Chapter 0007

Lila

"Hello?!" I shouted for the umpteenth time.

Mysteriously, I had found myself in a strange place. It was wide and void. I couldn't see anything because of the darkness but I could feel water under my feet.

It felt as though I was walking on a river but a very shallow one as I could feel earth under the water.

It was extremely cold too.

I had been calling out to anyone for help but it was as though I was the only one here.

Where am I?

Eventually, I felt a presence around. It was mild but I knew it was there. My wolf instincts felt someone or something around. Whatever it was, it was alive.

I looked around but due to the gross darkness, I couldn't see a damn thing. I decided to rely on my wolf instincts to find the person lurking around. 

I needed to get out of here before I froze to death.

Before Amber would find the creature,it showed up right behind me.

"Ah!" I shrieked in fear and lost my balance and fell.

But when I fell, my back never hit the ground. I simply fell through the water to an entirely different place.

When I opened my eyes, I was back at my father's house.

"What the hell is going on?" I muttered, afraid of my sudden transition.

"Dad?" I called out.

I walked around and when I got to the dining, there was a woman sitting gracefully.

I could only see her back view and I could tell she was really pretty. Her wavy strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her back, flowing all the way to her waist.

"Hello?" This wasn't my step mother, nor Vivian.

I took careful steps toward her, calling her severally but she never responded. It was like she wasn't even hearing a thing I was saying. 

When I reached out to touch her, my father's voice distracted me.

"Lila?" I heard him call.

Ignoring him, I was determined to find out who this strange woman was.

"Lila?" I felt him touch me this time but he wasn't even standing next to me.

But I knew I felt his touch.

"Lila?!"

"Ah!" I screamed, waking up, sweating and shaking.

"Hey, are you okay?" My father moved closer to me and pulled me into a comforting hug. He stroked my sweat dampened hair, soothing away all the fear I had.

"It's not real Lila, it was all a nightmare. I'm here now." He assured me and I nodded, trying to get my breathing under control.

"Care to share?" He broke the hug but still held me closely.

He had been through so much already, we both have. He was the pack's Beta too. Imposing my problems on him too just didn't seem right.

Moreover, if I told him about the horribly mysterious dream I just had, he would definitely call of the wedding. I didn't want that to happen. 

Leaving this house as soon as possible was my top priority right now.

"I don't really want to talk about it." I responded and he nodded.

"Anytime you're ready, daddy will always be here." I smiled at him.

"We're going to the Alpha's mansion, you should get ready." His tone showed that he still hadn't approved of the wedding.

I'm sorry dad but I have to leave as soon as possible.

"Okay." I sighed, hoping some day he would understand that I really had to leave.

"Just wear something casual. A dress has been prepared for you already from the Alpha King. You'll be meeting him tonight." He tried to smile a little but it wasn't bright. He really wasn't happy with me leaving.

"I'll get ready then."

He attempted to say something but disposed it and left my room.

This was it, my last day in this hell hole. Even if I was marrying a cursed wolf, the thought of never being here again was all the encouragement I needed.

Jumping out of my bed, I fled to the bathroom for a quick shower.

All through breakfast, Veronica and Vivian kept making mean and shady remarks about my wedding but I couldn't care less.

Curse or no curse, he didn't reject me, did he?

My father offered to drive me to the Alpha's mansion and I didn't decline. These were my last moments in Mistwood pack. The least I could do was spend it with the one person that mattered to me the most.

All through the drive, my mind kept going back to the dream I had.

What did it even mean?

Who was that woman and why did she seem so familiar?

When we got to the Alpha's mansion, my nervousness returned. Was he here too? I couldn't wait for tonight when I would finally get to know what the beast looked like.

"Lila, do you still wish to do this?"

I guess he wouldn't stop trying to stop me until I had married Miguel.

"Dad, I already made my decision. I don't think I'm ever going to go back on it." I smiled at him and he nodded.

