Dark Mate

Chapter 4

I can not believe I came back to the Black Wolf Pack bloody, injured by a child in the silver moon pack. This has got to beat history. I, the second in command, Gabriel Trian, am not just feared after Raziel for nothing, I have conquered all the enemies I ever encountered, my team has never lost a fight and yet that rat managed to pin me. Rage bubbles in my chest, hot as lava, she has to pay. I simply will not take it. I must say I admire her determination, but it will not take her far with Raziel, especially not as a wife. She should know who she's dealing with. Just thinking about the consequences of him seeing my bloody face makes me feel pity for Casandra, but I am not second in command for no reason. She has to pay for her actions, else I lose my respect and I will not let that happen. The moment I lose respect, I lose my position. I would rather die than for that to happen. The guards, all alert and bewildered at my new appearance, quickly cleared the pathway for me, giving me a chance to go to the royal chamber. Luckily for me, I saw just who I was expecting to see, my commander himself and my Alpha, Raziel. He gives me a scrutinizing look, accessing where I was injured, his eyes scan me longer than necessary. I am relaxed because I know my alpha fully well and insulting me is as good as insulting him that he will not take. I know the punishment is decided when his eyes turn a darker shade. With furrowed eyebrows, I explained the details of the injury, from the moment I got to the Silver Moon Pack to when I met Alpha Leon, to how peaceful the meeting was to when his supposed-to-be wife rejects the proposal and how she pounces on me severely. I omit the path of me flinging her across the room not once but twice. He listens to every inch of the detailed news, and with every embarrassing scenario, the temperature of the room drops one degree lower. He stays quiet for a while, eyes calculating every movement and the consequences of the movement. "Go clean up and go home. He has pushed the marriage forward, hasn't he?" It feels like a bucket of cold water is dumped on my head. This was not what I expected to hear, at least not now. Were my explanations taken for granted or did he want to test me yet again? I take deep breaths, careful not to let my expression and true intentions slip out.

The designers come in, carrying different colors; red, blue, yellow, you name it!

If I was getting married to the man of my dreams, it would just be perfect. Cleaning the tears that ran down my face, I headed to my room. I wish I had seen Amelia, maybe I'd have been able to blow off some steam. The dress does not even take time to be arranged. The tailor takes my measurements and makes me wear a ready-made dress. The dress is a deep shade of royal blue, the shoes are Dunlop heels. I think this is because of my pregnancy. The accessories are black, which seems like blue when studied. The hall is decorated with chandeliers of different colors. The maids have already arranged the hall. The food menu is set in a buffet. The food preparation is held until the next day, but the rest of the arrangements are all prepared this evening. I was ushered to my room by my guards and some maids. The guards are to ensure my safety and that I don't run away. At that point, I didn't have a single iota of strength to pull any stunt. Stress has taken a huge toll on me and the pregnancy is not helping me one bit in this condition. I try my best to stay awake but my eyelids are heavier than my heart, they close and I drift off to sleep.

I am woken up by the cheering sounds of the guests. Footsteps upon footsteps, I can't even drift off to sleep again. I am so annoyed, my head is aching me seriously, but footsteps just keep on sounding. Plates and spoons continue clinging, adding to my compounded headache. Welcome upon welcome kept on ringing every second with no spacing. I am struggling with my bedsheets when my mother comes in, already dressed. Her makeup is beautiful, she's wearing a single-sleeved cream-colored dress with silver heels, and the heels accentuate her outfit. She wears silver as her father's mate. The only reason I'm permitted to wear blue and not black is because of my pregnancy. My dress has little space around the belly button. Her eyeshadow is laced with white eye pencil with silver shimmer and her pieces of jewelry are silver all through. I wish I was getting married to someone in our pack, we would have worn the same dress and jewelry. I try so hard not to ruin my makeup with tears, but this has got to be the toughest of decisions because it puts my self-control to the test. Father comes in, spares me a remorseful glance, and goes back to welcome people. My Mother, trying to put herself together, I can see her hands vibrating but she tries to stay strong. We stay like that in silence for a while, our presence comforting each other before we are forcefully torn from each other. And the trumpet of doom sounds. At the sound of the trumpet, everybody within the vicinity should head to the ceremony hall. Mother and I head off, Mother leading me with her in front. As much as I hate this ceremony, I enjoy the scenery. The designers outdid themselves on this one. Mother holds my hands and pulls me to my seat. Raziel is nowhere to be found. We all wait, guest and bride alike, and rumors start flying around.