Chapter 8
JESSICA
I stare at the alarm clock on my phone, wishing death and dismemberment on whoever thought it was a good idea to wake up this early. Just because it was me doesn’t mean I like it any better. Pressing the snooze button, I roll back over and grab my covers.
The text hasn’t come in yet. Does this mean Angie was wrong? Maybe the Governing Body made a mistake and is trying to correct it. With a soft grumble, I grab my phone and turn onto my back as I pull up my text messages.
Alec
I have been chosen by the Governing Body to get married. I hope it’s you I see at the end of the aisle.
I should stop torturing myself like this. Honestly, the moment I realized we weren’t going to be together, I should have just deleted his number. Blocked him like he blocked me. Unfortunately, I’m now stuck in this limbo where I worry if I do anything, I’ll miss something from him .
A ding pulls me out of my thoughts, and my stomach plummets. An unknown number flashes across the screen. This must be it. Switching over to the new message, my gut churns as bile rises in my throat.
Unknown Number
Hi! We have found you a mate. To ensure proper preparations for your big day, be at the Abernathy Civic Center by 12pm sharp.
Please do not be late. Your happiness depends on our ability to transform you into the bride of your dreams. Your presence is non-negotiable.
If you are not here at the designated time, officers will be sent to your location to retrieve you. Enjoy your day to the fullest!
That’s it. Just like Angie said. Granted, she didn’t know who the groom was. Could she be wrong? Is there still a chance it’s Alec after all? My fingers tremble as I flip back to his texts and fire off a message.
My breath stills in my throat as I wait, hoping, praying he’s unblocked me because he’s going to be the one marrying me. The seconds crawl by like hours as I stare at the screen. Nothing. But at least this means he’s unblocked me.
However, the moment I feel any sort of elation, the phone dings again with that hellacious message.
Alec
The person you are trying to reach has blocked this number. If you feel as if this is in error, please have them contact a servicing station for a systems scan.
Still blocked. It won’t be him at the end of the aisle then. A groan wrenches from my throat as I plop the phone on the bed and turn back over, shoving my face into a pillow so the neighbors can’t hear me scream. Four hours until my life is over.
Eventually, I pull myself out so I can breathe, my pulse pounding in my ears. Inside my head, I can’t help but think of the Alpha I saw last night and his commands as he drove me closer and closer to orgasm.
Just breathe. If I did it last night, I can do it right now. I place my hand over my heart, forcing it to settle. Eventually, my breathing slows down as well until I’m finally able to think things through rationally. It’s just six months. I can survive anything for six months.
Turning to look at my desk, I spy the small flogger hanging from the edge.
I should have thrown it away the moment I got home, but something in me, something stupidly sentimental, wanted to keep it.
I roll off the side and onto my feet and walk over, running my fingers across the dark purple strands.
The things this stranger did to me… The things he made me feel… Alec never did. Granted, with us wanting to wait until we were married to go all the way, perhaps he just wouldn’t have been able to control himself if we played sexual games like this.
But then, the way the Alpha kept his composure, even while coming into my mouth… I didn’t know Alphas were capable of such restraint. My heart twinges as I force my gaze away. It’s not right to disrespect Alec. Even if he’s married to another, he’ll come back for me.
He has to.
For a moment, I stand there frozen as my mind jolts into action.
I don’t even know what to do right now. Am I allowed to tell my friends?
My family? I suppose they’ll already know if the Governing Body contacted them.
I’ve only been a friend and witness to a few of these, so I can’t really recall what I was supposed to do.
There was a text similar to the one I received a moment ago, but it wasn’t nearly as foreboding. I was actually given the option of standing by my friend’s side as opposed to being ordered there. From what I remember, it was fun.
We tried on dresses. We drank champagne. Basically, we did any and everything we could to take our minds off the fact that one of us was soon to be married to a stranger. Granted, those few friends ended up far happier than any of us expected.
Maybe the Governing Body knows what they’re doing after all? No. I can’t allow myself to think that. If they did, they would have paired me with Alec instead of leaving me all alone while he gallivants across Greece with a woman who probably didn’t even want to go there in the first place.
How would she even know that she would want to go there?
Alec knew I wanted to go there. He probably booked the flights the moment he got the text, thinking we were going to go together.
Will my new Alpha even care that I want to go somewhere?
To just get away from everything so we can plan out our future?
Would they even think ahead like he did?
I pick up my phone, debating whether or not to message Kessily when there’s a knock at my door. It’s certainly not masculine. Not like Alec showing up to sweep me off my feet and take me to the wedding himself.
Shaking my head, I force these thoughts out of my mind. Dwelling on him won’t do me any good. Not now. Not ever. I just have to get through these next six months while keeping myself at arm’s length until Alec and I can be together again.
That is, if he even still wants me.
I’m barely able to unlock the door when it bursts open, revealing Kessily. She beams at me as she barrels her way in, scooping me up into a big hug. “You got the text, right? Tell me you got the text, and you don’t think I’m just some psycho showing up like this.”
A soft chuckle vibrates in my chest as I hug her close. “I mean, I do think you’re a psycho, but not for this.”
“It’s the memes and videos I send you. Isn’t it?”
“They don’t help your case any.”
“Dammit. I knew it.”
Just having my best friend helps ease a lot of the anxiety and worry until I’m able to take in a full breath again. Thankfully, she doesn’t bring up the impending marriage or anything. She just talks as if we’re about to hang out for a girls weekend.
Just like normal. As if every fucking thing is normal. Even when it’s not.
Tears gather in my eyes as she wanders around my apartment looking at my stuff, poking and prodding things every now and then. Until that moment, I didn’t realize I’d have to merge my life with someone else. Someone new and strange.
With Alec, we were going to just move whatever fit over to his place. Now that I’m having to contemplate moving in with a stranger, I have no clue what of me will fit with them. Will they have their own dishes? Will I like them? What about clothes and furniture?
At least with Alec, I knew how big his house was.
We already made plans and talked about what of mine I was keeping and what I was getting rid of.
Now, I’m back at square one with no idea and no strategy in place.
Kessily continues to talk a mile a minute while my heart starts to skip a beat every few seconds.
My limbs feel heavy and wooden as I sit down on the edge of my bed. Fuzzy lines intersperse my vision and don’t let up until I close my eyes. Though I sway back and forth, my bed seems able to anchor me. At least a little.
Kessily continues to talk. I can hear her, but now it sounds muffled. It’s as if I’m underwater and she’s screaming at me from shore. Drowning. That’s how this feels. I don’t dare open my mouth for fear of letting the water in.
Strong hands wrap around my shoulders, and for a moment, my brain conjures up the Alpha from last night. If I just keep my eyes closed, it’s as if he’s right there with me. I can almost smell his dark, masculine scent surrounding me, enveloping me.
Breathe. Just breathe.