Jake’s POV
The faint buzz of chatter outside John’s office drifted through the slightly ajar window, a reminder that the moonlight party was about to begin. I leaned back in the chair opposite his desk, trying to focus as John talked about the final inspection.
“The decorations in the main hall are flawless,” John said, flipping through a stack of papers. “Food is already set, and the security team is stationed at key points. Everything’s coming together.”
I nodded absentmindedly, my mind elsewhere. Seeing Reyna earlier had shaken me more than I cared to admit, and now, sitting here with John her supposed protector only made the tension inside me worse.
“And after the party…” John trailed off, a small, almost shy smile playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair.
I raised an eyebrow. “What about after the party?”
He hesitated for a moment before pulling a small velvet box out of his pocket. My stomach dropped as he opened it to reveal a simple but elegant silver ring, adorned with a single sapphire.
“I’m going to ask Reyna to be my mate,” he said, his voice full of conviction.
I froze, my chest tightening. The image of her in my arms just hours ago flashed through my mind, and guilt twisted my stomach.
“You’re serious?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral even though my hands were clenched tightly under the desk.
John nodded, his expression softening. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. She understands me in a way no one else ever has. She makes me feel complete. And…” He paused, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “I think she loves me too.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I struggled to keep my composure, forcing a small, strained smile. “That’s… great news,” I said, though my voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.
John looked at me, his eyes bright with excitement. “I wanted to tell you first. You’re my closest friend, Jake. I needed you to know before I made it official.”
I nodded stiffly, my throat dry. “Thanks for sharing.”
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words hanging heavily between us. I should’ve been happy for him proud, even. but all I felt was anger and jealousy simmering just beneath the surface.
As much as I tried to push it down, the thought of John proposing to Reyna was unbearable. I’d never felt this way about anyone before, and now, knowing that she might soon belong to someone else… it was more than I could handle.
“Are you okay?” John’s voice broke through my thoughts, his brows furrowing with concern.
I forced a smile. “Yeah. Just tired. Training’s been brutal lately.”
Before he could respond, there was a knock at the door, and Diane stepped in, her presence as commanding as ever. She glanced between us, her lips curving into a small smile.
“You two are needed downstairs,” she said, her tone brisk. “Visitors are already arriving, and the moon goddess assistant will be here soon. Everyone needs to be present.”
John nodded, slipping the ring back into his pocket. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
Diane’s gaze lingered on me for a moment, her eyes sharp and calculating, before she turned and left the room.
As the door clicked shut, I stood, eager to put some distance between myself and this conversation. “I should head down,” I said, already moving toward the door.
“Jake.”
John’s voice stopped me in my tracks, and I turned back to see him watching me intently.
“You seem… off,” he said, his tone laced with concern. “Is everything okay?”
I hesitated, searching for an excuse that wouldn’t raise suspicion. “I’m fine,” I said finally. “Just losing sleep. Training’s been rough on my shoulder.”
He studied me for a moment longer before nodding. “Alright. But if something’s bothering you, you know you can talk to me, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, forcing another smile. “Thanks, John.”
I left the office before he could press further, my thoughts racing as I made my way toward the main hall.
Every step felt heavier than the last, the weight of my guilt and frustration threatening to crush me. John was my friend, my leader and he deserved better than this. Better than me sneaking behind his back and stealing moments with the woman he clearly loved.
But as much as I wanted to do the right thing, to stay away from Reyna, I couldn’t shake the pull I felt toward her. It was like trying to fight the tide impossible and exhausting.
Reaching the main hall, I paused for a moment, leaning against the wall to catch my breath. The sound of laughter and conversation drifted from the gathering crowd, but it all felt distant, like I was trapped in my own world of chaos.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to steady myself. Tonight was going to be a long night, and I needed to keep my emotions in check. For John. For Reyna. For myself.
But as much as I tried to convince myself otherwise, I knew the truth. This was far from over.
___
Reyna’s POV
The moment I saw John descending the grand staircase, a wave of warmth spread through me. His tall frame carried an air of authority, and the way his suit hugged his broad shoulders left no doubt that he was every bit the leader everyone looked up to. As Diane took her place as the host, warmly greeting the guests arriving for the moonlight party, I felt John’s gaze settle on me.
