CHAPTER SEVEN

KAELAN'S POV

"I can't help but wonder what sick plan you have in your head, Kael."

I rolled my eyes, without looking up from the paperwork I was signing.

"I thought I told those dumb skulls not to let anyone in," I hissed.

"Well, that order dosen't apply to the Alpha's best friend," Rio chuckled, and I finally tore my gaze from the papers.

"How about the seal I told you to get from the Western gates? Do you have it with you?" I asked, but Rio just rubbed his palm over his face, frustrated.

"Are you serious? Kael, it's your wedding day! You're getting married in the next few hours, and here you are. Who does that?" He asked in frustration.

"Just because I'm getting married dosen't mean i should forfeit my work. The marriage is not a big deal," I shrugged, and Rio scoffed.

"Now, I think you really have a problem," he said, and I let out a low chuckle.

Rio's the only one who's allows to speak to me im such casual manner, without risking his head cut off.

"Few weeks ago, you were all over getting her. You even went as far as causing trouble in her father's pack. You were still the same person who offered help, in return for her hand in marriage. You did everything to get her, and now it's not a big deal? Really?"

"I think you have it all wrong, dear friend," I said, finally getting up from my seat.

I was dressed for the ceremony already. My black tuxedo was glistening from the rays that seeped through the window opening behind me.

"This ain't a fairytale wedding," I said, putting one of my hands on his shoulder.

"Think about it as a punishment for a wild cat," I smirked, and walked out of the mini office, leaving him in a daze.

The guests bowed, immediately the large doors was open, and I walked amidst them, straight to the podium.

Immediately I mounted on it, they on went down on one knee. I inhale the scent of power; how much I loved it.

I've gained much power and reputation than I even bargained for within the last few years. I scanned the crowd, and my eyes met Isolde who was peeking at me, even in her subdued position.

Immediately she saw that I had caught her starting, she quickly forced her gaze back to the ground.

Filthy whore.

And that's just by the way. I shifted my weight from one foot the other. I don't have the patience to condone lateness, and right now, Seraphina is fucking late.

Is she messing with me?

As I rummaged through the different ways I could punish her for making me wait; the doors flung open, and I saw her.

Clad in her white, flowing dress that kade her look so innocent. A true facade. Seraphina's everything, but a pure, dainty, innocent lady.

She's one who won't look back once she's made a decision. She's one who doesn't care or think about her actions before taking them. She is feisty, and reckless. That I know.

I watched as her mouth hung open, as she looked around her, and I grinned, loving the look of utter shock on her face.

The guests present are all dressed in black, and that includes me.

She's the only one wearing a pure white dress, among thousands.

And instead of a wedding, it looked much more like a funeral; well—except from the mark her wedding dress made.

Her eyes settled back on me, and i could see hate brewing in them; and from the clenching and unclenching of her fists, i could tell she was really livid.

I watched as she took measured steps towards me. She appeared calm on the outside, but i could tell she was burning with fury.

Immediately she got to the base of the podium, I stretched out my palm.

She stared out my outstretched palm with pure disgust, hesitating before putting her hand in mine.

"Good girl," I whispered to her, immediately she was on the same level with me. "I thought you were planning to break one of the rules. That would be disastrous," I winked at her, and I could see her jaw clench.

I didn't release her hand. Instead, my grip tightened, not enough to hurt, but enough to be a cage. I turned to face the sea of black-clad wolves, pulling her roughly to my side.

"They are all here to witness this," I said, my voice low but carrying across the silent clearing.

"The rules are simple, Seraphina.You are mine. Your loyalty is to this pack. Your will is subject to my own. You will obey."

I turned my gaze fully on her. Her eyes were blazing embers, but her posture was rigid. "Repeat it."

She stayed silent, her breath a sharp hiss through her teeth. I squeezed her hand, a silent warning. The pressure built until she finally spat the words, each one tasting like ash.

"I am yours. My loyalty is to this pack. My will is subject to your own." A beat of defiant silence. "...I will obey."

Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough.

"Now, for the seal," I said, my voice cutting through the silence. From my pocket, I produced a black, leather cord. Dangling from it was my heavy signet ring, the solid silver crest of my lineage : a snarling wolf's head. "Every treaty needs a signature. Consider this mine, stamped upon you."

I moved to put it around her neck. She flinched back instinctively.

"Ah, ah," I chided softly, my voice a deadly calm. "The deal isn't complete until you wear my mark. Or would you like to see what 'disastrous' looks like?"

Her chest heaved with a suppressed rage that was a beautiful thing to behold. Slowly, with a tremor of pure hatred in her hands, she lifted her hair. I fastened the leather cord around her throat. The black stood in stark, brutal contrast against her white dress and pale skin. It was perfect.

"One final thing," I murmured, for her ears only. "The ceremonial vow must be sealed. For the pack."

Before she could react, I leaned in, my body shielding the action from most of the crowd. I didn't kiss her. I brought my lips to the junction of her neck and shoulder, right above the leather cord. I didn't break the skin, but I pressed my teeth against her flesh in a firm, unmistakable promise.

I felt her entire body go stiff. It was the mating bite in microcosm—a threat of what was to come, a brand of possession without the finality. I pulled back, my lips curved in a smirk.

"It is done."