What IF?
What IF?
Third POV
Tulip had always wanted this. Power. To be surrounded by powerful people.
The birthday party was everything she had expected. Alpha Lucien and Luna Auren had gone all out to celebrate Tam’s birthday party. Guests mingled, laughter filled the air, and she knew that she had to make connections. This was a lifetime opportunity. Alphas of various packs were here. Unmated Alphas. Though she wasn’t going to flirt with them because she had to behave like Matt’s perfect fiancée, still…
Matt was perfect, but deep inside, she ignored that feeling. Ever since Matt had shifted, she thought that he would be her mate. But the connection never came. Seven years ago, when Matt first shifted, and when his bear didn’t claim her, the rage had consumed her. fury, jealousy, and disbelief had slammed through her. In front of him, she suppressed her emotions, but inside she hated Torben. She had stormed back home, and torn apart the house, throwing objects, clawing furniture with her claws and slashing curtains. Her parents had a hard time calming her.
And now that Matt didn’t come out as her mate, the depth of her jealousy against Tam reached new levels. She loathed how he was possessive toward her, how fiercely protective he was of the girl. The way he acted toward her made it feel like she was the only girl he cared about.
Though he hated her on the outside, Tulip noticed how he looked at Tam with that softness. It infuriated her that wherever he was, he would make sure that Tam was doing well, that she wasn’t bullied. In fact, he had gotten into a horrible fight with his friend, Jace, when Jace commented about Tam. He had never done this for her. He was there for Tam when she was hurt, when she missed her meals, when she was scolded by others.
She had hoped that he would go to college with her, but he became Alpha. She went to the college alone. And that’s where she met Harrison, an omega bear. Her mate. Sparks flew and before she knew what was happening, she was living with him. She tried to keep her distance, to resist the temptation of him, but the mate attraction was too strong. When they had sex together, the world seemed to stop. He was gentle and devoted to her. But he was an omega. Not as powerful or rich as Matt. As much as she liked Harrison, she knew that she couldn’t let go of Matt.
Harrison dropped out of college, stating a family emergency. He asked her to come with her. But she didn’t. Harrison couldn’t offer her the same power and status that she had always dreamed of. She declined his offer. Harrison left that night feeling horrible.
After college, Tulip went back home. And in that time, she once didn’t see Harrison again. On Teddy’s request, she went to Matt’s pack. To join him in his pack business. He was the safe choice. She hid everything from him, pretending that nothing happened. She became the sweet fiancée, all smiles and affection, urging him to marry her, dreading that one day Harrison might come back. She regretted not rejecting Harrison.
However, at Tam’s birthday party, things shifted. As she was going to meet Bradley, Lucien’s elder son, a sense of unease crept up her spine. And then, she smelled him–the unmistakable scent of Harrison. He was standing there–behind the bar, a server. Staring at her. She couldn’t believe it. She froze, her jaw clenching as she stared at him. If he revealed that he was her mate, then her perfect dream would shatter in a few seconds. It was like she had seen a ghost. Blood drained from her face. Of all the places, she found Harrison here?
“What’s wrong, Tulip?” Matt asked.
“M–Matt, I–I’ll be right back!” she said and hurried out of the room. She motioned Harrison to come out.
A few minutes later, she found herself standing behind the hall in darkness, hyperventilating. Harrison came soon after. His eyes widened when he saw her. “Tulip!” he said and hugged her tightly. “Veles! I missed you so much. It’s impossible to stay without you.” He kissed her on the temple as his hands reached her hips.
Even though she felt great to be in his arms, she collected all the emotions, and pulled away from him. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice filled with anger and disbelief.
He smiled softly as he held her wrists, his eyes shining. “I’m working part–time here for the party. My manager said he would give me five hundred dollars for this job. But I didn’t know you would be here.” He looked at her from top to bottom Look at you. You look even more beautiful! My cock missed you. I tried to contact you so many times, but you blocked me Why did you do that, Tulip?”
Tulip’s breath caught. “You shouldn’t be here,” she hissed. “You’re nothing to me.”
“What?” he jerked his head back.
“You heard me!”
He narrowed his eyes, and then pulled her to him. His lips crashed on hers desperately, urgently. Before she knew it, she was clinging to him, his hands were all around her body, inside her panties. She whimpered at the touch.
“You’re mine!” he growled.
1/3
What IF?
Her eyes widened, and she pulled away. “I can’t be with you,” she spat.
“Why?” he asked, bewildered. “We are mates.”
“Hush!” she said furiously. “You can’t say that. I am Alpha Matt’s fiancée”
Harrison’s eyebrows jumped to the hairline. “Are you fucking insane? Reject him. You’re my mate.”
She gritted her teeth. “No!” And then she did what she had planned. “I, Tulip Montana, of the Coldmane pack, reject my mate, Harrison from this day onward!”
Harrison stared at her in disbelief, his body and mind going numb. “T–Tulip… n–no… he rasped as he dropped on his knees with one hand on his chest.
Sweat broke on her body as her heart felt like it was shattering into pieces. She staggered away from him saying in a shaky voice, “Accept the rejection because if you ever try to contact me again, I’ll make sure you die. Do you understand?” Harrison didn’t say a word. He just sat there, watching her going, hurt hammering his chest.
Tulip returned to the party after going to the washroom and calming herself. Now she had to be even more careful. Not only because of Harrison, but also because she saw how Matt reacted to meeting Tamara after all these years. She was fifteen. In three years she would be eighteen, and shift. What IF she sensed him as his mate?
“Fuck!” She gripped the edge of the counter in the restroom, panicking. She had to keep him away from Tamara, and marry him as soon as possible. Right now, they didn’t understand their feelings. She had to take advantage of Matt’s guilt and uncertainty.
