Introduction

It was supposed to be a memorable day for me. I stared at the anticipating crowd standing in front of me, waiting for my so-called mate-Zephyr to arrive.

I cleared out my schedule at the clinic to ensure that nothing stops the night from being memorable.

We've made plans some fortnights ago because Zephyr is an Inundated man assessing the nature of his occupation.

He was the heir to the influential Helios, the CEO of a giant Real Estate firm and the Alpha of Frostspire pack.

I dialed his number, keeping my faith alive that he would pick up.

The times I have spent with him have abated drastically because he said he had some big projects that kept him preoccupied.

I ensured that I didn't meddle or interfere with his job, but part of me was restless because of the dynamic nature of his job.

The other part of me was adrift in the sea of endless worries because his childhood sweetheart, Zarya, the daughter of Alpha Draven of Mystic Shadows, had just returned to Frostspire. The thoughts of her arrival kept me agitated.

I dialed again but Zephyr wasn't picking up my call. “Where could he be?” I thought within myself.

I tried again but all I got was

“Your call has been forwarded.” I gave it one more try but his phone was switched off.

I paced around the Alpha's pack. I tried to avoid eye contact with the curious pack members that stood beside me desperately waiting for answers.

I held myself firmly not to show my weakness before the people. But inside, anxiety has gripped my soul. “What could have gone wrong with Zephyr?

How could he have abandoned me in the sea of disillusionment like this?.”

I was still lost in thoughts when a message dropped on my phone:[I am very sorry Nymeria. Something urgent came up.]

The pack members began to whisper within themselves as I gradually left the site where the bonding ritual should take place to the room.

01

It was supposed to be a memorable day for me. I stared at the anticipating crowd standing in front of me, waiting for my so-called mate-Zephyr to arrive.

I cleared out my schedule at the clinic to ensure that nothing stops the night from being memorable.

We've made plans some fortnights ago because Zephyr is an Inundated man assessing the nature of his occupation.

He was the heir to the influential Helios, the CEO of a giant Real Estate firm and the Alpha of Frostspire pack.

I dialed his number, keeping my faith alive that he would pick up.

The times I have spent with him have abated drastically because he said he had some big projects that kept him preoccupied.

I ensured that I didn't meddle or interfere with his job, but part of me was restless because of the dynamic nature of his job.

The other part of me was adrift in the sea of endless worries because his childhood sweetheart, Zarya, the daughter of Alpha Draven of Mystic Shadows, had just returned to Frostspire. The thoughts of her arrival kept me agitated.

I dialed again but Zephyr wasn't picking up my call. “Where could he be?” I thought within myself.

I tried again but all I got was

“Your call has been forwarded.” I gave it one more try but his phone was switched off.

I paced around the Alpha's pack. I tried to avoid eye contact with the curious pack members that stood beside me desperately waiting for answers.

I held myself firmly not to show my weakness before the people. But inside, anxiety has gripped my soul. “What could have gone wrong with Zephyr?

How could he have abandoned me in the sea of disillusionment like this?.”

I was still lost in thoughts when a message dropped on my phone:[I am very sorry Nymeria. Something urgent came up.]

The pack members began to whisper within themselves as I gradually left the site where the bonding ritual should take place to the room.

I took a deep breath as I sat on the couch inside the room. I have been warned countless times by the pack healer to avoid anything that will make me worry.

I encountered an attack some few months ago and I was given anxiety pills to curb the tension whenever I noticed it was coming up.

The attack was so severe, even Zephyr was scared to his bones when he saw me in that state.

I took my anxiety pills to avoid any repetition of that attack. Dating Zephyr has not been as stress free as I envisioned.But I always persisted, not considering the troubles because I loved him.

Zephyr saved me from the attack of some rogues one year ago. I was coming back from work, walking alone in the dark. But I could sense that people were stalking me.

I walked very fast to see if I could come out to the light. Instantly, I was surrounded by four rogues. I lost hope of defending myself because I was outnumbered. I screamed to my voice but no one came. When they transformed and wanted to pounce on me.

I had a loud scream, what I saw next was dead bodies full of blood, lying on the floor. He carried me and left. He saved a princess in distress. Since that day, our love story began. We've been together since then.

I calmed myself down and dropped a text to him:[Hope you will be back to remedy the situation?] It felt like eternity, waiting for his response.

I reminisced on all our previous dates that had been canceled from one year back. Like visiting the Frostspire mountains or going on a picnic alone. It didn't matter what kind of date or how diminutive it may seem.

Zephyr would show up or he would even go to the length of appealing by dropping apologetic text messages why he didn't show up and when I should expect him.

Sometimes, I laughed and forgot some just because of the love I had for him. But I don't see that now.

I gazed at the engagement ring he gave me. But as I did,I remembered our last date.

Zephyr promised to meet me at the beach.

I sat somewhere and waited for him. 30 minutes evaded and I didn't see him. I called him, only for me to find out that he went grocery shopping with Zarya.

Zephyr had men he could easily command to do that for her, but he did not. He wanted to go with her, forgetting that his girlfriend was eagerly anticipating his arrival at the beach.

Today is our engagement and mate bonding. Certainly, Zephyr will not neglect me and run to the arms of his childhood sweetheart right?

It was like Mother earth and all the elements of nature heard my question. A Viral video from Instagram popped on my phone.

The tagline read: Zarya Draven, boldly spelt out by wave sparklers in the air.

Zephyr's childhood sweetheart was now a renowned choreographer, admired and loved by all. It made sense now that her video was on Instagram.

I clicked on the video and the first glance set my heart asunder. It was supposed to be our engagement and my boyfriend was on a yacht strip cruising and holding hands fondly with Zarya.

