The Lycan's Undesired Mate

8. A FAMILIAR PAIN

★JASMINE★

As I stepped a foot past the entrance, their heads snapped in my direction. There were three men seated, plus Alpha Jericho, making four.

I was familiar with only two. Alpha Jericho and his Beta, Marco. So I took it that the other two men were the brothers, Gamma Jordan and Delta Noel, my maid Stella spoke of.

As their intense gaze fastened on me, I swayed my hips from left to right, trying to seem effortlessly classy. Although my heart was thumping rapidly against my chest, I maintained my wits, held my breath, and continued strutting toward them.

I tried as much not to look at Alpha Jericho because I knew the look of contempt he'd issue me, would shatter the little brushed-up ego I clung to, and make me feel hopeless.

Getting to where they were seated, I stopped and curtsied. "Greetings, my brother-in-law. I am Jasmine from the white moon Pack. And I'm delighted to introduce myself as this Pack's new Luna."

Lies! My brain implied.

Becoming this Pack's Luna, made me far from delighted. In fact, it stirred up so many emotions from the miseries of my past ordeals. However, I tried to suppress the weird feeling coating my guts and put on a captivating smile.

I noticed the way the two brothers seated by my left exchanged looks. One looked at me as if he wanted to rip my soul out of my body then faced Alpha Jericho.

"Wait let me get this straight." His deep voice rang out. "Jericho, is this the Luna you called ugly and mentally deranged?" His tone hinted pure surprise and it doesn't seem to agree with what Alpha Jericho depicted me as earlier.

Biting down hard on my lower lip, I waited for Alpha Jericho's response.

He tossed a glare at his brother who just spoke, and then his icy blue eyes fell on me.

As expected, they held nothing but contempt and irritation.

Deep down, my mind was racing with rage as he stared at me. I despised him for saying those horrible words about me. Whoever made that statement was right— if I had so many flaws that didn't sit well with him, why make me his Luna? Why trap me in his castle all in the name of mate bond?

Alpha Jericho's eyes continuously raked me from head to toe before he spat. "Is there any lie in what I said?" Using his hand to size me up, he added. "Look at this thing. If there's anything you guys see attractive in her, then you need to get your eyes checked."

Once again, my heart tore into shreds. I felt my stomach dipped into a pit of profound despair, as I narrowed my eyes at him in disbelief.

Every part of me was shaken to bits, and I wanted to burst into tears. I don't deserve this. Not especially after suffering from the trauma of what my fiance did to me.

It made me feel like it was my fault he chose my supposed mother over me. Like I was unworthy of anything good.

My lips quivered and I wanted to break into tears right here, right now. However, I took in a deep breath and put a lid on my raging emotions.

You can't break down, Jasmine. You are stronger than this.

So I suppressed the urge to cry and managed a bright grin instead as I focused on his brothers. "Since you are both back from your trip, perhaps you can take your time to observe me first, and rather keep side talks apart."

Alpha Jericho snarled. "I hope you are not referring to me as the side talk?"

"As long as I didn't mention your name, then you ought to be logical!" I fired, my chest heaving in profound fury.

"Ouuuuh! Feisty and pretty......I like her!" One of the brothers followed.

Alpha Jericho immediately drifted his blazing orbs to the one that made the last commentary. "Are you nuts, Noel? Wait, is this entertaining to you? You are supporting her or what? I brought her here and I have every damn right to express my distaste for her!" He roared. The veins on his neck popped as he glared a hole into his brother's face.

The one addressed as Noel didn't utter another word. He just sat there solemnly, staring at his maniac of a brother. While the other one cooed.

"Jericho..... please don't be mad at him." He then brought his attention to Noel. "You ought to apologize to Jericho for making such a remark."

"Why do I have to apologize when I didn't say anything wrong?" Noel blew hot.

"What did you just say?" Alpha Jericho flared, jumping to his feet to pounce on Noel, but the other brother, Jordan held him back.