The mansion servants were the ones to receive us this time as both the Alpha and the Luna were absent, tending to other pack duties.

I was taken to a room that had been prepared for me in the mansion while my dad went to attend to his duties as Mistwood pack's Beta.

Still attracted to the garden, I decided to spend my day there, daydreaming about the beautiful man.

If only I could see him again and he could steal me from the pack. Together, we would run away and live together, probably in the human town.

If only wishes were horse's.

Unfortunately, my plan got ruined. Upon my arrival, I met my Ex-mate. Just as I turned around to go unnoticed, he called my name.

"Lila?" It sounded like poison to my soul as my name rolled off his tongue.

Anger courseis through my body. The guts of him to dare reject me and then still try to put up a conversation.

"Aiden." I responded with a tight smile, turning around.

"Excuse us for a while." He instructed his servants who obeyed.

"Come join me." He requested and I didn't decline.

I walked over to the garden and joined him at the table that had been set up. He was having tea.

"I heard about your wedding." He started.

Oh!

So he knew he wasn't my last hope.

"You heard right." I responded and he chuckled a little.

" How are you feeling?" The guts of this wolf!

"Like a perfect bride." My confidence had levelled up a little. 

I wasn't going to be that weak and pathetic Lila everyone knew, not anymore.

"Lila, I get it that you're hurt and desperate to move on...."

Desperate?

"...but do yourself some good and call off the wedding." He sipped his tea like he hadn't said the most sinful thing ever.

"I get it that you're too eager to get rid of me and have my sister but do yourself some good and stay out of my business."

That being said, I stormed out of the garden but he stopped me before I was gone.

"You're gonna be a victim of his curse Lila, I warned you."

"My problem and not yours."

I had to take a cold shower after returning to my room, to cool my raging nerves.

Why was everyone trying to stop one good thing that was finally happening in my life?!

Evening came as quickly as I fell asleep and the maidservants came to dress me up. 

First, they cleaned me up in a fine bath. I really couldn't tell what they were doing but they poured certain oils and Flowers into the wooden tub. It made the water smell nice, something that made me want to remain in the tub for much longer.

My hair was curled even more, making it bouncy and beautiful. Different hair ornaments were neatly arranged on my hair, Flowers too.

The dress from Eclipse pack was a cotton red dress. It was sleeveless. I wasn't too comfortable as it showed my bare back and the upper part of my breasts the dress did its best to push up.

I was grateful it was a ball gown as I couldn't risk wearing a body fitting dress. As I would only look horrible and goofy.

My face was donned with light make-up. They had used warm colors on my face.

When they were done, I felt really pretty. Now, I was even more confident to meet Miguel.

Luna Evelyn came to my room to take me away. She had lead me to the garden herself.

Apparently, I and Miguel were going to spend our evening at the garden.

No one was there when I arrived so I had to wait. Luna Evelyn stayed with me as it was her duty to introduce me to my soon-to-be mate.

A faint oaky scent reached my nose. Amber seemed a little excited.

I wondered why.

"Oh! There he is."Luna Evelyn was equally excited as she clapped a little.

I kept my head bowed as I heard footsteps approach us. It didn't sound like footsteps of just a person.

"She is pretty." A male said and Luna Evelyn laughed a little.

"Of course, only the best is from Mistwood pack." She complemented.

"Miguel, enjoy the rest of your evening." The male who had spoken earlier said and I heard him walk away.

"You do same Lila."Luna Evelyn patted my back before leaving.

Seconds turned into minutes and no one said anything. I kept my head bowed, enduring the loud silence.

"You could at least look up."

I died and resurrected at the sound of his voice. It was cold but instrumental.

Are beasts supposed to sound like that?

Hold on a minute.....

I've heard that voice before.

I shot my head up and I lost all bearing when my eyes met that familiar pair of maroon eyes.

"The beautiful man?"

"Clumsy wolf?"