The Silver Crescent Prince

On her way back, she asked the driver to stop at a magazine vendor's stall and bought the fashion magazine in which the article appeared. 

The driver bought the magazine for her. He said in an excited tone, "Ms. Dawn, our CEO is very popular and so is his fiancé. They are always splashed across the newspapers and magazine covers." He chuckled and handed it to her. He knew that she was staying with the CEO and the security was beefed up. He didn't comment much but the rumor was that she was an important employee who needed urgent protection for a few days and that none of them were allowed to even speak about her to anyone. 

Dawn nodded and took the magazine. The cover had Maya's photo, who was sitting on a couch, looking sappy. She was wearing a maroon gown whose fabric had pooled on the entire couch. Wearing a ruby necklace, she looked like a princess in her castle. Dawn flipped the cover and turned to the page where the article was written. The journalist had gone on and on about how Maya was depressed because Daryn was unable to give time to her and that being the fiancé of a man as influential as Daryn Silver, things came with its repercussions. According to Maya, Daryn was an extremely busy businessman and so he was home very less. Although she also wished that she could travel with him. In the end she mentioned that the wedding was postponed only because of her depression and because he was too busy. She apologized to all those who were invited. 

Dawn finished reading the article and tossed the magazine aside. She fought her tears and her skin bunched around her eyes as she gave a pained stare to the cover. She removed her gaze from there and looked out. With a deep sigh, she rubbed her wrists feeling her muscles jumping under her skin. She swallowed her saliva but there was a pain in the back of her throat. She picked the magazine, rolled it and kept it in her purse. Then she took her phone out and sent a mail to Daniel Hugh:

[Dear Sir,

Although I won't be able to join your newspaper as your permanent employee, however, I would like to introduce myself to your readers. For that I have arranged a very small party at my residence, 485, Rosewood Creek, Bainsburgh on the coming Saturday. It would be my pleasure to have you there. 

Warm Regards,

DW]

After sending the email she looked outside the car. She had to come out of her slumber and this time it would be with fanfare because she deserved every bit of it. There was a ping on her phone. 

[Dear DW,

It would be a pleasure to attend your party.

Many thanks,

Daniel Hugh] 

"I didn't know you would turn out so silly, Dawn," Cole said smacking his head. "Do you want the entire Bainsburgh to come for free dinner and booze?" 

"Hell no!" she said in a shrill voice.

"Then do as I say." Cole gritted his teeth. 

"Okay!" She pouted her lips. 

Once all the invites were sent, Cole perched himself on her bed with his legs stretched. He asked, "What are we going to do after this Dawn? When your party is over, do you wish to stay here?" 

Dawn bit her lip and looked outside the window. It was a sunny day but inside she shivered and clutched her arms thinking about Daryn and Maya. She shook her head and said, "No… We will be moving out. I have found a place for us. Since I have opened my company as a financial advisor, I would need a room." 

Cole smiled. His sister was doing so well for herself. He got up and hugged her. Dawn rested her head on his stomach. It was best that she went far away from Daryn… and Maya… The wedding was postponed, which meant that it was still on the cards. She decided to keep herself as busy as possible and not see him. It was just a matter of four days. 

After Cole left, she sent a similar message to Daryn that she had sent to her readers. 

She received numerous calls from Azura, but she didn't pick up any of them. However, she did email him about the party a day before it was supposed to be held. After all she was hosting it in the apartment he had given her. 

In the next three days, she prepared a lot of things. Whenever Daryn would come to her, she would show that she was very busy and avoided him. He couldn't understand the reason for her apathy towards him. There was so much tension between them that her wolf gasped for the want of her mate. Sleep eluded her. One day she slept out of tiredness on the edge of her bed. Suddenly she woke up to see Daryn lifting the shirt off her body. He stared down at her. She gawked at his perfectly sculpted muscles and it made desire explode through her system. He leaned over and kissed her with his arms on either side of her. "Dawn, I don't belong to you," he caressed her cheeks. "I belong to Maya. You are just a diversion, an attention seeker." 

Dawn woke up panting and sweating. It was the middle of the night. He could arouse her to this point even in her dreams. The attraction between them was deeper than the skin. As her heartbeat accelerated, she held her head in her hands. He had never told her anything concrete. She pictured him getting married to Maya and kissing her as his bride. The thought was extremely painful. She curled her knees, wrapped her arms around them and rocked back and forth. What kind of a man are you, Daryn? She thought. Why did she give in to this seduction? How could she throw herself into this without seeing the warning signs? 

Upstairs, Daryn was sitting on the floor of his room with his back resting on the wall near his bed. He was so miserable with the way she avoided him that his wolf gnashed at him. He pushed him to go to her, to claim her and shake her for being so cruel to him. He sent her a message:

[Dawn, I was having such a wonderful time with you. If there is something that I have done to upset you, let me know so that I may rectify my behavior. Please, at least tell me what is it that is hurting you.] 

After a long wait, his phone chimed. 

[I will talk to you after the party.]

The party was supposed to be held the next day. He typed:

[I hope the time speeds up and we talk.] 

Downstairs Dawn looked at the message she had sent him. She contemplated whether they could become friends, but would there be no attraction then? She shook her head. Friendship never happened between mates. Wait? Mates? Once again tears flowed out of her eyes. Was he her mate? Soul mate?

'Quetz, where are you?' 

'I am right here Dawn. When will you visit me?'