Perfect

“Miss Elsher.” I faked a smile while watching as a prince from one of the packs approached me for the umpteenth time.

I thought the parties were just like they were in my memories, but things had changed a lot from the past.

Not to mention that it had spread around the pack that I rejected my mate, so I was currently mateless. All the princes kept coming over to speak with me, hoping that I’d be interested in them.

“Sorry, I need to visit the restroom.” I dropped a lie to wave the prince away and made my way toward the restroom.

I stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath. I opened the faucet and washed my hand under it.

I’d agreed to visit the Red Moon pack to have fun, socialize, and secretly take a glimpse of Verlice Mintz.

So I left the Starry pack with no help or accompaniment from anyone.

Unfortunately, since I arrived, nothing has been going my way.

Not only did I keep receiving fake greetings from those who were interested in knowing why I rejected Verlice, but I also hadn’t caught a glimpse of him all day.

I didn’t know if he was purposely ignoring me or if this was just how the setting was meant to be. I’d never know since I hadn’t been here before.

My heart clenched. Why was I so bothered and fixated on Verlice even though I was the one who rejected him in the first place?

Whatever Verlice did should be none of my concern, right? Maybe I shouldn’t have been here in the first place.

I took a deep breath and stared at myself in the mirror. Just a little longer and I could leave here.

I took a sharp breath and clenched my fist while looking at the mirror, my image staring back at me. “Elsher, you can do it.”

After walking out of the bathroom, I decided to walk the opposite way from which I came.

And that’s when I caught a glimpse of a beautiful garden planted with so many beautiful and rare flowers.

I inhaled, the sweet scent of the flowers stirring my nose. The Red Moon pack was really different—something I couldn’t pinpoint yet. It gave me the feeling of being modern and traditional at the same time.

Verlice was different. He had broken the rules and pushed his pack forward. He was an admirable figure, I knew.

Forgoing the fake interaction in the hall, I decided to stay in the garden to take a fresh breath, with the plan to leave the Red Moon pack after a few minutes.

There was a green swing in the garden made with trees, leaves, and flowers. It was so beautiful. I made my way to the swing.

Suddenly, my eyes twitched—an occurrence that only happened when something bad was about to happen.

I paused and evaluated my surroundings, yet everything appeared perfect to me. No signs of danger anywhere.

I must have been thinking too much. I shrugged and tried to ignore the strange nagging feeling I was getting. It must have been due to the fatigue.

I left the swing and headed for the chair opposite it, taking a look at the sky. It was beautiful—dark sky, starry stars, and the proud moon hanging in the sky. “Such a beautiful night, yet so lonely.”

“Can I help you make it more fun?” A familiar, deep masculine voice suddenly said behind me.

I felt tingles spark around my body. Even though I didn’t turn back to stare at the person, my abnormal heartbeat, the sparks, and the tingling sensation I felt said it all: Verlice Mintz.

How could he be here? Was it a coincidence, or did he look for me?

I hadn’t caught a glimpse of him all day. Was it to ambush me when I was alone?

I stared as Verlice calmly sat next to me. A smile on his face stunned me.

I thought Verlice would dislike me after what happened between us, but I guess I was wrong.

I wondered if I should flirt back, cut him off, or ask him why he was here. But before I knew it, I found myself flipping my hair with a smile on my face. “How?”

“I don’t know. I just wanted to try.” Verlice shrugged, speaking in a down-to-earth manner. He was in a suit, yet he looked warm, like someone you’d want to have around. There wasn’t a trace of pride exuding from his bones.

I couldn’t help but notice how handsome Verlice looked. He had such deep and seductive black eyes that charmed at first glance, sharp sword-like eyebrows, a tall and proud nose, lips that seemed to beckon one for a kiss, a prominent lower jaw, and a chiseled face as if personally sculpted by an artist.

His face was so outstanding that he could basically snatch any woman he wanted. He was… perfect.

I retracted my gaze and looked down at my hand placed on my lap. “This is your party; why didn’t I catch a glimpse of you in the hall?”

“Same,” Verlice replied in that deep voice of his. The underlying words meant that he was lonely despite the crowd.

“But I guess I found where I belong.” Verlice smiled and took hold of my hand, sending sparks coursing through me.

The calmness I had tried to conjure disappeared in seconds, and I quickly snatched back my hand before I found myself unable to.

Even though there was a tingling sensation where Verlice touched me, and a tiny voice kept telling me not to let go, I was still calm enough to put the condition of the pack in my heart.

Verlice’s expression turned solemn. “Elsher. You rejected me. I expected you to reject my invitation and maybe… be harsh. But I was wrong.” His voice was laced with pain, and it made my heart clench.

“It was our first time meeting. I was happy to find my mate, and even if it was for a split second, I could see you were. So, can we talk about what caused the rejection?”

My eyes fell on Verlice’s face, and my heart tightened. He wasn’t arrogant at all. He was really too perfect.

Had my father been alive, or my pack in a stable position, we would have been perfect. But there was no way.

No way anything could happen between us.

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath to steel myself. My eyes flew wide open, and I mocked coldly, “You’re mistaken, Mr. Verlice. We have nothing to talk about. I just… dislike you. Can you change your whole self, your whole identity for me?”

Even though I didn’t mean this, I had to say it—to protect me, my secret, and my pack.

Verlice’s expression paled immediately. Although he was a strong man, I could see that my words gave him a huge blow, just as they did to me.

I bit my lip and turned to leave, choosing not to let him see my weakness and my sadness.

I had just taken a step forward when a hand grabbed my wrist, yet I didn’t turn to him.

Verlice’s hands wrapped around my waist, causing my pounding heartbeat to speed up.

“I waited years for you to show up. If that’s what you want, then I won’t let you go.” Verlice declared firmly.

Before I could reply, Verlice turned me to him and kissed my lips hard.

A wave of tingles sparked through me, and even though my rational part wanted me to push him away, I couldn’t move—too overwhelmed by the pleasure running through us. I could only stay still as Verlice kissed me.

“You felt it.” After a few seconds of kissing, Verlice parted from me and smirked knowingly.

As if he knew that all I had was a strong front, and I felt exactly as he did.

“Tell Alpha I’m taking my bride home soon.” Verlice cockily said, pecked the corner of my lips, and parted from me.

His handsome face made my heart race extremely fast, and I raised my hand toward my lips to touch them.

“I’m leaving, mate.” Verlice smiled and left immediately, and his words snapped me out of my reverie.