Chapter 5 The Party

As I stood in front of the mirror, I wondered. Should I meet him? Or should I not?

I want to but can I really? I don’t want to be in trouble with Malik but at the same time, he might not even know.

Just as my mind kept pondering with thoughts, Malik walked into the room. "Are you ready?" He asked

I turned to face him, still feeling slightly uncomfortable in the dress. "Yes."

He lifted his gaze from his phone, his eyes locking with mine before slowly traveling down my figure, taking in every detail.

I caught the faint shape of a “wow” forming on his lips, but he quickly replaced it with his usual casual frown. "I’ll give you five minutes to change into something… less attractive."

Wait…. Did he just say I looked attractive?

"You want me to change? This is your choice of dress remember." I said. I don’t want to wear the dress but I’m just surprised that he wants me to change.

"Yes, but I don’t want you wearing it anymore so change." He commanded. "Five minutes, that’s all you got."

Malik walked out of the room before I could even say anything else. Deep down, I felt oddly better knowing he wanted me to change, even if it was for his own reasons.

I slipped into a casual yet elegant dress, more modest than the last one, and stepped out to find him waiting by the door. He didn’t even glance at my new outfit. "Let’s go."

We started down the stairs, but halfway down Malik stopped abruptly and reached into his pocket.

"Here, put this on," He said, handing me a stunning silver ring adorned with sparkling diamonds.

I slide the ring onto my finger, "How beautiful." I admired

"Don’t get used to it, I didn’t get it for you."

"Really, you got it for who?" I asked as we walked away from the foot of the stairs

"None of your business."

I couldn’t help but laugh at his sudden harshness "It is my business. My husband bought a ring and he says it’s not mine so who is it?" He asked, "Are you cheating on me?" I tried to make a joke out of this but he didn’t even laugh at all.

He’s so tough.

We made our way to the ballroom in the castle where the party was being held.

"Remember the plan, don’t talk to anyone unless they speak to you. Don’t discuss too much with people and last… " He glanced at me "That smile of yours…. You should wear it off."

"But why?"

"A Luna shouldn’t be smiling. You are to make people fear you and no one will fear you with that smile."

"But I don’t want to be feared, I want to be loved."

He scoffed "Fear makes people respect you. You want to be feared not loved."

He linked his arms with mine once we reached the ballroom entrance.

Someone inside the ballroom announced our arrival before we walked in. Everyone we passed by bows their head in greeting. Malik thanked all of them for coming once we were in the center of the room.

The live band resumes playing classical music, and everyone goes back to socializing.

"So what now?" I asked him

"We meet people and act like a happy couple."

"Can’t be just be on my own like you do all the talking alone?" I asked wanting to use the opportunity to meet Steven… That’s right. I’m gonna meet him.

Maybe it’s a dumb idea to do so but right now. I just want me.

"No, you’re coming with me." He said

Malik and I approached a man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He is dressed in a black tuxedo and Oxford shoes. "Alpha Jacob, pleasant to see you here," Malik said once we approached him

"I’m pleased to be here, I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to meet your beautiful wife." He said warmly. His eyes slid toward me, a smile creeping across his face as his gaze crawled over every inch of my body like it had nowhere else to be.

I felt disgusted at the way he was staring at me.

"You look absolutely stunning," He said, his voice husky.

"Thank you. You look good too." I replied forcing a smile on my face.

I hate faking but right now I’m just doing it so Malik won’t have a thing to complain about.

Allow me to introduce myself to you properly, I’m Alpha Jacob." He stretched out his hand for a handshake, I am about to return it but immediately, Malik shoved Jacob’s hand away.

"Why don’t you excuse us, Alpha Jacob," Malik said

"Sure, but I would love to see that lovely ring first. Let me just have a look-"

"You heard what I said." Malik cuts him off

With a groan, Alpha Jacob said to me "It was nice to meet you."

"You too," I responded

As he turned away to leave, I caught Malik's glare at me. "What did I do now?" I asked

"What the hell was that!" He growled

"What was what?"

"The staring, the compliment, the handshake, the smile. What was that all about?"

I shrugged "I don’t know, he started it and I just wanted to be nice so I complimented back," I tell him

"I told you not to be nice or even smile."

"I know but that’s my personality. I can’t help it."

"Well, you should!" He snapped. "My Luna is supposed to be feared, not loved. So keep that smile and that nice-girl act out of sight."

His voice was a growl, but when he noticed the heads turning, he dropped it to a low murmur.

Everyone was watching. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Kiss me."

"What?" My heart pounded.

"Everyone’s staring so kiss me to ease the moment."

My eyes stayed on him, shocked and confused.

When he noticed, I wasn’t going to kiss him, his hand slid to my waist, pulling me against him, and his lips found mine—firm, demanding as if they were longing to be touched.

I don’t know what possessed me, but I melted into him, my fingers curling into his shirt as I kissed him back, matching his heat with my own.

Pulling away from the kiss, he whispered, "Not bad. You taste good."

Before I could respond, I realized everyone was smiling and staring at us—even Steven.

The look on his face shattered something deep inside me. But I couldn’t give in to it. Instead, I forced a smile, pretending to be happy with Malik. I wasn’t. But I had to be, after all, I am his wife, and that meant I had to play the part.