Sleeping With The Enemy
Alpha Cassius grabbed his Luna's hand and beckoned Atticus to follow him out, not without making sure to turn back and lay one more lingering, disdainful stare on me as he followed his parents.
The animosity was lost on the crowd though, as people were still clapping and cheering for the little show we just gave them.
My father moved closer towards us, my mother wearily trailing behind him, knowing that he was not happy at all. At least Ezra now had a grin from ear to ear though and gave me a sneaky thumbs up even though my stomach was churning with disgust.
“You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, girl.” Seethed Lucian through his teeth before immediately regaining his composure in front of his adoring crowd.
He raised his hand to silence the ball room.
“Just as expected, our Cinderella this evening has found her Prince. A surprising match, but a necessary one in order to bring our packs closer and heal the divide that’s bridged Whitebridge and Shadowfen after years of grieving separately from a devastating event that changed our courses for the worst. May this union of two childhood friends bless our Kingdom for many years to come.”
My father composed himself well and was always a professional. I definitely didn’t miss the sneaky jabs towards me in between the lines of his very shallow, heartfelt and endearing speech though.
I broke away from Malachi’s arms before anything else could be said this evening and made my way towards the ballroom exit.
Everyone wanted to stop and congratulate me but tears of anger were threatening to spill and I needed this night to end.
I felt someone following me and from the corner of my eye saw Malachi, quickly shaking the hands of the people who were trying to talk to me and thanking them as he brushed passed them.
I was slightly grateful for him having my back and making my quick exit seem a little rude than it felt, but at the same time, I didn’t want him anywhere near me and I definitely didn’t want him following me to my room.
He was my next problem and I just wanted him gone, fast.
I reached the door and bowled through it, picking up my pace into a jog and then a run while I let my emotions spill out of my eyes and trail down my cheeks.
Within minutes, I reached my room and tried to slam the door behind me, but the bang of the door hitting the frame never rang out.
I turned around, not even caring what I looked like anymore, to find Malachi leaning against the door frame.
“Wow. You look like shit.” Was all he said.
“GET. OUT.” I screamed and launched myself onto the bed, face down to start some therapy in the form of screaming into my pillow.
I heard the door click shut in between screams and prayed to the moon goddess that he had left.
Those prayers were quickly shattered when footsteps quietly moved towards me and I felt the bed sink in as he sat down beside me.
“Feel better?” He asked, looking like he was enjoying this exchange.
“I said get out.” I muffled back through the pillow that I was facedown on, considering just staying there until I suffocated.
“That was some kiss, hey. If I’d known I would have been greeted like that, then I would have come to visit much sooner.” Malachi smirked, riling me up even more.
“Then why didn’t you!?” I said as I sat up and threw my hands in the air in frustration.
“We were inseparable as kids. I loved you. Then within a second you’d gone, never to be seen or heard from again.” I stared him down, now seeing absolute red and looking for a fight.
I swear I saw a glimpse of sadness flicker through his stunning green eyes before it was wiped away with another smirk.
“We need to get some sleep.” He started as steam started blowing out of my ears.
“After all, we get the pleasure of meeting your wolf tomorrow… mate.”
“You won’t be meeting anyone.” I said stubbornly through my teeth as it felt like a train rammed through my heart, knowing that I wasn’t going to be surrounded by the love and support I’d hoped for during my first shift tomorrow.
“Go and find someone to show you to a guest room, or even better - head home Malachi.” I said bluntly, ready to end this conversation so that I could curl up in bed and cry for a few hours.
“I would, but your father wants my head after this evening's entertainment, and I’m pretty sure a majority of this castle would like to dig me a grave, so I’m much safer sleeping next to you tonight.” He grinned.
I didn’t have any more energy to fight.
I grabbed a pillow and throw blanket off the bed and threw them both down on the floor.
“You sleep there.” I hissed.
“I will be sleeping with my mate.” He hissed back as he threw the pillow and blanket back onto the bed.
I moved towards the middle of the bed and created a wall of pillows, quite pleased with my compromise, before tucking myself in.
“Oh honey?” I drawled.
“Yes babe?” He said, cocking his head to the side in slight confusion but playing the game with me.
“Turn off the light since you’re already up.” I said smugly before rolling in the opposite direction and closing my eyes.
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Hours later, I'd given up tossing and turning, knowing that the only way I would be comfortable enough to sleep would be by being back in those deliciously sculpted arms that held me earlier.
I'd daydreamed about what a bond with my fated mate would feel like - and this wasn't it.
I wanted to be completely and utterly in love, I wanted to feel safe, protected and cherished. I wanted to feel on top of the world.
But now all I was doing was sleeping with the enemy.
I got up quietly, pausing to make sure the gorgeous asshole on the other side of the pillow wall continued to snore in naive bliss.
I tiptoed across the carpet once I was satisfied that I hadn't woken up Malachi and carefully slipped out of the room.
I made my way down to the kitchen, knowing that everyone would be sleeping so I could whip up a hot chocolate in peace.
My eyes met the clock on the fridge as I walked in, and just as expected it was empty.
3am. Happy Birthday to me, I guess.
I hustled quietly around the kitchen, warming the milk, grabbing down the cocoa and marshmallows as I went.
I felt a presence behind me as I was reaching for a mug, but grabbed two instead as I smiled.
"What are you doing awake Mother?" I asked quietly as I turned around to acknowledge her. She looked as awful as I did.
"I'm so sorry Aurelia." Was all she said.
We stood in a comfortable silence as she helped me finish the hot chocolates and we sat down on two bar stools.
