Chapter 3 Rose Brooch

Lionel pushes Jenna away. He came up to me and took my hand.

"So, it's not Jenna. It's you, Rylee. You are my mate." "Lionel smiled.

I struggled to control the emotions coursing through me as I trembled, and I saw Jenna turn pale instantly. Mom covered her mouth in surprise while my father's expression was heavily clouded.

"A-are you sure?" I stammered.

Lionel nodded without hesitation. 

"I would never mistake the mate bond. I smelled the scent of roses on Jenna this morning, and my wolf told me it was my mate's smell, so I thought she was my mate. But the moment I got close to you, I understood what love was that instant. Rylee, you're my destiny."

Jenna was about to faint.

"Alpha Lionel! We just announced that Jenna is your Luna! Everyone at the party knows about it!" Father emphasized.

"I don't care. I only want Rylee." Lionel said.

Lionel paused for a second. "As for Jenna and the others, that’s my mistake. I will inform everyone and clear up that Rylee is my true mate."

Dad tended to make another try. Before he could speak, his words were stuck by Lionel’s sharp warning gaze of an Alpha King, "I-have-made-my-mind."

Jenna sobbed and ran out of the parlor in tears.

I looked up at Lionel, my eyes wet with tears.

No one had ever been so determined to choose me, and he was the only one.

We looked into each other's eyes as if we were the only two in the world.

***

Lionel got rid of my father and took me out to the courtyard.

The moon glowed brightly in the sky, and I looked up at the stars littering the dark space. I couldn't help but reach out as though trying to catch a hint of moonlight in my hands.

Lionel grabbed my hands gently and said, "I’m lucky..."

"What?" 

His eyes twinkled brightly in laughter. "Luckily, I didn't miss you."

Lionel pulled me into his arms, and I pressed my ears against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He lowered his head and gently rubbed his chin against my forehead.

I noticed that there was a scar on his chin, it was like a small crescent moon.

"How did you get this?"

He replied, "When I was five, went hunting for the first time, I was bitten by a wild animal."

I was surprised. "You went hunting when you were only five years old?"

"Did you think it was that easy to become an Alpha?" Lionel teased, giving me a wink.

He sighed and continued, "My father was very strict with me while my mother doted on me. So my father trained me secretly without her knowledge. To this day, everyone thinks I accidentally fell and got this scar. Only my father knows the truth."

"I'm a little envious of you," I said.

"Hmm?" Lionel raised an eyebrow.

"I envy you for having a family that loves you and that your father values you," I said with a bitter laugh. "Unlike me. No one cares about what I like or hate..."

I knew I shouldn't be complaining to Lionel, but I felt an inexplicable desire to confide in him. I felt like I could trust him.

"I'll remember it all from now on," Lionel said, using his big hand to stroke the top of my head. "Remember what you like or hate... I'll value and care about you."

His palm was warm. I looked up and asked, 

"...Really?"

"Of course. But you have to let me know what you like and hate before I can do that."

I hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Honestly, I don't even know what I like. Since I was young, everything I liked would end up belonging to Jenna. After that, I didn't dare to like anything."

I shrugged and smirked to myself.

"You can like me," Lionel said solemnly. "I will belong to you forever. No one can ever take me away from you."

His tone was confident and sure.

"I know what you're worried about," He stared into my eyes. "I will prove to you with time and my actions that I will always love you and only you."

I stared back at him, an unexplainable feeling welling up in my heart.

"Will you trust me?" Lionel asked.

"...I trust you," I replied in a soft voice.

He laughed, then asked, "So, tell me your dislike."

"Nothing, really. But I can't eat mangos. I'm allergic to them."

"Got that," Lionel said. "It's a good thing I didn't eat any mangos today, then."

"Why?" I blinked, not understanding why he suddenly said that. 

"Because..." Lionel leaned down, "I'm going to kiss you."

Right after, he pressed his lips against mine.

He grabbed my tongue with his before sucking on it dominantly. His breath was hot and his actions demanding, and my breathing gradually became labored.

When he finally released me, his eyes were passionate and fixed on my face. I could see the desire burning in his eyes, but he made no further moves.

"You're so sweet," he murmured.

He pulled away after gently pecking my earlobe, and I could see him visibly restraining himself.

"This is for you," Lionel said, unpinning the rose brooch from his shirt. "It matches your scent."

I took the brooch and studied it.

The brooch was simple in design and was decorated with three rubies, which shined brightly under the cover of night.

"Thank you," I said with all my heart.

We agreed that we would meet at Blue Moon River a week later at this time.

At that time, he would have everything settled and take me to his pack.

***

For the rest of the week, I fondled the rose brooch in my hand, again and again, imagining a future for Lionel and me.

I waited patiently for Lionel to pick me up.

After Lionel had returned to the Blood Shadow Pack he immediately announced that I, Rylee Richie, would become his wife and Luna of the pack.

Jenna became a joke. For this reason, she tried to end her life three times in just one week, but our father was lucky to stop her each time. 

In the morning Lionel and I agreed to meet, and mom came to my room.

She had visible dark circles under her eyes. She must have been busy caring for Jenna in the past few days.

"Rylee, Jenna has refused to eat for several days. Can't you just give Lionel to Jenna? You've been such an understanding child since you were young. You won't disappoint me or make it harder for our family, right?” mom nagged, “Anyway, no one can tell the difference between the two of you except for me."

My parents had talked to me several times over the past few days about how they wanted Jenna to marry Lionel instead of me.

I just lowered my head and kept silent as my rejection.

I knew my refusal would anger my parents, but for the first time in my 19-year life, I wanted to be selfish once.

I felt that if I lost Lionel, I would regret it for the rest of my life and never be happy again.

I was no longer obsessed with satisfying my parents’ desires. I had something I wanted more.

My love. My mate.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

Slap!

A crisp sound rang out. I covered my stinging cheek and stiffly look at mo who was glaring at me.

"You want to piss me off and drive your sister to death, then you happy?!" Mom yelled as she pointed a finger at me.

"But Lionel is my mate! I love him!" I screamed. "And he loves me too! He said he's mine! Only mine!"

"I didn't expect you to be so wrongheaded. I'll have to put you in confinement," Mom said, her voice laced with disappointment. "Remember, you forced me to do this."

Finishing her words, she left the room and locked the door.

I rushed to the door in shock, and tried to open it but failed. "Mom! Let me out! Don't do this to me!"

Hours passed. No matter how much I begged or cried, no one answered.

I sat on the floor in despair, tears streaming down my face.

It was almost time for my appointment with Lionel.

Was I going to miss the chance?

Just then, my eyes fell on the window next to the bed.

I sprang to my feet, hope renewed in my chest as I ran over to it. 

Maybe I could escape through the window...