The Alpha's Contract Bride

Chapter 16

Aria

I sat in my designated spot, wishing that my anxiety would go away. But I guess wishes only belonged in fairytales, because it didn't work. Nothing I did worked.

“Get yourself together, Aria.” I scolded myself, but even that did nothing to help my anxiety. “Get yourself together!”

“If you clutch on to that purse for too long,” someone's voice reached my ears, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You just might break it. And it would be a shame, because I actually like it.”

I jumped up in my seat as I turned to look at the person who had just startled me. A wave of relief washed over me when I realized it wasn't Damon. A little bit of disappointment coursed through my veins, but I shook it off. Instead of coming face to face with the man that Damon had strernly warned me about, I was greeted by someone else.

“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow. “Sorry, do I know you?”

“Ouch.” He smiled, as he pressed his hand to his chest, feigning hurt. “That actually hurt my feelings.”

“I'm sorry.” I mouthed. I narrowed my eyes as I stared at him the more. He looked familiar if I was being honest, but I just couldn't bring myself to remember where I'd seen him . “I have a hard time remembering people's faces.”

“It's Lucien.” My eyes widened at his introduction. “We met at Damon's party and your wedding…”

“Oh my God.” I gasped out loud, cutting him off in the process. To hide my shock and shame, I pressed a hand to my mouth as quickly as I could. “I'm so sorry. I didn't recognize you because there's been a lot on my mind and…”

“It's okay.” Lucien shrugged and if the genuine smile he wore on his face meant anything, it was the fact that he actually meant it. “I understand. Can I sit?”

“Sure.” I patted the empty chair just right next to me. “ Please, forgive my manners.”

Lucien said nothing, before settling into his seat. For the next couple of seconds, all that could be heard was the low din of music surrounding us. Fairy lights were strung up on bars, alongside flaming torches bathing the night in its warm glow. Overhead, the stars in the sky twinkled in the distance, making it the perfect backdrop for tonight's activity.

Damon's coronation.

The mere thought of it was more than enough to cause a variety of emotions to surge inside me. I was happy, ecstatic even that something good was happening to Damon. After all the ruckus and everything that had happened, he was finally getting what he yearned for and deserved. But underneath that happiness, was something else. Anxiety, anxiety so bad that I couldn't seem to shake off no matter what. I had this gut feeling that something bad was going to happen, and if I was being honest, it didn't sit well with me at all. Not one bit. For once, I wanted an event to pass by as smoothly as possible, without any of the hiccups that seemed to have been following us since forever.

Please moon goddess, I muttered underneath my breath. Let tonight go well.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Lucien's low voice reached my ears. “ Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I chortled. I cleared my throat before answering. “ Everything's fine. I'm just a little bit worried.”

“About Damon?” It was funny that Lucien found it amusing. At least, there would be one person who could maintain the positive vibes. “Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Why do you say so?” I tilted my head to the side. “Care to share?”

“Damon is…” Lucien trailed off for a moment, before his eyebrows creased for a moment. He was probably thinking of what to say next, before he added. “I won't lie to you, Damon's a total i***t, but that doesn't mean he's not responsible. And as for the worrying part, I think he worries about things a lot more than anyone else, especially if it has to do with people or things he love.”

“Oh.” That was not what I was expecting.

Call me crazy even, but I could swear I saw something suggestive in Lucien's eyes as he spoke. Was that meant for me? Or was he trying to use that to pass a message across about Damon ? But how could I be…

“Finally, something we agree on.” Another voice interrupted us and I froze immediately. “ The i***t part though. I like to think he has a long way to go before he can convince me about his other traits.”

“Callum.” I swallowed. I hadn't turned to face him yet, but I could tell he had his signature sinister grin on his face. “Am I right?”

It took me a while to realize I wasn't actually the one who had called out to him. It was Lucien, and just right beside me, I heard them exchange a bro handshake and side hug.

“Aria.” My blood ran cold as Callum called out to me. Slowly, I allowed my eyes rotate till they got to meet his gaze. Something flashed in Callum's eyes and he bowed immediately. “Or rather, my Luna.”

