Chapter Four

Ariel Brent

Esther had always been a duplicate of our mother. She was my assistant mom even when our parents were alive and after their death, she took the responsibilities upon herself. No amount of money I give to her would pay for all she had done for me.

She loved me and I did too… which was why I was lying to her.

Sometimes, a white lie was necessary. If I wanted to be selfish and be the younger sister that I was, I would have opened up my wounded soul and cried to my sister but it was high time I grew up and relieved Esther.

She deserved to be less worried.

I believed my actions would give her that but my sister gaped in disbelief. I would have believed it was a funny reaction if she didn't begin to cry harder and without hiding her tears from me. That was unlike Esther. She would never cry before me.

“Ema-”

“Don't tell me you chose a random guy so you wouldn't be sent to the Alpha King. please tell me you didn't do that, Zay. I wouldn't be able to live with that.”

Esther lamented and tears rolled down her cheeks. Rather than making her happy, I made her cry more. My guts twisted but I told her exactly what she wanted and needed to hear… I was even able to prove it.

“You know me, Zay. I wouldn't want to live with a stranger or-”

“I also don't want that for you either so tell me you did dare do that because you felt trapped in a corner. What kind of a sister would that make me-”

I cut my sister off by showing her the bite mark on my neck. I wasn’t expecting the mark to have healed completely but it should be enough proof for my sister. My eyes widened when she saw the mark and she became speechless for some reason.

Could it be that the mark on my neck was ugly? Could it have reflected the ugly alliance I had made with Xavier?

My hands went around my sister’s frame as I embraced her, hoping that she would believe me. Still hugging her, I spoke again.

“You are the best sister anyone could ever have, Ema, and trust me, I got marked by someone I liked. We have been seeing each other ever since I found out that he was my mate and we didn't plan to get marked early or to rush things but what could we have done when I knew that Alpha Cole had plans to send me to the Alpha King?”

I explained. Esther pulled back but didn't detach my arms from her body. Her honey-brown eyes held mixed emotions. She shifted her gaze from me to the mark on my neck repeatedly before sighing.

“You haven't wolfed out, Zay. how did you find your mate if your wolf hasn't surfaced.”

My sister pointed out. She still had questions but I could tell she was beginning to believe me.

“He approached me, Ema. I didn't believe him at first but after spending time with him, I started feeling all that came with the mate bond. He is sweet and cares a lot about me. What more could I ask for?”

I explained further.

My sister’s eyes brimmed with fresh tears as she raised her fingers to touch the mark on my neck. I expected a sting from her touch but it didn't come. The bite mark had healed and to be honest, I didn't want to look at it.

“You have the most beautiful mate mark, Ariel. You have made me the-”

Esther couldn't end her statement because she sobbed more. I engulfed her and comforted her, hoping that she would be happy now that I have been able to convince her that my mark was true and fated.

Most beautiful mark? As if.

No matter how ugly my alliance with Xavier was and no matter how I felt about it, I would rather be with him than be used by Alpha Cole and the mysterious Alpha King.

“You shouldn't go to the banquet anymore since you have been marked, Zay.”

My sister eventually stopped crying and she pointed that out.

“I wouldn't do that, Ema. it’s better to attend the banquet and explain the situation to Alpha myself. I wouldn't want him to blame you for this.”

I clarified and my sister smiled, agreeing with my method. She offered to dress me up. I freshened up before my sister started adorning me. I realized that she wasn't in a hurry to finish so she could start preparing herself too which could only mean she wasn't going to the banquet.

“Why aren't you going to the banquet, Ema?”

I inquired despite knowing the answer to that question. I was sitting on the edge of my bed and my sister was massaging my dark blond hair and sighed “Cole thought it was better I stay at home and take care of Kairo.” of course he thought that.

Ever since my sister gave birth to Kairo, Alpha Cole cared less about my sister. He must believe that Esther would embarrass him at the banquet because her body and beauty had changed drastically after the birth of Kiaro and she never had the time to take care of herself.

To be honest, I didn't want to have the kind of life my sister was living. I didn't want my marriage to be like hers. Thinking about my marriage with Xavier, I couldn't be happier that he wouldn't be involved in my life since we were faking things.

I threw my head back to have a view of my sister's face and I threw a question at her. “Esther, have you ever considered breaking the mate bond with Alpha Cole?”

Without hesitation, without a second thought, and without taking her hands off my hair, Esther responded, “Cole loves me, Ema and we have a son. Why will I ever want to leave him?”

If only she knew that her mate had been sleeping around with servants while she believed that he loved her dearly. However, I said nothing more. I wouldn't dare say I could help bring up Kairo since I wasn't confident enough… nor do I have the financial capacity needed for that.

That made me sad. I turned around and hugged my sister again.

“Don't be a baby, Ariel. You should leave for the banquet hall-”

“Greetings, Luna. Greetings Ariel, Alpha sent me to get you to the banquet immediately.”