When he reached me, his hand gently brushed mine. “Reyna,” he said with a soft smile, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “You look breathtaking tonight.”
“Thank you,” I replied, my cheeks heating under his gaze. His compliment felt sincere, yet a part of me couldn’t shake the growing tension I’d felt since my encounter with Jake earlier.
John offered his arm, and I looped mine through his as we walked toward the crowd. We picked up glasses of champagne from a passing server’s tray, and he raised his glass to me. “To a memorable night.”
“To a memorable night,” I echoed, though my voice lacked the conviction of his. My mind was racing, replaying everything that had happened earlier and wondering if Jake was somewhere nearby, watching us.
The soft strains of music filled the air, and John led me to the dance floor. As he placed his hand on my waist and pulled me close, the world seemed to fade away, if only for a moment. We swayed to the music, his steps confident and sure. I could feel the eyes of the guests on us, murmurs of approval rippling through the crowd.
“Are you enjoying yourself so far?” John asked, his voice low and intimate.
I nodded. “It’s beautiful, John. You’ve done an incredible job with everything.”
His smile widened. “It’s all worth it if it makes you happy.”
Just as the song was ending, Diane’s voice rang out, commanding everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come! The moonlight’s blessing is upon us, and tonight we shall witness the unveiling of mates chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.”
The room buzzed with excitement as couples began to gather near the platform where the Moon Goddess’s assistant had just arrived. She was an ethereal presence, clad in silver robes that shimmered like moonlight, her aura commanding reverence. John held my hand, his grip tightening slightly as we moved toward the group.
My heart raced as I looked around, searching for Jake. I didn’t know why I felt this pull to find him, but it was there, undeniable and insistent.
The assistant began chanting softly, her voice melodic and calming. She gestured for everyone to step closer, and a faint glow emanated from her hands. The ceremony began with her explaining the sacred ritual-how the Moon Goddess would guide her to reveal the true mates among us.
I could feel John watching me, his gaze full of hope and expectation. I wanted to return his smile, but my heart was conflicted. The assistant moved from couple to couple, her hand brushing against theirs before declaring whether they were destined mates or not.
When she finally reached us, John stepped forward confidently, pulling me along with him. She smiled warmly at us, her silver eyes studying us intently.
“Hold hands,” she instructed, and we did. Her fingers brushed over ours, and I felt a faint warmth, like the touch of moonlight itself. She closed her eyes, her brows furrowing slightly. The moment stretched on, tension crackling in the air.
Then, she opened her eyes and shook her head gently. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “You are not destined mates.”
John stiffened beside me, his grip on my hand faltering. “Are you certain?” he asked, his voice strained.
The assistant nodded solemnly. “The Moon Goddess’s will is absolute.”
I felt a pang of guilt as John’s disappointment washed over me, but before I could say anything, the assistant turned her gaze to the crowd. Her eyes locked onto someone behind us, and she raised her hand, beckoning them forward.
I turned to see Jake stepping through the crowd, his jaw set and his expression unreadable. My heart leaped into my throat as he approached us, his presence commanding and impossible to ignore.
The assistant gestured for him to join me, and he hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. “Hold hands,” she said again, and I reluctantly released John’s hand to take Jake’s.
The moment our hands touched, a rush of heat coursed through me, and a brilliant light surrounded us. Gasps erupted from the crowd, and the assistant’s voice rang out, clear and unwavering.
“These two are destined mates.”
The words echoed in my mind, leaving me breathless. Jake’s grip on my hand tightened, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity I couldn’t look away from.
John stepped back, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. “This can’t be,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. All I could feel was the weight of Jake’s gaze, the truth of the assistant’s declaration settling into my very soul.
The crowd began to murmur, the realization spreading like wildfire. I glanced back at John, guilt twisting in my chest at the devastation on his face.
Jake leaned in slightly, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “I told you, Reyna. You were always meant to be mine.”
And for the first time, I didn’t know whether to run or stay.