DD

Everyone.

Everyone of us are back in the living room. On one side of the room are Dan and David. The rest of us is on the other side. There is no intention to put them in a different category or subordinate them. We are shocked. But the most shocking part is......

“He is my mate”, Dan yells like he is defending himself. I saw his eyes watering as he gazed at me, at all of us. There is my best friend. Conflicted, angry and falsely accused of nothing.

“We didn't say anything, Dan”. I say smiling. After I walked in on them, it took me a few good minutes to come to terms with what I saw. My best friend getting pounded like that is the last thing I wanted to see after a very very long day.

Slowly, I walk towards Dan and I place my hand on his shoulder. He scans my eyes for signs of disgust and dismay. Despite all, I keep a soft face. If one of the contestants is my friend's mate, I am more than happy to attest to their relationship. This guy here deserves happiness.

“I am happy for you Dan. After a long day, this” I gesture to them "came a bit much but congratulations". My smile doesn't reach my eyes. Mates should act like this. They find each other and they find each other in each other.

In my case, it's the complete opposite. I got a man that is still not over his dead mate only for me to pay the price. Then he left. Roman left.

All this time, David’s hand is tightly wrapped around Dans and he is glaring at everyone who is staring at Dan. Already possessive. When David asked me about Dan, I never would have guessed that they are mates.

“We had no idea you are gay, man”, Angelo lights up the mood with his crackle.

A middle finger is all David gives Angelo. “Seriously dav, when did you find out you were gay”. Ren asks amusingly. I don't know how it feels for the men to see one of them like this after all the time they spent in stage one.

David tenses and tightens his grip on Dan. David himself seems conflicted about the question. Surely, that is a hard topic for him. It must have only occurred to him when he found Dan.

“You're quitting the contest, then?” Gilbert asks. David wraps his arm around Dan's waist as he looks at him as if he was the cutest thing in all the land.

"I entered the contest to better myself. After finding my mate, I am much happier. That's the best thing that could have ever happened to me. He is my world”.

The bulky guy gets a mouth-to-mouth kiss from Dan. We all look away as we all are mateless. Seeing their affection made my heart clench. I am happy for him. I really am. It's my situation I am not happy about.

“I will take that as a yes”. Gilbert chuckles cruelly. I scowl at him. Despite being supportive, he feels good about this situation for a total another reason: One less competitor for the contest.

My gaze turns to David and I say, "You need to go through Royal Alpha and Royal Beta. We will go first thing in the morning"

Dan smiles at me as David nods. Everyone leaves after some friendly teasing and David serving as a shield to keep Dan from just anyone's gaze. Even the shy Valerino teased them.

Dan came up to me in the chatter. He was pretty embarrassed when I walked in on them. Apologetically, he took my hand and handed me the key to another room. Nevertheless, I told him it was fine, and all I needed now was a good night's rest for tomorrow. I take the key Dan gave me and go to the staries.

I am on the second floor when someone grabs me in the hallway roughly. I did not even have time to screem. as a hand wraps around my mouth.

“Shhh, its me”. Greyson whispers.

I pull away and turn around. “What the hell Greyson”. I whisper yell at him.

“Where did you go”. I go where? Does he mean earlier?

“I went for a run. Why?”

Taking a deep breath, he runs his fingers through his hair. His neck flexed as well as his biseps. Instantly, I feel captivated by his blonde hair. I want to run my fingers through them. They look so soft.

“Why?” I press. I hear my voice dripping with heaviness and even his cold, grey orbs seem so inviting.

"I thought...", he hesitates but doesn't take his eyes off of me.

I feel the gap between us closing as he draws closer. His hand reaches to the back of my neck and grabs it. His lips are inches from mine, and his whisper is barely audible.

“I thought you were the one David was fucking”

He has such cold eyes. My neck tingles as I struggle not to lose myself in his inviting eyes.

“What if he is?” I dare looking at him. He seeths pressing me harder to the wall. It is an all-too-familiar situation. His trapping me and seething at me. However, the feel is completely different now compared with then.

“You”. His tongue darts out, licking his lips. As I follow the move, I gulp. My interest slips from his hair to his lips.

“Are”. He comes closer to my ear. I feel his tongue licking my earlobe before biting it.

Whimpering, I close my eyes. I hear him growl in my ear.

“Mine”.