Chapter 4: Ruin Me One More Time

DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZ

"There she is," Alpha Cain smiled as I entered the dining hall.

The delegates of the Moonray pack stood, and so did Aaron.

My eyes were focused on him, and his were on me. A surge of warmth and anger filled me at the same time.

What am I supposed to make of this?

All the questions I wanted to ask him flooded through my mind.

Why did you leave?

Why did you abandon me?

Did you ever love me?

Yet, all I could do was swallow them as he laid his eyes on me. His hair was neatly styled, not a single one out of place, there was a little stubble on his face that made him look manly. He had matured so much since I had last seen him in person. I watched him from afar all the time he had left me behind to rot away like a dirty little secret he buried underground, hoping no one would ever dig it up.

"Princess Deva," he left his seat inching towards me, and my heart rate accelerated. "It is an honor to meet with you. I heard you were unwell, and I am grateful that you have recovered and are healthier now." As soon as he closed in on me, his scent invaded the air I breathed in. It was strong, masculine, beautiful, very Aaron-like, and it brought back memories I wanted to bury.

I wasn't sick, Aaron. I died, almost did.

He took my hand to kiss it, his action irked me. One part of me began to get delusional, the other resented him and withdrew from his touch instantly.

I realized it was silly to act that way in front of almost thirty people.

You can do better, Lana.

He mustered whatever was going through a light chuckle, and I smiled awkwardly. "Forgive me, Alpha Aaron. I was shocked by your kindness."

Alpha Cain also faked a hearty laugh that seemed real for those who couldn't tell. "The fever did a number on her, so excuse her behavior, it is temporary."

"Yes, Alpha Aaron," Dearest mother inputted.

"It is fine. Not every lady is okay with physical contact from strangers," he said.

"Oh, but you are not a stranger," Jade dismissed his words. "You are family."

Moving too fast, aren't we?

"Isn't that right, Deva?" Alpha Cain involved me.

"Yes, father."

"Please, come seat." He pulled out a chair for me.

Is this how kind you are with every woman? Do you open their seats? Kiss their hands? Make excuses for them, smile at them?

I took my seat opposite him.

There was a lot of talk about this marriage as people dug into different dishes on the long rectangular table, and I hadn't finished half of my plate. Besides the fact that I could barely stomach anything, all I could think about and watch was Aaron. The way he moved, gestured and spoke, laughed, glanced at me when my voice mattered in the discussion.

The way he held the cutlery. The signs I failed to detect while I completely let my guard down with him. The man I foolishly fell in love with.

"Deva?" A finger was snapped in my direction, my eyes circled around the table, and I did not miss the warning glares my parents passed and the eyes carrying questions they did not have the guts to ask, and finally Aaron's.

"Yes, pardon me," I broke the silence.

"I was suggesting that you and Aaron take a walk around and get to know each other a little, and everyone agreed. Is that okay?" Deva's mother grinned.

Heavens, can I even reject this?

They wanted me to be okay with it, so I agreed.

Thank goodness I walked around the castle with Anna. The walls were tall, and there were so many passageways a new guest could get lost.

"Do you have any hobbies?" Aaron asked me as we had been walking for minutes without a word to each other.

"Singing," I blurted before I realized. Singing is my thing, not Deva's; she loved to write. I'm not even sure Deva can sing.

A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, and unless I was mistaken and silly, I could've sworn that it was sadness, longing.

No. I was mistaken. He was probably upset that I might've reminded him of me.

"Interesting choice," he said straight up like there was never a brief pause between our conversation.

"And what are your hobbies?" I asked, already knowing the answers, saying them in my mind as you listed.

"Archery, horse riding, and painting." There is one more you're not telling me, baking; the last one you hide, refusing to ever tell anyone.

"Great choices," I replied.

Our meeting was much more peaceful than I had anticipated. I imagined it so many times in my head. How I would scream at you, blame you, and ask for an explanation, how I would slap you at least. But here I am answering questions about what my hobbies and interests are.

Funny how the tides and times can change.

"Princess Deva, I must let you know beforehand that this marriage is strictly of convenience. I do not any have affection to give you. I only have respect for you and your position as my concubine to give. I will treat you as I should on the terms of formality." I expected no less than this. You only love yourself and your wife.

"I do not expect you to love me, Alpha Aaron. I do not need this. Like you said, this is a marriage of convenience. I expect it to remain that way." I matched his energy.

"Wonderful. I am relieved to see that we are of the same mind. We should get along just nicely." He gave me a small smile. "Shall we return? I believe there is nothing else to discuss."

"If you wish." At least you didn't lie to Deva and whisper sweet nothings into her ears.

"How was the walk?" Alpha Cain questioned immediately we returned.

"Pleasant, Princess Deva is a wonderful woman. I am certain that she will make the perfect concubine."

Everyone laughed in joy as conversations continued.

"Ah, yes, before I forget, Deva. You are to move to the Moonray pack in three days; we need to speed up the engagement and the marriage process as soon as possible."

"I hope it isn't too fast for you. If it is, the date-" I interrupted him.

"I am content with that. The earlier, the better, isn't it?"

"You've raised such a wise child, Alpha Cain. Many daughters would insist the time is too little because they have to pack everything they have in the world with them."

"My Deva has been taught that only a fool would waste time on something that requires urgency," Alpha Cain replied to the delegate.

This man didn't teach Deva anything. I am sure of it, but it didn't matter, he annoyed me. The earlier I left, the better. My focus was on Aaron.

To think I'd actually fall for him again after what he'd done to me. I'd rather die than allow him to ruin me one more time.