The Lycan's Undesired Mate

7. THE LYCAN'S UNDESIRED MATE

★JASMINE★

I stared at my sunken eyes in the mirror, as my newly assigned maid, Stella combed down my hair.

"The texture of your hair is so lovely. Your hair is long, silky, and beautiful and it compliments your oval-shaped face. I can't get tired of brushing it all day long." She complimented me while I feigned a small smile.

My heart was heavy.

It felt like the word 'happiness' had eluded me and I would never feel it again.

Right from the start, I have always envisioned my wedding day to flow with joy, excitement, and fulfillment. But why do I feel this emptiness and despair instead?

In truth, I never expected myself to be with another man aside from Cade. He was my first love and I hoped for him to be my last. I remembered the night Cade proposed to me back in my Pack.

That night was the most beautiful night I've ever experienced. We were watching the swarm of fireflies illuminating the lake. The sight was so enchanting, and I even commented how the insects live a peaceful life unlike we, the werewolves.

Cade remarked that he wanted me to feel that peace too. Before I knew it, he went on one knee and proposed to me. His words were still so fresh in my mind;

"My beloved, Jasmine. Even in the long run and your parents are no more, I promise to be a father, mother, brother, friend, and lover to you. Will you marry me and spin my fantasy into reality? I promise to make your life filled with abundant joy and peace." Yet, where was he now?

In place of the joy he promised, he gave me a handful of despair. How could he do this to me? How could he abandon all those years of promises for an older woman? A woman I thought was my mother?

My stomach tightened into a knot as memories of the moment I caught them in bed, flooded to the forefront of my brain. They seemed so in love, so enthralled with the sight of one another. And I felt like the third wheel.

What could I have done wrong to make me so deserving of that much humiliation?

A soft tap on my shoulder jolted me out of my reverie.

Casting a sideway glance at Stella, I inquired. "What's wrong? Are you done brushing the hair?"

"You are tearing up, Lady Jasmine. Am I brushing it too rough?" She asked instead, and I brought my gaze back to the mirror to see the tears stained around the corners of my eyes.

I sniffled. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Just continue. You weren't doing anything wrong." I informed, wiping off the tears with my fingers.

"Is something bothering you, Lady Jasmine? You just got married to one of the most powerful Alpha in the wereworld, you ought to be excited." She pressed further.

Excited?

Did she just say the word excited? How can I be excited when I didn't get married to the love of my life? How can I be excited when my mate married me just because he wanted a Luna and nothing else? How can I be excited when I'm carrying the pup of my betraying ex and I'm now hitched to another man?

Just how?

My life was already a messed up puzzle and, I don't think there was a solution to it.

I sniffled again and forced a smile this time. "No, Stella. These are happy tears." I lied. Knowing deep down that it was far from the truth.

Stella seemed to catch a whiff too. Because she just spared me a cursory glance through the mirror. Then she took the hint and continued brushing my hair.

Grateful that she didn't pry further. My mind drifted back to Cade. His smile back then erupted so many butterflies in my stomach. I remembered my heart racing whenever his eyes locked with mine. Was he smiling at her now? Was he promising her a lifetime of happiness like he did to me?

Instinctively, my hand found its way to my stomach. I didn't know how to feel anymore about the life growing inside me. Would I despise the child when it comes? Would he look like his father?

As much as I have been trying to put off my anguish since I left the pack believing it doesn't hurt. I swear it does.

No matter how much I think of it, I just couldn't pinpoint what exactly I did to the moon goddess to deserve this.

A soft knock thumped on the door, jolting me out of my series of thoughts.

Almost at once, Stella and I cast our heads towards that direction, and I motioned for her to get the door.

She strutted off to answer it, then turned and looked at me. "My Lady, it's the one of the maids, Clarissa."

"Let her in."

A blonde petite maid breezed into the room and then curtsied. "Greetings, Luna. The Alpha Brothers have returned and they request your presence at the Castle lounge." She stated.

The Alpha Brothers?

