7

### Chapter 7: Jason's POV

I scanned the crowd for Lena, desperately needing to speak with her. It felt as though I could do literally anything for her, and I knew her words would play a significant role in my decision. I wasn't sure if she loved me as much as I loved her—or if she loved me at all—since neither of us had made any confessions yet. We hardly even knew each other. Still, I was certain that if I could get her to advise me to follow through with what was arranged, it would make everything so much easier.

That was, of course, if she would advise me in that direction in the first place. For all I knew, she could be in love with me just as I was with her. And if she told me to reject Fiona, then it would be ultimate— the last straw. Because I was sure to do it.

No matter how I looked, I couldn't seem to find her. So I decided to go on a higher platform in order to search. I did so, climbing up the terraced stairs where the altar was for the wedding to commence. It hadn't started yet, but it was soon to start. Before then, I could do pretty much anything I liked and be in plain sight as it wasn't really in motion.

After using all my effort to scan everybody's faces one by one, I found her just as I was about to give up. I came down, my face lighting up. Rushing forward as much as I could while still managing to keep on walking, suddenly someone came in front of me and blocked me. "No," he said. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what the hell he was here for. "No," he said again. "You aren't going to talk with any of the humans. I've been ordered to make sure you don't do that."

I wanted to simply punch him and make my way over to her like I wanted to. Nobody could hold me from doing whatever I wanted to do. That was the power of an alpha, and the attitude now, wasn't it? However, I restrained myself. It wasn't going to be nice for me to make a scene, especially not at my own wedding. I would just have to make the decision myself. Hopefully, I would come up with the best one.

There was a ringing sound, the type of an actual physical bell. I hurried out of the hall, knowing that I wasn't to be seen, not until I came out and Fiona did after me. It was happening, really happening, right now, and I couldn't run away from it any longer. I waited impatiently in the room I was kept, while a couple of maids fussed over me, trying to make me look even more handsome if that was possible. I didn't care about it at all.

My mind was far away, far away trying to make the decision that I would live with for my entire life. It doesn't matter what I want, something told me. That was the voice in my head that I shut off immediately, not wanting to hear any more. Of course it mattered. My happiness was what was at stake here. I wasn't about to let what people's expectations of me take over that.

I cocked my head to a side, sensing someone just outside the door. I had no idea who it was. But I knew one thing for sure, whoever it was wasn't supposed to be here. The door opened, and a lady walked in. Someone that I didn't recognize at all. I frowned, deeply wondering at her sudden visit. No one else was supposed to be here except for me, and the servants getting me ready. So why was she here? And why wasn't the door locked in the first place?

I glared at one of the servants, annoyed, but then turned to look at her, deciding to be polite nevertheless. "What are you here for?" I started, but she was already seated, without an invitation. How rude! I decided however to continue with my polite stance, since I had already taken it.

"My name is Olivia," she started. Before stopping for so long that I had enough time to wonder whether I knew any Olivia. Nope, I had no idea. Her name didn't ring a bell, and her appearance wasn't extraordinary either. I sniffed the air, conspicuously, and was surprised at the result. My eyes narrowed. Human!

"You are getting married," she started again, making me stop the confrontation I was about to give her. "I'm not married myself, but I know a couple of things about it. If it's the right person, you are going to be happy for the rest of your life, regardless of all the challenges you might face on the way." I was about to ask what exactly gave her the right to talk to me like this, but she was up again, heading towards the door. "I'm sure you chose the right person," she said. "I came to offer you my best wishes."

"It's not even time for that yet," I called after her. "That happens after the wedding," but she was already gone. I shook my head, standing up as I heard the sound of trumpets. It was time. Feeling the weight of responsibility hanging over my shoulders, and my heart beating fast in my chest, I walked up to the altar.

Decorations hung everywhere there, but I didn't notice them. Only the person standing there with me, Fiona, looking more pretty than I had ever seen her before. For a moment, just a moment, I had a rethink. Maybe she was the right person for me after all. We were both werewolves, and choosing her would make things easier for everyone.

However, once the preacher started talking, I knew what I had to do. My happiness was first, above all others. Wait, maybe I shouldn't be letting his preaching get to me. All my life I'd never paid any attention to those people and their beliefs. This time however, it made too much sense. Me and Lena, that was fate, the world bringing us together, and nothing could tear us apart. Me and Fiona, well, that was just human expectations, and I knew that even if I could live with it for a while, it would only be delaying the inevitable. I couldn't keep up with it for my entire life, that would be torture.

"Do you agree to accept Fiona as your mate?" I heard, bringing me back to reality at the point of decision. "I don't," I responded, my voice reverberating throughout the entire hall.