An Enemy Called Mate

ZIVA

The party began swiftly…

Everyone in the ballroom looked excited, most especially Rose.

She had her arm linked around Alpha Xander’s elbow as they walked and discussed with other influential werewolves. Tsk, she didn’t even wear the dress I chose earlier.

I glanced down at everyone and became anxious.

Will I really leave this pack after the divorce?

I shook my head, repeating the same statement to myself.

“You are not needed or wanted. You should leave.”

I heard a loud exhale, as a masculine voice muttered, “So pathetic. I can’t believe that she is back in this pack.”

The voice sounded close. I looked at my side and spotted Alexei in a black tuxedo.

“You came back. You didn’t tell me that you got discharged from the hospital,” I told him.

Alexei raised an eyebrow and grumbled, “I thought you and Brother wanted me to live in the hospital until the end of my days.”

I waved my hands, telling him the truth quickly, “We will never want that.”

“Pfft… That’s the impression I got,” Alexei replied.

As he stood on the landing of the grand staircase, he leaned his weight against the cold, iron balustrade.

Then, his gaze fell on Rose and he exhaled, “You’re not actually going to leave Rose with Xander, are you?”

“Why are you asking that question? Obviously, she is his mate and I’m just the… Other woman,” I replied, with sadness tinged in my voice.

“Oh, come on. Rose is just a gold digger, nothing else.”

“But Alpha Xander thinks of her differently, like he is blinded-”

“He is blinded by their mate bond.” He clenched his fist, and continued his speech, “That same Rose, I have seen her in the human city countless times. She is just putting up an act to gain Xander’s trust.”

“What do you mean by an act?”

“While I was away, there was a war, and everyone believed that Rose died. She was cast away, but I met her in the human city… With her husband and a child.”

I chuckled, almost too loudly, “Is this a joke?”

Alexei gazed at me sternly, “I am dead serious. She has a child.”

“Perhaps you misunderstood. Rose here, is with a perfect figure. If she had a child, it would be very obvious with her tummy and shape.”

He rolled his eyes, “I knew that you wouldn’t believe me. Once she pulls off her mask, you will understand.”

? ? ?

XANDER

The party went well, and I ensured that I had the guards around. I didn’t want to end up like foolish Nikolas, so I prepared more guards and a fake Crystal Moon beforehand.

In no time, I received a mind link of a theft occurring in the mansion.

Just like I had expected, someone stole the fake Crystal Moon and picked up their heels. He or she must be so foolish to think that I will watch that happen and let him go scot-free.

I had prepared for this scene and arranged for some able-bodied guards to arrest him.

He would also be tortured for stepping into my mansion before I make him an example to anyone who tries to steal the Crystal Moon.

To be precise, the punishment for stealing such a precious object is death… Instant death.

Anyone who gets caught with the fake or real Crystal Moon will be beheaded at once!

As I watched everyone in the ballroom, the thief was plastered in my mind. If he had been caught or not, I felt a bit restless.

“Any luck?” I mind linked Lance.

“Caught him. He had been cuffed and sent to the rogue’s cell.”

I smirked, “Excellent.”

Rose who had her arm linked around my elbow voiced out, “Hmph, it doesn’t even feel like this party was organized to welcome me. Everyone is busy with something else and you aren’t even paying a single attention to me.”

I turned to her, and just then, I noticed her lips that she downturned with a sullen face.

“We have all the time to ourselves,” I replied calmly, and she let out a huff of annoyance.

“You always say that. Then the next morning, you’ve left the mansion to be busy with pack works as usual.”

I pinched her cheek and smiled, “I promise that from now on, I’ll spend more time with you than I ever have before.”

“Fine, just fulfill it,” She said, her downturn lips curling into a smile.

Suddenly, Rose pulled her arm away from my elbow. She moved further like she was searching for someone.

Then, she glanced around, and whispered, “But where’s that sly witch? I haven’t laid eyes on her all day. You’d think she’d be out, causing mischief as usual.

Perhaps she’s up to something even more disgraceful than usual, and that’s why she’s been keeping out of sight. Who knows what that sly woman is capable of?”

I furrowed my brows, confused by her statement, “Who are you referring to as a witch?”

“Who else?” Rose said, turning to me with a suspicious look in her eyes. “If it wasn’t your witch of a wife, then who else could it be?

I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that she was nothing but trouble. I could see right through her, you know, with that sly smile of hers and her beady little eyes. I knew she was up to something.”

I massaged my temple, feeling a headache coming on as I knew too well that Rose was about to start her drama.

“Ziva has never had a sly smile on her face,” I said, trying to reason with her. “You’re just overthinking it.” But she shook her head quickly as if she knew Ziva better than I did.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“I know more about witches than anyone here,” Rose said, her voice taking on a stubborn tone.

She continued, “She always has this sly smile that appears on her lips when you’re not looking. It’s like she is preparing to do something harmful that you don’t know, and she’s just waiting for the right moment to do it.”

I narrowed my eyes, knowing where this conversation would lead to.

Slowly, I could feel my temper rising, but I tried to stay calm. Gently, I took Rose by the arm and guided her to a chair.

“Alright, mate,” I said, trying to sound reassuring. “You need to sit and relax.”

Rose shook her head quickly, “I know you will try to stop me from voicing out my thoughts about that witch. But I won’t let you.”