ALPHA TRISTINE’S POV, “Look who we have here,” Lux’s voice boomed beside me, snapping me back to the present.
“The newest groom in all six Packs.” He had a broad smile on his face as he strode toward the walkway where I stood beside the garden.
I scoffed as I turned to face him, putting aside the thought that had occupied my mind for the past two hours, and for the first time, I noticed the refreshing breeze brushing against my skin as the leaves swayed gently in the wind.
“What are you doing out here, all alone?” He asked, warmth woven into his voice.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with your beautiful bride?” Yes, she was beautiful.
My lips raised as a smile tugged at the corners of my lips in thoughts of her.
Lux’s words carried the memories of her face, the moment I uncovered her veil inside the wedding hall, and I slowly allowed myself to dwell in that soothing memory of her, enjoying the comfort it brought.
The moment I saw her, I knew it was no longer about the peace between our Packs.
It was the first time I realized I’d do anything to fulfill the peace Pact whether my mother approved or not.
Her beautiful golden-rimmed brown eyes and soft, heart-shaped pink lips perfectly complemented her oval face.
But closely along with it came another memory – the clenched jaw of an angry woman, whose piercing gaze exuded an unmistakably hatred toward me.
The smile on my face froze as the events of last night quickly replaced the beautiful memory of our wedding day.
The image of her pointing a dagger straight at my heart replayed in my mind, followed by the words she had spoken.
“If you value your life, don’t you dare lay a hand on me tonight!” She spat, her brown eyes burning with wrath.
I could have easily knocked the dagger away, but I needed to process everything I had learned from our first encounter.
Besides, what harm could a Wolfless Bride possibly do to me?
And now, I had spent the past two hours coming to terms with the fact that she was a pretty Wolfless woman, wondering why she seemed to hate me even though we had only just met.
“How could she point a dagger at her mate?” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?” Lux asked, his grin still plastered across his face as he studied me.
Well, that was supposed to be my thoughts.
I didn’t know I was loud enough for him to hear.
I shrugged, and let out a breath.
“She’s my mate,” I said, snapping back to the present.
Lux’s eyes widened, and the smile on his face froze.
He seemed as though he had just heard the greatest shock of his life.
“I sensed it immediately when she stepped into the palace, and when I held her hand, I knew it was her.” I continued, my voice firm.
I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of excited about it.
The moment, I lifted the veil from her face before everyone present in the throne room, my heart stirred, it reached for hers.
She was the most beautiful person I had ever seen, her golden-rimmed brown eyes pulled me in, and all I wanted was to know her.
I wanted to hold her hands and never let her go.
Ever.
It was Lux’s chuckle that snapped me back to the present, and I frowned.
“Who would have thought the Rogue Bride was your mate?” he asked, his words wrapped in a chuckle.
He seemed excited about it, even though I couldn’t understand why.
As far as I knew, he had always sided with my mother, constantly reminding me how perfect Princess Cassy would be for me.
I couldn’t understand why he was suddenly excited that Princess Kira was my mate.
“So, does she know?” he asked calmly this time around, staring at my face, anticipation glinting in his eyes.
I felt an ache in my heart as soon as I heard him, and a frown creased my brows as I shook my head.
The fact that she didn’t know saddened me.
I didn’t even know how long I had to wait for her to shift and recognize me.
I hadn’t sensed a wolf within her, I was certain there was no way she could’ve known.
Part of me wanted to cling to that thought.
It was the only explanation for why she had pointed a dagger at my heart.
If she had known I was her mate, I couldn’t bring myself to believe she would have looked at me with such fierce hatred.
Lux’s brows drew together, and I saw the confusion settling in his eyes.
Frustration built in my shoulders as I thought about it, and I turned away from Lux and looked toward the garden, hoping the gentle breeze would calm me.
“She’s wolfless,” I blurted out, the words bearing the full weight of my frustration as I rested my hands on my hips.
I had seen the questions in his eyes, I didn’t want to wait for him to ask.
Lux’s response caught me off guard.
He burst into a loud guffaw, the sound echoing the amusement bubbling inside him.
My head whiped toward him and I shot him a glare.
“You think it’s funny?” I asked, arching my brows.
Seeing that I wasn’t amused, Lux quickly tried to compose himself, but he couldn’t stop the laughter that kept escaping him.
I guessed it was one of those “I told you so,” moments, so I ignored him and fixed my gaze on a blooming red rose.
“I’m sorry, Alpha,” Lux said, still giggling “I’m not laughing at her, I promise.
I’m only laughing at the situation you’ve found yourself in.” “I can see why you look like you’ve just taken ten blows.
I bet she didn’t know you’re her mate, which is one blow already and not so good, because I can bet everything I own that you’ve already fallen for her.” I turned to him and arched a brow as his words slammed into me.
Love at first sight, that’s what it was.
I just didn’t know it was obvious enough for Lux to see.
As always, nothing escaped him, except he chose not to pay attention.
You actually own nothing but your name.
I would have said it aloud under any other circumstances, but I couldn’t bring myself to indulge in banter at that moment.
I didn’t answer him.
I knew he was enjoying every bit of it, but if only he understood how frustrating it was, perhaps he would have shown a little more consideration.
“So, how do you plan to convince the Pack members?” he asked, his voice turning unexpectedly serious.
“They wouldn’t settle for a Wolfless Luna.
What about Luna Amelia?
How do you plan to convince her?
You know she had always expressed her disapproval over fulfilling this peace pact, and now we’re looking at a Wolfless Luna.” I rolled my eyes, not even considering it as an issue.
I knew the Pack members wouldn’t have a problem with it, since the Elders knew why we had to uphold the peace pact, and as for my mother, I had no intention of entertaining her objections.
“Forgive me, Alpha, this might hurt.
But I think Luna Amelia now has more reasons to push for a more suitable Luna.” My head whipped toward him as the words registered.
A more suitable bride?
The phrase stung.
It was an insult I wouldn’t tolerate from anyone.
I wouldn’t let anyone speak about my wife that way.
My jaw clenched as I stared into his eyes.
“Princess Kira is suitable for me,” I said, emphasizing every word.
Lux quickly raised his hands in surrender.
“I’m sorry, Alpha,” he said, lowering his gaze.
He knew better than to cross that line again.
Before I could respond, Mark, one of the Elite Wolves, came to a halt a few feet away from us.
“Alpha,” he greeted with a bow.
His black, short hair covering his face as he waited for my response.
He was one of my strongest soldiers, but unlike Lux he was the direct opposite.
He had always stuck to his loyalty and never crossed the line, even though the Elite wolves were my closest circle.
I nodded, signaling for him to rise, though my gaze lingered on Lux for a moment longer.
“What did you find?” I asked, turning my attention to Mark.
“Two women were confirmed to have left their assigned posts on the night of the attempted assassination,” he said, his baritone voice laced with certainty.
“One of them was Avery, your chief maiden, the other is Lora, Princess Cassy’s chief maid.” My brows furrowed as soon as I heard him, and my gaze glazed over.
I couldn’t help but wonder if either of them was the lady I had slept with.
Comment it and let me know.
I’d really appreciate your thoughts.