Bride of the cruel Lycan

The room was filled with guests of different calibers. Everyone had rushed at the chance to finally get a good look at the beast lycan. The thought of it humored me.

I stood in a corner with a champagne glass observing it all. I started to grow weary so I decided to leave the main party for a while.

I made my way out of the sprawling mansion and into the gardens. I'd barely moved when I felt a hand grab onto me. I turned around, startled and my eyes locked on his.

The man who had caused me so much pain.

"Iris, it's you..." His voice voice softer, more tender than I remembered. It my chest ache for some reason.

It had been months since I last saw Jacob, the last time I'd set my eyes on him, he'd humiliated me and rejected me as his mate. Seeing him again brought back a rush of old feelings which I thought I'd buried.

"Jacob... W-what are you doing here?"

"I had to come see you, after I found out your father married you off and to such a beast of a man, I couldn't stop thinking about you... this was my only chance to see you again"

His words surprised me, the ingenuity and the way he looked into my eyes. I wished he'd looked at me that way months ago; then, perhaps I wouldn't be here.

"I... I don't understand what you mean Jacob, why would you care about me because you made it crystal clear that you don't actually"

He let go of me as he ran his hands through his hair, seemingly exasperated.

"I know Iris, I know, I messed up. What I did to you was awful... but rejecting you as my mate was the worst decision I've ever made"

I felt a tug in my chest, my heartbeat quickened as he spoke.

"I want you back Iris, please come back with me"

"It's too late for that, Jacob. You rejected me and humiliated me in front of everyone... I can't go back to a pack that related me so cruelly" I tried to sound firm but my heart was breaking.

The man I'd loved finally felt the same way about me but I couldn't... I just couldn't... not anymore.

"And how does he treat you?" Jacob questioned as I turned to leave, stopping me in my tracks.

I knew he was referring to the beast Lycan. He was the man my father had married me off to and he had an awful reputation.

"That doesn't matter... he's my husband. I'm a married woman, Jacob, so leave me alone"

"Does he hurt you?" Jacob held me again as he stared into my eyes, searching for something... an answer... the truth but he didn't deserve to know.

"Jacob, leave me alone," I said with a tone of finality as I shook him off and walked back into the party.

The bright lights made my vision feel hazy and weak as I stumbled through the guests.

I could hear Jacob calling after me but I chose to ignore him.

He couldn't just change his mind as he pleased and expect that I'd be willing to jump into his open arms.

Jacob soon grabbed onto me and I froze... No, not in front of everyone, not when he'd be able to see me.

"Jacob... l-let go of me. Everyone's here"

"I don't care, all I care about is you. Just hear me out, Iris"