MATED HEARTS

Akira’s pov My anxiety spiked each time my maid, Emily, touched my hair. I was about to become a "free bird" finally. But what did he look like? Would I like him? These thoughts flooded my mind as I sat in my room, a place I'd been confined to for 20 years. Being kept in this room for 20 years of my life made me undeniably agitated. I recalled my father's announcement, his words still echoing in my mind. "Akira, you're getting married." I had protested, "Dad, I won't marry anyone!" But he just smiled, "Kairos is not just anyone, child. I know him." I had argued, "He won't be good for me!" But he just gave me a curious look and said, "How do you know that?" I had replied, "Because I don't love him, Father!" His response still lingered in my mind, "What do you know about love? You'll learn to love him, my child.” “Dad! I cannot marry any man!” She fired back. As my father left and locked the door behind him, I felt a mix of emotions. But then I remembered that this marriage was my ticket out of this room, out of the palace. I called out to Emily, my maid, "Emily, hurry up! I'm ready to leave this place." Emily! I called the attention of my maid as my heart continues to race fast. “My lady!” Are you not done yet? She ask inquisitively. “Just five more minutes my lady. You need to look your best today my lady.” Emily says excitedly “Five what! Make it faster please please.” There's a soft knock on the door. “Come in” Emily responded, still focused on adorning my hair. Anna opens the door gently holding a sparkling wedding dress. “Your wedding dress has arrived my Lady” Anna brought in my wedding dress, and I gasped in amazement. "Oh my God, it's beautiful!" Emily exclaimed, and I couldn't agree more. As Emily helped me into the gown, I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. “Oh my God! I exclaimed visibly excited. “such a beautiful wedding dress. Emily what do you think about this?” Akira asked inquisitively. Emily replied with a beautiful smile on her face. "This is absolutely gorgeous!" she exclaimed! Emily, it's five minutes already aren't you done with my hair?. Yes my lady, you can try the wedding gown on. “oh my God I'm excited.” Emily said pouting her lips in a blush as if she's the one getting married. Emily helped Akira to put on the wedding dress. My lady, this is a new style of a wedding dress. Really? I asked obviously not interested in the questions Emily have to ask. The only thing on my mind was for her to get out of this room immediately. Whoever my husband was didn't even care to know. But deep down, I hoped he would be a prince charming who would fall in love with me… and me? Fall in love with him. I was so lost in my own thoughts, while Emily keeps asking me questions I never bothered answering. No doubt, she was going to miss her lady. This is obviously the last time she was going to see me. "My lady! Emily began calmly, after tying the corset rope on my back dress tightly. Will you ever come back to this Park? I turned turned back to look at her now sad face. “Hmmm... I can't say Emily, but I'm sure going to miss you” Hot tears welled up Emily's eyes. “I'm going to miss you too my lady… please can I go with you?” Emily asked rather politely “Um I don't know, we will have to ask the Alpha about it. if he permits, no problem.” I responded unsure of what I was saying. “ Emily please get me my shoes.” I ordered. Emily ran out of the room excitedly. She can't wait to travel with her lady. I stood in front of my huge mirror. I'm sure going to miss the confines of this my little room, but it's better than being caged. Oh! she almost forgot that I was a princess. but why would the princess be caged? This is a question I've always asked myself. My father has always told me that it was for safety and protection. Protection for or from who? I ask myself this question without getting any answers. Though I get attended to by different maids, but I still think I was treated less of a princess. I was forbidden to leave the four Walls of the palace. Most times, I tried my best to escape, but the guards as always, caught me on every of my move. After a third attempt of me trying to escape, I was finally confined to stay permanently in this room. Honestly it made me regret my action. Ever since, I had been miserable but all that will soon come to an end. I admire myself in front of my huge mirror, my hazel eyes glisten non-stop. My pointed nose fits properly in my face. My small lips sat in the right position. I have all the features of a beautiful princess, yet I've been locked away for 20 years of my life. “Finally!” I sighed slowly to myself. There's another Knock on the door. Still checking out myself on the mirror… “Emily come get the door.” I ordered and realizes that Emily is not in the room. “My lady the guest are downstairs waiting.” Anna's shrill voice echos in the passage room. Anna is my second maid, she's just 18 years old. Just like me she wishes to leave the park, she misses her younger brother and her mother but she has no choice than to serve the princess. The Marriage of Princess Akira would Mark the beginning of her exit from the park. Just like Akira she's super excited because once Akira leaves, she would go to her family. “Please tell Emily to come with my shoe Anna.” “Okay my lady.” she replied as she hurried away. Emily Rushes inside panting. “What is it?” I asked inquisitively. “My princess you are doomed!.” Fear jumped in my heart. “What do you mean by I am doomed?” “Say something!” I said impatient. Still panting, Emily tries to talk but she's too overwhelmed. “Emily! you are going to kill me with this your hesitation, can you just say something please?.” Trust me at this point, I wanted to rip Emily's throat off because why the delay? “My lady…” Emily responded trying to catch her breath. “The prince, I saw him, he looks really weird. One minute his eyes is gold the next minute, it is fiery red. I've never seen a thing like this before. My lady I think you should think twice.” “Shut up Emily, you exaggerate too much.” “My lady I'm scared…” “See Emily, I don't care what anyone think or say and I don't care what he looks like. I am getting married to him and I'm leaving this place for good. Can we go now?” “Yes my lady.” Emily gently leads me through the passage down the stairs. No doubt I was looking absolutely gorgeous. My wedding gown was a masterpiece of intricate design and ethereal beauty, perfectly capturing the essence of a mystical wolf princess on her special day. The gown was a delicate blend of ivory and moonlit hues, with intricate lace and beading that seemed to shimmer in the light like the soft glow of a full moon. The corseted bodice was adorned with delicate silver