Alpha Jericho has brothers, and I'm just learning about it now.

"Thank you, Clarissa. I'll be right there." I told the maid and she curtsied once more before leaving.

After shutting the door, Stella walked back to me.

"The Alpha has brothers?" I queried inquisitively.

"Yes, My lady. In fact, two of them. Gamma Jordan and Delta Noel. They left for training six months ago, and I'm sure they must have returned because of the wedding today." She briskly walked towards the closet and brought out a purple dress. "They are loving people but tend to be brutal sometimes."

I was still struggling to process everything Stella rambled on. Two brothers, return from a training trip, loving but brutal. Got it.

"I don't want that dress, Stella. Get me a black dress instead, and leave my hair cascading down my back like this. I am tired because of the accessories I wore for the wedding. I want to be bare." I instructed her and she answered with a quick nod.

"Your wish is my command, my Lady."

Shortly after, I was donned in a black dress with my hair flowing down my back, just as I requested. Thereafter, I stood in front of the mirror, taking in my appearance.

"You are so beautiful, even without makeup or accessories." Stella complimented me again and I grinned warmly at her.

She didn't lie though. If there was something people kept complimenting me on, it had to be my beauty. I've got a pointed, well-defined nose, complimented with a pair of beautiful brown eyes and languid eyebrows. My thin matte lips enhanced the beauty of my white-arranged teeth anytime I smiled.

It was part of Cade's incessant compliment too. He would not stop yapping about how blessed he was to have a gorgeous enthralling beauty like me, day and night. Still, he went for an older woman.

Ah!

The irony!

Leaving my chambers for the Castle lounge, I wondered why I never knew Alpha Jericho had two brothers until now. Another part of me contemplated if they would like me. But if they don't, I'd survive anyway. Because if there's anything I've learned so far— it has to be not letting anyone define your happiness.

I responded to several greetings as I made my way to the castle lounge, and the moment I almost stepped to the entrance, my feet dragged to an abrupt halt.

Alpha Jericho's deep voice filled the atmosphere and he was talking about me.

"You need to see this girl. She's ugly, classless, annoying, and repulsive. I don't desire her one bit."

My heart shattered into a million fragments. Was I really the one he was talking about or someone else?

I felt a pang of pain coursing through my entire body as I shook my head in denial. No, no that cannot be me. Perhaps some other lady he came across, but not me.

But who was I deceiving? He made mention of my name!

Every pain I had struggled to keep down suddenly surged up again. I understood if he didn't like me as his mate. But how could he mutter so many demeaning things about me?

My heart began to race with so many questions. Was that also the reason why Cade abandoned me without a second thought? Was I too ugly and classless to be loved?

I felt my chest tighten in pain and my mind numbed with agony.

"Then you shouldn't have made her your Luna." Another voice scolded. "Someone with so many poor characteristics, shouldn't be your Luna. You will be seeing her every day, that will be torture for you."

Although I was already hurting, I anticipated his next response.

"No, I won't be seeing her every day. I already gave her rules to adhere to. So she will be steering clear of me."

That broke the last straw.

The urge to turn around and return to my chambers enveloped me. Tears welled up in my eyes and my body was starting to shake terribly. I've heard enough of demeaning words, that have already shattered my self-esteem for a lifetime.

I don't need to hear more.

Batting my eyelashes to control the tears gushing out, I attempted to turn back and leave. My self-esteem was already bruised and it would be quite embarrassing to face them right now after the horrible things said about me.

"Ouhhh." I let out a shuddering breath, trying as much as possible to keep calm.

My mind was racing with so many emotions. But on second thought, I decided to go into that room to face them.

Now that I've heard my mate spew so many condescending words about me, I'd try to steer clear of him as he wishes and at the same time, show him that I don't give a damn about his thoughts of me.

Wiping off the tears from my face, I steadied my breath.

Breathe in, out, in, out. You can do this, Jasmine. I assured myself over and over again, then sauntered into the lounge with my head held high in confidence.