Chapter 3: His Claim

Bram

All the guests might have returned back to their various destinations. l really don't want to see the sun today but an intense fright took over my body when l heard another know on the door.

"Omega Bram, are you there? Omega?" 

"What is it?" I managed to hit a high pitch.

"The Alpha asks for your presence immediately!"

"Got it, l will be there soon."

I could hear whosoever was walking away. I push myself up going to wash off before throwing on a blue shirt with dark jeans and a high knee boot. I was so sure that I looked like the haunted spirit that hangs around at our border at midnight as I headed to the Alpha’s quarters.

Everyone had left, except my sister and her husband's people. And there was Alpha Kenneth and my father having a discussion. At the other corner, the guards were loading up Gladys's wedding present in a horse carriage and some in the beetle convertible car model. 

l kept squinting my eyes in pain, tired and exhausted. I combed my fingers through my hair in confusion, seeing as everything is normal as always. Making me wonder why l was needed here, it feels so strange.

"Bram come take a seat,” My father finally noticed me, pointing at the empty seat beside him.

"How are you?” Alpha Kenneth asked.

“I'm fine, Alpha,” I replied to Alpha Knight’s father, gazing at the ground at the sudden attention from the both of them.

"Gladys, tell the kitchen to start the dinner preparations.”

"Yes, father."

"Everyone leaves us,” My father announces, which had me looking around nervously. I was wondering why they both needed to talk to me in private. And in a moment everyone left the room one by one and it went eerily silent for the first time alone with my father and the other Alpha staring at me like l committed a crime.

My thoughts started picking up. What if it was about my behaviour last night? What do they want from me or what do l say? 

And why are they being so private about it? Goddess, please don't abandon me. I have no…

"Bram?” Alpha Kenneth called out, making me flinch from his sonorous tone.

"Yes, Alpha."

"You look like you are seeing a ghost, have you been resting well lately?" He asked sincerely.

I quickly retorted back, “I'm very okay, Alpha. Thank you for asking."

"Bram, be careful next time and don't drink too much. Putting on a show last night wasn’t a nice scene to witness. Get yourself together and man up or something,” My Father complains.

"Yes, father."

"After dinner, get all the rest you can and eat more vegetables. A cook will be sent to your quarters tomorrow morning, you are getting too skinny."

"Yes, Father.”

Wait, is this why they called me here?

"Bram, my son left earlier back to our pack because he has something to take care of,” Alpha Kenneth finally said and l wondered what that has to do with me but he continues unaware of my thoughts, "And he has pleaded with your father to provide you with the best care that he'd be back in ten days to ask for your hand in marriage,” He casually said like it was the most simplest thing ever.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. It was as if I was hearing double? Do they have the wrong person or what, “I’m sorry, Alpha but l don't understand what you mean?'' I asked, looking between my father and Alpha Kenneth.

"Bram this is a good thing, this has brought so much joy to my heart,” My father smiled at me.

He is smiling at me for the first time in 17 years.

He is smiling at me with pride. He continued, “This is of grand benefits for The People's Pack. Our very own Pack and its future. l can die happily knowing the future of the pack is secured,” He is happily explaining, “Bram, what Alpha Kenneth is trying to say is that Alpha Knight has chosen you to be his other half. He will be here in 10 days to claim you. And one thing for certain is that our pack will forever remain the umbrella to all neighbouring Packs. Now, joining in Union with the Southeast Pack is everything plushie. l know they are one of our rival packs for its continuous growth. 

But coming together in one body makes everyone happy while going home. The Alpha has promised to give you the best love and care,” My father is smiling enthusiastically.

He continues, “The Goddess has shine her grace on us, Bram. You can get married to an Alpha who is ready to sacrifice his pack for you to be his only. I know you understand what l mean and you know the safety and the happiness of the pack comes first. You are not an Alpha but you are my only son and l'm proud of you,” My father completes his long sincere speech while I just sat there, paying  utmost attention to the words.

“But father, he is not my mate,” I try to argue, “We are not fated mates.”

