My Game, My Rules

Let's Get Married

DEVON

Time tickled quite fast. I was trying so hard to beat time as I had so many things to do and getting this letter out as fast as I could was what I was after.

“Hey, honey.” Antonella wrapped her hands around my neck, her breath warm against my skin. My pen paused and hovered over the papers.

“The elders are outside. They are waiting for you.” She announced. My brows creased at the mention of those words. The elders? Of course, I knew why they were here. I knew what they wanted to say. I groaned inwardly, my jaws clenched. If I had a choice, I'd refuse to see them but duty and obligation bound me.

“I’ll be there.” I responded and she placed a kiss on my chin before walking out of the room. A sigh escaped my lips as I walked out of the room. The elders had begun to speak amongst themselves but the minute they saw me, the murmured conversation died.

They stood up at once and I nudged them to sit before settling in front of them.

“Long live, the Alpha.” Elder Ashberry started. “We have come to see you for a very important cause. Just like you know, the Full Moon ceremony is coming up in three weeks. We have gotten an invitation for the event which is going to be happening in Alpha Thane’s pack.

As you know, one can only be allowed to go in unless they go with their true mates. It’s been four years since that horrible incident yet you have refused to move on from that……”

“I have moved on. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be with Antonella.” I defended. There was nothing to hold back or look back on someone who stabbed me in the back and tried to wreak havoc on those she called her people. I could care less about her existence.

“Yet you refuse to mark her as your mate. She has been with you for four years yet you have refused to mark her. You need to be aware that this meeting is a very important one and our pack needs it at this point for alliance.

Everyone knows how beneficial our alliance with Alpha Thane will be. It is an honor that we got invited for this event. We cannot let this slip off our hands.”

I shut my eyes tight for a second as I tried to figure out what to do. My father had died six months ago. If he hadn’t, this would have been his responsibility.

“I will think about it.” I insisted before creasing my brows and stepping out of the room. The elders' counsel replayed in my head. My father’s last dream and wish was an alliance with Alpha Thane and now that we finally got it……. It seemed almost impossible to do.

My heart was shattered. My trust was broken. How can I open myself to love or trust again when the scars of broken trust still throbbed with each pulse? I returned to my room and shut the door to myself. How cruelly could live deal with me?

“What did they say?” Antonella's voice interrupted my reverie. I was a thousand miles lost in my whole thoughts.

“We got an invitation to a party.” I dismissed her question. “it is nothing serious. I have to attend to something quite important and I would appreciate it if you excuse me.” I returned to my seat. She tried to speak when one of the maids knocked, interrupting us.

“My Lord….. I am sorry for the interruption. Luna Roselyn is here to see you.” She spoke. Just before she could conclude her statement, mother walked into the room. Antonella gracefully bowed and without a word, she turned to leave.

“How long are you going to continue to hurt me and yourself? In a few years, I would be dead. This pack needs a Luna. Is this about......her?”

By her, I knew she meant Henrietta.

“Is this the reasons for this? Son, you need to understand that she is a traitor and she was sent out of this pack. She tried to…..”

“Mother……” I turned to look at her and she halted immediately. “What do you think of me? I am not a traitor. Henrietta is dead. She is dead to me. This is nothing about her.” I insisted. Why on earth did everyone still think I cared about her?

“Why then aren’t you getting married to Antonella? She has been with you for four years. She has always supported you and made sure everything goes well. You have to get married to her and then we will commence the right to make her your new fated mate.

Do not forget your father always dreamed about this alliance with Alpha Thane’s pack.” Mother spoke and I shot my head up at her. How on earth did she know about the invitation?

“The elders told me about it. They told me about this.” She walked closer and held my hands in hers. “I know you have always loved your father and always wanted to respect him. I understand you might not be deeply in love with her but you have to do this for your father and give the pack a mother.”

A familiar ache within me stir. The promise I made to Father echoed through my mind like a haunting mantra: “I promise to put the pack's needs before my own.”

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the room, my feet carrying me towards the living room where mother was. I had no idea what was running through her mind as she seemed so saddened. Antonella on the other hand was trying so hard to make her smile. The minute she sighted me, she stopped talking.

“I am ready, mother.” I spoke and she tilted her head to look at me. The words tasted bitter on my tongue. Deep within, I was screaming. Screaming against the injustice, against the expectations and constant sacrifice. I felt like I was drowning in the pack's demands.

“I am ready for the marriage. “ I turned my back and creased my brows. “Let’s get married tomorrow. “