Page 45 of Rejected Mate

“Don’t look at me,” Silvia said with a wave of her hand. “I’m just trying to enjoy the free drinks while I can.”

Midnight Lunch on the terrace was another grand affair.

Once we’d been pampered, we went back to our rooms to change. Somehow, the maids were ready with lunch outfits—stylish skirts and blouses and strappy shoes. It was like being a princess with different clothes for different occasions. I got dressed, though I realized that since it was the middle of the night, it would likely be dark on the terrace, so none of it really mattered.

I was wrong, however. Above the terrace were hundreds of floating lanterns in various sizes that gave off a warm glow and lit the long table in the center of the patio. The table was set for royalty with expensive china, crystal goblets, flower arrangements, and gold cutlery (though the knives were still omitted, much to my displeasure).

Laurel sat at the head of the table as if this was her luncheon. How she managed to scrape together power here was a thing of wonder. I had to give her that.

“Please, have a seat,” she said, ever the demure hostess. “Our meal will be served shortly.”

Nine of us sat down. Loba was on her spa date with Henri, leaving the rest of us here to fend for ourselves. I wondered when the next challenge would be. There seemed to be no sense of urgency, but then again, none of them had a sick grandfather at home, as I did.

“Thank you all for joining me here,” Laurel continued. She was wearing a yellow and pink blouse with poofy, capped sleeves, and a mini-skirt that showed off her toned legs. In her yellow hair, she wore a large pink bow that matched her lipstick. It was a bit much, but I was sure many males would still find her tantalizing.

She stood and held out a glass of sparkling champagne and glanced around the table. “I’d like to give a toast. To all my new friends. May you receive the outcomes you deserve.”

I smirked. Hand it to Laurel to pass off a curse as a blessing. I could only guess the outcome she hoped I would receive.

As we were sipping our drinks, the terrace doors blew open. I was expecting waiters to bring in dishes of food, but instead, Ares strode in.

Ares? What was he doing here?

I watched his approach with my heart in my throat.

But he turned and headed away from me… straight toward Laurel.

“Laurel, I am here to ask you to join me for a private dinner tonight. Do you accept?” His tone was loud, his body stiff as if he wanted to make sure we all saw. Like this was all a performance. I wondered if it was for the cameras?

Or for me?

His eyes locked on me as he finished his sentence. Yes, no doubt, he wanted me to see him ask another girl out. He wanted to humiliate and hurt me.

Why?

“Of course! I’d love to.” Laurel threw her arms around Ares’s neck and planted a kiss on his cheek, her giant butterfly lashes nearly blowing us all away as they fluttered. “We’ll have the best time.”

But Ares didn’t look like he thought they’d have a good time. His face was stone and his expression one of anger. He was pissed.

It was like…

Like he knew I’d lost the game on purpose. Like he wanted to hurt me because I’d hurt him.

Slowly, I turned my head toward Violet, but her chair was surprisingly empty. She’d slipped out just as Ares had come in.

It was the final nail in the coffin. Violet had betrayed me. Now it was clear. I couldn’t trust anyone. No matter what the outcome of this game, I knew I had one person I could rely on. Myself.

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