The engagement

Chapter 2

/-Isla-/

It's been two weeks since Roman read my diary and since then, he had avoided me by all means. We didn't see eye to eye and he became a rare presence during breakfast and dinner.

I was heartbroken. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't even think. I was a walking zombie. I spent night after night, sobbing and cursing myself for ruining the perfect relationship we could have had.

To make it worse, there were rumors everywhere that he was going to finally choose a mate.

I didn't want to believe it but the servants wouldn't shut up about it, especially the ones that cleaned the hallway. Even now, I could hear them from my room.

“Have you seen the class of women that come to see him every day? All with luxury gifts and enticing offers,” one said.

“You speak of the foreign women but I see him most times with that lady, Manda. I think they are cooking up something,” another responded.

“You could be right,” the first agreed.

“Whether he picks her or the hundreds of Princesses flooding this place, hoping to form an alliance, I just hope he is happy. The Alpha is a very good man.”

All these talks made me feel even more miserable. He was seeing other women now? That was why he didn't even bother to check on me even when I remained in my room for days? He had never mentioned anything about getting married.

My fragile heart wouldn't let me confirm the rumors. I remained confined to my room, convincing myself that if I ignored it long enough, it would make it less real.

That was when Elsie had enough of me. She came barging into my room despite my refusal to see anyone. She couldn’t hide the shock on her face when she saw my miserable form.

“Isla, you can't continue like this. It's been two weeks already. He read your diary. So what? You didn’t kill anyone. You should move on,” Elsie said.

It was easy for her to say. She had no idea how long I have loved this man. She knew nothing about how deep my feelings for him ran.

“Isla…”

“I can't just unlove him, Elsie! Don't you get it? He is my life!” I screamed at her, tears pouring down my cheeks. “And now… he wouldn't even look at me anymore because I couldn't keep my secret and decided to put it all down. I thought… I thought he would feel the same, how stupid!”

“I hate to say I told you so but come on, Elsie! That man is thirty-two and you are what? Sixteen! How did you expect it to work? You're underage! Everyone's going to see him as a pedophile!” She stated.

“Age is just a number! It shouldn't count when two people are in love!” I argued.

“Can you even listen to yourself? What do you mean it doesn't count? For all I know, that could be the reason he’s avoiding you! You're too young for him! I told you to wait until you are eighteen. The goddess would definitely give you someone your age or slightly older. It doesn't have to be your father's step brother!” Elsie stated.

“But he is the one I want! I want only him, Elsie… I need him…” I broke into a sob and she pulled me into her arms. “He hates me, Elsie… he hates me..”

“Sssshhh!” She whispered, stroking my hair. “It's going to be okay. It's just a phase. Trust me, it will pass.”

I didn't believe her but I was tired of fighting. My throat was already hurting from all the arguments.

She pulled away from me just as the bell for dinner rang.

“Now, cheer up and come downstairs with me. You've grown so thin! When was the last time you ate, huh?” She asked, drying my eyes. I didn't really have the appetite but I couldn't say no to her.

I changed up and followed her downstairs for dinner. On getting downstairs, we were shocked to see all the pack members gathered. It was as if they were having a mini celebration.

“What's going on?” I whispered to Elsie.

“I have no idea either, but earlier today the Alpha asked that everyone should gather for an important announcement,” she whispered back. We pushed through the crowd until we got to the front and my breath hitched when I saw Alpha Roman standing there, facing that woman—Manda as he stared deeply into her eyes.

My stomach sank as dread gnawed my insides. Manda’s face was bright red and I could see her eyes twinkling with happiness. 

What was going on?

I glanced at my mother but she was wearing a straight face, her lips pressed into a thin line. Is this what I thought it was?

Then before everyone, Alpha Roman slowly got on one knee and gasps erupted. I clutched to my dress, fisting it as I tried not to jump into conclusions. A man kneeling before a woman could mean many things, right?

But then he brought out a small velvet box and tears began gathering in my eyes. I felt Elsie's hand on my shoulders, her eyes laced with pity and it made me want to burst into tears.

“I know it took me so long to realize, but you are an amazing person, Manda, and I would be honored if you grant me permission to make you mine,” His tone was emotionless. He didn't sound like a man in love. Or maybe that is just what I wanted to think. “Will you marry me?”

“Yesssss!” Manda squealed and cheers erupted. Even my mother clapped.

I froze on the spot as my world came crashing down. He was punishing me. I knew he was. My eyes stung with tears as the place swarmed with congratulations. 

“She’s pretty,” someone said. “Luna material if you ask me.”

“I think it’s a good thing that the alpha is finally settling down.”

My mother walked up to me and took my hand. She began to pull towards Roman and his new fiancée but I snatched my hand away.

“What are you doing?” I frowned at her.

“I’m taking you to go say hello to Manda…”

“I’m not interested in that,” I tried not to snap at her.

Mother’s brows pulled together as she gave this curious look. “Why?” She finally asked. “She’s going to be a part of the family.”

I don’t want her in our family, I wanted to yell.

My hands clenched into fists as I glared at Manda. She looked so happy with the man I wanted to grab me by the throat and kiss me senseless. The man I wanted to push me against the wall and fuck the daylights out of me!

  

Why the fuck was Roman doing this to me? Was his coldness not enough? Did he really have to go this far to prove a point? That we would never be together?

“Isla, are you okay?” My mother's concerned voice broke my heart even more. “I thought you would be happy for your uncle?”

I scoffed and wiped the tear that escaped my eye.

I looked up at Roman with tears blurring my vision but he didn't even look at me. He concentrated on the crowd congratulating him, like my feelings were nothing to him. Like I was just an object he could break and toss the broken pieces aside.

“Excuse me, mother,” I said quickly and rushed upstairs.

“Isla wait…” she called after me but I didn't stop. “Elsie, what is wrong with her?”

I entered my room and slammed the door shut, locking it immediately. I let myself drop to the floor and burst into tears.

My chest was hurting so much that I couldn't breathe. I thought the past two weeks were heartbreak but this…the pain hit differently. To think all the while he crushed my heart, he didn't even spare me a glance.

Was I that insignificant to him?

I sobbed the entire night and by morning, I made my decision. I was going to leave this place for good. I would put all the heartbreak behind me and move on with my life.

I already had many admission invites from various wolf colleges all over the country. That was the perks of being a genius. At fourteen, I already had colleges bidding for me with enticing offers. I was going to stay in my pack and finish my education because I couldn't stand the thought of being far away from Alpha Roman.

Now, it seemed like the only option I had left.

So I packed up. It was a full scholarship with accommodation, feeding and allowances. I didn't need to have any money on me.

I picked up the letter from Wolverine College of Technology, wiping the tears spilling furiously from my eyes.

“I'm so sorry, mother. I know I should be here for you but… I can't… I don't think I can watch him happy with anyone else, no matter who it is. Please forgive me.”