The sarcasm in his voice definitely didn't go unnoticed and I felt something churn in the pit of my stomach.

Why did he have to come here? The probability that we would run into each other tonight were relatively low, because of the seat I'd picked out for myself, and yet, that still wasn't enough distance to keep him away from me.

“It definitely does have a nice ring to it, right?” Lucien nodded. I took that as a cue that he was trying to break up the tension that was threatening to form and I smiled. “Alpha Damon and Luna Aria.”

“Yes, I suppose.” Callum drawled, his eyes never leaving mine. “ I guess I should be on my way now. I only came to say hi, and even though that's what the coronation needs right now, I'm rather too tired to start up a ruckus. So, enjoy.”

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding the moment Callum disappeared from our sights. Lucien must have noticed it, because he spoke up immediately.

“Is it just me or….” The rest of his words disappeared into thin air as a noise from the stage overshadowed him.

“Werewolves of the pack.” Someone called from the stage in front of us. With just a glance, I figured it out it was one of the elders. “I welcome you all to today's ceremony.”

It was time.

The Alpha's coronation was one that was revered in the entire pack. Even though the setting had been based on hierarchy for as long as anyone could remember, it still didn't change the hype and everything that surrounded it.

Even from where I sat,I could easily see the eagerness in the eyes of everyone present. As for Alpha Kieran, he had nothing but pride for his son.

“Today, we are gathered here to witness the coronation of a new alpha in our pack.” The elder paused momentarily, just to allow the applause and cheers to die down a while. When decorum had returned, he continued. “ Damon Diallo, show yourself.”

My heart thundered in my chest as I watched Damon climb up on the stage.

I'd always known Damon was handsome, but tonight, he looked stunning. As he stood right next to the elder, his brown hair seemed to catch some of the fairy lights and I watched a million and one emotions dance in his hazel eyes. With his slightly pointed nose and full lips, he looked nothing less than the reincarnation of a Greek god.

The rest of his body stood proud and tall, as his clothes clung tightly to his skin.

I swallowed loudly as I watched Alpha Kieran stand up from his stand. With nothing but pride and joy in his steps, he walked towards his son. He held nothing of importance, except the Pack’s crest; a three headed werewolf embroided in a kind of brochure. There were other artifacts that marked the supremacy of one as the alpha, but only the crest was used for coronation purposes. Even though it was small, it was rumoured to hold the highest form of power there was.

“I, Alpha Kieran” His father's voice boomed all around the arena. “Hereby crown you, the new leader of the Dark Moon Pack.”

Loud cheers filled the night the moment the crest was pinned unto Damon's shoulder. As the crowd whooped, I found myself smiling along, with tiny knots unfurling in my belly. It meant one thing, I was happy. I was happy for Damon.

“Thank you all, for bestowing me with this great responsibility.” Goosebumps slid down my skin at the sound of his voice, but I forced myself to listen. “I promise to do my best to rule you all. But I won't be doing it alone, so let's welcome, my beautiful Luna.”

For a quick moment, I totally forgot to breathe. It wasn't until Lucien nudged me in the side did I realize I'd been called and was expected to appear beside Damon.

My knees buckled as I got up. I could feel the heels of my shoes slipping from underneath my sole and for the first time tonight, I was beginning to rethink my decision.

I sucked in a deep breath and muttered some prayers as I walked to the stage. With each row of chairs I passed, I felt their gaze burn holes into my backs. Rippled mirmurs reached my ears, but I did my level best to tune them out. They were basically negative things, so I had no business with them.

“Now.” The elder chimed, the moment I arrived at his side. “Werewolves of Dark Moon pack, I present to you, your Alpha and lu….”

“Not on my watch you won't.” Someone interrupted him halfway and I slapped a hand to my face.

What exactly had I done to deserve this?

“There's no way I'll accept her as my son's Luna!” I froze on the spot, because even in death, I would still be able to recognize that voice.

Shit.