Here I was alone in this empty room, covered in shame because of the disgrace I went through.

My heart bleeds of pain as I watch him laugh at something Zarya said. “What could be so funny about what she said? To the unforgettable embarrassment he gave me today?

The wave sparkled again. Truly, her name was written in wave sparklers. Zephyr has never celebrated me like this before.

He only reminds me that I should be grateful for the little he'd done, that I am privileged to have a royal prince as my boyfriend.

Zarya has always heard those words and she used them against me. She always finds a way to separate us, especially when she knows that Zephyr and I were to be together.

I watched him lean closely to her. I made up my mind that I've had enough and called him.

He did not pick until the fifth time. “Nymeria, why did you want to blow up your phone?”

“Excuse me Mr lover, sorry for intruding on your momentous bliss with your sweetie.”

I was a bit sarcastic but far away from being rude.

“I am coming, I was caught up with something.The engagement will still hold.”

“Good for you, don't ever come back to me again.” I ended the call.

I cried all night before I slept. The next day I managed to console myself to get to work. I am a medical doctor.

The oath I took, must be kept irrespective of my emotional state and struggles. At exactly 7:29, I stepped out of the clinic. As I did, I heard a car horn.

I gazed at the car park and recognized Zephyr's ash Land Rover.

I kept moving, holding my bags firmly. The bus stop was just 5 minutes away from the clinic and down the corner.

“Nymeria!” He called out.

I hastened my steps feigning deaf. He started to drive towards me, so I jumped to an alternative culvert , knowing he couldn't drive that way.

He had tried dropping text messages and chats on Whatsapp for me.Yet,I didn't reply to any. Then he sent a delivery guy with two bouquets of roses to my clinic and a note asking me to call him.

I blatantly ignored.

He persuaded his pals to apologize to me.

My phone vibrated. I looked at the call and realized that it was Zephyr's .

I cut the call. and hurried to the bus stop.

The bus arrived and I hopped in quickly.

Just then Zephyr's car drove down, crashing the brick fence that separated my clinic and the bus stop.

The front of his car had been messed up by the rigid bricks.. He was aiming for the bus.

I turned to the driver and screamed. "He's trailing me. Please, drive."

He obliged,he shut the door just as Zephyr approached. Zephyr bashed the bus with his Land Rover. The driver was moving already. I sat, covering my face,so he wouldn't see me.

He ran out of his car, but the bus took off instantly.I gazed at him from the back window. If he wanted his childhood sweetheart, Zarya,he should be with her.

– –

I went straight to my house, knowing fully well that Zephyr followed me even though we lost track of him. I climbed the staircase only to see him standing at my door.

“Thought you've escaped huh?” He tried touching me.

“Let me be Zephyr. Or I'll—”

Or you'll what?” He walked slowly to me.

“Stay away from me. Go and meet her”

I pushed him away and tried opening my door. He held me back.

“Why did you hang up on me?”

“I thought you were busy with something. I mean Zarya.” I feigned an empty smile, as I wanted to rush inside immediately.

I know, if he uses his sweet and romantic tone to apologize to me, I may fall for it.

All my mind was projecting, was his intimate closeness with Zarya at the yacht.

“Am very sorry Nymeria, we can still hold the engagement?”

He was on his knees.

“Can I atleast make amendments for the embarrassment I cost you today? Let me take you out. We can fix another date.”

I was instantly arrested by those words. I stood for a while. “Okay, where?”

I could feel his sigh of relief. It pained me with what I experienced and saw online today.

Zephyr stood up and held my hands. He left me slowly down the staircase.

“But, I am still in my clinic attire?” I asked with a worrying face.

“Don't worry, Nymeria, we're just hanging out with a few friends.”

I shrugged my hands off. “Few friends? Zarya? Will she be there?”

“Everything does not revolve around Zarya. It is Seraphine’s birthday today.”

Seraphine is Zarya's closest friend. Although I knew her when I started dating Zephyr.

She always speaks badly about me. I wanted to leave but Zephyr convinced me to stay. I was praying in my heart for Zarya not to show up today.

My fears became real. When we entered, I saw Zarya, she was dressed in the most exquisite dinner dress. Same with everyone else around there.

I was the only one with an odd dress. I was just coming from work. The atmosphere changed instantly as I stepped in. Everyone muted and stared at me and shared as they whispered.

"Look who we have here."

Zarya stood up from her seat and hugged my boyfriend as if he was hers.

I took my hand out of his, expecting him to say something, but he remained silent.

"Wow, I didn't think Nymeria would actually come." Seraphine said. "There's just one seat left."

"Well, we can always fit one seat at the end of the table, Nymeria," Zarya said, holding Zephyr and pulling him across the room to the empty seat beside hers.

I watched them sit side-by-side while I was given a small excuse for a chair at the end of the table with a total stranger.

Everyone looked between me and Zephyr expecting me to say something.

Because it didn't look like Seraphine’s birthday. The setting was actually like an engagement party for Zarya and Zephyr.

I tried to calm myself down, took a sip of wine, then raised my glass. "Cheers to the birthday girl."

I could hear silent whispers and murmurs around the table. leaving me to watch Zarya feed Zephyr from her own plate.

Seraphine noticed what was going on.

She pointed at me and Zarya turned, adjusting her sitting position and said "Oh yeah, I should thank you for yesterday."

"What for?" I angrily twisted the spoon I was holding on the plate.

"Lending me Zephyr. The wave sparklers were awesome .

Hope you're not angry about it?" Zarya chuckled like she had won a battle.

All eyes were fixed on me. Anticipating my response.