GRAYSON'S POV
I'd always- ever since I was a little kid- wanted to find my mate.
The idea of being destined to be with one person your entire life started off as intriguing. Then it grew into something more. Something deeper. And before I could even stop it, something I wanted more than anything.
My parents' relationship didn't help make things better. They were perfectly in love, happiness visibly surrounding them all the time. It was amazing and every opportunity they got, they thanked the moon goddess for making them find each other. For mating them to each other.
So quite naturally, I wanted my own mate too.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I'd been counting down to the very moment I'd meet her. I had the lines I'd utter to her rehearsed in my head. How I'd tell her how glad I was to finally meet her. How I'd smile like a kid who got his first taste of candy and how I'd hug her for the first time, promising forever in her ears.
It was all going to be like I'd dreamed- perfect. But that perfect dream quickly became a nightmare the moment I realized the mate I'd waited for all my life was my father's new wife's daughter. In more terrifying terms, my step-sister.
There were two people I've always loved most in the world after myself- my mum and my dad. My mum's death broke me and my dad but before it could break the relationship we shared, we quickly overcame it and became stronger. We became closer- so close his happiness became the most important thing to me. So close I wanted him to get married to someone else if that was the only means of filling the void my mum left.
It wasn't easy but after years of pestering him, he finally gave in and decided to date someone new and get married. I was happy for him. I was even almost convinced I was happier than him. but all that happiness quickly withered away as I stared at the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen and realized she was also his new step-daughter.
"Grayyyyyy, why aren't you answering meeeeeeeeee?!"
"For goodness' sake, Nessa, keep your mouth shut," I groaned as I unwrapped her arms around me, skillfully balancing my grip between her and the steering wheel. I shot her a death glare, wondering how she could allow herself get so drunk. "You should consider yourself lucky I even answered that phone call. If it was any later, my phone would have been turned off."
"Why would you of all people turn off your phone?" she let out a snicker. "Why? Are you avoiding the dozens of girls in your DMs? Ah, you were the main topic of discussion at the party tonight so how many girls called you afterwards? Don't tell me you were about to go hook up with one of them before I-"
"I was about to enjoy an honeymoon," I cut her off before she could finish. "Now, stop talking. Your breath smells like cheap alcohol."
She giggled then turned to the other side, another groan escaping my lips as I returned my focus to drive. Fifteen minutes quickly passed and we finally arrived at her apartment, a sigh of temporary relief coming from me as I pulled over.
I helped her out of the car and watched her stagger all the way towards the front door. Her words were jumbled but I was able to figure out where she kept her keys, giving me permission to open the door and watch her fall on the couch immediately.
Nessa Evans was my best friend. We'd been friends ever since our senior year in high school and the one thing I could say we didn't have in common had to be our alcohol tolerance levels.
"Please go to your room," I grabbed her by the arm before she could settle on the couch. "You do not want to spend the night on the couch. The last time that happened I woke up to fifteen texts from you narrating how your entire body was sore when as a matter of fact you slept there despite-"
"I'm not sleeping," she sat up quickly and flashed me a ridiculous smile. "See? I'm awake."
"Good for you," I reached for a bottle of water on the floor and tossed it in her direction. "Drink it. If you're sober enough, I'm leaving."
"Don't leave yet," she said after her first gulp. "Fill me in. How was your dad's wedding? I'm sorry I couldn't make it."
"It's fine," I shook my head and genuinely meant it. With Isabella standing few meters away from me in that dress that only reminded me of how she was the most gorgeous woman in the world, I had no opportunity to think about anyone else. "Well, the wedding went fine."
"How fine?" Nessa wiggled her brows at me. "Did someone go with you? Oh my Goodness, did you go with Ana-"
"No, I did not go with anyone," I grabbed her by the arm and returned the bottle to her mouth. "It was a wedding. I wouldn't take some random girl with me."
"I'd believe that if it was coming from someone else," she laughed as she took another gulp, splashing drops of the water on me. "Or maybe I'd believe you if you already found your mate. Which you haven't so no, Grayson, you're still a playboy that would take the first girl to text you to any party. Regardless of how important it is."
"Shut up," I yanked the bottle from her, immediately realizing it was now empty. I swallowed, my throat dry and quickly looked away before she could see through me as she so easily did.
She was right about one thing though. The only reason I didn't take one of the random girls in my DMs begging for a chance to the party was because I'd finally found my mate. And even if she still wanted nothing to do with me, the last thing I wanted was her having the wrong idea about me.
"Or did you already find your mate?"
"Are you still drunk?" I quickly countered. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't tell her the truth yet. It was all too complicated. Too complicated for even me to handle. "Why did you even drink so much?"
"Kai," the effects of the alcohol clearly hadn't vanished yet as she immediately replied me honestly. "He was at the party and-"
"The sooner you get over that asshole, the better," I frowned, watching her face fall. "He is a jerk. Come to terms with that and stop allowing every little thing he does get to you."
"I know he's a jerk," she groaned. "But hear me out, okay. We were having a discussion- the two of us- and then all of a sudden, his phone rang. And then when he picked it up, I could tell it was one of his exes. Now would you believe he left immediately. No explanations, no apologies- nothing. He just picked up the call and left me."
"What?"
"Insane, right?" she widened her eyes. "How could he just leave me when he knows how I feel to-"
"Fuck me."
"You mean, fuck him?"
Except I didn't mean fuck him. I meant fuck me. Me, Grayson.
My entire reason for not bringing a girl with me to the wedding suddenly felt defeated. I might have refused to bring anyone with me but I suddenly left after a phone call. A phone call that was on speaker for the first couple of seconds. Isabella must have heard Nessa's voice. Just like Nessa misunderstood her ex, there was a possibility she misunderstood me too.
"Gray, are you even listening to me?"
"You're sober, right?" I leaned towards her and watching her immediately flinch, nodded in affirmation. "Yes, you are. I have to leave."
"Where are you going?"
"Home," I said then quickly added, "Somewhere."
"Huh?"
"I'll see you tomorrow," I was already on my feet. "And unless you want me to completely stop being friends with you, DON'T YOU DARE TEXT KAI SOMMERS!"