Chapter 50
Iris
"Goodness, Iris. Your beauty is blinding." Hazel gushed over me when she stepped into the room.
It was our Alpha's birthday party and Gradel had asked that I look the part. I decided to surprise him by wearing a black velvet dress with meshed sleeves that stopped at my wrists.
The length of the dress covered my legs with a slit by the side. It had a low neckline that showed a generous amount of my boobs.
I didn't care if it would spark up some gossip around the pack, what mattered was how good I looked in it. Before Gradel left to take care of some errands, he had presented a diamond jewelry set to me, pleading that I wear it to the party.
"Thank you, my dear friend, and you don't look so bad at all." I smiled at her.
She patted my hair to keep it in place and I muttered a word of appreciation to her. She was always there to cheer me up and look out for me and one day I hoped to pay her back.
"I try my best," She replied modestly. "Now, I want to know why you haven't moved over to the new apartment. Did something happen between the both of you?" She wriggled her brows, smiling sheepishly at me.
I sighed and sank onto the bed while she joined me. A part of me wanted to keep what happened last night from her, but after how close we'd gotten, I knew that I had to fill her in on some details.
"Our relationship is complicated," I began.
"That's very obvious," She injected.
I narrowed my gaze at her in surprise. "How did you know?"
"I sensed it," She shrugged, "You are my friend and I'm very observant so I knew that something was wrong between the both of you but I didn't want to meddle because it isn't in my place to do that. I just want the both of you to work out your situation."
A knot formed in my stomach. If Hazel could notice that I wasn't in a good place with Gradel, that means Devin and his father who had been monitoring us persistently would have noticed as well.
That should be why they decided to push us further apart, and they almost succeeded.
"Well, we are good now." I blushed heavily. "We had a good time last night and it was wonderful," I admitted and shuddered while fantasizing about the next lesson he would give to me.
"That's beautiful, but I don't want to hear the details since I don't have a mate." She shushed me, pouting her lips in feigned annoyance.
I wrapped my arm around her and brought her close to me. "Don't be sad, dear friend. You'll find your mate soon and when it happens, the both of you will never be able to let go of each other no matter what."
Tonight came with its terror and I didn't want to imagine what the Alpha had in store for me since he couldn't get me to stay away from his son.
If everything went well after the party, I'd have to tell Gradel about my mom and see what happens from there.
"Alright then. Let's get out of here, we have a party to attend." She in her enthusiastic-like nature.
The door swept open simultaneously and Gradel burst in looking like a Greek God. His sturdy chest was covered with a well-styled tuxedo, hiding his thick muscles.
His slick dark hair was combed over to the side and then I noticed that he had given his beard a proper trim. And then our eyes met like a clashing of cymbals and I looked away, unable to stand the heat that his eyes produced.
"This is my cue to leave now," Hazel inclined her head briefly and scampered away.
He advanced towards me, his steps noiseless and fluid, exuding power and royalty. I gave him a once-over and swallowed.
I couldn't imagine being with someone else.
"I'm speechless," He confessed, trailing his fingers through the strands of hair covering my face. "Your pulchritude could be likened to that of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty. I'm sure you know her," He professed.
I batted my lashes as my insides warmed up at the impact of his words.
"Thank you, mate, and you look very handsome. I like your haircut,"
He kissed my lips lightly, lingering for a while and then his arms went around my waist. "Don't forget about tonight's lessons. I'd like to mark you as my mate before we leave," He declared.
I was stunned, unable to breathe. Did he just say 'we'?
"I don't understand, Grade, I thought you were returning to the human world alone," I murmured.
He shook his head. "That was my plan initially until I realized that I don't want to be without you. You complete me in ways that I didn't know existed and I'm not sure that I want to be in that world of loneliness again. You are my mate and I'm never going to reject you, so just come with me and let's find our paths together."
My chest tightened as I tried to process what he just said. He stared at me keenly, expecting a response, a positive one at that and if that was the case then I'd have to come clean right now.
I got a grip on my emotions and took a deep breath.
"That would be so wonderful, Gradel, but before we leave for the human world there's something important I have to tell you," I forced out.
I shut my eyes, summoning the courage that I'd been saving for this day. I needed it now more than ever.
"You can tell me later," He interrupted, calmly.
"No, I have to-"
A knock came on the door and disrupted me again. The messenger stated his mission, informing us that our presence was needed at the big hall in the manor.
"I guess you'll have to tell me that important information later. Right now, let's go and enjoy our last party in Grey Rock pack."