Chapter 36: Chapter 36

My whole brain is in haywire. Roselyn was already five steps ahead. She's already planning for the wedding. I looked at Jeff for help but he's also preoccupied with Neil and Ryder, who seemed to be reporting something to him.

I looked at Roselyn who sounded very delighted. I knew she cared for her son so much but she's jumping to conclusions without even trying to hear Jeff's side. She doesn't even know what Jeff has to say on this one. I am not his mate. I'm sure he doesn't want to be married to me!

"You know what? The best venue for your wedding would be in the flower field," she said dreamily. "It's where his father and I got married and it's the most beautiful wedding everyone has ever seen." She took my hands in excitement.

She looked at my body. "We need to plan this wedding right away!" she beamed as she stood up and walked over to where Jeff is. She hooked her arm around his as she pulled Jeff to where we are even when he's still talking to Ryder and Neil.

I am speechless. She can do that to the Alpha?

Roselyn made Jeff sit beside me while she settled on the chair in front of us, across the table. She smiled widely at her son. "I am already telling Andrea that you should be married as soon as possible," she started.

I turned to Jeff and saw him blankly staring at his mother. Not even a hint of frustration or confusion on his face. It was blank. Apathetic. And it annoyed me. I leaned closer to him. "Are you not going to stop this?" I shamelessly whispered even though his mother is just right in front of us.

"Oh…" she cooed when she saw what I did. "You're too cute! You fit each other!"

I scoffed before smiling awkwardly, looking at Jeff for help. I want to be out of here. I should have escaped to the city when I had the time. Now, I'm left to face the biggest struggle yet. Running away from my former pack and escaping the rogues was much better than this one.

Jeff cleared his throat. "Mom, I think-"

"I'm glad you found your mate before the three months elapse!" she cut him off. "You do not know how worried I am that you could be forced to step down your rightful position just because of our tradition."

I bit my lips and forced myself not to sigh. Jeff exhaled deeply.

"That won't happen," he told his mother in a low baritone.

"Right! That won't happen because you've already found your mate." Roselyn turned to me and smiled sweetly. "You are our savior," she beamed. "I promise I will do whatever I can to protect your identity."

I gave out a faded smile. I swallowed hard. How the hell would I convince her to stop it with the plans because I am not Jeff mate?

"Oh, son! I will call for my friends to organize this one." she beamed. She reached for her designer bag and brought her phone out and started dialing the numbers of the people who would help her prepare for the wedding. She was all smiles, very different from the look on her face when she first saw me.

And then it hit me again. I have been sitting here and talking to her for a long when I haven't even brushed my hair or my teeth. I shut my eyes and cursed mentally.

"As I was saying, we should hold your wedding on the same flower field that I married your father," Roselyn began. "I'll be in charge of that. I have a few trustworthy organizers who can help us transform the field into something picturesque and fit for your wedding.

Jeff was sitting there quietly, watching his mother plan the wedding excitedly, I don't understand why he's not speaking against it. He should tell her that I am not the right person for this!

Why the hell did they think I'm the rightful mate just because he let me in his house? It's absurd! I don't get the logic.

Roselyn suddenly stood up and gave Jeff and me a meaningful smile. "You know what? I think we should leave," she announced as she grabbed her bag and nodded at Ryder and Neil who were standing near the kitchen island. "Let's leave the two," she ordered and the two immediately obliged.

I opened my mouth to say something but they were walking towards the door in a sudden rush. I turned to Jeff but he doesn't seem like he cares. He's looking at the glass at the table intently, seemingly in deep thoughts.

I sighed and walked over to Jeff. I slammed my hand on the table and he looked at me with furrowed brows. My eyes slightly widened when I realized what I did. I may not be a member of their pack but he's still an alpha. He could still do something to me if I act rashly.

"Why didn't you tell me you're a werewolf?" I asked him, slightly calming down. My insides are shaking with his intense stare.

He raised his brow and stood up, towering over me. "Was I obligated to tell you?" he asked back. "And besides, how did you not know? You're a werewolf. You could have smelled my scent."

He easily trapped me in between his arms while his gray eyes bore into mine. His face was too close that my breathing hitched as my whole body shivered under him. He smirked and leaned closer. I leaned back, staying away from him. I looked away, ashamed because he's right. I could have smelled him…if I were capable enough. "I haven't shifted. I wouldn't know."

He reached for my chin and made me look at him. His eyes are studying my face. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-one," I replied in a trembling voice.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Twenty-one and you haven't shifted yet?" he asked in disbelief. He paused for a moment before nodding, as if he realized something. "So that explains it."

I swallowed hard. "Enough with that. You tricked me, "1 uttered, mustering all the courage I have left in my system. All this time I thought he was a human. Why can't I smell wolves apart from humans? My incapability is beyond what I could imagine. He arched his brows and looked at me in amusement. "I didn't," he replied as one side of his lips rose. "I helped you, remember?"