"Oh Bram, don't be so naive. Someone like you is likely not fated to have any mate or have feelings for a mate. Who are you? An omega? One who hasn't been born in the past one hundred and fifty years. And nobody has heard or knows if he ever had a mate or not. But your case is different. An Alpha of a well-known pack is ready to gladly merge his pack with ours as a way to please you and make you happy. He truly wants the best for you and that is why the only thing l want to see on your face is gratitude.”

“But father…?”

"Save your strength, Bram. You are not in any place fit to make choices. The deal has been sealed already, l only called you here for you to have an idea about it and prepare yourself and take more care of yourself. Don’t appear in front of everyone like a walking corpse,” He is faded up by my presence already, “Go wait at the dining hall, let's have dinner with everyone before you go back to your quarters."

"Yes, Father.”

"Bram,” Alpha Kenneth begins, “I’m glad my son chose you. l know you are an excellent rarity and a peace-loving young man. Your eyes speak only peace and love and l have to join hands to gift you to my son because he has some good eyes,” He is cheerful as my father agrees with him.

“Bram is a good kid,” They both wallow in joy as I walk out of them. 

Every step l took to the dining hall felt like l was walking barefooted on shattered glasses.

My thoughts are spreading like wildfire. My father is sending me off to Alpha Knight because he suggested getting his pack to join with our pack to avoid future hurdles.

What about me?

I know I haven't found my mate yet but that doesn't mean I don’t have a feeling that someone is waiting for me somewhere. I have always believed that no matter how fast time flies by that one day l will have my own mate. l couldn't help the tears that rolled on my cheeks. I felt like l needed to pour my heart out… l felt so overwhelmed, so helpless. 

What can l do?

I can't even go against my father, he is so happy for  having two big wins. First, sending me off successfully and getting the Pack land he has been eyeing, and a piece where he felt would be a threat to our Pack in the future.

That's all for a father and son's love. My happiness has never mattered to him, l don't know why l even bother.

"Are you crying?” Gladys asks, curiously staring at my face.

“I'm okay,” l walked over and sat on my seat.

"Are you sad about the thought of getting married?"

"You knew too?"

"Who doesn't? Alpha Knight is head over heels for you. He left early at dawn after a long discussion with our father. l saw when he left, after that father immediately dispatched people to break the news and to start the preparation for your wedding."

"All this went on without my consent?” Tears filled the brim of my eyelids. 

Does nobody really care about how l feel? 

“You got married to that vampire hunter because you love him, right?” I ask her.

"Right and he happened to be my fated mate."

"I don't feel anything for the Alpha Knight. As a matter of fact, l don't feel safe around him. He is aggressive and most of all he is a pervert.”

"Haha, are you listening to yourself talk?” Gladys scoffed, waving me off as she helped the maids fix the dining table.

"What is funny about my predicament?"

"Because it sounds like a ‘you problem’. It's all in your head, this guy is genuinely in love with you. He is already showing you how he feels about you and you are calling him names? Sometimes l don't know what humanity really wants, don’t be so ungrateful Bram.”

"I can't do this!” I shake my head, hating every thought of it.

"See Bram, l get this is all new to you, the whole marriage thing is depressing and breathtaking but believe me father is only doing what is best for you. Show some appreciation, don't be a hypocrite. Do you think our father will deliberately hurt you? He knows what is best and he chose it for you. You should take pride in getting married to an Alpha and a guy like a Knight at that, he is every girl's dream man,” She finished talking and stormed off. 

l held my head in total confusion as a crate of headache came hitting on me. I rested my face in my palm, rubbing my eyes. Is it too hard for these people to decipher what l feel about myself and this deal they feel so proud about? The feelings that hit me last night is something l don't want it reoccurring ever.

Does nobody seriously want to know what is going on with me? I have to meet Alpha Knight before the fixed date. He has to change his mind, he can't buy me by giving up his home in loyalty and this delusional marriage of his is not going to work.

But how can l contact him? I guess l should ask Alpha Kenneth how to contact his son. At least l can make him see reasons why he can't marry me.

