Chapter 23
1531words
Who in the world had invited him? I thought woefully.
And what was he doing? I wondered as he made his way over to our table,
"Ember Macgregor," he said with a wicked smile when he reached my table, and I wanted nothing more than to grab Rowan's hand and flee. There was a glint in Paris's eyes, and something told me its outcome was going to be regrettable.
"what do you want?" I asked, unable to hide my weariness,
"Why, I spotted a fine couple and came to say hello." he said and sat at our table, "I haven't done the wrong thing, have I?"
"you probably have." I said and turned to Rowan, but he just smiled and turned to Paris, "Make yourself comfortable then."
Paris turned to him, and flashed a grin, "forgive my poor manners," he said and stretched out a hand, "I'm Alpha Paris of the Black shadow pack, and you are?"
"I'm Rowan Pablo of the star moon pack." Rowan said and shook his arm firmly, "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Paris said and turned back to me, "I thought you only had a thing for Alphas." he said, and I blinked in shock,
"You thought wrong." I retorted and turned to Rowan,
"Would you like to get some air, Rowan?" I asked, hopeful that he would say yes, but he shook his head,
"We have a visitor, it would be rude to simply leave."
Rude to simply leave, I thought sorrowfully. Could he not see if the guest was already rude to start with?
"Since you aren't an Alpha, what's the allure?" Paris said, ignoring my desire to leave the table, "What is it that you are?"
Rowan leaned into his chair, once again displaying that innate comfort with himself, "I am a painter."
"a painter?" Paris asked, "Well, that's just dandy. So you have no ranking in your pack, and you paint." he turned to me, "I still don't see it."
"Alright," I whispered, standing up. If Rowan wasn't offended or irritated by Paris's behavior and questions, I was.
"Alpha Paris, can I talk to you outside?" and he was immediately on his feet,
"as you wish," he said gladly and flashed me a grin, I simply rolled my eyes and turned to Rowan with pleading eyes,
"Could you give me a moment please?"
Rowan simply nodded, and my heart fell into my stomach. At this point, even if I had not needed damage control for the night before, I was bound to need it now.
"what the hell is wrong with you?" I exclaimed when we were outside and away from everyone,
"A painter? Really, Em?"
" a professional painter, Paris. And that's beside the point. How dare you talk to him in that manner? How dare you show up to our table and make my date uncomfortable that way?"
"your date? What date? A painter with no ranking, that's the date, Em? That's who you're trying to replace me with?"
"Have you gone mad? Is everything about my life suddenly about you?"
"Obviously."
"you pompous arrogant-"
"watch yourself," he said and I groaned,
"leave me alone!" I screamed, "Just leave me alone. It's none of your concern if I date a painter, a newspaper vendor, or a baker. It's none of your business what I do with my life now that we aren't together, and so, for the love of God, Paris, leave me hell alone!" I cried.
"Like hell, it's none of my business. Do you really think that man could give you a good life? Say you both ended up married, do you think he could give you everything?"
"don't you still see it, Paris?" I asked quietly, "I never wanted everything. I still don't want everything. Just a man, just one good man, who can love me and only me." I said, my broken heart betraying me.
He was quiet for a moment before he nodded, "You never told me."
"I did. You simply forgot. I didn't tell you this to remind you, I told you so you could let me be. We aren't together anymore. Soon enough you'll get the divorce on paper. I'll sign it and we'll be out of each other's lives for good. Until then, please leave me and Rowan alone. Give me the space I need to be happy."
"with him?" he asked spitefully, but I nodded regardless,
"yes, with him."
"He isn't me, Em."
"I'm aware," I said, and Good Lord, I was thankful.
"You're going to regret this." he angrily said and took a step back, "I promise you are," he said and turned away.
I watched him go but didn't call out to him. I was truly tired of having people threaten me, but at that moment, I was too tired to care.
I went back into the hall and found Rowan waiting where I left him and simply watched him. He was scrolling through his phone, but when he put it down he turned his head, this way and that. And when his eyes found me, they simply brightened.
"You're wrong, Paris. I won't regret this." I said and went to the man that was waiting for me.
"you're back," he said, and got up to take my hand,
"yeah. I'm sorry I took so long."
"Nah, it's okay. Come, I want you to taste something," he said and I smiled as he led me to the bar,
"what is it?"
He turned to me and winked, "It's a secret. You'll taste it and tell me the fruit that stands out for you. It's got some alcohol though." he said and made an order. When he brought my glass, I couldn't stop smiling.
In spite of what Paris had tried to do, the man was undaunted and still trying to show me a good time,
"Alright, then, drink." he brought the wine to my lips and I smacked my lips a few times before giving an answer,
"Apples?" I asked, and he hit the table,
"That one was easy, let's try another."
"at this point, I'm going to leave this place drunk."
"Lucky for you, I'm driving." he winked and went ahead to order another kind of wine.
I was probably going to have a hangover, but at least it was with a man who made sure I was happy and having a good time. Now that I thought of it, Paris hadn't just betrayed me by giving his body to Kate, but also by giving her his time and affection. You see, too stuck on Kate, there was never time for me. So that meant he never took the time to have conversations with me, much less making me laugh.
Our marriage ended long before we rejected each other. I just was too in love to face it.
PARIS's POV
When I left Ember, I didn't have the strength to go back to my car. I didn’t even think I’d be able to drive it even if I reached it. but to simply put it , I couldn't bring myself to leave either. Perhaps it was the thought of Ember going back into the hall to be with Rowan, the painter.
So I grabbed a few bottles from the bar and found a bench outside, and sat on it, pondering over the evening, as well as the night before.
I looked up to hear the sound of footsteps coming my way, and for one deluding moment, I thought it was Ember. But I knew before I saw the person that it could not be her.
She had been too honest about not wanting me to have followed me to the bench.
“Yo.” I stared with disdain at Leo and shook my head before looking away.
“That’s a really fine way to say hello to someone who simply wants to keep you company.”
“I don’t want your company.” I said rudely , 'unable to help myself. The man was a real pain and tonight was simply not the night for his mindless behavior.
In any case, the last time we hung out, he was a real pain to Ember too.
“Well, here I am, regardless.”
“Just my luck.” I murmured.
"You look terrible." Leo said, after sometime
"I didn't ask for your opinion," I said and leaned against the bench to look skyward,
"I saw you a moment before with Ember. I'm guessing your terrible mood has something to do with her."
“It might have something to do with you not being able to leave me alone. Who invited you here though?” I asked angrily and he shrugged,
“We have friends in common, remember?”
“Sadly.” I said and shook my head.
“So, am I right? Is Ember why you are like this?”
“Grab a beer or leave me be, man.” And didn't say anything else. There was nothing more for me to say, except to ask him to mind his own damn business. But I felt there was no way to say that in a pleasant way. And I felt, if I didn't have anything pleasant to say, then it was best to say nothing at all.
