Wedding arrangements

Shortly after I bade Haleth farewell, I proceeded to the hallway to begin my chores but then I heard noises in the living room, I paused and listen until I could make out what was being said 

"You will marry Alpha Lustrows, whether you like it or not" Alpha Feston's voice boomed "you have to protect the dignity of this pack"

"You shouldn't walk out on your father like that Harol" the Lunar said "you're being insubordinate and inconsiderate" I pictured the three of them in the living room, Harol plopping down on the couch with pouted lips and folded arms 

"What we are asking you to do is quite simple" the Lunar continued and I walked further down the hallway to be able to hear them clearer" turns out Haleth was right after all "Alpha Lustrows is a great choice for you. We are your parents Harol we want the best for you and besides" she lowered her voice "you know the financial condition of the pack of this pack, at least save us from shame and disgrace, we're not using you as a means to an end but please try and understand"

Harol just kept mute, after some minutes of waiting for her response I shrugged and decided to go back to my chores, just then

"SILENE!" I jolted at the harsh and sudden call of my name. My mind was quick to conclude that I had been caught eavesdropping, I made a dreadful attempt at running but I fell flat on my face "SILENE!" The Alpha's voice boomed again and I rose to my feet and ran to the living room "Yes Sir!" I answered not wanting Holden to come looking for me 

"Here I am sir" I stood before him with my hands on my back and gaze to the floor but he merely scanned me over 

"What happened to your hair," he asked and I suddenly remembered that my long hair was gone "I...I had" I glanced at Harol but she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts "she felt like changing her looks" Holden answered before I could speak, bearing that disgustingly lustful smirk on his face "and who told you you could cut your hair or live hair with this wild hairstyle," the Lunar asked and I transferred my gaze back to the floor

"You look like a street slut, how disgusting"

"Don't mind her Esdel" the Alpha cut in "we have much more important things to attend to this early morning" he turned to me "clean up the house and decorate it, we're expecting special guests. Harol's fiancee and his family are coming. We're planning their wedding, the biggest wedding that would take place in all of the lands. So get the house spotless, no mistakes"

 "yes sir," I said and made to walk away "one more thing, do not serve our guests dressed like this or looking like a harlot, find something to do about your hair"

"I don't want her near the guests at all" Harol suddenly announced "I don't want my honorable guests to behold a disgusting sight such as you" the venom with which she said those words was so evident that I shuddered 

"I don't want your appearance to give people something bad to gossip about of our pack. So, make sure you don't get seen" the hatred in her eyes burned my skin and I shook my head " "understood mistress"

"That's a good idea Harol" said the Alpha as I walked out of the living room. I tried to get Harol's words out of my head, she'd ruined my hair and was now calling me names, I bent my head and kept walking until I bumped into someone "shh" a finger was placed on my lips before I could say anything, it was Haleth, she caught me by the wrist and pulled me into the kitchen shutting the door behind her

"You are such a gossip Haleth," I said "Yes I am Hun, it's how I manage to know what's going on in the house. But don't feel because of what Harol said, she's just spiteful and angry at her fate. Don't worry hun. I know a spot you can watch the whole event from without being seen. Harol didn't forbid you from watching did she?"

I nodded negatively and she grabbed a pen and paper "quick let's make the menu for the guest, the earlier we begin the better"

  ★★★

The Silver Pack arrived around noon and I was already at the position Haleth made out for me to watch the whole event from. 

Harol was dressed to look calm and mature, the make-up made her look prettier than she was. Holden, The Alpha, and The Lunar were also dressed to look their best. I knew who Alpha Lustrows was the moment I saw him; he was neither short nor tall and his skin was suntanned. He looked impassive as he walked in, if not bored. 

"Welcome to our family dear" Lunar Esdel greeted engulfing Lustrows in an embrace. Lustrow's mother seemed pretty nice, She embraced Harol the moment she saw her even though Harol forced a smile in response to her greetings. Afterward, Harol walked to the couch and sank beside Lustrows leaving a huge gap between them.

"Don't they look adorable together" Lunar Esdel squealed adoringly but Harol only snorted Lustrows rolled his eyes and looked at his wristwatch, then he let out an 'oomph' in impatience

"Of course, they do" Alpha Feston agreed "Harol and Lustrows have known each other for long, they were good friends before he went to college, she used to daydream about him, didn't she Esdel" "yes," the Lunar said dreamily "she couldn't stop talking about him, it was why she asked to join the same cub training pack with him, they've always been in love"

Harol's cheek became purple and she rolled her eyes, Lustrows, on the other hand, looked irritated and he twitched his nostril "Can we just cut to the chase" he said as Alpha Feston was about to make another joke "I have to be at the office in less than three hours, my schedule's tight. I don't have time to spend on trifles"

 "Lustrows is very hardworking" Alpha Ailwyn declared proudly while Alpha Feston's face dropped in embarrassment 'how rude of this cub' he thought but he smiled to mask everything

"Very well then," he said adjusting his seating position "let's discuss the wedding arrangements"

"Good" Lustrows muttered adjusting himself in the seat as well "when do you want the wedding to take place," he asked Harol barely turning to face her

"I don't care" she snapped "I meant...I don't care about the date" she breathed out "I'm okay with any chosen time"

"What's this day next month," Lustrows asked "it's okay then," he said impatiently cutting into their calculative thoughts

"On to the next question" he faced Harol squarely this time "how fecund are you" everyone, except for Lustrow's father gasped in shock at the question. Harol rose to her feet with disbelief and shock written on her face "what sort of question is that" but Lustrows only rose to his feet, straightened out his jacket, and headed for the door The Alpha and Lunar jumped to their feet and rushed to him, grabbing his hand "calm down Lustrows"

"I don't have time for this" he snatched his arm out of their grips " I've got better things to attend to"

"We understand you Lustrows," Lunar Esdel said pleadingly "we get what you're trying to say"

He hissed in annoyance and went back to sit with Harol "I need you to provide me heirs and heiresses" he said to her "How much wild things have you done with your body?"

The room went silent and I watched as the look on Harol's face changed from that of anger to that of sadness, the Alpha definitely knew the rough life she led "I'm fertile" she answered in a croaky voice heaving a sigh "my body isn't ruined"

"Good, the date's fixed then, this day next month, that's two weeks, enjoy yourself in the meantime" he patted her shoulder lovingly and rose to his feet 

"Mom, dad I'm heading back to the office, you should enjoy the rest of the feast"

He walked to Alpha Feston 'thank you sir" he said as they shook hands "I look forward to a good relationship between us" he embraced the Lunar warmly and turned to Harol again "call me at 10 PM, let's discuss and get to know each other better" Harol nodded timidly and with that Alpha Lustrows was out the door.

"Congratulations my dear" Lunar Dessa said engulfing Harol in a tight embrace "I'm glad Lustrows has finally gotten a wife. I now have a daughter in law" she hugged her once again and turned to hug Lunar Esdel 

"Let's celebrate" 

 As Haleth began to serve them, my mind wandered to Leoric and the feeling of longing began to bubble inside me. I wanted to see him again, I realized how much I'd missed him, and a smile crept upon my face. I was free of Harol now, I could have Leoric if I wanted to, she couldn't marry two men now, or could she? I felt so much happiness as these thoughts ran through my head, I was excited to finally be free, to have someone to call my own but first, I had to locate Leoric.