embroidery, featuring intertwining vines and leaves that seemed to dance across the fabric. The gown's silhouette was both regal and alluring, hugging the princess's curves in all the right places. The fitted bodice showcased my slender waist, while the flowing skirt fell in soft, diaphanous folds to the floor, hinting at the tantalizing curves beneath. A delicate silver chain belt cinched at the waist, emphasizing the my slender and smallish figure. The gown's neckline was a masterful blend of modesty and allure, framing the my porcelain skin and delicate collarbone. The gown's sleeves were long and flowing, with delicate lace trim that seemed to whisper secrets to the wind. A sprinkle of tiny, shimmering crystals along the hem added a touch of magic to the overall design, as if the gown itself held secrets and stories of its own. As I moved, the gown seemed to come alive, shimmering and flowing like a river of moonlight. The overall effect was one of breathtaking beauty, as if the gown had been woven from the very essence of the night sky itself. I wore a faint smile. She isn't certain about her would be husband but then, I'm happy I'm finally leaving the four walls of this cage called a palace. I sighted my groom from afar, she quivers inside not sure how she felt. As soon as I entered the hall properly, all eyes were peering at me as my father came to hold my hand as he led me towards the groom who was standing at the far end of the hall wearing a shiny blue suit. The hall was filled with specific people especially those with high hierarchy from different Park. There were ardorned in noble dresses some holding glasses of wine as they sip gently. Seeing my groom again, my heart skipped again. As Emily had said, he looks quite weird but she cannot point a finger as to what was wrong. He looks handsome anyway. Looking at him, he exuded confidence and charm in his sleek, shiny blue suit, perfectly complementing my ethereal gown. The fitted jacket accentuated his broad shoulders, while the matching trousers created a streamlined look. A crisp white shirt and silver tie added a touch of sophistication, completing his dashing ensemble. Damn! I hope he likes me, I prayed silently. I walked up to to her Groom, whom I was seeing for the first time. Can I have a moment with you? Kairos asked. Yes sure I whispered. Kiaros held my hand as he took me to a corner. He looked at me keenly. His golden eyes hovering round my smallish body incessantly. He then took a deep breath and said. " please reject me in front of the altar" he spilled without thinking. I looked at him in disbelief. “What is he saying?” I asked herself inwardly. “Why if I may ask?” I responded trying to sound Soft as possible. “The reason here is not important. As we go back in there, make sure you reject me.” “What! Give me a good reason why I should reject you!” “Because you should!” he fired “I bet you, that's lame.” I fired back . Kairos observed me again and goes back to the grand hall as I followed him suite. “That's not a good explanation I said within… he's just bluffing.” “Whether you like me or not I am leaving with you.” I said to him. “You better make a good decision before it's too late.” he responded “You don't get decide” I said certainly sure of myself. At the sound of the kings right hand man anchoring the event I adjusted myself and faced Kairos properly. I didn't get your name” she whispered. “Kairos… call me kairos!” He said without smiling. “ I'm Akira, you can call me Kira for short.” The voice of the program anchorer brought us to reality "would you take this man as your lawfully wedded mate? “Yes I do!” I responded without thinking twice. He faced kairos. " would you take her as your lawfully wedded mate? He paused for a while… " yes I do " Kairos replied calmly. The congregation cheered at his last statement. I smiled broadly. Finally this is over! She whispered to herself. Kairo's pov. My name is Kairos, being the next in line Alpha, I was less concerned about getting a mate. I have never been engrossed with anyone my entire life. When I try to form a bond, I vehemently get disappointed as they all end up leaving me because of my mysterious physique. To top it all, my own father hated me and he wasn't willing to let me be the next alpha. I could not explain the reason why he is the way he is. A mystery remains a mystery. I was known to be deserted by those I choose to bring close to myself, even my family members. The king detested me so much and wished I wasn't his son. On a fateful day, the king my father called me… “You're are getting married” he said looking away with prominent disgust. Why father? I asked curious “Don't call me that! Address me as your king!” “Okay your majesty, but I'm not willing to get married, you know how this ends…” I said staring at the king intensely. “This is not an option, this is a command. You will get married to the daughter of the alpha of the white wolf pack, I don't care if you two get along or not, but for alliances purposes you two must get married.” I don't get it father! I fumed. You're dismissed! He replied vaguely. I exited the king's presence and went to my own chamber visibly angry. Why do I have to be royalty and still be treated less at the same time? I asked myself becoming very emotional. I paced back and forth in my room trying to calm myself down, but then I received a message about the whole wedding arrangements and I knew I had no choice. Honestly, my whole life is a mess and once again my entire life was being decided. “kairos, you'll get through this” i said to myself. Wedding Day. As i stood at the alter waiting for my bride, Akira, I felt a mix of emotions, I saw her walking towards me, and damn! My eyes were immediately drawn to her beauty. Her wedding gown shimmered in the light, and no doubt, I would say it's one of the best beauty I've seen in a while. Her eyes! There was something about her eyes… it was hazel and it sparkled and I felt a pang in my chest… something more of curiosity. When I asked to speak with her privately, I whispered my request. “please reject me in front of the alter.” She looked at me with confusion and curiosity but I knew I couldn't explain. I just wanted to avoid this forced marriage. But Akira didn't reject me. Instead, she agreed to marry me, and I felt a sense of unease. What had I gotten myself into? As we exchanged vows, I couldn't help but think about what the future held for us. As the ceremony ended, I looked at Akira, trying to read her expression. She seemed relieved, but I couldn't shake of the feeling that I was in for a surprise. What would our life together be like? Would she accept me for who I was? Or would she try to change me? Only time would tell.