Chapter Fifteen
Afew people stoppedto talk, but otherwise, she stood, and people watched.She knew a lot of people there, and some she had enjoyed being with, but they had all grown apart.Jessica needed to make a concerted effort to keep in touch with them.
“So, I hear congratulations are in order.”
Jessica turned to see a man standing beside her.“I’m sorry, what?”
“I just heard you and Gideon are married.”
“Yes.”She held out her hand.“Who are you?I don’t think we’ve ever met.”
“I’m Gideon’s cousin.”
Jessica stiffened.The few times Gideon had talked about the man, he’d never been happy.“I see.”
Adan smiled.“I can see he’s told you about me.”
Jessica shrugged.“He might have mentioned you a few times.”
“Where is my cousin?I want to congratulate him on his win.”
Jessica’s brows snapped together.“What win?”
Adan’s smile broadened.“He hasn’t told you about his grandfather’s will.”
“Not that I know of.”
“The will stated that if Gideon wasn’t married by a certain time, he’d have to step down from alpha, and I would take over.”
Jessica gritted her teeth and held her composure.“When was the deadline for taking a wife?”
“He’s known about it for eight years but just realized he needed to find a wife, and he only had a few months to do it.”
Jessica didn’t want the man to see her distress, so she smiled.“He’s said something about that.”
She didn’t think she pulled it off when the man’s smile grew even more.
“He didn’t give you the line of being his mate, did he?”
She felt her stomach tighten in dread.How could she have felt so happy a few hours ago and now want the earth to open up and swallow her?
“By the look on your face, I see he did.It was cruel, but he needed to do something drastic before his time was up.”
Jessica couldn’t take it any longer.“If you’ll excuse me.”
“Oh, of course,” Adan grinned, knowing he’d upset her.
Jessica walked away, taking a large sip out of her glass before setting it aside.She smiled the best she could and waved at a few people as she made her way outside.
