Chapter 4

Viviane

When I turned around two beautiful sets of green eyes stared straight back at me. My curiosity picked up in a matter of seconds. Like an irresistible pull, I found myself lost in his powerful gaze.

I don't know why, but he had a smirk on his face. Like someone who knows something the other person doesn't. I compose myself before addressing the man in front me. I greeted him with a little bow courtesy.

 

"You’re, Grace." I was in front of Duke Paul Alexander. I have never met the prince's uncle from his father's side in person until now but I knew it must be him by his features. He and Philip don’t share the same traits. My fiancé has fair skin and ice blue eyes, with only 24 years he looks young and slender fit.

 

The duke's more mature complexion puts him more or less around his mid thirties. Not an old guy by any means, certainly he is in his prime years. With tan skin and his dark hair cut short on the sides, I have to admit he looks dashing sporting a five o'clock shadow. He carries himself with confidence and authority in the room. He's well-dressed, but his clothes can't hide his bulky frame. The duke's hight is intimidating too, he even surpasses Philip in this aspect. The man must be almost 6'5 hight, which makes him look huge in contrast to my slender frame, I'm 5'6.

 

His aura was starting to make me feel a little uncomfortable, he was sizing me up and my mood was starting to change towards his rudeness. I opened my mouth to say something when a figure behind the duke made his way forward and took my hand.

 

"Viv, how wonderful to see you again" grinned my Prince Charming coming to my rescue, Philip kissed the back of my hand and then my cheek. There was no need for formalities since we were going to be my husband and wife any day now. Prince Philip looked even more handsome and regal than the last time I saw him. He greeted me with a smile that can melt the biggest iceberg and made my knees weakened. I think I fell in love at first sight.

 

This is an arrangement, I knew he disapproved of it but understood why it needed to be done. I can see he still has doubts and that's why I'm here today. To clear all his insecurities away and to find a common ground to base our relationship. Is not a secret arranged marriages are set on mutual benefits so we need to focus on what is going to be my role in the kingdom and how I intend to help him not ruin his life.

"Uncle, may I formally present to you my fianceé, Lady Viviane Sinclair." Without me realizing what he’s doing, he already had my hand extended to his uncle so he could properly pay his respects to me as the future princess. Now the duke is the one making the curtsy.

 

"Lady Viviane, a pleasure to finally meet you in person." He took my hand and held my stare.

"Likewise, it was about time we met. A proper introduction was due before the wedding". My hand still rested in his. He slowly took it to his lips and gave a soft kiss . Strange. I felt a small burst of tingling sensation with his gesture, like butterflies settling in my stomach. I have never felt like this before, not even with my fiancé and he is the most handsome seek-after-bachelor in all Europe. But still, I was not comfortable in his presence and I wanted to engage in a conversation with my future husband alone.

Shortly after I had my hand back and I cleared my throat. I sent Philip a silent plead because I wanted us to talk alone this time. The presence of his uncle started a feeling uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. The duke somehow overpowered me. After a moment I think he understood we wanted to be alone and retreated outside leaving us to discuss our matters privately.

 

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Paul

 

I was utterly shocked. I wasn't expecting to find out that my mate is actually the prince's fianceé. I considered myself the kind of man that knows how to control himself in any situation, but today's meeting with the soon-to-be crown princess left me speechless and with my head spinning.

 

My wolf was in agony and decided to retreat to the back of my mind, affected by the news of having found out who our mate is. How in the name of all the stars above could Selene mated me with none other than my nephew's betrothed? Technically, he wasn’t my nephew but still, I wasn’t prepared for this. From all the women available in the world and the moon goddess plays tricks on me again. He happens to be the prince, the person I swore to protect. How I’m I supposed to claim her for myself now? Is not like I can snatch her and take her away from here, can I?

 

I needed to get out of there fast or my beast would have taken over and chaos broke loose. I was afraid anger would force me to shift in front of everybody. News of shifters communities would have put my species in peril.

 

No one is supposed to see me shift in my wolf form. My kind have managed to steer away from troubles with humans fro centuries. We live in packs scattered discreetly amongst society, I’m not going to be the one blowing away our cover.

 

All these years of leading a double life for the sake of my pack members were not going to waste. I needed to be away to think more clearly of my next move, now that I've found my mate and the bond snapped, for my end at least. It was going to be difficult to hold down my wolf.

 

He is going to want to claim her no matter what, beasts like him don't know the reason, their primal instincts will want to make him surge forward the next time we see our mate. I entered the car fast and loud, not giving Jax previous call to prepare him.

 

"Get me back to the palace." I was hyperventilating and my palms were getting sweaty.

"Alpha, are you alright? Why you didn't mind-linked? I know Jax is worried for me, I haven't been myself these last days and haven't slept well either. Everyone thought it was because of the prince but it was because of an uneasiness in my chest.

 

Now that feeling have a name, Viviane Sinclair. My mate. She's going to get married to another man. I, Alpha Atticus of Greenaway Pack, can't either accept destiny and reject her, risking my life as I would certainly debilitate and ultimately die.

 

"Beta, I have found your Luna and lost her at the same time". I said this tugging my hair in frustration and focusing my vision to the car's floor. I didn't know how to cope with this just yet and when our gaze met through the rearview mirror a moment ago I could swear he felt the same.

 

I didn't want his or anyone's pity, is not in my alpha nature to feel impotent and lost. This vulnerability could pose a threat to the whole pack. I had to be strong for all of us, people depended on me and I won't let them down.

 

Knowing who my destined mate is and that I can't have her, poses a threat to the whole mission. I won't accept a chosen like the elders have asked me. I'll have to keep postponing the issue to bide me more time finding out how I can claim my mate. I need to talk to her, I have to give her a chance to explain herself. She didn’t seem to be affected by the mate bond. Now that I think of it, I think she’s human but at the same time she’s not.

 

"There's no way I want to let her go!" growled my beast in my head.

 

I needed to be alone and think thoroughly about what my next move was going to be. In no way I'm going to stand down and see how the prince takes away what is mine.