"A Mate's Obligations"

The days that followed were a blur of preparation for the upcoming company event, and Ryder was busy with his CEO duties, barely having time to glance in my direction. I, on the other hand, was lost in my own thoughts, trying to make sense of the emotions that had been swirling inside me. As a wolf, I should have been feeling the strong bond that was supposed to exist between Ryder and me, but it was like a distant memory, a fleeting feeling that I couldn't quite grasp. Ryder, as my fated mate, should have been the one person who could bring out my true nature, but instead, I felt numb, disconnected from him and from myself. I wondered if it was because he had neglected me for so long, ignoring my needs and my feelings. The arranged marriage my mother had mentioned had left me feeling uncertain and insecure, and I couldn't help but feel that Ryder was only keeping me as his mate out of obligation. As the day of the company event approached, Ryder's attention turned to me, and he began to make plans for us to attend together. He would arrive at my doorstep, dressed in his tailored suit, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of expectation and concern. "Rowena, we need to get ready for the event," he would say, his voice firm but gentle. "You're my fated mate, after all. I expect you to be by my side." I would nod, feeling a surge of anxiety at the thought of facing his colleagues and business associates. As we prepared to leave, Ryder would glance at me, his eyes searching for something, but I just gave him a blank stare, unsure of what he was looking for. The night of the event arrived, and Ryder came to collect me, his car pulling up to the door in a sleek, black sedan. He helped me into the vehicle, his hand brushing against mine, but I didn't feel the spark of attraction that I should have. It was as if my body had given up on him, and I was just going through the motions. As we drove to the event, Ryder chatted with me about the company and its latest developments, but I just listened, my mind elsewhere. I couldn't help but feel that I was just a prop, a trophy to be displayed by his side. The thought stung, but I pushed it aside, telling myself that I was just being paranoid. When we arrived at the event, Ryder took my hand, leading me into the crowded room. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and cologne, and the sound of laughter and conversation filled my ears. I smiled and nodded, trying to play the part of the supportive mate, but inside, I was screaming. Ryder's eyes scanned the room, his gaze locking onto various people as he greeted them with a smile and a firm handshake. I followed him, trying to keep up with his pace, but my eyes kept drifting to the exits, wondering how I could escape this charade. As we mingled with the guests, Ryder's hand remained on my waist, a possessive gesture that should have made me feel secure, but instead, it only made me feel trapped. I was a wolf, a creature of instinct and passion, but with Ryder, I felt like a puppet on a string, going through the motions without any real emotion or connection. The night wore on, and I found myself playing the role of the perfect mate, smiling and laughing, but inside, I was dying. The bond between us was there, but it was strained, like a thread about to snap. I wondered how much longer I could keep up this charade, and what would happen when the truth finally came out.