*

"Let's eat,” Gladys said, hitting the table. I guess I might have fallen asleep as I’m waking up to my footsteps coming to the dining hall and he is coming alone, “Father?” I looked vaguely, “Is Alpha Kenneth no longer joining us for the dining?"

"Oh, your future father-in-law left in a hurry. He has  something important to attend to,” He answered me, taking his seat, "Come on, have some food.”

"Thank you, father."

"Is there anything you wanted him to convey to his son? Or do you want to see him?”

"No, nothing at all, father. I only wanted to ask him about Alpha Knight’s contact or home phone address or postal code to send letters."

"That is not even necessary, Bram. You are not supposed to see each other until after the wedding night. Why don’t you focus on developing yourself?”

"Yes, father.”

“You are going to stand beside an Alpha as his other half, his Luna. Why don’t you try and act as one?” Gladys added, rolling her eyes because he hates that she has to deal with me.

The rest of the dinner passed by faster than I had imagined. I didn't feel very sad waving goodbyes at Gladys as she left with her newly wedded husband. I went back to my room and locked myself in.

Two days had passed and I couldn’t do anything about my situation. But thanks to the moon goddess that ill-sinking feeling has not returned to eat me up. I didn’t really feel it anymore which makes me think if I was only drunk and horny that night.

 Suddenly a voice is calling out to me at my door, “Omega.”

I didn’t dare anything because I now recognize this voice to be Alpha Knight’s own.

He calls out again playfully, “Bram?”

I stood on my feet immediately, wondering what he was doing here even though I wanted to see him.

“Bram…?”

I pulled open the door and there… a sudden smirk plays on his lips. This actually captured my attention, making me realize how beautiful this man is. He has short grey coloured hair which made his face undeniably cute.

He raised his eyebrow at me, “I couldn't control myself so I came to see your angelic face, my bride-to-be,” He leaned forward into my space, “l missed your eyes on me."

"Skip your nonsense, Alpha. Thanks to the spirit you are here and let me say this clearly to you so listen attentively. Whatever you have going on in your head about me, let it go because this marriage is not going to work. l can't and I won’t marry you, as a matter of fact I have a mate waiting to be found by me and is definitely not you."

"You don't seem very pleased to see me," He responded in a low tone, a frown settling on his forehead as he thought the reason why I was not happy to see him, “I thought you'd jump on me when next you see me. Did anything bad happen to you?'' He cups my face, placing his finger on my lips.

There he goes again!

Anger is rising inside me, “Keep your stupid hands off me!” I took a step back but he stopped me by wrapping his hands around my waist, pulling me into his custody and embraced. 

''Aren't you curious how you pique my interest so deadly?” His hot breath is fanning my neck, “You are everything l want and l'm never letting you go."

"Are you not scared your mate might get hurt from all these things you do to me?"

"You are my mate, Bram,” He answered sternly like it was a common truth, “I see us being mates in your eyes. I see my future in your life, l see all the naughty and crazy things l want to do to you in your eyes.”

“Please, l beg you in the name of the moon. Whatever deal you have with my father is not happening. l can't marry you and I don't want to be with you,” I gathered my guts and pushed his big burgeoning torso away.

"That hurt more than anything in my life, Bram. Don't you feel awful saying those words to me?" He muttered sadly, looking lustfully at my face, searching my eyes for something he didn’t leave there.

"I mean what l say, Alpha Knight. I’m not the one for you, you have the wrong person. Please don't make my life even harder and…”

He cuts my words short as he pulls me into his arms, baking his lips against mine. He pushes his tongue into my mouth, begging for access.

 

"Get away from me Alpha Knight, l won't do this with you."

"You don't understand how beautiful you look right now, Bram. You have no idea that pushing me away makes me crave for you even more. You are mine and there's no two ways about it,” He is smiling menacingly, his eyes dark, “The moment you drank the drink l sent to you, it left you no choice but to accept me in your life.”

"What? What drink are you talking about?” Then a thought came to my mind, that night… Fear overwhelmed me as l took a step backwards, taking a good and closer look at the man l haven't offended even in my life, "What did you do that for?”