me about it?" I almost lashed out. I had been controlling myself for far too long. I was on edge from the moment I had seen her name appear on his phone screen, and now I was fuming, not sure how long I would be able to control myself.

"I had planned it all; it wasn't supposed to go this way," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I don't get it, why is she even going to the Island in the first place?" I said, trying to put the pieces together.

Zayden huffed out, "She is a sponsor for the festival. Her dresses have been liked and worn by many Lunas for years throughout this week." He explained, and suddenly it made sense. Of course, the sponsors. For all I cared, she could host the entire festival as long as she stayed away from us, but apparently, she had to take the same flight as us.

"She could have taken another flight!" I raised both hands, my teeth grinding.

He shook his head, "Mother told her that she could tag along with us."

I scoffed, "Of course, she did." That woman would do anything to make my life miserable.

In a second, his hand reached out to envelop mine, and warmth travelled from our touch. In one swift move, he pulled me to him, and I was caught off guard, losing my balance slightly. His hand slid around my waist, catching me. A breathtaking smile appeared on his face as he pulled me impossibly closer to him, his gaze switching between my lips and my eyes.

"Are you jealous of Audrey?" he whispered with a smirk. I rolled my eyes, pulling my lips into a thin line. "She did try to take my place."

The smirk only grew wider, but his brown orbs stared sincerely. "No one can take your place. You own me, Red."

A slight tint began to coat my cheeks as I ran a smooth hand over his chest, feeling him, feeling what was mine. As if seeing my intentions, his eyes grew darker, and his jaws clenched, as if controlling himself. I was edging closer to kissing him when I felt a pair of eyes staring. From my peripheral vision, I could see Audrey's gaze burning into us, and an odd satisfaction filled my chest.