Chapter 20 Should I Be Happy?

[Ella]
I used to imagine that my mate might be a small pack Alpha, an honest bank clerk, a department store salesman, or a farmer. Then after I married him, the two of us would work hard together to make the pack's life better and better and live an ordinary and happy life with the pack members.
However, the moon god plays a big joke on me.
My mate is the Alpha, who lives at the top of the pyramid before meeting me. I am like the stone next to the pyramid. His starting point is the end that I could never reach with any effort in my life. The difference between him and me is far more than just wealth. There is also a huge disparity in social status and identity.
Truth be told, I should be happy. The mate I have waited for a year is now standing in front of me, and I have a slight crush on him.
But when I heard him say that I managed to get him to change his mind, I realized that he already knew that I was his mate and wouldn't tell me. That's why he made the strange condition of pretending to be his girlfriend but not being allowed to touch him.
I don't know what I did to make him change his mind. But he declared like a king that he was my mate as if he had bestowed great grace on me, and it made me very uncomfortable.
I open my mouth, but I can't make any sound, as if something is blocking my throat. I stare at Mr. Clapton, who, after informing me that he is my mate, goes to find a vest and puts it on.
The vest fits against his body, outlining his well-built upper body. I never imagine his body looking stronger after taking off the suit. Hell, the aroma of buttered bread emanating from him is even stronger.
Stay awake, Ella, don't let him fool you. My sanity reminds me.
"Ella?" says Mr. Clapton, raising an eyebrow. Probably noticing that I have remained silent, he asks me, "Are you too excited to say anything?"
Good, his smugness has succeeded in destroying my good feelings for him.
"Should I be happy? For what? For the fact that you concealed you always knew you were my mate? Or for the matter that you, a billionaire, can actually go out with me, a country girl?" I ask.
Mr. Clapton's eyes widen, then he smiles, "You're smart and funny. I admit I did realize you were my mate from the first moment I met you. Also, I wasn't going to accept you as my Luna initially. Because your abilities and your pack scale make you unsuitable to be the Luna of the Blue Moon Pack."
"Then why didn't you just reject me?" Hearing him finish, I lift my eyebrows, getting even more irritated. I turn my head and cross my arms in front of my chest. If I keep looking at him, I swear I won't be able to resist kicking him.
"Because you still have my attention. Maybe it's the influence of mate pull; maybe it's because you're different in a good way. No matter what, as Ethan Clapton, not the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, I want to give us a chance." With that, Mr. Clapton reaches out and tries to touch my face.
"Dear Mr. Clapton, did you ask my opinion before you made these decisions? I'm not a gold-digger or a toy for a super-rich guy like you. Are you so sure I'll be dying to date you after knowing everything?" I say, avoiding his touch and not letting him get to me.
I prepare myself for a fight or debate with Mr. Clapton. I want him to know to respect his mate. But Mr. Clapton doesn't look angry; he even laughs out loud.
"You're right. It does look like you don't want to go out with me. Very interesting." He crosses his arms. "So, what do you want now? Reject me?" Mr. Clapton asks me, raising his eyebrows and with a soft grin.
"..." I am confused by his question. Hearing the assumption of 'rejecting him' makes my stomach twitch violently, which means the deepest part of me doesn't want to reject him. To know that the one who offers rejection will experience the pain as if a million knives stabbed the heart. I am a girl who is afraid of pain, physically and mentally. Despite my body's extraordinary self-healing ability, nerve pain and mental pain from emotions are my weaknesses.
"Listen, I notice you seem to be biased against the riches."
"Because the billionaire in front of me showed me his condescending nostrils at our first meeting," I grunt sarcastically.
"All right! I must explain. At that time, I was unfriendly to you because you suspected that my group was going bankrupt. And you and your roommate were discussing gossip about my private life." Mr. Clapton says with a calm expression.
I have to admit he is telling the truth. "But... I didn't realize you were standing near the door." I attempt to defend myself, even though my excuse sounds weak.
"See? That's the problem. Whatever happened in the past, let it go! Now, if you're not sure what to do about our mate relationship, then do you want to hear my opinion?" He asks and spreads his hands.
"Tell me," I say.
"First of all, the manager of the pet breeding lab already knows about my relationship with you. Plus, I accompanied you to buy a gown last night. And you met my brother, who is like the broadcaster of news in the Clapton family. Of course, he doesn't know you're my mate, so as far as they're concerned, it's beyond doubt that you're my girlfriend. If so, then why don't we try to be a real couple?"
"How long? For three days? Then you know what? Each gossip magazine will report that the CEO of the Blue Moon Group is dating a famous model or actress at a fancy restaurant after he hangs out with Cinderella." I state.
It's not that I'm mean to him. It's that this legendary CEO has so much bad gossip that I can't guarantee if he just wants to experience what it's like to date an ordinary girl on a whim.
"It sounds like you know a lot about me through gossip magazines. Or are you jealous of the girls I've dated?" Mr. Clapton flashes a bad smile.
"Don't get cocky! If you weren't a playboy, those magazines wouldn't have a chance to print those stories." I snort.
"So you'd rather trust those paparazzi who steal private photos and brag about them than me as your mate?" He asks.
"I don't mean it," I whisper.
"As I said, I never force sex on women. I care that both parties are willing to date or even have a fling, " He explains to me patiently.
Oh, my dear Moon God, I can't believe this patient and gentle guy is the Alpha Ethan Clapton I know. Since I wake up and see him, I find he seems to have become polite and logical. Could it be that the moon god suddenly descended last night and purified this arrogant and bad-tempered Alpha? Or do I really have a prejudice against him?
"How about this! Let's try dating for a month. After a month, if we fall in love with each other, then I will inform all the pack members that you are my Luna. But if either of us is not happy with the relationship, I will officially reject you." He makes a shocking and appealing proposal to me.