chapter 6
1276 Words
Chapter 6
Alivia's POV
Maybe I am destined to meet shitty men all my life. First, Satchel, now Mason but that's doesn't bother me half the way the fact that Mason could actually be my mate bothers me. I know what I felt. Although I felt nothing for Landon, I think he's the best choice for me, mate bond or not. But am I ready to undergo the same thing Satchel showed me?
Landon is the safest choice. He's kind, nice and he's willing to take revenge for me. He's also willing to keep my baby safe. I can't lose this chance with him because of some badly brought up wannabe alpha.
“This duel is the first of it's kind so I'll ask again. If you oppose the duel, kindly speak now.” One of the elders whose voice sounds like he's going to meet his maker any minute from now said as he struggled to stand. Poor, poor man. If only he was as kind as his pitiful situation.
“Well, I spoke my mind. I already made my choice long ago and it's not changing. Landon is my mate.” My mind doesn't lie. I smell something else. Mason gives a very bad aura, one I cannot even try to endure but he's my mate. I can't just wish him away. Better the devil close to you than an angel far away. Better the mate you know not than the kind man you know who isn't your mate. But I still find myself choosing Landon.
“Well, Aria”
“Alivia” I said calmly, as calmly as I could say to an elder. I have elders too. I have been trained to respect elders and that goes without saying.
“Alicia”
“Alivia. Alivia. V-i-a.” I put on a smile on my face to conceal my anger. Hopefully I have no reason to wipe that smile off my face and the face of the rest of the elders.
“You don't get to choose your own husband in this kind of situation and you cannot object. Your objection is invalid.” The old man made it clear to me that whatever objections I had, I'd just have to bury it within me.
“Then I can object too, yes?” Landon spoke up and there was a little chatter amongst the elders.
“Not you too. Only the Alpha can object.”
“Are you forgetting that the throne is mine? The former alpha, bless his soul, bestowed upon me the title of Alpha before his passing.” Landon's voice changed. It deepened. It wasn't the soft voice that kept saying pumpkin all around the house last night, or the voice that cautioned people not to swear this morning. It's cute to see that version of him but even more astounding is the version of him that is better than my own imagination of who he can be, how ruthless he can be.
“Well, it's more complicated than you think, Landon but after we settle this ‘mate’ issue, we would address that.” that same old man said, voice trembling this time around, like he feared Landon, like he feared what Landon would do.
“Let's get the duel over with so I can claim my unruly mate and my throne, in front of this unworthy bastard.” Mason finally spoke, after being silent since the beginning of the meeting.
“At least, your father acknowledged this bastard more than he ever let you call him father” Landon snickered. He's good at provoking Mason and if they weren't siblings, Mason would make a fine wife for this egoistic man. Maybe he'd be Madison. Cute.
“Let's not fight, gentlemen. It's unappealing.”
Well, it wouldn't be bad to know who the real boss is, Landon or Mason but I vote Mason out.
“ Now, let's talk about the duel. First, the two men would go on a date with Alivia at different times, which includes the fact that they can't see her in private or call her. She would have to move out of Landon's house-”
“Royal Wilderness” Mason interrupted the young man but all he got in return were glares, respectful glares. They are at the brink of losing their lives but rather than that, they'd bear the disrespect. Is he truly my mate?
“Alivia will move to the palace and so will Landon. While Alivia's room will be unknown to the contestants, the wives of the younger elders would be her ladies in waiting.” the young man completed his speech. Great. How did I get here from having no mate to having an Alpha mate and now, two men are dueling for my hand in marriage?
_-_*-_
“Here's your room, Luna” the maid ushered me in and I whispered a thank you before entering the room. It's different. It's not like my old room but it would make do.
Reminiscing on my past life, I realized that I had everything I ever wanted. Now, I'm in the least place I ever dreamed of being.
Two maids rushed into my room while many others cane in alongside them. I wondered why and then, it dawned on me.
The duel.
“We were asked to get you ready for your first date.” One of the maids answered to melt my curiosity.
“But I just got here.” I protested which fell on deaf ears. One of the maids pulled out the scrunchie I used to hold my hair into a bun and my brown hair fell down my back. When was the last time I let my hair down?
Another maid joined her on my hair and they started pulling my hair out of my brain. Sweet torture.
“Which one of these gowns suits your taste?” Many gowns were shoved in my face and all I did was just stare. None of the gowns suits me. I wanted a jumpsuit, a white jump suit that has no sleeves and revealed my back so that my hair can cover it and a pearl jewelry set and maybe a white lake of stiletto heels.
“Is there any Jumpsuit?” I asked to which the maid nodded. I missed my right handmaid: Lauretta. It's in times like this I actually wished she had followed me wherever I was going but I stopped her, so it's all on me.
The maid got me a white jumpsuit that fits I to my description, like someone heard I wanted it and git it custom made for me. It was paired with pearl jewelry set and white stiletto heels.
“Who sent this?”
“The alpha.” I sighed. This mate bond sh_it is real then. How did he guess that this is what I'd like to wear?
I wore the jumpsuit with gratitude in my heart and Janice- the maid that styled my hair, did a great job pulling my hair to the back in a low ponytail.
“Who am I meeting?” I found myself asking as I walked out into the garden with Janice.
“Errmmm, the …. the Alpha's brother.” She stuttered. Landon must have scared the shi_t out of her for her to stutter just at the thought of him.
As I got to the table, a familiar voice beckoned to me and it wasn't the Alpha's brother.
“You came, red head” his smirk confirmed my suspicion as he drew closer. It wasn't Landon. It was the Alpha himself. The devil. Mason.
- Writer
