Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 19: Hooked On A Promise

Chapter 19 Dante's POV

"Good afternoon, Dante." She beamed at me as she approached the table, and I looked at her sea-moss green eyes. Her ebony hair framed her face perfectly in a heart shape. Her little laughter hit my ears like music for my soul. I breathed in deeply to steady myself as I looked at her. "Alice, I hear you are marrying the Prince of the fairy kingdom, and you deserve congratulations. I wish you the best in life." I smiled and meant what I said. She brightened up upon hearing my words. "Yes, he is my mate, and I am excited about being his bride." She smiled calmly at me and bowed, which showed how she carried herself.

I elbowed Desmond, staring off into space at another woman dancing exotically against a shirtless man. Desmond broke out of his trance and looked at Alice and me when he said, "Did you need something, Dante?" I smiled at him coyly and said, "Don't you think it is a shame that Alice is marrying the Prince of the fairy kingdom instead of us?" I spoke quietly between us, and Desmond raked his eyes up and down Alice's figure several times while lost in thought. "I would not object if she was our mate. She carries herself well, and I have heard she is a very caring and loving woman. No one could go wrong with Alice as their mate." Desmond spoke highly of Alice and loudly so that many people could hear Desmond's compliments. Desmond flushed and calmed down when he saw many people looking at him. He covered his mouth and slapped me on the arm. "Hey, I did not tell you to say those things so loudly. I was asking what you thought of Alice. She nearly took my breath away, and I can't say many women can do that to me, Brother." I declared and stomped my foot to show dominance.

Alice sat down between Desmond and me, and her presence had my heart stirring, breathing the same evening air. I will never forget as she turned to look at me, her eyes swirling with lust as she internally devoured me. I would let her devour me any day as I began to get lost in her eyes again. A smile danced along my face when her voice broke my inner thoughts. "Will you promise me something?" She did not break our eye contact as she asked me a favor. I nodded my head. "Of course, what will it be?" I asked as I held my breath. I did not know why I felt drawn to Alice like that. My mind was racing frantically. "Could Alice be my mate? I know that a Menyaka can have multiple mates in their lifetime. Alice was an Alpha's daughter from the northern pack borders known as the Silk Field pack. It is not like she is unlikely to have two mates." My thoughts swirled as a breeze slammed Alice's scent into my sinus cavity. All I could smell was citrus and honey; for the first time, I felt like I was about to become a monster.

That is until the softest voice drew me back thick like honey and patient. "Dante, did you hear me? I asked you a big favor. Do you think you can promise me this?" sea-moss green eyes stared at me with hope and something desperate like need. I would have lost my mind if I had not been a calm man. I practically gulped her scent and replied honestly, "I am sorry, Alice, I got lost in my thoughts. What was the favor you are asking of me?" I smiled apologetically, and she returned the smile, "Oh no, I should not ask you such a thing on the day of your birthright." She paused and locked eyes with mine as she spoke. "Will you attend my wedding with the Prince and ensure our safest return to our homelands?" She looked sincere and innocent, as if she had no idea what she was doing to me. My mouth fell open, and a small blush formed on my face as I looked away. "I-I would lo-" I was trying to collect my thoughts, jealousy, and excitement to be chosen to protect a family friend.

However, my father's voice cut through my words as he hurried over to where my brother was in a huff. "Dante and Desmond, you are both needed to the council room immediately! Do not delay." Papa wasted no time and turned out of the garden, leaving us confused about his quick retreat. I looked back at Alice with a small smile and said, "As long as the stars align, I will be there to attend your wedding and ensure you a safe arrival to your homelands." I wanted to hold her and smell her. I wanted to stay there instead of leaving for the council room. Alice smiled excitedly and gave me a nod before Des grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me away from the garden. My face dipped into a frown as I began hungrily trying to absorb as much energy as possible so that I would not explode with rage. I gritted my teeth as I caught up to my brother's pace and walked beside him into the house toward the council room on the first floor.

We rushed into the room and noticed several pack leaders on top of many allied forces lining the seats around the oval table. Des was the first to speak, "Papa, what is going on when you barge into the garden festival and ruin our chance to find a mate?" Des huffed to show his displeasure at being surrounded by a possible nearby mate. I would have to ask him if Alice made him feel the same way she did me. Papa quickly stood as we reached our seats, and everyone else made the same motions as him. In a firm, clear voice, Papa said, "There is a war approaching our gates and several of our allies. We must be prepared! I want both of you on guard in case anything happens tonight. It is possible one of our enemies is aware that everyone is gathered here together tonight and may try to strike us tonight while we are focused on the ceremony. Do you boys understand what I am saying to you?" Papa swept his eyes over us, and we nodded in agreement. Of course, we could tell what he was trying to tell us: we were about to be at war. We would have to be on high alert, and we did not know when the enemy would strike, so they would have to accommodate us in case the attack happened while we were busy with our ceremony at dinner tonight.

"Papa, what if the attack happens while Des and I are distracted with the dinner ceremony?" Although I did not want to bring it up, we had to have a backup plan for the worst. It would be the only time Des and I would be distracted from the rest of the family and friends. Realization dawned on a few of those sitting at the table who had not thought about that. When my father spoke, he seemed paralyzed. "I know that among the strongest are the fairy kingdom, the northern packs, and the guardians in the garden." His voice was a little off. Perhaps it was because someone may have been planning this attack longer than we knew. "Are we sure that they will attack us here?" I pressed again for more information.

A male sitting closest to us from the Fairy Kingdom spoke. This time, his golden hair, forest green eyes, and well-sculpted face looked at me as his melodic voice rang out in the council room. "They may not come here tonight but they plan to attack someone after we disperse tomorrow. My people saw mysterious people on our way into town for the celebration. The strangers seemed to have no intentions of arriving here in time for the festivities but loom outside your home waiting for something else." He spoke clearly, and I felt something from Kumu that made what he said true. A pang formed in my stomach, and I had a bad feeling. "Prince Lance, may I ask what you know about this matter? Who is their target?" I questioned him. I'd like to know how much our guests knew about this matter. After all, how did the Fairy Kingdom's Prince Lance tie into this supposed war? I will have to get to the bottom of this.