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“Oh, God!” River paced around, panting heavily, her neck swiveling left and right in search of her daughter. “I told her to stay put!”

That little rebel never listened. She had other things to worry about other than a stubborn daughter. She, however, could make a wild guess where she was.

Running through the dark hallways, she prayed with every fiber of her being that no one in the mansion got to her daughter before she did. Otherwise, she’d get them both in trouble again.

For five years, she had been paying her debt to Lord Draven. She could still remember that miserable night when her whole world fell apart.

Lord Draven had brought her here to his home where his whole family lived to help with the cleaning of the old and rusty mansion that they had just moved into. She was supposed to clean for a few days and be given her freedom until she owed him something bigger.

She could still remember….

.

.

FIVE YEARS AGO

River bounced on her feet as nervousness ran through her. "Maybe I should just change," she mumbled, the anxiety chewing at her for the past hour finally finding its voice.

Across from her was Echo– her only sister who was the one leading their pack; the Ironclaw pack since their parent’s demise. She was expertly braiding River’s Auburn hair into a crown but River had other worries.

Echo scoffed, stopping mid-strand to give River a stern look. “Why?”

Shrugging listlessly, “What if it's too extravagant for his taste? Maybe I should just put on something more comfortable and approachable.” Answered River.

She knew she was a little over the edge. But was she to be blamed?

Today was the day her betrothed – Gonzalo McGruff was finally arriving. The excitement that had simmered in her for years of preparing for this day and awaiting him was battling with a sudden unwelcome anxiety. Now that he was coming, she felt like all those years of preparing and waiting to meet him were not enough.

Hell, she felt like she needed fifteen more years of preparations.

“Nonsense," Hissed Echo. “This dress is close to perfection if not perfect, Ry. We are not changing anything.”

“What if…”

“No ‘what ifs’, little sis. Stop dwelling on worry, gosh! That is exactly why I am here right now. To help.”

“Honestly, Echo," River muttered, batting away Echo’s hand, "you run the pack. You have meetings and other business to attend to. You shouldn't waste time fussing over me."

Echo’s brow furrowed. "Nonsense. Don't you dare downplay this day? It's Gonzalo, Ry. After all these years…" Her voice trailed off. "…I know how much you've been looking forward to this. You have to be perfect and I'm here to make sure of that. I want you to look so perfect that Gonzalo wouldn’t find the control to take his eyes off you in a thousand years.”

River’s cheeks flushed pink. "Perfect? I'm an omega, Echo, not some prize mare."

Being an Omega had been the main sore in River’s life. She was a wolf who didn't have the mark. She was different. It was a lot. It was the source of her insecurities. It made her weak.

She was Echo’s weak little sister no matter how strong her big sister tried to make her feel.

Echo’s smile softened. "You may be an omega, but you have our mother's fire and our father's strength. And trust me, Gonzalo will see exactly that."

A lump cropped up in River’s throat. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed her parents until Echo mentioned them. If only they were here to see this day. Tears welled up in her amber eyes, blurring the reflection of the mirror in front of her.

“River?" Echo called, her eyes searching her little sister’s face.

Yikes.

She was being emotional yet again. This was yet one of her many flaws. If only she could be like her sister– be strong like Echo.

River choked back a sob. "Thank you," she whispered, throwing her arms around Echo.

The scent of vanilla and woodsmoke which was their mother's favorite fragrance that Echo now wore around filled River’s senses. Fueled with the emotional state she was in and the familiarity of the scent, she was momentarily transported back to a simpler time. A time when their parents were alive. A time before she and her sister were rendered orphans.

Echo squeezed her tight. "For what, little sis?"

“For everything," River mumbled, tears finally spilling down her freckled cheeks. "I miss them so much."

Echo pulled back from the embrace, wiping away a stray tear from River’s face. "Me too, Ry. But they wouldn't want you to cry today. Go greet Gonzalo with a smile. He deserves that much.”

River summoned up a weak smile and wiped away the remaining tears. She stood up and looked at her reflection with a soft gasp. Her Auburn hair was braided and adorned with tiny silver beads that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. The emerald dress hugged her curves perfectly, and her eyes sparkled with nervous excitement.

"See?" Echo beamed. "You have Mama's curves and fire. Now go knock 'em dead."

River laughed. “Don't worry, I'll be a perfect picture of omega charm." She hugged Echo goodbye.

“Now, that's what I'm talking about!”

.

A few moments later, she set off for the restaurant where she was supposed to meet Gonzalo.

On arriving at the bustling establishment, River did the cross sign over her chest before stepping in.

“So help me God.” She muttered under her breath as her eyes searched around for Gonzalo.

Disappointment, however, welcomed her instead. She had scrutinized every table but none had any sign of Gonzalo in them.

Where was he? She wondered, her anxiety rising. Was he even here at all?

“Oh, please, no…” She began to heave with worry as she pulled out her purse and made to text Echo instead of Gonzalo himself.

Her sister was always her SOS button.

A soft voice that spoke behind her, however, stopped her. "May I help you, miss?”

Almost jumping and startled, River turned to see a young man barely out of his teens, in a neatly pressed waiter's uniform.

“Err— yes. Yes, I'm here to meet Mr. Gonzalo McGruff," she stuttered, hating her voice for betraying her growing anxiety.

The waiter smiled politely and brought out a pocket note from the pouch of his apron. After a swift skimming, “Ah, Mr. McGruff. Reservations are made under his name. Follow me, please." He said.

River swallowed. At least, she hadn't been dumped even before she got a chance to meet him. It seemed he was only… late.

The waiter led her to a VIP table tucked away in a corner. “Here is the menu, ma’am. What would you like to have?”

She wanted to say she’d like to wait for him but she thought it’d be unreasonable since he already made reservations, she shouldn't slow them down. Hence, she made an order.

Three minutes later, she was still sitting alone at the table, wondering where he was.

Why was he late? Had something happened? Did he change his mind?

The questions in her head were endless.

Her orders were served soon enough and still, Gonzalo was absent. She picked at her food, trying to focus on the conversation around her to distract her mind, but her heart wasn't in it.

He could have at least sent word.

“Maybe he changed his mind.” She grumbled, sulking.

Just as she was about to lose all hope, a deep voice startled her. "If you don't like the food here, we can go somewhere else, pequeña.”

That voice…

River’s head snapped up instantaneously.

There, towering above her, stood Gonzalo. Her mouth popped open and her breath seized at the sight of him. This wasn't the young man from her memories. Fifteen years had carved lines on his face, turning his youthful features into a form of masculine strength.

Deep lines fanned out from his grey eyes which were now darker and more intense. The passage of time had taken its toll on him– albeit in a good way.

He looked...older. Much older. And insanely older than she was. Than Echo who was ten years older than her even.

His broad shoulders strained against a well-worn leather jacket and a faint scar bisected his eyebrow, giving him a touch of rugged handsomeness that swept River off her feet.

“Gonzalo!” She screeched, dropped her cutleries, and launched herself shamelessly into his arms while burying her face in his fresh rain scent.

Something was thumping hard. Hard enough to be heard by anyone who cared enough to listen.

It was her heart. Gonzalo was here.