The Werewolf Prince and I (25 page)

Still not looking at Rebecca or Domenico, Misty said, “Yes.”

He nodded then looked at the crowd, one by one, before facing Rebecca. His voice reached every corner of the enormous hall as he spoke, commanding and inflexible, because he wanted everyone to be clear on what he was about to declare.

“Know everyone present here and that my act of clemency is only and will always be on behalf of what my future wife---”

He waited for the gasps to die down.

“---Misty Wall has asked. Anything who goes against her goes against the pack of Moretti and anything she holds dear is precious to the Morettis.” He nodded to Penelope, who mumbled and turned red, to Jayme Cavalier, whose face remained free of expression, and to Matilda, whose eyes glittered in understanding.

It was over
, Misty thought almost an hour later. A feeling of immense relief set in as she leaned back against the car seat.

“Misty.”

She stiffened, eyes shooting open as she remembered something painful.

Domenico cursed at the silent hurt in her eyes.

“Misty---”

She asked slowly, “Why didn’t you tell me about Rebecca?”

Domenico took her hand in his. “It was in the past.”

She just as quickly retrieved it. “Please don’t treat me as if I’m stupid, Domenico. You’re so smart. I know you’d have known that it’s more than possible we’d meet and that she’d be antagonistic toward me. Don’t you think I deserved to know?”

Domenico’s fists clenched at how helpless he was in erasing the hurt in Misty’s eyes. “I know what I did was wrong and I deeply apologize. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“But it did happen,” Misty cried out, unable to help herself.

Domenico’s tone hardened. “What is the point of all this? I apologized already, Misty. But I can’t change the past.” He was beginning to feel impatient and furious even though he knew it was wrong. He did not make a habit of apologizing but he did so – for her. Didn’t she realize how privileged she was to hear him say ‘sorry’? He wasn’t used to begging and he sure as hell didn’t want to be used to it. He would not let himself be manipulated and from his point, that was exactly what Misty was doing.

“That’s not the point, Domenico. I want you to explain why you
chose
not to tell me about Rebecca. Didn’t you care about what she could do to me because of what…what you had between you? Are you so selfish---”

“If that’s what you think of me then there’s nothing to be said,” Domenico cut her off harshly.

Misty bowed her head, doing her best not to cry until she could be alone.

They did not speak for the rest of the ride.

Chapter Nine

Dear Diary,

Jayme Cavalier wants me to leave Domenico Moretti.

And I’m hurting so badly that I’m beginning to think maybe I should. I want to see Domenico driven wild and furious in jealousy. I want to see how his face looks like as I let Jayme have his hands roam all over my body, undress me before Domenico and let him cup my breasts the way Domenico does.

I know I won’t ever let this come true, but God sometimes I want it so badly because then – maybe then Domenico would understand how I hate knowing other women have tasted him, too.

Misty’s eyes were red-rimmed behind her sunglasses. Domenico had not come to her room last night and she didn’t know if she was okay about it. She was beginning to understand just how manipulative Domenico could be.

Could she really marry him?

The answer eluded her, and even the serene quiet of the rooftop area failed to soothe her today. It was her last day working in Lyccan Hall, but because of yesterday’s fiasco people had become extremely skittish around her, fearful that she would remember how they had treated her and tattle to Domenico about it.

Finally, Mr. Cavalier had asked if she wanted to take a break from work. Misty understood what he was really asking. He wanted her out of the way so that his office would return to normal, and that was why she had been at the rooftop since ten in the morning – and with a few more hours to kill before the work day officially ended.

“May I join you?”

Her eyes widened. “Y-you!”

It was Jayme Cavalier again. It felt déjà vu and ironic at the same time, meeting him in the rooftop once more. He was in shirt and jeans this time, and he looked very relaxed with his twinkling eyes and carefree smile.

“I know I haven’t properly introduced myself but surely you’d have remembered my name after my gallant rescue?” He gestured at the extra space of the bench she was sitting on. “May I?”

She reddened. “O-oh, yes, sorry.”

She noticed how the few other employees in the area stared at Jayme as he gracefully took a seat. It made her look at him more properly, and she realized with a surprise that he really was handsome.

“You’re waiting for Domenico?”

She shook her head quickly, staying silent. She did not believe in sharing her problems with other people, and she certainly didn’t think it would be a good idea to talk about Domenico with another man.

Jayme smiled. “Amazing. You can resist the urge to complain about men.”

That made her laugh.

“There. That’s better.” He leaned against the bench. “Would you like some coffee?”

She blinked. “Coffee?”

