An answer

Third Person’s POV

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‘Wear this tonight. I will pick you up at 6.’

Grace read the card that was attached to the box that Zayden had sent for her. He had told her to get ready for the party. She was in no mood to go anywhere. But, she also knew better than to ignore Zayden’s so-called orders.

So, she did exactly that.

She opened the box and was stunned to see the beauty inside. Inside was a beautiful pendant of platinum and diamond work. A smile crept upon her lips and she almost stood up to call him and thank him for such beauty. But suddenly, she reminded herself of what he did! And the old anger returned!

At exactly 6 PM, she was ready for the party but she had no idea the reason behind the party. A horn was heard from the yard and she came outside to see. Zayden was indeed waiting for her outside. She carefully made her way out of the house while closing the door behind her.

The blue mermaid-style gown and the pendant that he had given her to wear, looked perfect on her as he had thought. And all he wished was to kiss the hell out of her. But he couldn’t. He didn’t want to steal a kiss again without her consent.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”, he complimented.

Grace gave a small smile and entered the car. Zayden himself followed the suit, knowing very well that she was still upset.

After a few hours, they reached the party, Grace was stunned to see the arrangements. Light, sparkles, colorful fountains, and a lot of people or say werewolves in expensive suits and gowns.

“What is the purpose of this party?”

“The Queen's grandson turned one today.”

“You didn’t tell me! I would have brought some gifts from him.”

“Did you give me a chance?”, He asked. True, the whole ride was as silent as it could be. When they came out of the car, Zayden gave the keys to the valet, she asked him again.

“If they are werewolves then why did they throw the party in the human world?”

“King Vince is a well known personality in the human world, that’s why but don’t worry all the werewolves guests are on different floors while the humans are on different floors until the cake cutting.”

“Okay.!”

“Now smile. It’s the first time you are meeting any of the other Alphas. They might look scary. But you have to behave strongly. They shouldn’t know that you don’t belong here even after a few months of our marriage. Okay?”, he explained when they entered the lift.

Grace hastily nodded as she was scared someone might rip her apart. After all, everyone in the party would be a werewolf while she still smells like a human.

“What will happen if they think that I am not a werewolf?”, She asked curiously, with a little fear too.

Zayden stopped on his tracks making her halt too when they came out of the lift. He faced her and cupped her face in his palms.

“Remember, sweetheart! As long as I am alive, nobody can harm you. I will kill the person who thinks of hurting you. So, you have nothing to worry about. Okay? Just enjoy the night. And stay close to me all the time. These people aren’t your type. And many of them will try to show you that you don’t belong here and you are not my fated mate. But, just remember one thing that I love you. Okay”, He said confidently.

Grace could just nod at this very long speech. Zayden smiled, took her hand in his, and guided her toward the entrance of the hall.

“Vlad”, Grace heard a male voice and before she could have understood anything a baby touched hugged her leg, and giggled.

“Zayden! It’s good to see you with your mate. Thank you for coming”, Vince, Werewolf King, welcomed him and gave him a side hug. “Come here, birthday boy.”, He added when picked his grandson in his arms.

“So, he is your grandson?”, Zayden asked, pinching the chubby cheeks of Vlad, on which he quickly hid his face in his grandfather’s suit.

“Yes! Don’t mind him. He is quite shy.”, He said and kissed his grandson’s hair.

“Meet my mate, Grace. Grace, this is the king about whom I was talking about, and the host of the party.”, Zayden announced for both of them.

“O hello Mrs. Staunton. It’s nice to finally meet you. Where were you hiding this beauty man!”, Matthew, Son of the king, teased Zayden out of nowhere and it worked quite well.

Zayden pulled Grace to his side and held her by her waist possessively.

“Mine!”

Matthew raised his hands as if surrendering.

“I won’t stop you if you are planning to kick his ass.”, Vince commented and laughed a little.

“I was just kidding, guys. Of course, she is his. Anyway, I just came to inform you to take Vlad.”, he said and forwarded his hand toward the baby boy who quickly jumped in his arms.

“Come, let me you to my mate.”, Vince said.

After a minute, Vince introduced the two ladies. And Grace had to agree to the fact that both the ladies were damn too beautiful and by observing the fact, she could tell that both the ladies were related. She assumed a little older between them to be the queen and she was right about that.

“Crystal, she is…

“Grace. I know. Infact everyone knows her after all she is quite a buzz in our world.”, She said, confusing her.

Zayden bowed down his head a little to greet her, though Dominic was against this.

“Zayden, let’s leave the ladies to themselves. I wanted you to meet some Alphas who can be helpful for your pack if you form allies with them.”, Vince said.

Zayden hesitated for a second. He didn’t want to leave his mate alone. He knew people around him, and he was well aware of how much a higher-rank wolf hates the weak one. They wouldn’t leave a chance to pull upon the weaker ones. But, he also knew his status and power. No one in their world would think about crossing him. And insulting his wife in any way would definitely lead to their demise. So to show others, he leaned and kissed her cheek lovingly.

“I love you.”, he whispered before leaving her alone.

“So did you like his world and his way of living?”, Crystal directly asked the question which she had thought to ask without wasting a single second.

Grace didn’t know what to reply to! She knew that the queen was interrogating her as she had heard how Zayden had married her. She hated his mafia’s work but she could hate the fact that her husband could turn into a monster, well, a big black wolf to be specific because he was a part of him.

But to maintain her and her husband’s status, she faked a smile.

