mate

Chapter 3

Rosalie

Days have passed since my parents rendered that unbelievable verdict on me. Even though my life hasn’t always been great, I still sometimes imagined what my wedding day will look like. How I would feel on that day. Taking my husband’s hands and making a vow from the sincerest depths of our hearts to always be by each other's side for all eternity. 

But I didn’t even  get a say in choosing who I am gonna be spending the rest of my life with. 

At least today, I’ll finally get to see the face of my husband after days of being barred from going out. I just thought we would at least have a discussion or something, since we will be spending the rest of our lives together but that was a dream at this point.

I sat quietly by my dresser, while the servants got me all dolled up for the wedding. I was wearing a sheer lace crystalled mermaid dress. Right on the shelf in front of me, was the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I had ever seen, I didn’t even know its name. I only knew Roses, Lilies and Orchids. Not like it actually mattered anyways.

The girl staring back at me in the mirror was going to become someone's wife today. 

Someone I don't even know.

Well, I guess this situation has an upside to it as I don't have to bear the Orestev name again. I just hope that the man whose name I take doesn't kill me before I achieve my dream of freedom 

“Awnn, you look so beautiful, Rosie.” Gina cooed, wrapping her hands around my neck and nuzzling in my hair.

I finally let out a smile at her presence.

Gina Alarick, daughter of Sir John Alarick, the current lord of the Black Male domain and my best and only friend. The Alarick family has served for generations in delivering important messages and making arrangements of meetings and negotiations. Gina wasn’t really a stickler for rules or societal norms. And she has always been a good friend to me, even when everyone else treated me like a freak.

“I am so glad you are here. You don't know how much it means to me." I rubbed at her hand in gratitude.

“Ohh, I came to tell you, your father is-”. Gina trailed off as my father entered the room.

“Uhmm.” He cleared his throat in an attempt to get our attention and that sent all the servants running out of the room leaving only Gina, I and my father.  I turned just a bit, staring at him through the mirror.

My father remained mute, his gaze fixed on Gina and I. Gina didn’t really like my parents. She mostly hated the fact my dreams to become a healer have been suppressed and killed by them and now she destested them for forcing me into this marriage.

“Lord Orestev”. She offered a stiff and polite greeting before turning back to me. “I’ll be right here so give me a signal if you want out, you hear? I'll carry you and jump out that window of need me" She whispered before squeezing my shoulder to assure me and I chuckled at her antics.

Warmth spread in my heart at the thought that I had a friend willing to be there for me. I nodded at her before turning back to my father when I saw the impatient look in his eyes.

I stood and then moved towards my father, when he was offered his arm. Every step I took towards him had my heart pounding like a drum.

I am scared. I am terrified.

When I finally linked my hand in his, I was almost ready to truly jump out the window and kill myself but I knew I was too much of a coward to do that so I allowed myself to be led out the door and towards the large yard that was now decorated in splendor.

Guests had filled the whole venue and they were chattering away, oblivious to the turmoil that was in me. From the elders of the council down to the Alpha and Luna of the Blood moon pack, everyone was present. It made my nerves skyrocket even more. I felt as if all of them were looking at me and judging me, which by the way, most of them were. 

Gina had already gone on to take her seat and I was left alone with my brute of a father. "Do yourself a favor and don't let the Orestev name down because if this wedding is ruined for any sort of reason, you're done. This is your last chance so don't mess it up."

With that, my father began leading me down the altar and towards my doom.

The first glimpse I had of Nathan made me admit that the moon goddess really took time creating him as he was sculpted to perfection. From his dark silver hair to the cleft on his chin to the mole directly on his right ear that made it seem like he wore a stud, everything about him screamed goddesses finest creation. Although I only saw a side profile, it was enough to make a statement.

I could now understand why that devil Daphne went on and on about how handsome her fiance was when she was still engaged to him. Back then, I thought she was just exaggerating but now I could see that she surely wasn't. I was sure that if it wasn't for what happened, she would have never left him for Damien who was only so-so.

Nathan's upper body also wasn't a joke as he was lean yet muscular in all the right places. Too bad that with all that he was stuck in such a state.

Even with his disablement, the aura he released as he sat on his wheelchair spoke tales of the man he once was. It made me curious about who he was before the attack as well as how he ended up in this state in the first place. 

No one told us what actually happened and I only heard from Daphne's rants that he was attacked by rogues, but with the strength I heard he had before, it made me wonder how mere rogues could injure a fabled Lycan to such an extent.

"Rosalie!" My father whispered, jerking me out of my daze. I looked around only to realize that I had been standing on the walkway, unmoving for quite a while. I had also been staring at Nathan for a while.

How embarrassing.

I could see Daphne mouth 'enjoy my trash' at me with a mocking smirk as Damien had his hand wrapped around her. I saw Gina and she gave me a comforting smile as well as a thumbs up.

I let out a shaky breath before allowing my father to basically drag me to the altar as it seemed like his patience had run out.

Soon, we closed the small distance and I was soon standing before Nathan alone as my father returned to his seat.

Thankfully, a chair had been thoughtfully placed in front of Nathan for me  to sit while my groom sat would have been so awkward. I immediately sat and cleared my throat to get my groom's attention.

He turned to me and stared at me for the first time and both he and I froze at the same moment. 

I could hear Lia, my wolf, who had ignored me for basically half my life get restless as she screamed one word repeatedly and from the way Nathan's own pale grey eyes dilated and then started changing color to red, I realized that he was also probably hearing the same thing.

MATE.

What are the odds that the groom I had been forced into marrying happened to be my own mate.