The corner of the man’s lips lifted slightly, not quite a smirk but something just as dangerous. “You feel it too.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.
I swallowed hard.
This was real. This was happening.
For the first time, fate had thrown me something entirely unexpected—but whether it was a blessing or another twist in my already complicated life, I wasn’t sure.
All I knew was that I had just found my true mate and my inner wolf. And nothing would ever be the same again for Raphael and Alexander if they tried to fool me again, making me think as their mate.
Before I could say something, my phone buzzed with calls from Alexander, demanding a meeting. I frowned. Alexander was out of the country until the moment he had a chance with me. It was when I was heartbroken with what Raphael did to me in our supposed engagement party.
“This call was not in my previous life…” I whispered to myself. “Some change after I tore that goddamn contract…”
“What contract?” the man asked, his deep voice laced with curiosity.
Bewildered, I looked into his piercing gray eyes. “Contract?” I echoed, frowning.
“You were talking about some contract,” he said smoothly, his gaze never leaving mine. “I hope the bidding for Darkfang Industries' new project is still open.”
I blinked. “Bidding?”
“Yes, the bidding. I was informed that the young and beautiful CEO of Darkfang canceled the contract the company was supposed to sign today with Blackwood. And I heard that my company was mentioned.”
“Your company…” I repeated slowly, trying to piece everything together. Who’s he?
“Phantom, Inc.”
Oh… My breath hitched as realization dawned. The man standing in front of me was the one behind Phantom, Inc. And he’s my mate! My true mate!
“Lucian Sanguine,” he introduced himself next, his name rolling off his tongue with confidence. “I was planning to pay you a visit tomorrow, Miss Moretti, but since I was told it is you walking out the door of your company’s building then…” He shrugged. “The urge to talk to you became my main objective at first, Miss Moretti, I admit. And sensing it’s you that I thought would never have made me realize how kind and cruel the Moon Goddess is to me.”
I gaped at him. I was confused. Just as I was about to respond, my phone buzzed again. Another call from Alexander. Annoyed, I sighed and answered it.
“What do you want, Alexander?” I asked coldly, stepping a few feet away from Lucian.
“Celeste,” Alexander’s voice came through the speaker, smooth yet dripping with feigned concern. “I was worried about you. You’ve been making some rash decisions, I heard.”
So, he heard what I did to Olivia earlier already? What a concern for his friend Raphael’s company!
The three of us actually grew up together and only college life changed our friendship. And Tessa? She used to be my best friend in college who became rich when she married a businessman. Tessa was still married this year. Her husband will die next year and it all makes sense now… Tessa will surely be the one killing her husband, too.
“Are you listening, Celeste?” Alexander asked next. “I know you have some trouble handling your grandfather’s business. It’s big and you’re inexperienced. Anyway, you can ask for Tessa’s help since she’s your friend. I could help you, too.”
I scoffed. Raphael was out now with their plan to fool me. Maybe Raphael and Alexander already changed their roles. Alexander will be the one to fool me and Raphael will be the one who will soon lure me once Alexander dumped me for Tessa.
“I’m listening, Alexander… I just got bored talking to you,” I said in my most cold tone. “And rash? What do you mean by that? I perfectly did what I had to do. Taking control of my grandfather’s company instead of letting Raphael manipulate me is the most justified thing I did in my life.”
“Come on, Celeste,” Alexander said with a light chuckle. “Manipulate? Raphael? You’re only overthinking.”
“Am I really only overthinking, Alexander?” I probed. Of course he would never admit what they are plotting against me, but who cares?! I know what will be my end if I still go down the same path.
“We've been friends since we were toddlers, Celeste, so where did you get the idea that Raphael was trying to manipulate you?” Alexander stated.
I bitterly smiled. How could someone lie like what they were doing straightly? They are evil! All for Tessa? Damn them all!
“Don’t be harsh with Raphael, Celeste. Don’t think that way,” Alexander continued. “We both care for you. We promised you to protect, right? And you know how Raphael adores you so much, right? He won’t do anything you were saying…”
“Okay,” I simply said. “Is that all, Alexander?”
“And I know you—you're just acting strong, Celeste, but deep down, you need support. You need someone who understands you.”
I rolled my eyes. “And let me guess, you think that someone is you?”
“Who else?” Alexander said smoothly. “You and I always had something, didn’t we? If it weren’t for Raphael, I should be the one beside you. You were special to me, Celeste. You still are.”
I clenched my jaw. His voice was laced with an unmistakable charm, the same charm he had used before to make me believe he cared. But I knew better now.
“And you don’t need to worry anymore, Celeste. In fact, if you have some concern, I’m always here for you. You can even tell me why you changed your mind this morning. Maybe Olivia pissed you off. Maybe Raphael did something wrong. Whichever, I’m here to listen.”
“I see what you’re trying to do, Alexander,” I said coolly. “But let me tell you this once and for all… I’m not that naive girl anymore, you and Raphael befriended when we were toddlers. I’m Celeste Moretti, an Alpha daughter of Darkfang and the one who doesn’t need you and Raphael’s guidance. And Tessa? She’s not my friend. Don’t mistake my kindness to an Omega like her in college as friendship.”
I ended the call and blocked Alexander’s number to have some peace of mind. I turned to face Lucian Sanguine again. Thinking how Alexander was disturbing my first meeting with my mate, I got annoyed with him more than ever.
Lucian, who had been silently observing, tilted his head. “Trouble?”
I let out a humorless chuckle. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
He smirked. “That’s my mate,” he said proudly while staring at my eyes.
I swallowed.
“Why?” he asked me with a grin. “You seem like you don’t want me as your mate. Are you already with someone else?”
