5. Hating Him
1097 Words
Serena wasn't one to hold grudges. And yet, she felt that she resented her mate on some level.
She had dreamed of the instant connection, had fancied him even before meeting him, and had just about fallen for him at first sight.
He had this brooding somber look to him that added to his appeal. She did not see how she was going to convince him to be with her, considering how adamant he was about not having a mate.
Thus, she sought Benjamin out. And it was not long before the two of them were discussing strategies. Some tactics were dismissed by her and a few others approved.
All in all, they devised a plan to stalk her mate and flaunt their fake relationship in front of him.
Sure, playing on the man's jealousy wasn't the best idea, but Serena did not have much choice.
What was the alternative solution? Seducing him was out of the question. She had too much pride to chase a man so actively when he did his best to avoid her.
Oh, how his rejection hurt!
“What's the long face about?” Benjamin asked in concern.
“Imagine being in my shoes,” she told him on a groan.
“I'd rather not,” he said with a little grimace.
“Exactly,” she retorted. “Hardly fairy tale material.”
“You are a dragon, not a fairy,” he tried to make light of the discussion.
“And that is the reason why I believe in magic,” she retorted. “I have to.”
“I know,” he sighed. “And he'll give in to your charms soon enough, I can assure you that.”
“You sound so hopeful,” she told him as she propped her chin up on her hand.
“As I should be,” he winked at her.
The simple gesture made her smile.
Why wasn't her mate more easy-going and more approachable? Did he really need to be so closed off and grumpy?
She and Gregory were worlds apart.
She could not fathom a world where she and her siblings were not united some way or another. The three of them shared so much more than just blood... They were not alike in many aspects. And yet, they had just about the same thinking process.
They met their respective mates, wanted to be with them at all costs, and did their best to ensure that.
She was no different.
She was going to stop at nothing to get Gregory... Or almost.
Some drinks and a few songs later, and she was in Benjamin's comforting and oh so reliable arms, taking what he had to offer, seeking love he was not at liberty to give completely.
She did not care to remember when or how their relationship of mutual benefits started... What mattered right then was that she needed him to soothe the loneliness away as much as he did her.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” He asked softly, complimenting her in the process. She smiled hesitantly at him, not quite understanding where this came from.
“And I am not just talking about your appearance. You have a golden heart and you are precious to me.”
She did not know whether he was trying to comfort her with words or if he was complimenting her... But his words moved her to tears.
“You're too sweet,” she told him.
“It's a pity we're not fated mates, he retorted
“It is, isn't it?” She allowed a sigh out.
She was starting to hate the indecipherable Gregory. She was so close to giving up and living her life fully without a care for anything, much less a mate... But she couldn't.
Theodore had had it all – the fame, the money, the power – and yet he had been terribly lonely... So much that he had become a little bit of a recluse.
She did not blame him for not making the necessary efforts to find his mate – he knew that it could be anyone – but she respected him greatly for waiting.
She shall be patient. It wasn't her best trait but if she could do it for the sake of her job, she would have to just suck it up and be patient for Gregory.
She shall give him time to pull his s**t together. But no more than a year. One year was all she was willing to basically throw away on him.
And if push came to shove, she shall choose herself first. There was just something so demeaning about the way he spoke to her that made her feel almost inferior.
She considered renting a place near his together with Benjamin just to spite him. But that had been one of the dismissed ideas. Teasing him, igniting the fire of jealousy in his heart, was only fine as long as it didn't backfire of course.
She did not know where she stood with him.
He had not made a single step toward her.
Hell, he had even gone as far as to say hurtful things to her.
She feared that at some point she would be so angry, she'd give up on the man without even fighting anymore.
Having one sided feelings for the first time was painful, more than she could have imagined.
She had pursued medical studies. She knew better than to allow her emotions to make her kneel. And yet, she felt utterly subjugated – it was as if she had no control.
And oh, how she hated losing control!
“Sleep well,” Serena, Benjamin told her as she let out another sigh. “Tomorrow is another day.”
She pondered his words briefly, was close to ripping his heart out for how dismissive he sounded, but then realized he was right.
She needed to focus on building a future with her mate. The past could not be changed.
And admittedly, right then, her body needed rest.
Therefore, she closed her eyes, and was soon enough slipping into la-la land – the land where the worst case scenario became a reality – and she woke up with a startle.
“It's just a dream,” Benjamin told her soothingly.
“More like a nightmare,” she retorted on a shudder.
“Take it easy. I am here,” he reassured her.
Yes but for how long? She mused but did not dare to voice it out, instead opting for a snuggle.
- Writer
