Chapter 16
Gemini’s POV
I froze at the doorway, my heart sinking as I took in the scene before me. A stunning woman, dressed like she belonged on the cover of a magazine, leaned close to Asher, her lips brushing his cheek. He didn’t push her away, didn’t even flinch. Instead, he stood there, stiff but allowing it to happen.
My chest tightened, an unfamiliar bitterness surged through me. Jealousy? No, that couldn’t be it. I barely knew him, and whatever connection we had, was not one that gave me the right to question his life or even feel jealous.
On second thought, I felt that I might just be overreacting. She could be his family member as well…
I shook my head, forcing the thought away. Whatever they were to each other was none of my business.
Summoning the little composure I had left, I straightened my back and stepped into the room, pretending I hadn’t just walked in on a moment that made me feel entirely out of place.
Their eyes weighed heavily on me as I stopped in front of King Asher. And with a bow, I said, “Your Majesty, do you mind introducing me to everyone?”
King Asher straightened in his seat, clearing his throat as his gaze shifted from his parents to me. “Mum, Dad…. This is Gemini, my second–chance
mate.”
Mate?
The word echoed in my mind like a bell tolling in a quiet school hall. My heart clenched, and the world seemed to spin for a second. Of all the possibilities in the universe, this was the one I was least prepared for. Asher… my mate? The thought was absurd, incomprehensible even, and yet it felt like a missing puzzle piece snapping into place.
My fingers curled into fists at my sides as a wave of emotions surged through me–confusion, disbelief, fear, and something dangerously close to hope.
The air in the room shifted instantly. And I noticed the sassy lady go pale almost immediately. Not just her, but his parents too, the disbelief and displeasure on their faces was enough to make it clear–I was about to endure the most uncomfortable family dinner of my life.
*And Gemini, these are my parents.” King Asher continued.
I steadied myself amidst the jumbled emotions followed by King Asher’s revelation. “Good day, your majesties.” I greeted, my voice steady despite the awkward tension in the room.
But there was no reply. Instead, I was met with a cold, appraising stare from his parents.
The queen’s face contorted into an expression I’m sure I had seen before. “How did a werewolf become your second–chance mate?”
“Mom!” Asher called as if cautioning her.
The elegant woman–whoever she was–didn’t bother to hide her disdain. Her perfect brows arched in disbelief as she looked me over, as though I were some piece of trash.
My throat tightened, but I forced myself to stand tall. This wasn’t the first time I’d been looked down upon, and it likely won’t be the last.
King Asher’s gaze flew over to the end of the table, where a young man sat, looking totally unconcerned about whatever was going on at this side of
the table.
“Over there-” King Asher started, pointing to the carefree prince.“–is Cain, my half–brother.”
And finally, to the one I had been waiting to hear. “And over here is Becca Martell- his gaze flickered back to the elegant miss. “My old–time friend.”
I scoffed, clearly unconvinced
Old–time friend you say isn’t that a coded name for a bitch that’s obsessed with you.
The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken disapproval. I stood tall, trying to appear unaffected by the cold reception. Ignoring them all, I made my way to the far end of the table.
Sliding into an empty seat, I tried to make myself invisible. But then my gaze landed on the man seated beside me, Asher’s half–brother.
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Chapter 16
His eyes met mine for a split second, but instead of meeting a cold gaze, I was met with a warm and inviting look. Cain was very similar to Asher but there were still some obvious differences. But what caught me off guard was the colour of his eyes, they were turquoise green just like mine.
Intriguing right?
I filled my plate with my favourite dishes and began eating like I was not just in an awkward situation. I was serious when I said I wasn’t going to be anyone’s victim, and that included the royal family. I could feel Mrs Blackwood’s gaze judging my every movement but I turned a blind eye to it.
“So Gemini, what pack are you from?” Mr Blackwood asked, I don’t know if his question was targeted at easing the tension or adding to it.
I lifted my eyes confidently to meet his gaze. “Moonrock Pack,”
“Moonrock?” He repeated, his eyebrows slightly raised.
“Isn’t that one of the poorest werewolf packs in the region?” Mrs Blackwood chimed in, finding justification for her disgust.
“That was about ten years ago,” I defended, politely. “Moonrock pack has climbed into the top ten best werewolf packs in the region thanks to our late Alpha, Alpha Harvey. We have also been able to pay a great amount of the debts which our four fathers owed. And I believe that if the New Alpha continues from where his father stopped, our pack would make it to the top five richest packs in the next five years and all our debts would be cleared.”
As I finished speaking, Mrs Blackwood’s expression changed drastically, she felt insulted and she was really furious about it. Mr Blackwood on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me.
“I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful,” I added hastily. “I’m just stating facts.”
“You speak just like her,” Mr Blackwood blurted out.
“Sorry, who?”
Mr Blackwood snapped back into focus, “Nothing, just an old friend.”
King Asher’s eyes locked onto mine, a questioning glint in them. I shook my head slightly, unsure of what Mr Blackwood was getting at.
The room went silent once again, I focused on my plate, trying to finish up as fast as I could and get the hell out of there. The clinking of silverware against plates filled the room, but the air remained tension–thick.
“I was wondering, how did you two meet?” Becca asked mockingly, breaking the silence.
My eyes flicked to Asher who was looking like the question made his food sour. Of course, it was the worst meeting I had ever experienced, and it made my heart ache every time I had a flashback to that moment.
That was probably the reason he hated me-
I doubt he would want to share such a silly story with anyone.
“How we met doesn’t matter, what matters is that fate brought us together,” his words were so similar to what I thought he would say.
ས
“Awwwn. So cute,” Becca feigned sweetness. “But I have to say, nothing beats BEC–ASH first meeting.”
What the fuck is Becash?
I scoffed, rolling my eyes subconsciously at her comment,
Becca’s gaze was trained on me as she spoke, it was obvious she wanted to get me upset. “Really?” I replied and she looked at me, clearly surprised.
But she immediately masked her surprise with another fake smile. “Yes, we went to the same college. The same college that has been the best for over thirty years. Asher was the hottest guy in college then and I was the hottest girl, so it made sense that we had something to do with each other.”
I stood, my movements deliberate as I wiped my mouth with a napkin, ny mind already half on the door. The air in the room was zapping my energy, leaving me breathless. I was done playing the part of the meek guest.
“Cool story so sad that it’s all in the past now…” I shot Becca a devilish smirk, feeling a sense of triumph as her expression faltered. “I think I’m done here. If you would excuse me.
I turned on my heel, ready to escape this awkward dinner, but before I could take another step, Asher’s voice thundered through the room.
“Geminit”
The low, guttural growl of his command sent a chill down my spine, freezing me in place. My heart skipped a beat. The sudden shift in his tone was
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unmistakable.
I slowly turned back toward him, his eyes burning with a fury I hadn’t seen before. Whatever was coming next, I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.
AD
