The Sacrifice Mate

Chapter Four

Esmeralda exchanged several pleasantries with Victor's prospective candidates, the wiser ones having realised their connection and aiming to gain favor by befriending the possibility sister-in-law. Esmeralda found it incredibly amusing, specially with those who had a difficult time keeping up their act.

She distanced herself briefly from her brother wanting him to converse and have some time with all the potential wives. Victor was not very keen on the idea of being apart from his sister tonight but conceded in an effort not to be overbearing.

As she stood in a corner of the room she had the strangest sensation of being watched. Itvwas almost familiar... She was almost sure she had felt rhis way before. Suddenly a woman approached her, she seemed to be only a few years older than Esmeralda but her hair was silver and her eyes a deep blue. Esmeralda knew she had never seen this woman before in her life, yet she felt strangely familiar.

She was unsure if she should approach the mysterious woman or not. Caution and curiosity fought on her mind and heart, this particular celebration was too dangerous already for her to invite anymore trouble. She did not look like a suitor for her brother, nor any business acquaintance her father had. However, she did not have to make a decision since the woman herself approached her. "Hello, allow me to introduce myself, I am Artemis. You must be Esmeralda." Esmeralda frowned,this woman seemed to know more about her than she knew about the woman. It made her uneasy but that's was what years of learning diplomacy from her mother were for... "Yes, I am so sorry, but I cannot seem to recall when we've meet, although you seem extremely familiar" the woman smiled "Well, I must confess we have not been formally introduced yet. We have seen each other in passing..." Her deep blue eyes glinted reflecting the light. Esmeralda was shocked... Could it really be?! They were thankfully interrupted by Victor who flew out of nowhere to his sister side "Victor Hood. A pleasure, and you are?" Artemis seemed to smile almost paternalistically at his protectiveness "Artemis Moon, it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the next Household Lord." The siblings looked at each other apprehensively they teied to hide it, but Artemis was quick yo pick up "I assure you both, that I come with both with no ill will against anyone of this House, especially Esmeralda" her silver hair shone in the light as she moved her head to look at her, and it was at that moment that Esmeralda was sure, that woman was the wolf from last night!

Before anyone could say anything further, they were interrupted by Alma "Miss Moon, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am told we have pendind business to attend to. Please follow me, my husband is waiting in the office" Artemis simply nodded her accent to the woman and bid her farewell to the siblings "Victor, Esmeralda. I am glad to have made your acquaintance. I look forward to carrying on this conversation with you soon" she said the last part especially looking at Esmeralda, before she followed Alma into the study and disappeared.

Victor practically dragged his sister to the side "Esme, who was she?", "A Wolf" Esmeralda replied before remembering it would not make much sense to Victor.

Victor: "What?!"

Esmeralda:"At least I am almost sure she is..." She said sighing and then continued "Last night, I couldn't sleep... So I went for a stroll on the grounds." Victor looked at her in a way that was a whole lecture in itself, but let her proceed, they both knew that they won't have much time. "As I was walking, I felt I was being watched... And suddenly there was this majestic silver wolf looking at me."

Victor:"And then what happened?"

Esmeralda:"Nothing! It looked at me and then disappeared. So I decided it would be best to return to my room" Victor just gave her an exaperated look

Esmeralda:"Oh c'mon,Vic! I had just found out that my life had all been planned out for me!" She couldn't help the slight anger in her voice.

Victor:"I told you Esme! You dont have to do anything" but Esmeralda just huffed annoyed "Thaks, but that is for me to decide Vic!" And with that, she decided to step outside, she suddenly needed some fresh air...

Esmeralda was outside in one of many balconies the house had. A million thoughts ran through her head... For one, the legacy she carried, the obligations to her family from a centuries old pact. The elusive wolf that she has seen in the woods adjourning the estate. And now the wolf in human form....

She almost jumped when said wolf approached her "Not a fan of crowds?"

Esmeralda:"No Miss Moon, not really"

Artemis:"If it is okay with you, I think we could dispense the formalities, Esmeralda"

Esmeralda did not want to think about how her name said in that tone of voice made her feel... She tried an offensive attack

Esmeralda:"Oh? On the account that we have meet before? Or about what is to come?"

Artemis:"I apologise, I must confess I was too curious to meet you, even though it was not a proper introduction" Esmeralda did not look at her yet, to cautious about the effect those blue eyes seemed to have on her. Artemis carried on.

Artemis:"In that form human speech is not possible... I could have not introduced myself"she said.

Esmeralda: "What are you? A werewolf? A shifter?" Artemis seemed almost taken aback by the bluntness of Esmeralda's words. She finally looked at her,ow that she felt she had the upper hand

Esmeralda:"Do you change into anything else? Or just a wolf" Any other child of the moon would have taken offense at the remark of just an wolf... Yet Artemis was curious to see where the conversation would end...

Artemis:'Humm..Just wolf I am afraid."

Esmeralda:"So werewolf then." She said it with such seriousness both of them started laughing without really knowing why.

When all laughter died out Artemis carried on.

Artemis:"To be fair, not just any wolf. My pack is the descendant of a wolf killed many Moons ago..."

Esmeralda:" I think I was told the story... So you arec the one I am promised to." She avoided looking at Artemis again

Artemis:"Only, if that is what you aggree to from the bottom of your heart. The Goodess is not that cruel" for a moment Esmeralda felt that Artemis was hiding something from her, but she decided now was not the time to press the matter...

Esmeralda:"Yet, the fate of my family depends on it..." Artemis nodded

Artemis:"I am afraid so... It was meant as a fair retribution... The killing of an alpha also impacts the fate of the whole pack".