6

Chapter 6, Jason's POV

I walked into the large wedding hall feeling very small myself, just because of its size. My confidence reduced a little when I saw how many people kept moving around and especially when I noticed that a couple of them had their eyes on me. Yes, of course, Dad didn't want anything to go wrong, so he naturally sent some people to make sure that I didn't carry out any crazy ideas.

I felt super annoyed to be monitored closely by them but decided that it was probably for the best. The time I spent locked up in my room until today was enough time for me to think about everything in depth, and now I was pretty sure that he was right. I needed to do what was required of me. That was the way things worked, the honorable way to go.

I knew all the laws of the land and I also had all the unwritten laws memorized. It was one thing if I decided to break the betrothal and reject my mate that had been picked for me since I was a boy, but it was another thing entirely if I wanted to do it and pick a human instead. Human mates were an abomination; it was simply not to be heard of. I could already imagine the outrage that would ensue if I said anything about picking Lena over Fiona.

My eyes went up as I sensed a presence. She wasn't here yet, but it wouldn't be long now. I visualized Fiona in my mind in a wonderful dress with her innocent eyes. She'd been the only one that I ever wanted to ravish, but right now I was having doubts. Seeing her now, I didn't want to cut into her dress the way I usually wanted to. No, I felt that maybe I would do with a sisterly hug and then continue living my life.

It was that bad now. Even though she was only in my memory, it was as though all romantic interests I had for her had been totally doused with water. The fire in my heart for her were extinguished, replaced instead by the crackling electricity consuming me everywhere just for Lena, a person I met not too long ago.

It was funny how everything could change because of just one encounter, but I guess that's what love is. True love was the kind to be known immediately. It was definite, but then again, what did I know?

"Hey, Jason," someone called. I looked up to see Ethan. I took in a breath, composing myself and trying not to look like a wandering ghost before him. He was probably just as prominent as myself; he was the soon to be alpha of the Ashford Park, so I needed to maintain a good relationship with him no matter what, just the same way I needed to fulfill all my other duties.

"How may I help you?" I asked with a bow for greeting. He smiled and bowed also, coming closer to me and putting an arm around my neck like we were brothers. "Look at all this," he gestured into the beautiful decorations and all the things in place for the wedding. It was only just now I noticed—it was wonderful. Everything was resplendent, and people from all walks of life, supernatural and natural, were mixed together here for just this grand occasion.

It was funny that I had brought them all here together, and here I was actually housing the thoughts of making it a disappointment for them. How could I?

"Yes, I know, right?" he asked, smiling at me. "It's all very big. Anyone would be nervous, but that doesn't mean you should get cold feet." He stopped as we were walking, turned, and looked at me. "You are not getting cold feet on this one now, are you?"

"No, of course not," I responded quickly, not knowing what the conversation was for, but deciding to be on the safe side.

"Good," he said, walking with me once again.

"Now I've been hearing some news," he continued slowly, his voice becoming low and dangerous, like he was about to delve into something much deeper. I looked at him in trepidation, not knowing what he was about to say, but having a very good idea.

"You and some mortal," he stated, making me freeze immediately in shock. How the hell had it come out? It had been secret, hadn't it?

"Don't worry," he said, frowning. "I'm sure they are only rumors." He continued. I noticed that my reaction had given him something to think about now. Fuck it, why hadn't I just stayed calm the way I usually was? Now he was starting to rethink.

"It's nothing for you to worry about," I told him. I was about to say something more, but I just couldn't bring myself to. Denying my love for Lena publicly seemed a new low, and as much as it was required, I just couldn't bring myself to.

"Well?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing for you to worry about," I repeated, not giving him any more than that.

"Well, I hope so," he said, his voice dangerously cool. It was like the calm before a storm, the storm I knew was going to come if I let these emotions get in the way of my duty.

"I'll see you later," he told me. "I hope, then, we are still friends."

With the way he walked away from me, I knew that it was most likely not going to be the case, but then again, it all depended on me. If I wanted to, I could simply choose Fiona and go about everything the way it was supposed to, but then I wouldn't be happy.

It didn't matter now, did it? At least everyone would be happy and I would have fulfilled my duty. What more? I could live with Fiona throughout the rest of my life. She was one of my favorite persons in the world after all, and we'd known each other since childhood.

With Lena in the picture now however, anything romantic with her might feel like incest, but then again, I could get used to it, right? I shook the thoughts out of my head, knowing that it was impossible. Just the thought of Lena now was making my heart race.

I wasn't about to be involved with someone I could live with, no. I wanted to be with someone I couldn't live without!