"hello Mate".

" Hello, mate?"

A voice so deep and enchanting sounded from behind me.

Taking by surprise, I gasped into total shock. As that voice sounds familiar. And I wasn't expecting the owner of the voice to follow me to the bathroom. 

Not forgotten he even called me Mate.

Slowly, I lifted my head and the face I saw reflected in the mirror made my blood turn cold and my heart beat impossibly fast.

Longest time.

The face I saw that reflected in the mirror said again. 

Still, awestruck, I turned immediately to see if what I saw in the mirror a while ago was actually accurate.

And to my greatest surprise, it was actually him standing in front of me. 

He hasn't changed at all. Still looking as handsome as ever. 

With his Grey eyes, Pale smooth skin, and his frizzy hair. 

The night where I slipped my fingers into his frizzy hair kept coming back to my head like it was something that happened only yesterday.

His standing in front of me keeps reminding me that I was rejected by him. He called me a nerd when he was the person who protected me from does who bully me and called me a nerd. 

I never expected that even he my protector would also bully me by calling me a nerd but he did and that broke me into pieces so I had to leave this pack.

"Miss me mate? 

That alone brought me back to my senses. 

I can't stand here and talk to him not after what happened 3 years ago and to even think he moved on...

Excuse me Alpha but I need to go. I said to him.

For a few minutes I saw his face changing but I couldn't really place my finger on what happened since his expression changed immediately to normal.

I tried to walk out of the lavatory but he blocked my route. 

I ignored him and walked in the order direction. He held my hand and yanked me towards the wall. 

What do you think you are doing Pere? I asked him while trying to get free from his grip. Even though my wolf and my heart were delighted with what was happening at the moment. 

But I just let him think I still have feelings for him not after everything.

Pere, please let go of me. I have someone waiting for me at the party. 

Shh, it's been three years and you came back without informing me. He said 

By the way, you are looking exquisite. He said 

Thanks can I go now? 

If you were this feisty three years ago I won't have had a reason for rejecting you. He said slowly in my ear. 

And that got my blood boil with so much anger.

He doesn't know what I had to go through all these years because of him. 

With the anger in all because of what he just said, I immediately kicked him at his penis and walk out of the restroom. Living him at the restroom. filling the pain all alone.

How dare he remind me of the past. After everything he has done to me? 

I walked back to the party hole like nothing happened. 

And there I met my brother discussing with Uriel. 

Those two I don't know but I feel like something really happened to the both of them before the moon goddess gave them their separate mates.

Just when I was about walking towards them someone walked in front of me. 

"Are you okay? 

It was Lycan Prince Cross who was asking me the question.

I am fine, you don't need to worry yourself.

You wasted so much time at the restroom and it got me scared that maybe something had happened to you. 

I was going now to check on you before I met you here. He added

You worry so much Cross, I am fine. But that is for the care. 

Is nothing...

Do you mind if we go sit with our other colleagues? 

Well, I would have loved to but I have to go see my brother. I said 

It's your brother's party and he is busy and having fun with his mate and friend don't tell me you want to go spoil his moment with his friends. 

You know what you are right, I can't do that to him.

So what do you think we should do now? She asked 

Why doesn't the lady give an idea of the next plans? Laycan prince Cross asked

If it was up to me right now I would have said, I would go look for my friend right now while you go meet your friends. 

But there is no need for that because she must be with her mate right now. 

Okay. 

Why don't we go to the bar counter and get a drink? She asked 

Alright then 

They both walk to the bar counter hand in hand.  When they both got there they sat down on their respective chairs. 

Greeting sir! greeting madam!

What will you want me to offer you both? He asked 

Give us one shot. Cross said 

In no time the bartender came back with 2 small glasses of shots placing each on our side with a little piece of limes at the side of the glass.

So tell me have you drunk this before? Cross asked 

Yes sure. Do you see this? it's actually what I needed right now. Illebaye said and drank the shot in one goal. Causing Cross to drink his own too immediately. 

Wow! This is exactly what I needed at the moment. 

Barman another glass. 

Are you sure you can take in another glass of this drink? I saw how your face was when you drank the first glass. 

Wait a minute do you really think I can drink that small glass shots? 

You won't blame me, your face showed me everything I needed to know about this matter. 

Alright then let's see who the first person to get wasted among the two of us will be then. 

So Prince Cross what do you think of our deal? 

It's fine by me. 

Barman give us one more shot.

Another one I said the moment I placed my first glass down. Alongside that of Cross.

Another one!

Another one!

Another one! 

After drinking five of it I could feel my eyes playing tricks on me...

Are you okay? Cross asked 

Am I that ugly? I asked him instead. 

What are you talking about? Can you please just answer my question? 

Look are me Illebaye, he said and held her face in his hands so it could face him. 

