Scarlett: The Lost Luna

Chapter 3: Betrothed

Andres POV

I have never really bothered myself with having a mate. Even when I have been forced to make too many decisions to help keep up my appearances. I saw what it did to my parents if Perez was not careful he was going into the same lane as them.

Then she came, the one that was meant for me. Freddie, her father, wanted to talk with me about my betrothed. Since my father had died, it was only right that they start pushing every plan to bury him and do the needful.

I came downstairs in a hurry as I stared at her. I was face to face with her. She was a feisty one, a beauty with great features. She wasn't the kind to be swayed, I could read her with just one glance. She couldn't settle, keeping her hands to herself. Same was going on with me, I ran my hands through her smooth face. She had the face of the sun and the eyes of blooming flowers. Nothing else made sense, nothing else catches my breath the way this one did.

That first moment, that great glance I made was most certainly worth it. I met her. She was fighting her emotions, her will. This bond was a test of her will and she didn't want to give in. As much as I wanted her to, she needed to take her time.

"Is she the one? My betrothed?" Freddie nodded. "And you kept her from me all these while?"

"It was your father's wish that you don't see her until you were ready and prepared for the rites."

"Yes, the rites."

I could smell her confusion, she reeked of it. Of fear and savagery. I wondered what was going through her mind. I was trying to reach for her through the telepathy we shared but she had already blocked me out. She wasn't losing control when she first saw me, she was gradually gaining her will back.

She growled which sounded like a whimper to me and dashed out of the door.

"Scarlett!" Her father called her but she paid no mind. Her brother went after her. Leaving Harper, Perez and myself in the hall.

Scarlett

The name was imprinted in my mind. Perez stared at me and smirked. He knew what it was like to have a mate, just like the way he is with Elna. 8 wanted to go after her but my pride was greater, it enveloped me like never before. Perez put his hands on my shoulder and I was able to calm down.

"What's the plan? We need to hurry my father before anything else comes to play."

"Yes, the elders are yet to make any plans. Until then, we can't do anything."

"What do you mean we can't do anything?" I growled at him. He was filled with so much pride as a father that was willing to do anything for his children. I could sense it, it was the same Father used to have for the both of us until he became violent. They were all the same, I knew that for sure.

"I know you want to bury your father as soon as possible. But there are certain rites that need to come to play before that happens and your betrothed is to play. I'm in the middle of it all. I cannot throw my daughter into a game that's uncertain, so we have to wait for the Elder's decision."

I knew of the deal he had with my father. Giving me his daughter was something that he promised to do because he owes dad his life.

"Watch your tone with me, Freddie."

"I don't know why you are rushing everything. If you have any concerns you can take it up with the Elders. We will be meeting tonight."

He left.

Perez was unmoved but I knew there was something going on underneath. This man had a plan to get out of all these and I intended to find out what that was

"It is the nerve for me," he said. "Do you want me to keep tabs on him or we should wait for the decisions."

"Let us wait. We will find out soon enough. All I know is that I must have her and Father must be buried. The faster these are all done, the better for us so we can move on with our lives."

***

It was 10pm. The hour has come to meet with the Elders, I prepared for the night of the awakening. We all dressed In black cloaks as we discussed our agenda in the cave.

"The Alpha is Dead and we need to show the rites are to begin."

One of the seven Elders spoke this time. "The rites would be performed under the blood moon. A ceremony would be held because we would be reinstating the new Alpha into his position." He continued. "Then, that would not be possible without the blood of your supposed Luna. Her blood strengthens the pack and your power as the Alpha. Do you have one?"

"If you are asking me about my mate, that is still in progress." I stared at the direction of Freddie Harper. "Then, my father told me before he died that I have a betrothed. I was supposed to have met her but it seemed she wasn't in the country."

"And who made the pact to give you a betrothed?"

"Freddie and my father made the pact." I left out the part that she was my mate because I wanted to see his reaction. It was not time to reveal such delicate information with them. This was my first meeting with the Elders officially and chaos was the last thing we need.

"That's true. It was a blood oath I made with your father which can be secreted when one of us dies. If one of us dies, the oath is broken."he started and I narrowed my eyes at him. "So, I wish to opt out from that. The new Alpha, can get anyone of his choice for the rites."

It all made sense to me why he had been stalling all these years. He did it on purpose because he didn't want his children in any of these. Scarlett being my mate was just a bump along the road to get what he wants, it might backfire because I need my mate.

I gritted as my anger was rising to the top. I never liked Freddie, it was always like that right from when we did business together. He had always avoided making deals that would better fit the both of us. He always acted all moral like he was different from any of us. I was so pissed that he was taking scarlett from me.

"Well, glad that we've decided that. We will be waiting to hear from you."

We discussed other pressing matters. Especially the spotting of rogues around the region. Our territory has always been invaded from time to time but we've tried our very best to stop the attacks from the smaller packs.

The meeting ended as soon as we were done. I quickly stopped Freddie as he made his way to his SUV.

"So this was your plan all along."

"I don't know what you are talking about Alpha." He gave a small smile. I never knew this man was this mischievous. He was always known to put up the morality acts but he was the one breaking it now.

"Need I remind you, Freddie, that I am not my father. We both know that now she is my mate and you can't keep her from me for long."

"She is my daughter. I have every right to protect her from shallow minds like you. I told you that I do not intend to throw the life and future of my daughter into the hands of blood and gore all in the name of the Pack rules." He growled.

"Fine, let's see how well you intend to play this game. You can't make such oaths and speak your way out of it."

"That is not yours to worry about. I made the deal with your father and now he is dead."

All of this tactics with Freddie, sounds so suspicious. One would think he had a hand in the death of my father even if he was an asshole.

"It makes me wonder if you had a hand in his death."

He chuckled lightly. "You tell me." He said. He was about to enter the car when he paused and continued. "You know what, that's rich coming from you. The one that refused to save his father when he had the chance."

I growled but he was inside his car and it zoomed off.

I stomped inside the house,Perez was trying to greet me but I ignored him. I went into the study. Perez came to meet me there.

"I heard your conversation with Freddie just outside the house. He has a point you know, he is just trying to protect his daughter."

"What do you mean?" I yelled at him. "That lady he wants to protect is my f*****g mate. She has to be where she rightfully belongs, by my side. Her fate had already been sealed when her father made the oath with Dad."

"Nop." He said I grimaced as I waited for him to continue. "Her fate was sealed when you realised that she was your mate. That was just what spoiled everything for him. I'm certain that if you were in his shoes, you'd do the same. Just as you are doing now, the need to protect."

I just couldn't sit and do nothing while this man just made a mockery of me. It wasn't the plan I was already at the verge of snapping. I was going to lose it.

"I just have to beat him to his own game."

"What do you mean?"

"Can you pull up every file from Freddie and his company? From every asset he has ever owned, down to his underground deals and business. I want to know the man to the very core, only then I would be able to make a decision."

Perez gave me a scrutinising look, he knew I was up to something. He just wasn't sure if he wanted to stick around to find out.

"Alright, just be careful. The man seemed like a snake."

He left the study leaving me to my thoughts. The only thing I could think about was her and only her. Nothing else.