"He's your fated mate, isn't he?" She asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes." I said softly, not wanting this conversation to go any further.
"I'm happy for you Aurelia."
I focused on sipping my hot chocolate, knowing that this wasn't the happy ending that I had dreamed about.
Everything felt like it was spiraling out of control and I hated that feeling.
I was Aurelia Henley and I had bigger ambitions than just being someone's wife. I wanted to make a difference.
"It's nice having Malachi here, I miss my friend." Alethia whispered sadly into her mug.
"I'm sorry Mother, I didn't even think.." I trailed off.
"You've had more than enough on your plate over the last seven days, my dear." She replied, chuckling.
I gave her a weak smile back, suddenly feeling selfish that all I had been thinking about was me, me, me, when I wasn't the only one hurting by Malachi's presence here.
Alethia put her hand over mine.
"Just promise me that you'll try." She said with more confidence in her voice that I almost mistook for slight panic.
"Arya was my best friend in the whole wide world. We grew up as close as you and Malachi did and constantly talked about how the pair of you were going to turn out to be mates. We just knew it in our souls..." She trailed off and I didn't dare speak, knowing that she wasn't finished yet.
"When Arya died, Malachi lost his Mother, Rhydian lost his Luna and wife and our family lost some incredibly dear friends. We were all grieving and instead of that bringing us all together, it tore us all apart." She paused again.
"Promise me, Aurelia. Promise me that you will try with Malachi. Heal yourselves and then heal the past." She finished.
"Well, neither of us are going anywhere since our souls are tied with the whole mates thing and all." I chuckled, instantly lightening the mood, and Mother chuckled as well.
"Happy Birthday Aurelia." She said, kissing me on the cheek before silently leaving the kitchen.
I finished my hot chocolate and washed the mugs before putting them away, leaving no trace of the conversation I had just had with my mother, knowing that she was right, as always.
I crept back up to my room and silently slipped in. I looked at the beautiful man on my bed and for a second considered sliding in beside him.
I shook my head at myself. Too soon... I thought. I was still angry about how he just came barreling back into my life like he did.
I gently grabbed the pillow and throw that I had tried to push on him earlier and set up a makeshift bed on the floor.
No way in hell was I going to tempt myself. I was still angry and emotional and I knew I would be making a mistake.
Surprisingly, I fell asleep almost instantly, thankful for the plush carpet that didn't make this arrangement feel so bad after all.
—————————————
"Mmmmm" I moaned as I began to stir. I felt like I was warmer than I'd ever been in my life, not a hot and sticky warmth, but the perfect balance between comfy and content.
As I woke up more, I realized that I wasn't on the floor anymore, but back on the bed - and buried in the incredible chest of the person I'd purposely tried to avoid last night.
I looked up, already knowing he was awake, and before I could say anything he began stroking the top of my head.
I hated to admit it, but it relaxed me and I sunk back down, a little deeper into his arms.
"Sorry, I woke up last night and you were gone, so I waited until you came back and when you fell asleep on the floor - I moved you back up here so that you would get a better rest." He mumbled into the top of my head with a little hesitation.
"What time is it?" was all I replied.
"11am."
I shot up. How did I sleep so late?
"Why didn't anyone wake me!?" I seethed. Moment ruined.
"A few people have come in but I made sure they were quiet. You needed all the rest you could get Aurelia. You shift tonight." He stated gently, as if I wasn't already aware.
Where did the asshole go who was baiting me last night and who replaced him with the old Malachi?
I walked towards the bathroom and slammed the door, hoping that a hot shower would literally, let off some steam.
I was in and out in a rush, thanks to my grumbling stomach, and realized that in my rush to escape, I'd forgotten to grab clothes.
I wrapped myself in a robe and stormed back out into the room where Malachi was sitting at the end of the bed. Patiently waiting.
"There's a towel in the cupboard. Go shower." I hissed as I headed towards my wardrove.
"Aurelia," He grabbed my hand to stop me.
"Please wait for me." He asked softly, coming across like a nervous little boy.
I pulled my hand away and continued walking towards my goal of getting dressed as he swiftly closed the door behind him.
I was screwed.
I quickly got dressed in a pair of high-waisted, black tights and a matching black crop top.
Who knew what today would bring and I was prepared to pull a disappearing act for my first shift, not really wanting anyone to be around, even though I knew it was stupid to think like that.
I sat where Malachi was previously at the end of the bed and waited for him.
He came out sheepishly, only in a towel that was wrapped around his waist, and pointed to my sitting table where there was a neat pile of folded up clothes sitting.
"Your mother dropped them off earlier." He informed me.
I quickly grabbed the pile off the table and handed it to him, not before tripping over my own feet as I tried to avoid looking at his gorgeous chiseled body, deep deep deep deep down wishing that he would drop the towel. Damn mate bond.
He dropped the pile of clothes and caught me in his arms.
"Falling for me already, future Mrs Raith?" He smirked.
I pushed him away and he picked up the clothes, laughing on the way back into the bathroom.
At least he had some decency.
I pulled myself together and tried to give myself a pep talk, but I had no words and within moments Malachi was striding back out of the bathroom, looking cockier than before as I eyed his gray sweats and white fitted t-shirt. I had never cursed my mother, but I was close, knowing she probably had a huge array of spare clothing to choose from and she specifically chose something that I wouldn't be able to resist ogling at.
"Are we putting on another show?" He teased with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Only to spite my father." I stated bluntly, my voice void of any emotion.
Satisfied with my answer, he offered me his arm and we headed towards brunch.