28. Done

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Collins had never thought in a million years that the woman he cared so much about would betray him like that. Yesterday, after his fight with Nadia and she stormed out of the house, he had waited for her to return. He wanted to talk it out; perhaps apologize for it all and maybe they could reach a conclusive decision they both would be satisfied with. But when two hours collapsed and there was not even a single call or text from her, he’d swallowed his pride, grabbed his coat and went out of the house to search for her.

Good enough for him, he’d picked her scent near a rooftop bar. Rushing upstairs, he hadn’t expected he would find her dancing with Drake of all people. His hands had been on her waist, while she leaned back on him, dancing seductively. All night, he’d tried to get the image out of his head but he couldn’t. Fuck! Why did she have to be his mate? Because then it wouldn’t hurt as much as it did right now. It felt like someone had grabbed a shard, pushing it down his heart, cutting every capillary that is responsible for the beating of his heart.

Now he was stuck, chugging down beer in the early hours of the morning, having not gotten a wink of sleep all night. Crashing the now empty beer can, he aimed for the pile collecting at the corner of the room. If his father was here, he would have laughed on his face and called him stupid for dropping everything for a woman that would spit him out without a second thought. Ugh! His father. Another person in his life he was happy to get rid of. Now the old man was in the cell of Xander’s pack and he couldn’t less what happened to him. Quick a sick thought to have for the man that is responsible for you breathing, right?

The ringing of the doorbell, distracted him from his thoughts. Dragging his feet to a stand, he staggered slightly, a feat that made him aware of just how much alcohol he had consumed. Fuck! Once again, his heart was breaking because of a woman. Just when was he going to learn that perhaps he was not cut out for relationships? Or was he perhaps attracting only the walking red flags?

Opening the door, he almost banged it closed on the faces of the two people he certainly didn’t want to see right now. Nadia wore a guilty look that she had a hard time trying to hide. She fiddled with her hands, nervousness reeking off her. Beside her, in a much more blank look and dripping with so much arrogance, was Drake, possibly the one person Collins hated as much as his father.

“What the fuck are you doing here? I thought you made your choice clear yesterday when you chose to go partying with him?” Collins questioned; his gaze trained on Nadia. He hated how much he loved her. He hated that she was flowing through his veins, making her grow more addicted to her.

A look of surprise crossed Nadia’s brown eyes. Of course, she had no bloody idea Collins had dropped by the club. She had been wasted out of her mind, too busy grinding with Drake of all people. If it had been some other man, maybe it wouldn’t have hurt much. Perhaps he would have taken it as a sign she was just mad at him. But Drake? Come on.

“Well, let’s forget about yesterday just for a brief moment and-“

“Forget?” A bitter, drunk chuckle left Collin’s lips, “You want me to forget you were out with him all night, grinding like there is no tomorrow? We fought Nadia but instead of choosing to sit down and talk things out, you ran off to him. Is that how much less I mean to you?”

“Fuck you, Collins!” She muttered, growing aggravated, “You are the one who has been entertaining your ex-wife despite how you claimed to hate her before. You said she hurt you in the worst ways and somehow, she is in every breathing space you are right now. She has you defending her against me. I’m not even allowed to feel insecure or to say how uncomfortable she makes me feel!” she snapped, no trace of the hangover she had been dying from this morning, “You know what your exact words were? Oh no, you don’t get to be mad that I talk to Laila. So why do you get to be mad that I hang out with Drake?”

“Because you don’t see me grinding and drinking with Laila all night,” he snapped back. How could she not get what she did was wrong? Why was she deflecting?

“You know what? This was a bad idea,” Nadia said then turned around to face Drake,” I’m going to pack up my stuff. I’ll be out in ten minutes. Thanks for yesterday night,”

“You know I’ll save you any day. No need to thank me. You need help with your bags?” Drake questioned. Maybe he liked moments like these; when he’d see Nadia not picking Collins. Was this a sign that the universe was giving him to cement the fact that Nadia was meant to be his?

Nadia stormed in past Collins, their shoulders brushing lightly. Now left in an awkward silence were the two men who could only stare at each other without saying a word. The seconds seemed to be taking their time turning into minutes. Drake could sense the rage mixed with jealousy and utter hatred imminent in Collins. It fueled his ego, knowing Collins was that insecure about him. After all, it wasn’t him playing around with a chance he got. No, it was Collins and well, nothing would make him happier than seeing the look on Collin’s face when he eventually wins over Nadia’s heart.

“Not that it matters, but she would have died yesterday if I didn’t save her,” Drake eventually broke the pin-drop silence between them, “The were-dragons want revenge on her for the death of their Alpha and you know how unreasonable they got. But of course, you are too into your feelings to care about you,”

“What?” It was Collins’ turn to be shocked.

Drake straightened,” You know, there was a time I was convinced you are the luckiest idiot to ever live. Because even though we were together last night, she would talk non-stop about you. But hey, don’t worry, I’ll make her fall for me and when she does, she’ll realize I’m the only man that can burn the entire galaxy down for her without hesitation. I’m a very patient man, Collins. Mark my words,”

This time a satisfied smirk touched Drake’s lips. Yeah, he was going to win Nadia over no matter what it takes.