Alpha Varkon’s Human Antidote

13| AN ULTIMATUM

VARKON

“The wedding date is set.”

I whipped around fast.

“What?”

Alaric handed me a card. “The engagement party is tomorrow night. The council said they’ve given you enough time to bring in someone you’d prefer instead. And you have until tomorrow night to bring someone, if you still have that in mind. Someone that they also have to approve.”

I slowly reached out and took the card off Alaric’s hand. With my jaw tight, I went through the details and realized the wedding was barely three weeks from today.

“This can’t be happening.”

“It’s not that serious. Consider the time line to be three weeks. An engagement can be called off easily, if you find someone.”

I still stared at the card with a pinched expression, like the little piece of paper was the cause of everything happening in my life at the moment.

Alaric sighed. “I don’t think you have anything to lose, honestly. She’s truly a good match for you. The perfect Luna figure. You can still have a good time with the other female wolves if that’s what you’re worried about. Getting a wife has never stopped any of that.”

I scoffed.”I don’t care about the other wolves.”

“Then what is it? You’ve always been a one woman kind of guy. You never really date them, and you learned your lesson about just stringing them along.” He referred to my curse with the last sentence. The memory introduced a sharp pain to my chest.

“At least you don’t cheat on them. And if you find another woman, you let the old one go. Is there someone who’s difficult for you to let go of right now?”

The question was accompanied with silence.

He gasped. “f**k. You fell in love?”

He gave me a once over, his eyes wide with shock.

Love. This man was still as stupid as they got.

“I found my mate.” I confessed. Alaric’s face paled even more.

“What?” He moved closer to me. “You… Varkon, that’s the key to breaking the curse!”

I exhaled a sharp breath. “She’s human.”

“Oh.” He stopped in his tracks, frowning. “Damn. That stupid witch knew what she was doing. You have more than one mate.”

“That’s what this means.”

“And you’re attracted to her?”

“Isn’t that how bonds work?”

“Yeah. Fairs. Damn. I need to see her.”

“No one’s seeing her.” I snapped. “She’s not the one we’re looking for. I don’t want a target at her back.”

“But I’m not…” he stopped talking when he caught my glare.

Raising his hands in surrender, he said, “Alright. Fine. I understand.”

I sighed. “Does Isla know about this wedding?”

He nodded. “She does. And she’s really excited about becoming your wife.”

“Shocking.” I stated dryly. Alaric laughed.

“Loosen up, man. It’s just for you to have someone take over from you.” His tone turned sad again.

“Alaric.”

He turned to the side and wiped at his eyes. “I’m sorry. I got something in my eye.”

I exhaled a sharp breath, the realization of my death kicking in again. Thanks to my Beta.

“You better look out for this place when I’m gone. You know the s**t my father started.”

He didn’t answer for a while. When he did, his voice was thick with emotion.

“I know. I’ll definitely make sure all is good.”

“I’ll be dead by the end of the year, man. Not tomorrow. Lighten up and join me. Let’s go get ready for the engagement.”

And that was what I was known for. Disregarding my f*****g pain.

*

When the night of the engagement rolled around, I stood in front of the hall with Alaric holding a conversation with some guests, while we stood side by side.

“Is she pregnant? Is that why this engagement was rushed? I mean, I know about the whole mating thing with werewolves, but it’s still fast. Is something happening?” A reporter asked, sticking the mic in Alaric’s mouth.

I turned leisurely to face her, answering instead, “Maybe I want to hurry up and die so I can leave your hypocritical world alone.”

She stilled. Her cheeks brightened regardless of her shock. I shook my head and stormed inside.

Isla seemed to be waiting at the door. Her previously tight expression blossomed into a smile when I got to her, and she extended her arms for a hug.

“Hi, husband!” She called out loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. It made me cringe a little, but I accepted her embrace regardless.

“You look so good! But you always do.” She gushed when we pulled away. She watched me with her both palms placed on her chest. I let my lips twitch a bit.

“Thank you. You’re stunning, as always.”

Her teeth bared open, and she swirled around a bit.

“Thank you, handsome. I mean I know, but hearing it from you makes me so much happier.”

I nodded grimly, extending my arm for her to take. “Shall we?”

She nodded eagerly. “Sure.”

We walked to the front and took our seats. I zoned out for most of the event, closing my eyes from time to time to reach out to my mate. The link was being blocked for some reason.

The distance, probably.

But I was Alpha, and her mate. Any distance could’ve worked.

Without caring about perception, I took out my phone and took a quick selfie, then I slipped it back under the table.

“Are you okay?” Isla asked me while I scrolled through my contacts for Zephyra’s number.

“I’m fine.” I grumbled without looking at her.

I finally found it, clicked on the picture and pressed send. I slipped my phone back into my pocket, my leg bobbing up and down.