“I am still trying.”, She replied and easily dodged the question.

“So, it was true. She is really Alpha Zayden’s Staunton’s chosen mate.!”, said the woman standing near the queen. A few more ladies joined them to know more about Grace.

“Yes! And here we thought it was just a rumour! I mean who goes and chooses a weakling as his mate, that too at gunpoint!”, Another lady exclaimed. Grace felt uneasy at this conversation. They were talking as if she wasn’t there at all.

After a moment, she came to know who were the Lunas of which pack and mate of which Alphas. She was glad that Zayden used to share about his work with her, otherwise, she would be standing between them like an idiot, knowing nothing.

At that instant, a waiter arrived and offered drinks to all the ladies. Grace took a soft drink for herself to calm her breath. Everything was near to her, after all, she had never been gone to high-class parties and she had to maintain her reputation as Mrs. Staunton. She ran her gaze around the hall to see where her husband was. Even though he was angry at him, yet still she found herself safe with him. Almost instantly, she found him talking to the king and three other men, who she didn’t know. But the weird part was he was watching her from time to time. When their eyes met, he gave her an assuring smile. But she didn’t revert even though she wanted to because of her thick-headed ego.

“Well, not everything that we heard was a rumour after all. Mom!”, Somebody poke which made Grace pay heed toward the women around her.

“Sorry?”, She said as she didn’t understand.

“We heard that Zayden loved his chosen mate a lot even though she was a human but nobody believed it. After all, how can a cold hearted person like him fall in love!”

Something inside her snapped, Grace felt anger at the words these stupid Lunas were using for her husband. Yeah, he might be a criminal, who killed his own father and wanted to kill his own brother but in some corner of her heart, she didn’t hate him. Her heart refused to hear anything against her husband.

What was happening to her!!

“He isn’t that cold.”, She hissed on which those women’s eyes widened.

“Becca, take care of the guest. And excuse me everyone, Grace, can you come with me for a while?”, Crystal pulled Grace by her wrist. And frankly, she was thankful that she pulled her away from the ladies who were still watching with...shock?

Grace was surprised when Crystal brought her to a solitary area, which was soon recognized to be a terrace.

“You have a wolf.”, Crystal stated more than asked. Grace’s eyes widened hearing Crystal's word which clearly stated to Crystal that she was right about it.

“I...I…”

“Okay! Leave that answer as your expression already told me everything. So, tell me, Grace! Do you love Zayden?”

“What?”, Grace exclaimed at the sudden unexpected question.

“Yes. Tell me. Do you love your mate?”

“Umm! It’s kind of a…”

“I know it’s a personal question and I am in no position to ask you this. But Zayden is like my son. And I want him to be happy. I know he loves you a lot! It’s clearly visible in his eyes and expressions. But there is a sadness in him, whenever it concerns you. He had never felt love in his life. And when he falls in love with someone, then that someone can't revert to his feelings! Do you know what a disaster it is?”

Grace didn’t know what to say! So, Crystal continued.

“I know it’s difficult to love a man who kills for a living! I can't exactly understand this situation because my mate has never been one of them. But think outside this. Think of him as a normal werewolf. Think he is not in the mafia! Think he is just a werewolf who is insanely in love with you! Then will you love him?”

The question puzzled Grace.

“I...I don’t know!”, She replied as usual.

“Ah! A woman’s all time favorite answer!!”, Crystal sighed. “I hope you resolve this ‘I don’t know’ soon!”, She laughed and went back to the party.

Grace followed her suit and entered the party hall. But her mind lingered upon the question that Crystal left for him.

‘Would she love him if he was just a werewolf and not a criminal!’

She groaned in irritation. She hated when this question came when she had to name the feelings she had for her husband. She looked for Crystal but she was already gone to attend to the guest, leaving her with her own feelings.

‘What do I feel for him? What would it be like Zayden? What would it be like if Zayden wouldn’t have been in this criminal world! But then feelings are feelings! They don’t see circumstances or situations! If we like someone, we do it without any conditions.

And if we love someone, we don’t see the flaws of that person!

Zayden had done so much for her and she knew it very well. The respect and concern he gave to her and her family! The love he had for her! Even after keeping himself in pain, he thought of her feelings and emotions! She knew that no man has ever loved her as much as Zayden does.

But this wasn’t what she was more concerned about. She was thinking of why she felt so happy and safe in his arms these days. Why did she long for his kisses and touches? Why did she love it when he smiled? Why did she love each and every little thing he did? Why did she feel jealous when Sarah used to interfere in their business? Why did she get mad when Zayden sent her home when he was in pain?

Her eyes wandered and fell upon her husband who was canning the whole hall for something with a tensed face.

‘What is bothering him?’, She thought.

But when their eyes met and she saw him getting relaxed, it was when she realized that he was worried for her! How can someone care about another person so much!

Zayden walked toward her with a slight smile on his face. He didn’t care if she was angry at him or not anymore! What mattered to him was that his mate was safe and sound. He almost got a mini heart attack when he could find his mate at the place where he had left her before. But thankfully, he found her in the very next moment.

And when Zayden came close to her was when Grace finally realized something. And this something was somehow everything. It was an answer to all the above questions! It was an answer to the questions people ask her. It was an answer to the questions that had made her husband grumpy all the time! It was an answer for everyone and mostly for herself.

She was in love with him! She didn’t know how or when or why it happened? But what she knew for sure now was that she actually fell in love with him.

She was in love with her husband, her mate...with her Zayden.

.

#TBC