Chapter 28
Kyrell’s POV
TWO DAYS LATER p>
“Are you ready to leave, My Lord?” Declan asked when he walked into my bed chambers unannounced to see me getting dressed.
The pre-marriage ritual between me and my soon-to-be new bride has been scheduled for today and I am getting ready in preparation for the first ritual of meeting each other.
Even though I knew that this was a necessity, I still couldn’t wait to get it over and done with. I know that the marriage rituals will take a toll on my mental health and the sooner this facade of an event ends, the better for me.
Now I wished that Natalia was still alive. It would’ve been bearable to keep up the pretense without anyone poking their nose in my business. The marriage rituals with her didn’t even stress me as much as this one is about to.
“I am almost done.” I answered with a sigh, feeling uninterested. Declan must’ve taken a note in my tone because he didn’t go further to ask me any more questions.
“Your escort as well as the few sentinels of the pack are waiting outside for you, My Lord.” He informed me. “All you have to do is acknowledge this alliance between both packs as tradition requires so that the council will know that you are making effort even though you’re not ready to get involved with her yet p>
I threw him an irritated glance at that statement. Sometimes, I wondered if anyone didn’t understand that I was only doing this because I was compelled to and not the other way round.
Doing this already proves that I am already getting involved even though I didn’t want to.
“And Conrad?” I proceeded to ask. Ever since the issue of my marriage had been brought to the council, I have seen more and heard less of my father’s Beta. His silence wasn’t actually what bothered me but what he might be plotting in that silence and the outcome of what might follow later.
I have decided to give him a benefit of doubt but that doesn’t mean that I have taken my eyes off him completely.
“Conrad will be joining us as well. He is waiting for you alongside the other sentinels p>
I nodded my head while I clothed myself fully in my attire. When I was done, Moira came and loosened my hair to style it up in a way that she believed accentuated my face and I finished the look with my regal robe and shoes.
“You look very good, My Lord.” Declan smiled at me and I rolled my eyes in blatant irritation. “Usually, I would say that you find a way to get acquainted with your mate but knowing you, you would actually prefer to go through with this than tie yourself to her p>
“Because by doing this, no one will get hurt. I want to live and die alone with my demons, not share them with the entire earth.” I muttered to myself but loud enough for him to hear.
“I am finished, My Lord.” Moira announced with a curt bow.
“I had hoped that you would come with me today, Moira.” My jaw ticked, my lips drawn in a tight scowl as I looked down at her.
“The tradition of the pack doesn’t allow it My Lord.” She said to me calmly.
“I am only but a slave that is meant to serve you. I am not your mother, neither am I a member of the Zivando’s household but don’t worry, I will be here to support you throughout all the rituals and welcome your bride whenever you decide to bring her home p>
I sighed tiredly. Everyone keeps on stressing about my bride when I wasn’t even interested in having one. I don’t even care if she agrees to come home with me or not. My pack had put this burden on my shoulders to carry so I couldn’t care less if she even died on her way here.
“Release Anya from the cage as soon as I leave.” I ordered “I’m pretty certain that she must’ve learnt her lesson now. Make sure to serve her a good meal, clean her up and ask the physician to check up on her p>
“Of course, My Lord.” Moira answered immediately.
“And there is a slave I trailed off, straightening myself to full height. My mind instantly taking me back to the cottage where I had spoken to her. I felt a stir inside me but I brushed it aside.
I cannot indulge my wolf no matter how whorish the thrill of having a mate sounded to it. I will not entertain any kind of thoughts about her other than the fact that she is from an enemy pack that I despise with my entire being.
I steadied myself, pushing the stupid thoughts in the part of my head where the sun doesn’t shine. “She will come to work here and pay off the debt that she owes me when she gets better. I am entrusting her to your care Moira because I do not trust her p>
I exhaled deeply. “She is a traitor from an enemy pack and she owes me her life now. See to it that she doesn’t step out of line if and when she comes here p>
“Yes, My Lord p>
“Can we leave now?” Declan Inquired and I nodded my head in affirmation. The faster we leave, the sooner we get it done.
I trailed after Declan till we made our way outside the palace wall. When we got to where the sentinels were waiting for me, we exchanged greetings before starting our journey to the Blue Crescent Pack.
I arrived with the sentinels at exactly noon and after being welcomed by Alpha Cullman and his council of Elders, we were led to the place where the first ceremony was supposed to take place.
I was offered a chair that was reserved for me at the head of the table sat down while we waited for my supposed bride to join us.
She was invited in, minutes after. She walked in with a cheerful smile on her face and bowed her head to me curtly. We were introduced to each other and I got to know that her name was, Sophia.
“It is an honor to have you here, My Lord.” She greeted and I nodded my head stiffly while Declan took over to do the honors and engage her in conversations while I discussed a few things with her father.
“If you don’t mind,” She asked in a soft voice as she approached me. “Can I have a word with you, My Lord p>
I excused myself from the table and trailed behind her till we arrived at a safe corner, away from the others. “I have a small favor to ask of you, My Lord p>
“What is it p>
“Before the marriage takes place, I wanted to ask if it was okay to spend a few weeks in your pack until it is finalized.” She started, hands holding onto both side of her gown tightly as she couldn’t bring herself to look me in the eye.
I stared at curiously. She was bold to request that because no one has ever done that or attempted to cross that line with me.
“Whatever for?” I couldn’t help but ask cause I am yet to understand why she wanted to come over and for a few weeks at that.
“There is something urgent that I would like to discuss with you and I am afraid that I cannot do it freely over here so with your permission, I would like to join you back on your journey but only if you allow it, please p>