"You know Noel is the last born. It's normal for him to behave like this. Why not overlook this silly act of his and pardon him? He just returned and we are still warming up to each other." Jordan cooed. His hand was firmly around Alpha Jericho, stopping him from lunging at his brother.

Meanwhile, I stood there watching the whole scenario unfold in front of me. Alpha Jericho seemed to be like an uncouth, egomaniac, boorish, and repugnant dimwit who thinks the world revolves around him. Indeed, he couldn't take what he dished out.

How could he address me with so many demeaning names, but when he's being called out, he flared?

Does that mean because he's the Alpha, he should be untouchable?

Suddenly, I missed my father. Alpha Gideon was the best description of a leader. He ruled with an iron fist but still carried everyone along with love and laughter. He doesn't discriminate, or punish unjustly and neither does he speak so unruly of someone. But here I was, standing in front of my so-called mate, being bashed as if I was not meant to exist at all.

"Let go of me!" Roared Alpha Jericho at his brother holding him, and that one released his grip on him quickly.

He faced his brother Noel and narrowed his intimidating orbs on him. "Because you are my brother, and I warm up to you, doesn't give you the audacity to speak down on me, talk back to me in front of others. Am I understood?" He boomed and Noel reluctantly bobbed his head with an affirmative nod.

"Understood."

"Good." He growled then drifted his terrifying gaze to me, and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. "As for you. The next time, you talk back at me, look directly into my eyes whenever I'm speaking. I'll show you that I'm more than just an Alpha. Get that into your miserable skull!" He bellowed, prompting me to flinch on my spot.

I swallowed the hard lump forming in my throat as I paced my shaky breaths. As much as I'd like to act defiant. Alpha Jericho was terrifying as hell, and seeing the way his brothers cowered in fear too. I could tell that he wasn't one to mess with.

So for the sake of myself and my unborn pup, I nodded. "Yes, Alpha."

Silence befell the tense atmosphere. No one dared to speak, while Alpha Jericho drilled his heated gaze into my face.

I rubbed my sweaty palms against the fabric of my dress, wanting to be anywhere but here.

But right at this moment, a maid scurried into the room.

Noticing the tension in the atmosphere, she shakily bowed her head. "G-greetings, the table has now been prepared for your lunch." She finished quickly and scurried off.

Suddenly, Jordan's clapping of hands split through the silent atmosphere. "Alright, everyone. Let's get over this and have lunch." He looked over at me before stating. "Our Luna, please join us for lunch too."

The moment he said that I saw the snideful glare Alpha Jericho tossed at me before storming off. I shivered at his intimidating sight, then watched the rest file out before following suit.

At the dining table, everyone had taken their seats and the maids had begun to dish out our meals.

As soon as the maids were done serving, Alpha Jericho raised a fist in the air. "No one should eat yet. Hey you." He beckoned on a maid, who darted to his side immediately. "Go and fetch my beloved first."

"Yes, Sire." She squeaked then went off to do his bidding.

Instantly, Noel exchanged an annoyed look with Jordan. Who in return gave him the signal to calm down and that didn't go without my notice.

His beloved? I thought to myself. Who could his beloved be? And why did he order everyone not to eat until she showed up first?

My heart tightened as we waited.

Pressing my lips into a grim line, I began to wonder if I made the right decision to follow my mate here and become his Luna. Or perhaps, I should have just waited back at my pack and bore the agony of watching Luna Isobel all lovey-dovey with Cade.

Seconds later, the clicking sound of heels against the tiled floor, filled the atmosphere, snapping me out of my reverie.

Raising my head to the direction it was coming from, air escaped my lungs as I waited. Just then, a beautiful figure emerged from the corner and stepped into the dining room.

And as soon as I set my eyes on her, my jaw dropped to the floor in shock.

It was a familiar face. A very familiar face that I did not expect to find here as my husband's mistress!