Chapter 99
~LANA~
It’s the night before the engagement ceremony, and I still haven’t had a chance to talk to Apollo–not even once. He’s been busy with his mother, Jada, and her parents, and whenever he wasn’t with them, he was out handling tasks for them.
Ever since he announced to everyone that he couldn’t wait to marry Jada, I’ve been restless. That statement didn’t sound like Apollo at all. Something must have happened between him and his mother after I left them alone in his room.
I should have stayed behind. I should have offered him my support. Now, I’m left in the dark, wondering what she said to make him act this way.
It feels like he’s either completely forgotten about us or is putting on an act to feign indifference. Apollo disappointed me quite a bit ever since! discovered we were mates, but this time, it hurts so much more than all those other times.
“Are you okay?” Isabella asks, noticing me pacing back and forth in my room.
I stop to look at her, struggling to hold back tears. “No,” I admit..thought things would be different. I really believed Apollo would call off this engagement after our talk. I was sure everything had changed between us. I don’t know how to cope with this pain, sister. I don’t even know what this feeling is, but it hurts so much.”
She moves closer and envelops me in a tight embrace. “I really thought he would end it too. All the signs pointed to Apollo wanting to be with you. I’m surprised he’s following through with it.”
I refuse to let our story end like this. I have to do something, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
“Girls,” my mother calls out, interrupting us. “Come downstairs; everyone’s out on the patio discussing tomorrow.”
I groan internally. This isn’t a good time for this.
“We should go,” Isabella insists. “Apollo is probably out there with everyone. You might get a chance to see how he reacts to you.”
What exactly was she planning? There was no way I’d let her dress me up just to go out there.
“What do you have in mind, Isabella?” I ask, eyeing her suspiciously.
“Oh, nothing crazy, I promise,” she assures me.
Though I didn’t completely trust her words, I had no choice. I was desperate for any chance to get Apollo to talk to me, and if my sister had a way to make that happen, I had to take the leap.
Letting her pull me down the stairs, we step onto the brightly lit patio where everyone is either seated or leaning against the rail, chatting away.
Apollo stands next to Jada and her parents, looking stiff, as though he’s being forced to be there.
I fold my arms over my chest, trying to focus my thoughts elsewhere. But that’s tough with my heart screaming for me to run to my mate in his warm embrace. It takes all my self–control not to act on that urge in front of everyone.
bury myself
The cool night air sends shivers through me, and 1 hug myself tighter. More than anything, I long to feel Apollo’s warmth again. Somehow, I feel like he can sense my emotions. When our eyes meet for the first time since that night in his room, the world seems to freeze,
For a moment, we stand still, both locked in that gaze. He scans my body, and I wonder if he realizes how cold I am.
But his eyes look distant as he forces himself to look away from me.
What’s going on? Why is my mate suddenly so cold? How can I get the old Apollo back–the one who would talk to me and rush to my side whenever 1.
needed him?
1/2
Chapter 99
I feel like I don’t know him anymore, and that thought devastates me. I’d envisioned a future together, but now it seems like that will never happen. It all feels like a lie.
“So, Lana,” Isabella suddenly calls out, her voice carrying over to everyone. “Who did you say will be your date for the engagement ceremony tomorrow?”
I try to maintain my composure at her question. I didn’t expect this to be her plan. Usually, Apollo would freak out at the mention of another guy being my date.
Yet tonight, he doesn’t even glance our way. I notice his grip tighten on the cup he’s holding, but that’s the only reaction. Nothing to indicate that he cares about who I might bring.
This pain in my chest–oh, it hurts so much.
“You have a date tomorrow?” my mother asks, her excitement evident. “Why didn’t I hear about this before?”
I groan internally. What is Isabella trying to pull?
“Yes, Lana,” Apollo’s mother chimes in, curious. “Tell us all about your date; we’d love to hear about the man who suddenly seems interested in you.
Jada also approaches, eager to join the conversation. “I’m truly happy for you. Finally, you can have someone who gives you the attention you deserve.
Was she really happy for me or simply faking it like Ms. Reign. They were both just happy that I would be out of Apollo’s life soon.
Just as I’m about to respond, a sound of glass shattering cuts through the air, sending us all into silence.
I turn around to find the source of the noise, and I’m taken aback to see shards of glass scattered all over the ground in front of Apollo.
He must have dropped the glass he was holding just moments ago.
He stands quietly, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze on him.
With an unusually calm conduct, he says, “I’ll grab something to clean this up.”
I watch him walk away, a heavy ache settling in my chest. The glass he dropped on the floor told a different story than the cold, indifférent demeanor he was showing to everyone.
Isabella glances over and nudges me, clearly urging me to follow him.
This was obviously part of her grand plan, and despite my earlier doubts, it seemed to be working yet again.
Was this really the right move? Apollo looked like he didn’t want to talk to anyone. Whatever it was that kept bothering him, had taken a turn for the
worst.
Isabella narrows her eyes, making it clear that this could be my only chance before the engagement ceremony.
She was right. I couldn’t miss out on this.
Thac
