Princess and her Rogue Twins

Chapter 2

Camila

Obviously, I know there's a window ahead of me! What did he think he was doing? I felt so embarrassed when he held me without a warning. He almost lifted my feet off the ground.

Just how strong is he?

I curl my fists on my knees. That scene is still fresh in my mind, and so is he. I scolded him for touching me and told him that there was no need to guard me. Dad's orders or whatever about how he must act immediately if he senses that I am in danger. I don't want any of that, and I absolutely don't want him.

I hate our arrangement, and I hate how my body reacted when he wrapped his forearm around me. I would rather not think about it. Even now, I am hyper-aware of his presence standing outside my door as I get ready for my engagement. In a few hours, I will exchange rings with my mate and fiancé, Joshua.

But I am not excited. Part of it can be because of Joshua's infidelity despite his polite and respectful behaviour. He is the young alpha of the HowlPastour pack, a nice, handsome guy, but someone who sleeps around despite having a mate. I can't entirely blame him for doing it because that's just how it works around our packs.

Men are allowed to sleep around in the name of experience and freedom before their weddings, even if they have found their mates. Rarely do any females do it, and that is only after a mutual agreement with their mates. Joshua has promised me that he will stop seeing other women after our engagement tonight, and I know he means it, but the pain I had to endure whenever he had s*x with other women stays with me.

It's not a secret among others that it hurts if you cheat on your fated partner, but they believe that to become a strong warrior, enduring small pain like this is no big deal. This is what encourages cheating among mates, too. Although there are rules that ban it after weddings, I know there are still some people who do it secretly, even after having kids.

It's loathsome.

Joshua is popular because he is a strong, young alpha. I like his polite behaviour, and I hope it will remain the same after our marriage, and hopefully, he will also fulfil his promise tonight.

"Princess, please stand up." My personal maid, Hilda, requests, while two other young girls bring the evening gown into the room.

Finally, it's time.

Hilda helps me into a floor-length A-line pink blush evening gown. It features a sweetheart neckline that sits on my chest perfectly with a heavily embellished, glittering bodice covered in silver sequins and pearls. Delicate, sparkling beaded tassels drape over my upper arms at the shoulders, and sheer tulle cape streamers flow down to the floor, like long sleeves.

The skirt is a voluminous, layered tulle ballgown that starts cinched at the waist before radiating outwards. The entire gown is dusted with shimmering glitter particles and pearls that catch the light whenever I move. It's a beautiful dress that Joshua sent for me.

He was also the one who saved me from the dress selection hell. I loved it at one glance. They leave my hair in loose curls, and apply makeup that complements my beauty and complexion. Julia brings the diamond necklace and earrings that Mom chose for me.

Lastly, I wear the diamond-studded heels, and I am ready for the big night that is to follow.

Right on time, someone knocks, and I know it's Mom from her sweet scent emanating through the door.

She gasps after Hilda opens the door and covers her mouth in surprise. "Oh my dear goddess, you look so beautiful, Mila." She quickly comes over and hugs me softly. "May no evil eye touch my precious daughter." She says with teary eyes.

My own eyes start to get blurry when suddenly my little troublemaking sister pops from behind her skirt, surprising me. "You look like a literal princess for once, Mila." She grins mischievously.

I forget all about the emotional mood from seconds ago, and bend down to twist her ear. "For once, huh. What about you? You monkey"

"Oww, oww, MOOOM, save me from this demoonn!" She cries, provoking me to twist it harder.

But Mom saves her, jumping in like a knight. She separates both of us and stands in between. "Stop it, both of you, and Hazel." She turns towards the little monkey and glares at her. "Stop teasing your sister. It's her engagement tonight, come let us escort her to the hall." She takes her hand and stretches her other hand towards me.

I gladly take it and stick my tongue out at Hazel, who is watching everything. Her eyes widen, and she tattles everything to Mom right away, which gets ignored as she just quietly pacifies her.

