SERENA
“Is he going to propose to me today?”
My heart hammered as I stared into my reflection in the mirror. I ran a hand over my new black dress that stopped just above my knees and hugged every curve of my body.
With long dark hair reaching the middle of my back and hazel brown eyes that became more prominent with dark eyeliner, I was one of the types who knew how pretty she was but I was anxious.
My wolf stirred in anticipation not just because today was my birthday but also because we both think our mate, Dominic Russo, is going to propose.
My lips formed a smile as I thought of my mate.
We met when I was working as a secretary for the biggest, renowned finance firms in the country. Dominic Russo was a potential business client at the time and my boss had desperately wanted Dominic on his clientele.
The day he visited, everyone was nervous because Dominic wasn’t just an ordinary man. He was the heir and soon-to-be Alpha of one of the most powerful packs on the East Coast.
I remember being nervous and then the sweetest scent of roses and cedarwood went through my nostrils. Dominic turned a corner, coming towards my CEO and I and that’s when my wolf shifted in delight and screamed the word, ‘Mate!”
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Dominic was tall, and extremely handsome. His jawline, chiseled to perfection and there was something about his aura that was so magnetic and so powerful that my wolf always went feral for it every single time.
When he claimed me as his, I was over the moon and now, tonight, I hope he makes things official by proposing.
Heat rushed to my face in a rosy blush as I wondered how he would do it. Will everyone be there to witness it? Will I be shy? Will the proposal be grand?
Oh my Goddess! How many carats will the ring have? Knowing Dominic, I know he has impeccable taste, so he won’t disappoint.
A rush of excitement flooded through me. Damn! I can’t wait to show it off to my friends!
I looked down at the card that came with the big red box delivered to my doorstep this morning. The box itself had contained this dress along with an expensive diamond necklace and matching earrings. The card, on the other hand, had read, “Dress up. I have a surprise for you. Will pick you up at seven p.m.”
My eyes strayed to the wall clock and a shadow of doubt pierced through my excitement when I saw it was half past eight.
“He’s late.” I muttered under my breath before going to my bed to sit down.
This was not the first time Dominic promised to do something and faltered on his word and now, that familiar fear of being disappointed began to weigh on me.
I shook my head, grabbing my phone.
Dominic will not disappoint me on my birthday. Who does that?
Skipping over the answered birthday texts from numerous people, I searched for Dominic saved as “Pookie” with a love emoji, then I typed out a text to him.
“Where are you?”
I exhaled deeply, as I pressed ‘Send’ and dropped my phone on the bed.
I already told my friends there’s a chance he might propose. Maybe the delay is part of it. Maybe he wants to make sure everything is fine.
My phone buzzed with a text and I quickly snatched my phone to read. The moment I did that, my little hope deflated.
“Hey love. I am stuck in a meeting right now. So I can’t make it. I’ll make it up to you later. I promise.”
I almost cried.
Immediately, I fished for a handkerchief from my bag and dabbed at my eyes, while ignoring my whining wolf. I can’t afford to ruin my makeup and I can’t afford to be sad on my birthday.
Although Dominic was a man of his word, and would later shower me with extremely expensive gifts, I just didn’t expect that he’d let his mysterious meetings interrupt our plans on my birthday.
Doesn’t it mean something to him?
Doubt began to form like bad weather and that part of me that was always suspicious of him came forward. This time it was hard to repress.
Could it be that Dominic is involved with someone else?
I quickly shook my head. Dominic is my mate and mates don’t betray each other.
Deciding to get my mind off my thoughts, I did something I haven’t done in years and that was to check social media.
I was always too busy to do that but I was bored on a Friday night.
After a while of scrolling through some stories, I found something that caught my eye.
Then my heart hammered fast.
“No, that can be true.”
This account belonged to a gossip blog and on their story was a video of Dominic on a luxurious yacht, laughing and toasting champagne with his arms wrapped around a pretty woman with long, blonde hair
“Seems the Golden Valley Pack’s Prince, Dominic Russo, has rekindled his love with his ex-girlfriend, Rosa Martinez.” The caption said.
I watched and rewatched the video, finding it hard to breathe.
“Is…is this the meeting?” I whispered.
Then I got pings from friends sending me links to the gossip blog.
I first ignored them, and dialed Dominic’s line instead. I have been to his yacht parties before and I know bringing a phone in was strictly prohibited, so someone making a video of him was not what he would have planned for.
On the fifth ring, he picked, and the background was quiet. I bet he went into a secluded place to pick my call. “Hey love, I’m still in that meeting. Can I call you back?”
I smiled bitterly at his audacity to lie so smoothly. “You don’t need to. You and I are over. Have fun with Rosa.”
Then I ended the call and cried like a baby.