I clenched my fists. Well, he's right. He helped me. And I am grateful for that but everything is a shock to me right now. I have tried to shrug off the idea that he could be a werewolf even after witnessing what he did in the forest with the rogue. I made myself believe that he's just a human.

Gods! I know I'm stupid but I didn't know it's to this extent.

He smirked as he leaned closer to my ear. "It was you who tricked me," he whispered. "Well, you thought you could trick me." He chuckled before inhaling my scent. "You sneaky little wolf."

My throat ran dry as my heart rate sped up, creating a suffocating feeling inside my chest. I could only imagine what ran in his head the moment he saw me. Why didn't he kill me right at that moment?

"Did you think I was a kind human that would offer help just to anyone?"

My eyes widened. I opened my mouth but no words came out.

"Where have you been?" he asked again. "Which pack do you belong in?™

I swallowed hard and refused to answer his question. I am panicking internally. But I am exiled anyway. I am not a member of any pack nor do I have a plan to be a member of his! I just want to start a new life away from the dangers of being a werewolf. I want to live a human life and become successful on my own.

He leaned his head on my temple while his hands went to either side of my waist. My knees seemed to have wobbled when he breathed close to my ear. "Which pack do you belong in? he asked again, but this time, his voice was soft but was oozing with conviction.

And then it dawned on me suddenly.

Fire Moon Pack. That's where he belongs. Our archrival. I cannot be mistaken. I don't know why I'm only realizing all these things now.

Maybe it's the fact that all the information dumped onto me was too hard to process that it's sinking in Jate.

Out of all the packs, why did I have to end up in here?!

If he knew where I belonged before, would he kill me even though I have been exiled from the Primal Shadows pack?

I shook my head mentally. I wouldn't admit it. I don't know what he is capable of.

My lips trembled as I searched for the words to say. "I-I d don't belong to any pack," I stammered as my heart pounded like it's going to destroy my whole ribcage. It's not a lie, though.

"Hmmm…" I couldn't move. I have been paralyzed yet again. "If you don't belong to any pack, you're a rogue."

Shit! I know his mother already knew that I am a rogue, but this is the exact opposite reaction I got from her. His mother was just blinded by the relief of Jeff finding his supposed mate, hence, solving the problem about their tradition.

But Jeff sounded so dangerous. Forget about being in an archrival pack. Admitting to him that I am a rogue would still make him want to kill me.

"I-I'm sorry! Don't kill me!" I shut my eyes as I pleaded. I could cry right now and ask him to spare my life.

Jeff tilted his head to the side. "Then, marry me." My eyes widened in shock. My jaw dropped, couldn't believe what I just heard from him. I couldn't even find the words to say. I was in utter shock, baffled and flabbergasted.

He stared into my eyes intently. His gaze was so intense that I could myself melt by the second. He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close until I collided with his body. "If you want to live, then marry me. His whisper sounded like a warning to me.

I could feel my gaze trembling. "I am not your m-mate," I told him, stuttering as my heart pounded like a bass drum inside of my chest.

"Stay with me until I find my mate," he said. "You don't have anywhere to go anyway."

I swallowed hard. Does that mean he wants me to be a replacement in the meantime? I licked my lips. "I can leave this house now."

He chuckled lowly. "Then, I'd have to kill you," he threatened. "You're a rogue. You don't have a place in my territory. And you don't have any right to step in it."

My feet went cold as I felt my whole body shivering in fear. He sounded so serious, without an ounce of humor in his voice.

He tucked the loose strands of my hair behind my ear and smirked.

"Six months, Andrea. You'll be married to me for six months."

I furrowed my brows. Now, I am left with no choice. Do I want to die or endure the whole six months acting like his wife and the Luna of the pack while he searched for his rightful mate? I raised my gaze and was welcomed by his gray orbs. "What do I get in return?" I asked him.

He smirked, feeling victorious. "Alimony of one million dollars.

1 blinked several times and my jaw dropped. One million dollars?! How many times do I have to be shocked today? Are you just throwing out money?!"

Jeff chuckled and shrugged. "One million dollars. You can finally start a new life with a new business," he told me. "You can live in the city of your choice. Or maybe go out of the country and live there." He smiled at me. "All you need to do is to endure being my wife. Wait for six months to be over and then you're an instant millionaire."

My head is spinning. I am feeling dizzy just by hearing one million dollars.

He leaned his face closer. "Will you marry me?" he asked with his eyes deeply staring into mine.

I swallowed hard and clenched my fists. Endure it. I

nodded. "Yes." I bit the inside of my cheeks and prayed that I am doing the right thing.