A servant interrupted. She barely bowed to my sister and I knew it was because she was one of Alpha Cole's many sluts. Rather than put the servant in her place, I simply followed her to the banquet hall, saving my sister the heartache.

The servant held the door for me when we reached the entrance of the banquet hall and I walked in as elegantly as I could manage. I have seen my appearance in the mirror before leaving my room and I loved how I looked. I was confident but not enough to take a look at the mark on my neck.

The hall became silent suddenly. My entrance caused that and all eyes shifted to me. Esther had done a wonderful job dressing me up. A smile etched on my face but it soon faded when I noticed that Alpha Cole was also staring at me. He licked his lips and began walking towards me with a smirk.

“It’s a pity I will be sending you to the Alpha King to be his slut. You look ravishing and…”

He stopped talking, grabbed my waist, and pulled me closer to his disgusting self. He had no shame. To me, he was an ugly Alpha with ugly features that words couldn't describe but he was my sister’s beloved mate.

“Beautiful.”

Alpha Cole whispered to me and pinched my buttocks, disgusting me even more. Could he be more shameless? He brought his lips to my ear to whisper words into it but I pushed him away with all the strength I could muster.

That action caught the attention of those in the hall and some even gasped.

“How dare you, Ariel? I will teach you a lesson in my private room. Get over here!”

Alpha Clavin’s ego was bruised. He lost his mind and must have forgotten that he had in to send me to the Alpha King and that I was still his mate’s sister. He should know his boundaries. Alpha Cole grabbed my hand and I looked around the hall, hoping to get some help but I soon realized that everyone in the hall was the same as Alpha Clavin. They must have acquiesced to his plans.

I snatched my hand from Alpha Cole’s hold forcefully. The Alpha became aggressive and he barked orders at me with his Alpha Tone and authority. “Submit to your Alpha!”

Strangely but fortunately, his orders only made me uncomfortable but I didn't feel the need to obey him. I didn't feel compelled by his authority. My hostility toward my sister’s mate grew at that moment and I took the bold step to ask him questions.

“Why did you ask me to come here tonight, Alpha?”

As much as I wanted to sound harsh, I remained calm. Maybe it was because Alpha Clavin was trying to please his guests, he answered me, gritting “You are family, Ariel and I’m the Alpha. My family is expected to accompany me to this banquet.”

Who said I should always be calm? If there was someone then I disappointed them when I sneered at Alpha Cole and asked him loudly, “Then why didn't you allow Luna to attend the banquet? Isn't she suppose to be beside you and she is the main member of your family.”

This time, the pack members began to murmur. My words got to them and Alpha Cole turned red with anger taking over his being. The bright and beautiful hall had become uncomfortable for most of the wolves in attendance.

Alpha Cole didn't know how to respond and I smiled victoriously and took a few steps closer to him so I could whisper to him.

“This will be the last banquet I will attend.” Alpha Cole stared at me questioningly. I stretched my neck and bent it to one side, showing Alpha Clavin the mark on my neck. His eyes held his shock but I added before he could react.

“I have been marked and I will be moving to my mate’s pack.”

I bet he didn't see this coming. I walked closer to him and whispered. “I’m not worthy to be sent to the Alpha King. that will be equivalent to a slap on his face.”

After speaking, I took a few steps back and my smiling face changed into a grin. Alpha Clavin’s eyes widened in shock and he pulled me back to himself, rubbing the mark on my neck to confirm if I didn't draw it myself to fool him.

I broke free from him and glared at him. Alpha Clavin growled angrily attracting the guests' attention again. He would have hit me or tried to if his Beta didn't arrive at that moment.

“The Alpha King rejected the invitation, Alpha.”

His Beta announced. He did try to not raise his voice but almost everyone in the hall heard him as he showed the shredded pieces of the invitation sent to the Alpha King to Alpha Cole. Alpha Cole became a laughing stock and I felt happy but sorry for my sister. The heat of the moment took Alpha Clavin’s focus from me and I quickly slipped out of the banquet hall.

I was free at last… huh?

I caught sight of a dark long hair that reminded me of Xavier and I followed the frame. Turne out it was him and I caught up with him when he reached a car that I presumed was his.

“Xavier! What are you doing here?”

I called out. He was here despite telling me that he wouldn't attend the banquet. He turned his eyes to me and the anger in those hazel orbs almost choked me.

“Did you regret it?” He hissed at me.

Once again, he was confusing me with his unclear questions. My eyebrows furrowed instantly.

“You have been marked by me, so why are you in a banquet dressed like that?” Xavier added, not waiting for me to request a clever question.

“Did you regret it, Ariel?”

He gritted with impatient and I was thrown into a dilemma. How do I explain this to him without annoying him further? What if he decided to end us before we even started? What would happen to the freedom I thought I had acquired?

Oh, dear goddess.