Chapter 6

Blossom POV

A hush fell over the group once again. The elders are just as taken aback by Dean's response as I, Alejandro, and Aries are, and like them, they are not quite sure how to react. Clearly, as the court leadership, they had made the authoritative decision. Whatever they say becomes the law of the land. At least it always had.

The court is not known for its appreciation of surprises like the one the alpha has just delivered. I had been found sound and worthy as a substitute mate for the alpha. They had made this clear in reading their decision aloud before all those present, including Dean.

Now, at the surprise statement made by Dean, the elders were left pondering exactly what to do next. In their memory, there had never been a situation quite like this where someone—in this case, an alpha—contradicted what was already dictated by the court. Questioning the authority of the court can lead to punishment, as it has in other situations. Imprisonment is not out of the question when the court is blatantly defied.

Dean's response left the elders wondering what they should do next, as they returned to their hushed whispering among themselves. But this time, the tone was more angry than bewildered, and louder. I strained to hear exactly what they were saying, but I could not make out a great deal of their conversation. The only thing I could conclude was that they seemed to be discussing what to do next and questioning whether their decision had already been recorded and if so, how that impacted their next steps.

Seeing that he has caused further disruption among the elders, Dean realizes he needs to clarify his statement, so he continues. "I will not take her as my mate...because I allow myself to have only one love in my life and that love is my deceased mate, Eliza. It would not matter who you brought before me as a substitute. There is no substitute. I will allow myself to love only one person and one person only, my Eliza."

Dean's clarification did little to appease the elders, nor his father nor my uncle. Whoever heard of such a thing: loving just one person your entire lifetime, whether they are alive or dead? The whole idea seemed particularly ridiculous for someone as young as the alpha. I could not believe what I had just heard. Was Dean even acting sanely? I had heard of mourning a loved one, but I had never heard of someone declaring that they would never in their lifetime ever love again. How can that even be healthy?

As crazy as Dean's statement sounded to me, I felt myself feeling some measure of relief knowing that it wasn't just me, specifically, whom Dean was rejecting. He is only rejecting me because he has made up his mind to reject anyone offered up to him. But then just as suddenly, I remind myself there was little to be relieved about. The alpha seemed steadfast in his desire to live his life solo, having loved just one, and only one other person. To him, it did not seem to matter that the one other person he had committed to loving was no longer alive. To Dean, there would be no substitute for his one and only one love of a lifetime.

Meanwhile, the crowd had started making noise again. Although I tried to black out the words, you could tell that many were laughing at me because of the alpha's reaction to the court's decision. But others were sympathetic, and I could make out more than one kind voice appearing to understand how I must feel.

Of course, some were now ridiculing me simply because they had been jealous. They too, are aware of how attractive the alpha is. If he takes me as his mate, all chances of them ever being in my position—on my way to becoming Dean's mate—are dashed. It didn't matter to them that they had no chance to be in such a position in the first place. Old, young, fat, thin, ugly, attractive—they were jealous regardless of how unrealistic their vision was of becoming the alpha's mate. Watching my opportunity spiral into a disaster made the worst of them nothing short of giddy.

I realized that my uncle no longer had a grip on my arm. I peered at him only to find that he now held his face in both of his hands and was beginning to shake. For a moment I forgot about my situation and began to wonder if he was going to break down right here in front of the Royal Elders and in front of Dean and his father.

Dean was well aware of the impact his words were having on the court and his father, for that matter, though he cared far less about the latter. But he was going to stay true to his principles, no matter what the elders say next. He doubted very much they would follow through with any sort of reprimand, not against him, the alpha. He was also mildly aware of the impact his response has had on me.

......

Meanwhile, Dean knew his response had come as a shock to the court. It had come as a shock to his father as well, and he was sure it had also shocked the young she-werewolf. It had nothing to do with her, though, and he did feel a twinge of remorse for putting her through this. He was sure she was one of outer and inner beauty.

But he had professed his love to Eliza and vowed to love her the rest of his life. How could he go back on that now?

His Eliza had been so beautiful. She had ivory skin and auburn hair flowing to her waist that bounced from side to side when she walked. She was petite. He used to sweep her up in his arms and carry her to their quarters with no effort. Her dark eyes were so expressive. They danced with joy when she was happy over something, even if it was something as simple as his return from a business trip. But those eyes could also be as deep, liquid pools of unending darkness when Eliza was sad or angry over something. He could always read Eliza's emotional state by simply gazing into her eyes.

She almost didn't agree to marry him, which frankly, caught him off guard. He wasn't used to anyone, especially women, putting him off in such a way. But her resistance only served to fuel his persistence at getting her to give in and come live as his wife.