You are not ugly, you are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. And you putting on this red gown right now actually makes you more beautiful and sexy. 

Then why don't he see that? Why did he reject me?  I thought he was okay with who I am but he ended up rejecting me..

If he rejected you,  that is his loss because no man in his right senses will ever reject a woman like you. 

To even think he was my childhood crushed and when the moon goddess gave him to me as my mate I was so happy but he instead rejected me again..

Shhhhh! Don't cry alright? Cross said and wiped the tears coming from my eyes. 

With the proximity of our faces and the effect of the wine on our bodies? I don't know what happened all I know is our lips were together dancing. 

I can't even remember the last time I kissed. 

Yeah, it was after the night of my birthday...

But that I don't care about all I care about is enjoying this moment. 

After some time were both out of breath we both stopped to take a break. 

I am sorry, I should have kissed you especially when you are at your lowest. Cross said 

At this moment it felt like the alcohol which was in their body had vanished. Because Illebaye could be seen blushing.

There is no need for you to apologize. We are both adults and importantly we are both concerned about what happened. 

You are right. I didn't ask you the last time but let me do that now. 

What do you want to ask me? 

May I kiss you this time around...

Sure. Illebaye responded

The moment she responded Cross's lips clicked to hers again. And this time around the kiss was gentle and passionate.

After some time they both stopped to breathe. 

I can't believe I am doing this right now with you. Illebaye said 

Why? Are you regretting it now? Cross asked 

Of course not. If I knew I would have regretted it I wouldn't have let it happen in the first place. 

Alright, if you say so. 

Does that mean you have finally accepted my proposal to be my girlfriend? Let me not say mate for now because that will definitely make you change your mind

Am sorry Cross but still I haven't made a decision yet. And I don't want to make any decision about it right now.

But we can definitely be friends. I just got here after so many years. And I don't have any friends yet. So can you be my friend instead? Illebaye asked 

Sure. I know it's a step at a time.

Finally found you both. Uriel said distracting them. 

Cross I hope you haven't been disturbing my best friend. Uriel asks

It seems like someone's friend is very protective of her. Cross said 

Of course dude, I don't joke with my friend so you better stand well if not we will pack you one side. Uriel said 

Ash! Those words hurt. 

Girl don't worry yourself I am in good hands. And don't forget you are the person who left me with him. Remember when your mate came and took you out of our presents? Illebaye said 

Alright, fine, if you say you are in good hands I believe you. Because I know the person I left you with. 

Barman one shot. Uriel said 

 And the bartender brought her a drink. 

She drank it in one instance. Another she said again. 

She ended up. drinking 4 shots. 

Are you okay? I asked her a little bit louder since the music was loud. 

Am fine. It's your brother's birthday so we need to party hard. 

Let me get going my mate must be waiting for me.

Ehh! Cross my friend take care of her... She said 

Don't worry I have this covered. 

Alright best let me go wish your brother a happy birthday I will see you later alright? She said 

Before Illebaye could reply she had already left.

Strange,

Why did you say that? Cross asked 

I think something is bothering her but she doesn't want to tell me. I answered 

Maybe she doesn't want to disturb you. 

But I am not coming. She is my friend and I love her so much so I don't know why she doesn't want to share her worries with me.

All I can say is she might have her reasons. So just give her some time and trust me she is going to come around and you won't even know when that happened.

Thanks for your advice. It really means a lot to me. 

Did you notice that your friend sounded furious when she mentioned your brother? Cross asks.

No, I did. And how can my brother make her furious that is unlike my brother. 

Maybe they had a lover's quarrel. Cross said 

That can't happen because they both have their mates. And my brother's mate is pregnant. 

Ohh! That means it can't be your brother then. Maybe is her mate that her furious.  

With the way you are speaking, someone might think you don't know that both of them have their mates. 

You won't blame me. My brain is no more functioning since I am with a goddess tonight.

And who is that Goddess? 

Well, she is standing right in front of me with her red gown, small crimson eyes, dark brown curly hair, pale skin, and thin eyebrows. Cross said 

And that made Illebaye blush. 

You are so good at words Lycan Prince Cross.

You look more beautiful when you blush. Cross added. 

Thanks.

Is it okay if we go out tomorrow? He asked 

I would love to. But I am sorry I can't because I will be using tomorrow to settle into the pack. I am sorry. Illebaye said

Is fine. What if after tomorrow then? 

So, you won't stop asking for a date? 

Well, Cross never back down so what do you think of the date after tomorrow?

It's fine by me.

While they were chatting it never came to any of them that they were been watched from afar like a huck who was watching down at the chicks of a hen.

Alpha Pere who was sitting somewhere far from the bar counter with his chosen mate and some friends won't stop looking at the bar counter precisely at Lycan Prince Cross and his ex-mate Illebaye.