I giggle darkly in my heart until we step out of my room, and my gaze falls on Rowan, who is standing at the door. My heart falls into the pit of my stomach when I realise how he has been watching everything till now. Shyness, which I wasn't familiar with, creeps up onto my skin, covering me.

Wordlessly, I look away from him, walking alongside Mom, behaving as if he doesn't exist, but he does, and starts following us from behind.

No one else seems to mind him, and for the life of me, I can't understand why.

Soon we reach the hall where everyone else has already arrived. In the centre of this sparkling hall stands Joshua beside Dad. He notices me the moment I enter. A slow, sweet smile spreads on his lips, and he begins walking towards me.

Both Mom and Hazel step away, leaving me alone as I continue to watch Joshua, who covers the long distance between us in a few long, elegant strides.

He grabs the back of my hand and places a soft kiss. "You look divine, Mila. Like the moon goddess herself." He murmurs, sweeter than the smile on his lips.

His energy, as usual, is infectious, so it makes me smile as well. "Thank you, Josh. You look handsome as well." I answer.

His smile deepens, and together we walk towards the altar where our families are standing. Dad takes the mic and starts giving a welcoming speech. Uncle Axel, Josh's dad, also joins him.

Both Josh and I stand beside each other quietly on the stage, but my gaze keeps drawing to Rowan, who has followed me into the hall. No rogues are allowed to serve in my engagement since they aren't auspicious, but he alone stands here, still with that muzzle on his face, luring everyone's attention towards him.

I keep looking at him for some reason.

Why am I doing this? It has only been a few days since he started acting like my guard, but I still haven't gotten used to him, and I don't think I ever will be.

Josh's gentle voice breaks me out of my thoughts. "What do you keep looking at?" He asks.

I flinch when my brain processes that question. "It's....nothing." I stutter, unlike myself. "You see that man over there." I finally decide to tell him the truth. I don't know whether he knows about Rowan or not, but I'd better tell him if he doesn't. "He is my personal bodyguard."

"A rogue?" He asks, surprised.

I nod. I knew he would be surprised. Anyone would be. "His name is Rowan. He will come with me to HowlPastour."

"Do you like him?" Josh's strange question startles me.

I turn my neck to look at him.

He breaks into a smile when he notices my anxiousness. "I didn't mean it that way. It feels like you don't, so I was asking if you wanted me to remove him from your side." He offers.

His offer doesn't make me agree instantly, even though I am dying to get away from him. My tongue freezes, and I don't say anything for seconds. A short laugh escapes me, and I shake my head softly. "Even if you say so, I don't think you will be able to do it. Dad appointed him personally for my safety. I don't think he will agree." I perfectly wrap it up, expecting him to let it go now, since it's one of his quirks not to dig deep into anything.

But what he says next surprises me. "No, you are wrong, Mila. If you want him gone, then he will be gone because you are going to marry me." He holds my hand and lifts it to his lips. "Your wishes will be mine to fulfil and not your father's."

My heart skips a beat, and I stare at him, fascinated. I knew Josh was a romantic man and good with women, but he hadn't expressed it much to me during the dates we went on.

"And, I also don't like the thought of keeping that man around you. We will soon become husband and wife, and with me here, what more protection could you possibly need?" He grins charismatically, making me chuckle.

"You are very confident in your skills," I tease.

"I am because I know the duty that comes with protecting someone precious like you." He murmurs such heart-fluttering sentences with ease, escorting me to the altar where we will exchange rings.

The welcoming speech ended right on time, and now the priest is telling the hymns in the goddess's honour before he tells me to place the ring on Josh's finger first. Among our kin, the female puts the ring on the male's finger first because it is believed that their house is now blessed with Selene's incarnation.

So, I do, amidst the cheers and applause, unaware that we were approaching an unprecedented occurrence fast that no one would have been prepared for. As soon as Josh wears the ring, I slipped on his finger, the lights go out, and the hall gets shrouded in complete darkness, setting the perfect stage for the devil to descend or rather, emerge from the people who are already present in this hall.