THE REBIRTH OF THE ALPHA'S MATE

Chapter 2: The marriage

Weeks passed after my birthday party, and things were never the same again.

I smiled at my reflection in the mirror as I wore my white gown and veil. I didn't, and I couldn't put on any makeup because, to me, getting married to a total stranger was nothing more than mourning.

“Ms. Kira, you have been called.” A guard called, and I immediately stood up. I wanted to get done with the marriage as soon as possible.

As I entered the room, I could feel all eyes on me. I walked in with an air of omnipotence, and the room fell silent at my arrival.

Everyone who looked my way seemed to be carrying a strange, gloomy air.

It was a pity for me in their eyes.

In an effort to project an image of strength which I didn't have, I wore a floor-length gown that trailed at my feet.

Everyone was taken aback by the air of self-assurance that emanated from me in that dress, which highlighted my slim figure. I had to look my best and conceal my pain.

I forced a grin across my red-blooded lips.

My father walked to me, and I gave an awkward bow.

"Stop fidgeting!" He smiled.

I looked in the front, looking for my groom, and then I saw him. My eyes zeroed in on the most amazingly breathtaking man I'd ever witnessed. He was taller than my father, at least 6'7; his tuxedo strained against his muscles in a way that had my mouth watering. I could see the hint of a tattoo peeking out from under the shirt collar on his neck. I was less than four feet away, close enough to see his hair had a slight wave to it, and it was brown-black.

My fingers itched to run through it. He had a chiseled jaw and a five-o'clock shadow. Full lips under a straight, long nose, and his eyes. They gazed into mine and held me captive. They were a warm honey gold with flecks of brown. Maybe the match wasn't a bad one?

A loud throat sounded next to me, and I unwillingly cast my gaze away from my mate- to be in annoyance.

My father was glaring at me, his arm still linked with mine. It was only then that I realized we had come to a stop. The entire hall was buzzing with hushed whispers, everyone staring at me. I blushed slightly and looked down.

"Alpha James." I heard his voice; it was deep and husky. It sent a shiver down my spine. "I'll take her from here; thank you." My head shot up as he said. He indeed had a dreamy voice.

I looked around, and he didn't have any groom’s men.

“Go ahead,” I heard my father say, and after looking at him for a moment, I walked past him.

"I'd like to get started, if you're willing to pay attention now," he grumbled.

Without waiting for an answer, he signaled my elder pack to begin the ceremony.

I still didn't know who he was. After the argument with my parents, we became quite distant, so I wasn't told anything about the guy I was going to marry.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to be here at Silver Moon Pack today to bless the union."

"Do you, Kira James..." He stumbled for a second, and from the corner of my eye, I saw my mate-to-be raise his eyebrows in confusion.

The Elder cleared his throat and started again. "Do you, Kira James of the Silver Moon Pack, accept this marriage and my blessing?"

"I do." I murmured, and after a while, I felt the mate bond building up.

"And do you acknowledge and accept that henceforth, you will no longer be a member of the Silver Moon Pack?"

After looking at my parents and Jade, I nodded, "Yes."

"Then, as an Elder of the Werewolf Council, I hereby strip you of any ties to the Silver Moon Pack. Alpha James?" The elder gestured at my father, who stood up immediately.

"I accept." He hesitated a bit before he responded.

"Ouch!" I felt a tear through my chest, like a knife was tearing my heart apart, and I gasped. Everyone in the hall except my groom gasped and clutched their chests along with me. Losing a pack member was painful for everyone, but I took the pain as part of my destiny. I couldn't believe I was no longer a part of my pack anymore.

When everyone was quiet again, the elder turned to my groom.

"Do you, Alpha Jael, accept Kira, a former member of the Silver Moon Pack, as your wife and mate, and therefore Luna of the Blood Moon Pack?"

My breathing hitched to a stop.

"Alpha Jael? As in, the cold-blooded killer Alpha Jael? The one I heard is known for the many wives he ended up killing?" I asked myself.

I can't accept this! He's a killer! I was literally panicking.

They were marrying me off to the cruelest, most viscous Alpha on this side of the world!

"I do."

I felt the mate bond intensify. I ground my teeth together and kept my eyes downcast, avoiding eye contact with Alpha Jael. I so wanted to say no to the marriage at that point, but I couldn't do that.

I was screaming for help inside of me, but they all seemed to be totally oblivious to that.

"Kira, former member of the Silver Moon Pack, do you accept Alpha Jael of the Blood Moon Pack to be your gamma and your mate, thereby accepting your title as his Luna?"

"I..."

With tears pricking from the corners of my eyes, I didn't want to go with him.

Closing my eyes, I sighed quietly.

And when I opened them, I looked into my Alpha's eyes. He was staring at me with such anger that I actually took a step back.

"Please, Kira, please?" I heard my mom's voice in my mind, though faint, and I turned to her; she had tears on her face.

"Kira?" The elder stepped forward.

Taking a deep breath, I looked away from Alpha Jael and down to the floor.

"I do," I whispered.

The mate bond intensified again with my words. I blinked away unshed tears as I concluded my fate. The elder stepped back, giving me a look of sympathy.

"It is my great joy to pronounce you mates. You may kiss your mate."

I heard a sigh, and when I looked up, I saw my groom walking out of the hall. Just a few feet out of the hall, he stopped and turned around with an intense stare at me. "Come!"

I shivered, and immediately I followed my new husband.