CHAPTER TWO: AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE

"Okay let me see if I can get things straight. My parents died, I'm to become the next alpha, I left to school so I can achieve that and now I'm to marry Joshua's son? I'm just an eighteen-year-old girl who wants to mourn the death of her parents and move on nothing less nothing more" I said distressed.

"Your parents and mine agreed upon this when we were just kids. Now the time has come" Lucien said. I then realized why Joshua left just the both of us alone in the apartment.

"It's okay if you don't wanna do it, it actually is silly when you think of it" Lucien said reluctantly.

"I don't think this is something we can easily just back out of" I said knowing fully well that Joshua wouldn't let me disobey my father's wishes.

"Back out of what?" Joshua asked as he entered the house. He overheard a part of our conversation. Lucien was reluctant to speak but I stood up to his father.

"An arranged marriage, why didn't you tell me?" I asked angrily but Joshua just laughed. His laughter irritated my spirit. I wanted to give him a huge blow on the face.

"My apologies Andrea. You see, it is part of our tradition for young female alphas to marry so she could have someone by her side to help her meet the needs of the pack. It was your father's decision not mine. That's why I left you alone with Lucien, I wanted you guys to get to know each other so you would be happy after you get married" Joshua explained. I wasn't happy with his explanation, I didn't want to go through with the plan. Joshua saw it in my eyes and then he pat my shoulders.

"Your parents would be really proud of you if you go through with this. Don't let them down. Tomorrow, we bury your parents and the next, you get married and be proclaimed as our next alpha" Joshua said and left me and Lucien alone again.

"Would you like to go to your room Andrea?" Lucien asked and I agreed. He showed me where I was to sleep and told me that his room wasn't far from one if ever I needed anything.

It was already nighttime. I tried to sleep but I kept on tossing and turning. I kept on thinking about the marriage. I thought about my parents, and what they would think of me if I didn't go through with it. After many contemplations with myself, I decided to call my best friend Lilian but she wasn't answering so I decided to knock on the doors of Lucien's room. He opened the door surprised to see me. He let me in and we both sat on his bed discussing.

"I know it's a bit weird that I'm here but it's just...it's just I couldn't sleep and I needed to talk to someone" I said a bit ashamed.

"You honestly don't have to be ashamed Andrea, go on" Lucien demanded politely and I spoke.

"Why do good people die?" I asked confused and sad. Lucien was shocked at my question. He stuttered before he answered.

"It's not bad for people to die, especially when they were good. It'll be way easier for them to find peace"

I was speechless after Lucien spoke so I began crying and he consoles me. He rested my head on his lap and began caressing her long brown hair.

"It all happened so fast, the worst part is I can't even do anything about it, and now I'm becoming alpha and getting married to you, no offence. I just can't take it I swear" I confessed pouring my heart out.

"I have an idea. It might sound really crazy but it just might work" Lucien said.

"I'm listening..." I answered as I sniffled a little with my eyes puffy and wet.

"What if you escape. We can make it work, during our marriage ceremony, you reject me and run away from the hall. You'll have to hide because my father is going to send many people to look for you. I'll try to keep my father occupied and when the coast is clear, I'll let you know when you would make a run"

"It will be too risky" I said as I rose my head from his lap wiping away my tears.

"I like you Andrea, and if you don't wanna marry me, no hard feelings. I don't wanna marry by force, I want to marry you because we love each other" Lucien confessed.

"Thank you" I said as I hugged Lucien. We had my escape all planned out, there was no way anything would go sideways.

Lucien was four years older than me. He was about 5 ft 9 and was very masculine. He was quite affable and honestly, any girl that sights him will fall hard. But I'm not that type of person. We haven't even built our friendship status talk more of marital status. I didn't want to feel trapped in an eternal bondage and he understood.

"I wish things didn't have to take this path. I wish we meant in a different way. You're a nice guy Lucien, any girl would be lucky to have you. Good night" I said and then I closed the door behind me.

The next day was my parent's funeral. The news of their death was officially announced and every werewolf in town attended their funeral. Everyone was dressed in black including me. We all gathered by the riverside. People who knew my parents came to console me as we all waited for the eldest wolf among us to send my parents to the afterlife and trust me at that moment, that's not really what I wanted. Liliana stood by my side and held my hands.

"Everything is gonna be okay Andrea" she said and then she smiled and I smiled back.

The eldest wolf finally came; Elder Ada. She blessed me and thereafter, gave a speech before she proceeded with the funeral.

"Alpha Hans Brigadier was one of our greatest leaders. He treated everyone equally. He looked out for us all and his wife, our luna; Jenna Brigadier, both were our guardian angels. They stepped up whenever the going got tough and unfortunately, they paid dearly with their lives just so we could see the next day. To them, we say a big thank you and hope that they find peace after life" she said and then two hefty men pushed their bodies which were placed in a raft and covered with a tart down the river. Elder Ada gave me a stake lit with fire and I threw it away aiming for my parent's raft. It landed there and shortly, their raft was set ablaze. Everyone turned into their wolf form and began howling as a sign of respect and gratitude.