"Do you think that this piece is alright?" Adria asked the maid who was helping her to set up the decorations for the Lycan King’s arrival.
Her father had received word that they will be gracing their pack later in the day and that he expected everything to go according to plan with no room for mistakes.
She was in charge of overseeing the preparation since Aria had bluntly refused to take part in any of this because she wasn’t interested.
"These pieces are beautiful My Lady and I love the colors as well." The maid in question complimented and her lips twitched in a smile.
"It’s my mother’s favorite color and Aria’s too." She replied softly, her hands gently caressing the delicate fabric.
"I figured that Aria would probably need something that feels familiar to calm her down for the rest of the day, don’t you think?"
"Aria is very lucky. Not only does she have a wonderful sister like you but you are also caring as well." She praised her and Adria’s eyes lit up beautifully.
"I just hope that this alliance would bring happiness to her life. I am too scared to hope but I really wish..." Her voice cracked and the maid rubbed her arms in comfort.
"Aria will be fine." She assured her "Yes, it might be a marriage of inconvenience but there is nothing we can do so please be strong for her. She’ll need all the help she can get, especially from you."
"Right." She confirmed and gave the fabric to the maid. "I want you to put it amongst the other decorations. I will head over to the kitchen to see how far along they’ve gone with the food."
"Of course."
With that, she walked out of the banquet hall and made her way towards the kitchen area.
As expected, everyone was busy with one thing or another. She took the liberty of tasting the dishes and giving out various instructions before heading out to meet Aria.
On her way to their chambers, she bumped into Declan.
"Adria!"
"Hello Declan." She greeted conversionally "Where are you off to?" She proceeded to ask.
"We’re making arrangements for the Lycan King’s visit and your father had instructed me to welcome him with the troops at the border so we are headed there now." he explained and she nodded once.
"And how are the preparations coming along on your side?" It was his turn to ask.
She massaged her hands together nervously "Everything is going pretty well. I’m on my way up to see Aria. The maids are getting her ready."
"Alright. We’ll talk again soon. Goodbye for now." He waved at her before rushing off.
She took a backward glance at him, hoping that one day it will be their turn before continuing the rest of her journey to their chambers.
Twisting the door knob open, she walked inside to find Aria almost dressed.
"Wow!" Was the first word that escaped her lips "I know that you don’t want to hear this Aria, given the situation but I just want you to know that you look very beautiful."
Aria raised up her face to stare at her reflection in the mirror.
"I can’t believe that I’m not even excited about my own marriage. Figures!" She blurted out while they other maids styled her hair.
"You are only meeting him today. The alliance has not been finalized yet so please try not to feel bad at least." She tried her very best to console her twin.
The maids carried on with getting her ready. When they were done, they dressed her up and put on the finishing touches before quietly exiting their chambers.
"What about you? Aren’t you supposed to get ready by now?" Aria asked in panic and concern.
"Why should I? He’s coming to meet you and not me so there’s no point in me being there."
"But I want you there, please!" She requested "It’s already bad enough that I’m being forced to get married to this man but I can’t face the music alone. I’ll feel much better if you were right there with me."
Adria thought about it for a while. Her sister was not the one to beg but she had asked nicely so she would grant her request.
At least just this once. "Alright Aria. I’ll be there with you."
"Thank you!"
Half an hour later, the celebration bell was rung, followed by chants and noises which indicated that he had arrived and soon enough, the door to their chambers bursted open.
"The Lycan king is here with his escort my Lady and your father has sent me to fetch you." They informed Aria who glanced at her sister.
"What is he like? Did you manage to get a glimpse of him at least?" She babbled, the words rushed out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"I think you should see for yourself because I don’t have a clue. Can we go?" The maid offered and Adria nodded in permission.
"Don’t worry Aria, you can go. I’ll be right behind you, I promise." She said to her and after exhaling through her mouth, she made her way outside the chambers alongside the other maids.
*.*.*.*
Cullen arrived in less than an hour and stepped down to approach the troops who had been sent to lead him all the way back to the pack before making his way towards the pack gates.
He was greeted by the head sentinels and knowing the reason for his visit, he was led inside to meet the supposed Alpha of the pack who happened to be the father to his soon to be bride.
"Lycan King Cullen, it’s so nice to finally meet you in person. I am honored to make your acquaintance." He recognized the person who had greeted him to be Alpha Cullman. "Welcome to our home."
"The pleasure is mine, Alpha king. Thank you for having me." He bowed down curtly as a symbol of respect and they were led straight to the hall where the banquet had been arranged to take place.
"How was your journey, My Lord?" He proceeded to ask as they arrived at the hall and took their seats.
"Hope you didn’t encounter any problems on your way over here."
"Not at all." He answered feeling uninterested.
"How about we get this alliance over and done with." Adelel suggested with a knowing grin.
"Of course. I have sent for my daughter Aria and she is on her way here. The formalities will be carried out as soon as she arrives." He informed them.
Soon enough, the door to the hall bursts open and a lady stepped inside with maids trailing behind her.
She approached her father and bowed down her head in greetings and proceeded to do the same to the others gathered there as well.
"This is Aria. My eldest daughter." He introduced them and Cullen looked on, shocked to see who had just been introduced to him.
"My youngest daughter will be joining us soon." He added with a smile.
"Welcome to our pack, Your Grace. I believe that your journey went smoothly." She asked and Degar went ahead to reply on his behalf when he didn’t respond.
"My Lord," Degar nudged him in a whisper. "Are you okay? You’ve been strangely quiet."
Without answering, Cullen rose to his feet and walked up to the woman who faced him squarely.
"Is everything okay, Your Grace?" She asked, her eyes fixated on his face that terrified her, on the scar that ran down his face.
"It’s you, isn’t it?" He asked and she knitted her brows in confusion.
"It’s me what?" She countered.
He looked on curiously. Was she trying to play pretend? He was certain that she was the same person he had met at the club.
He recognized her but then how is it possible that she’s the daughter of Alpha Cullman and a more important question, why has his wolf suddenly gone quiet now.
Why wasn’t he pouncing and scratching like before?
"My Lord..." Degar was saying.
"I’ll take my leave now," She interrupted. "I do hope that you enjoy your visit here." She bowed her head slightly before walking out of the banquet, leaving him alone with his own thoughts.
How is it that the woman he met in the human world is here right now as his intended bride and why doesn’t she recognize him?
He was certain that she was the same person he rescued that night or was his imagination suddenly playing tricks on him?