"The Alpha King Stefan of the Blood Moon Pack has sent a message to congratulate you on your union, My Lord!" Declan read through another letter that was piled up alongside the other congratulatory letters on the desk in his chambers.
"My Lord?" Degar called out to him, interrupting his chain of thoughts.
"Is something wrong? You’ve been like this ever since your marriage ceremony started at the Luna’s pack. I’m beginning to get concerned now."
Cullen took to his chair and lowered himself on it. His long black flowing hair falling freely on his shoulders as his hands rested perfectly on his chin, lost in thought.
His eyes were dazed as though he was looking into outer space, leaving Degar speechless.
"Did something happen? Your silence is beginning to get to me now." Degar sighed deeply feeling exasperated.
"I’m not used to this side of you at all and what’s worse, it is happening on the day your marriage took place. If anything, I was expecting you to yell or rage in anger and not sit there quietly."
"Something isn’t right and I can’t quite put my finger on it." Cullen mumbled to himself.
"I don’t understand. You’re speaking in nothing but parables and it’s starting to get me confused." Degar said in response to Cullen’s outburst. "What exactly are you talking about?"
Cullen straightened himself and with furrowed brows, he stood up from his chair and reached out to the button on his robe, he released it and tugged it off, leaving him in his inner plain attire.
Still lost in thoughts, he paced around the open space of his bedroom. He was certain that he wasn’t imagining things this time around.
She was the one, his wolf had confirmed it again but why didn’t it happen earlier when he had dragged her earlier to that garden.
He had been so uncannily close to her, even to the verge of almost hurting her but his wolf remained silent and when she came to the marriage proceedings, he felt the pull again. He hasn’t been able to get how he felt out of his mind.
She had stirred him intensely. His whole body ached for her. The pull was too strong that he even found himself struggling when he had kissed the nape of her neck.
The urge to dominate, claim, brand her as his and take her there overwhelmed him. It felt like he was a completely different person without basic instincts.
How is it that his wolf changes emotions whenever he was next to her and why did his wolf stop longing for her after the ceremony?
And she had spoken to him with such bravery and conviction which of course he didn’t expect after their little argument earlier when she had run away.
"How do you see Lady Aria?" He was forced to ask. Degar was taken aback by his sudden question.
"How do you mean My Lord?"
"Did she seem any different to you? Weird in a strange manner?" He asked again.
"Different and strange in what kind of way?" Degar answered, looking confused. His brows creased in worry.
"Stop repeating my questions and just answer me."
"How do you expect me to answer you when I’m clueless to what you’re talking about? How is she different, weird or strange? Even I don’t know where you’re going with these questions." He primped, throwing the letter in his hands on the desk tiredly.
"Earlier at the celebration when I had spoken to her, she had asked me to call off the wedding because she didn’t want to get married to me. She was startled and scared and she ran away from me." He explained in details what had happened between them in the garden.
"And?"
"But that’s not even my problem." He continued "When I was with her before the ceremony, I never felt our bond. My wolf and cougar were silent. I didn’t feel any sort of connection between us, not even a single stir."
"And now?" Degar pressed on.
"That is what I don’t understand." His deep voice croaked out.
"When she sat down next to me at the ceremony, I could tell that something has changed. She looked determined and fearless and I felt our bond again. It was more intense, alive and stronger than anything I have ever felt In my entire life."
"But isn’t that a good thing? It only means that you got married to your mate. The woman made especially for you." Degar pointed out to him.
"The fact that I got married to her isn’t the issue. I’m worried that something else must’ve happened while we were there. Something that I don’t know about." He concluded with a deep sigh.
"She didn’t look different to me. If anything, she was nice and she spoke to me with respect. Plus, she is an insanely beautiful woman. How are you not attracted to her?" Degar chirped in smilingly.
"I know it’s too early to say this but I think I like your new wife. She’s vibrant, nice and has the look that resembles a pure goddess. You should be thankful that you were able to get married to her because of me. She’s a gem."
"That’s an insane amount of high praises for a woman you barely know. One would think that you two are friends." Cullen rolled his eyes at his friend In a sadistic manner.
Trust Degar to always swim in an ocean of his pride and he will deliver.
"I will take my leave now, My Lord." He bowed his head at him "You should also rest. And don’t forget that the special feast to welcome our new Luna is tonight. You wouldn’t want to miss it."
"Get out!" Cullen ordered in a low but firm voice.
"I’m only just trying to—"
"Out, now before I throw you out myself." He repeated and Degar hurriedly scampered out of his chambers, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
He would try his utmost best to stay away from her. There was something about his new wife that stirs him in a way that he couldn’t quite understand yet and that was certain.