Chapter 5

The next day, the envoy leaves, and the wedding preparations are in full swing. Remus didn't know how to feel about it all but one thing he knew was that he was doing his father a great favor by getting married to Slyvia and according to him, that was the only way they could ensure that the bloodline continued.

''I need to get through everything.'' Remus murmured.

He was currently in his room, by the edge of the window that overlooked the whole kingdom but it was technically as far as his eyes could see. Remus even up till this day couldn't believe that he was to rule this kingdom every soon. It was all so surreal yet so untrue.

''I can't believe this is happening. What happened to my dreams of flying the world? Shit! I did not bargain for this.'' he murmured.

Just then, there was a knock on his room door. Remus wasn't expecting anyone and he had no idea who was knocking.

''Who is it?'' he asked.

''Yo! man, its me.'' Bret called.

Remus sighed because he was really not ready for any Bret filled moment this morning. But on a second thought, he realized that he actually needed him here. That morning had been somewhat dull for him and the heavens knew that he needed a little jazzing up.

He walked in even without Remus inviting him. That was just something about Bret, he didn't care and Remus loved that about him.

''What's up with you?'' he asked.

Even before he sat down, he already knew there was something wrong with him. Though Remus tended to stay quiet, it still was very unusual especially when his wedding was coming up.

''I don't know man… do you feel this thing sometimes, you aren't happy but at the same time, you aren't sad. That's how i feel now man, i feel like shit.'' Remus sighed.

''Wow! That much?'' Bret chuckled.

Remus nodded, walking towards the bar where the drinks were kept. If there was one person who could successfully hold a drink that early in the morning, it had to be him. His wolf liked it and that was the most important thing to him.

''Slyvia… what do you think about her?'' Bret asked.

Remus thought about the lady he had insulted the previous day and in that moment, he didn't know how to feel. One thing he was sure about was that she would hate him for a long time because of what he had said to her. It was insulting as well as demeaning.

''One thing I know for sure is that she's going to hate me for a very long time.'' he said.

Bret snatched the bottle from him, pouring a healthy portion into his glass. He had a feeling that this might turn out to be a very long conversation.

''Yeah, I think so too. First, we fooled her into thinking that I was her betrothed and secondly, you insulted her. No woman would ever take that.'' Bret said.

The more Remus thought about it, the more he felt more and more sad. This situation he found himself in wasn't helping matters at all.

''I'm just going to flow with all of this. After all, I'm only doing this for my father and not because I love her so I just have to bear it all.'' he sighed.

Bret had more to say about that but for now, he decided to keep quiet. There was really nothing he could do about it but to also go with the flow just like he had said.

''How is the Alpha doing, are there any improvements?'' Bret asked.

He downed the rest of his drink in one gulp, putting the bottle back to the shelf. He wasn't about to get drunk that early morning and he sure wasn't going to allow Remus to do the same thing.

''I see what you did there man.'' Remus chuckled.

''See all you can but you aren't getting drunk.'' Bret smiled.

''There hasn't been much improvements to be very honest and right now, all i'm praying for from the moon goddess is a miracle.''

Bret touched his shoulders, giving him a pat as he silently reassured him that everything was going to be alright. He knew how he felt, he had actually been in that situation before and it sure wasn't a good thing.

''He'll pull through. The Alpha is a very strong man.''

Remus hoped that to be true, at least in this moment. He had seen his father go through so much pain and what he wanted in that moment was for him to be healed and freed from that pain and torture his sickness had put on him.

''I hope so.'' Remus murmured.

In no time at all, the day of the wedding arrived and with its arrival came a lot of festivities and happiness. It just seemed like it was the whole pack celebrating and not actually Remus and Slyvis but still, it was a good thing to see. Many banners and canopies had been constructed, bearing both their faces on it.

Remus’ father had already stepped down as Alpha due to his illness worsening, making Remus the new Alpha of the pack and lord over all of the other five packs. It was a revered title and a  very honorable one at that.

The wedding took place at Sylvia’s former pack as she now became the Luna of the Vetus Pack and second most powerful person in the whole pack. Since she was now Luna, she also had some of the powers attached to being Luna. It was a surreal feeling but deep down, she wasn't happy.

She wanted someone she loved, someone she could share her feelings and thoughts with and the last person she would even want to do that with was Remus, not with the way he insulted her the other day.

''May the bride and bridegroom step forward please.'' the vicar said.

Remus and Slyvia stood beside the open pool within the courtyard. The water coming from the fountain was sparkling clean. This was actually the spot where most weddings in Slyvia's pack took place. It was a sacred place, only to be used when a marriage was to occur. Legends had it that the founding members of that pack were the ones who carved the cave-like structure.

''Do you solemnly swear that you will love each other faithfully even at your worst moments?'' the vicar asked.

Remus looked at Sylvia and for the first time in a very long while, he couldn't detect what she was feeling and thinking. The look in her eyes was a completely blank one, devoid of any emotions.

''Yes.'' Remus said with any emotions in his voice.

''And do you promise to do that too woman?'' the vicar asked.

Slyvia wished that at that moment, she could refuse but that would only bring shame to her family and that was the last thing she wanted to do. That wouldn't only be a slap but a very big insult.

''Yes.'' Slyvia said reluctantly.

Remus felt the hesitation in her voice and he was tempted to speak about it but at the last minute, he held his tongue. Why should he talk about it when he himself had been very reluctant to answer the question.

''Good. Now, by the power invested in me by the moon goddess as the presiding vicar of this fountain, I now promise you Luna and Alpha. Please proceed to the sacred fountain to take a drink.'' he said.

Remus moved forward without a glance at Sylvia. He squatted down, scooping water into his hands. What was in his hands could adequately fill two people and it was at that moment Slyvia realized that he had large palms.

He took a healthy drink and as soon as he was done, he went back to where he stood the previous time. Slyvia took small sips before walking back to where she stood before. The vicar filled the marriage sacred bowl he was holding with the water before splashing it on them in a ritual that had been practiced since time memorial.

''It is done.'' he said.

They leave the venue of the wedding, with Sylvia now saying goodbye to her old home. She was going to miss it but there was really nothing she could do about it because her new life was now with Remus and his pack. That was the life she was going to live now.

On the way to Lowell's large mansion, she tried to make some conversation with Remus, now her husband, but he tells her to quit the act, that she shouldn’t need to try and please him – that they are married does not mean they have to like each other.

''You really don't have to do all of that.'' he said without a single glance at her.

''What? I don't understand.'' Slyvia said.

She was trying really hard not to show how sad and annoyed she was but she was slowly losing the battle.

''Just because we are married doesn't mean you should act all friendly and nice towards me. Let's just keep up the act as before… please.''

''But we are husbands and wives now… i don't see what's stopping us from at least tolerating each other.'' Slyvia said.

She was trying to be the voice of reasoning here but it was clear to her that Remus wasn't having any of that which just broke her heart further. Was this how she was going to live her life with a man who didn't give two fucks about her? That was the worst thing that could ever happen to her and to make matters worse, it was actually happening to her.

''I see that's how you want it to go. Not a problem then, i'm ready to play this game with you.'' Slyvia said, finally.

She couldn't fail but to see it as a battle and in that moment, she was prepared to win.