“Yes, coffee.”

“Umm…I don’t really feel like going out.”

“But you do want to drink coffee?”

His insistence made her smile. “Yes, but---”

“What kind?”

“A mocha frap?”

Jayme took out his phone and dialed a number. “Two mocha fraps, rooftop. Thanks.”

She was grinning when he finished the call. “You,” she said good-naturedly, “are such a showoff.”

“I know.”

They were quiet again and Jayme only spoke after a man in a blue and white uniform had handed them their mocha fraps before leaving just as quickly and unobtrusively.

“Blue and white are the colors of your pack then?” she asked.

Instead of answering, he asked, “Are you really marrying Moretti?”

She choked on her coffee.

“Should I take that as a no?” he teased.

Misty smiled but shook her head. “It’s a ‘yes’. I’m still marrying Domenico.” Now was not the time to express her doubts.

“I see.” His lips twisted. “I was hoping you’d say no.”

Her eyes widened.

“We Lyccans aren’t the type to beat around the bush.” He stared at her directly. “I find you interesting. Attractive. I hope you’ll reconsider your decision.”

“I’m…I’m speechless and, umm, honored?” She was stumbling all over her words, mostly because she never thought someone like Jayme Cavalier would be attracted to her – if he really was that.

“I can prove I’m attracted to you if you want,” Jayme offered wickedly when he saw the wariness in her eyes.

She choked again. “No, no need!”

Jayme burst into laughter. “Ah, well. It was worth the try. Friends then?”

Misty looked at his hand doubtfully.

“Come on. I won’t bite.” He grinned wolfishly. “Not unless you want me to.”

Another laugh escaped her and she took his hand gingerly for a really quick shake.

Misty felt much better when she came back home, recalling fondly the many stories Jayme had shared about Lyccan society. Although Jayme had the same striking looks that Domenico had, they were still polar opposites. Jayme was a lot less complicated and more open about what he thought and felt.

Her smile faded when she saw Domenico standing alone in the expansive foyer of his home, her family nowhere in sight.

“Where have you been?”

Ignoring that, she called out her siblings’ names one by one but none of them answered. She whirled back to demand at Domenico, “Where’s everyone?” It was already eight in the evening. All of their classes should have ended by now.

Domenico gritted his teeth at the way Misty avoided his question. “I had Matteo drive them to the mall. A shopping trip to ensure that they do not witness our discussion. Now answer me,” he gritted out. “Where have you been?”

“Out.”

Domenico couldn’t believe how calm she was. How dare she come to his home smelling of another man’s scent? That Cavalier pup had been with her throughout the day. He had seen it with his own two eyes, having been informed by the bodyguards he had assigned to follow Misty without her knowledge. It had taken every inch of his control not to go to them and drag Misty away.

“With who?”

She stared at him for a moment. “I think…you already know so why bother to ask?”

Domenico exhaled in frustration. He wasn’t used to Misty being like this. He liked her shy, sweet, or cute. “Don’t play this game with me, Misty, or you won’t like the consequences.”

“But I’m not playing any g-games!” The tears that stung her eyes caught Misty by surprise. She turned away, but it was too late.

Domenico didn’t miss the tears and with a groan, he crossed the room and pulled her forcibly into his arms, unmindful of her struggles. He kept on hugging her until she finally subsided, crying in his chest.

“I hated that you lied to me,” she sobbed. “You made it seem like that you didn’t care people would think I was just your mistress---”

“I’m sorry,” Domenico said raggedly. “I was a bastard for doing that. I never thought she would dare make your life hell. All I wanted to know was who would actually be on your side. I won’t do it again, Misty. I promised you that.”

Misty nodded against his chest, to show that she understood and forgave him for it.

He added reluctantly, “I also have to admit that I didn’t want you to know I had an affair with her.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because you wouldn’t understand,” he said quietly.

She didn’t pretend to misunderstand what he was saying. “Why
did
you choose to have an affair with Rebecca, Domenico?”

“You know the answer to that as well.”

Her shoulders slumped. “It served your purposes to have an affair with her.”

He nodded. “I used her.”

Domenico waited for her judgment. Was she disgusted now that she knew how different the two of them were and how ruthless he could be?

When she opened her mouth, he held his breath.

“Domenico, can you just promise not to lie to me again?” Her voice shook unexpectedly at the end.

With a groan, he cupped her face and took her lips in a hard kiss, hoping it would help vanquish the pain Domenico knew was still scarring her heart. He hated the fact that she was hurting and it was because of him. She loved him. She deserved to be treated better.