Chapter 0005

Izaak

I threw everything within arm's length to reach for my alarm as the incessant beeping jolted me up from my sleep coupled with the banging on my door.

"Fuck!" I mumbled. I lazily stood up from the bed and I dragged my feet to the door as I wondered who in their right senses would dare to bang my door. As soon as I opened the door I was met with none other than my best friend and Beta Roderick. Well, I'm not surprised, he's the only one in the entire pack that can dare bang on my door and get on my last nerves.

"Are you still sleeping, man?! He scolded as he shoved me and went inside my room. I yawned as I locked my door and went back to bed.

"Get your sorry ass outta bed this instant!" he ordered as he dragged the duvet from my body. Most times I wonder who is the Alpha between Roderick and me with the way he bosses me around sometimes.

Roderick and I have been best friends since the beginning of time, we went practically everywhere together and attended the same school from kindergarten.

"What the hell man," I whined, "let me get some rest."

"Uh-uh, do you know what day it is?" He asked as he dragged me out of bed and pushed me inside the bathroom. "Today is your fucking wedding," he said.

"So?"

"What do you mean, so? You are supposed to be in Silver Dawn Pack by now, but you are just waking up," he fumed as he crossed his arms together and glared at me.

I sighed. "You're impossible," I muttered as I closed the bathroom door to take my bath.

"The Elders are going to have your head for sure," he said.

"Whatever," I retorted. "This whole wedding was their idea in the name of an alliance, I didn't want it."

I took my bath and we were on our way to Silver Dawn Pack just me and Roderick.

"Where's the Elders?" I asked.

"Silver Dawn Pack," he replied. "Someone had to step up since you are being a pain in the ass," he scowled.

"This is not my idea, always remember that," I said.

Silver Bow Pack and Silver Dawn Pack have been sworn enemies and are always at each other's throats for centuries. So I was surprised when their Gamma visited a few weeks ago and asked for a truce between both packs.

After the Elders deliberated on it, it was decided that the truce can only be achieved in an alliance between both packs. Their reason is that it would ensure that we don't turn on each other in the future. So, the Elders agreed the best way to achieve this was through marriage, because that way we will become family, and I was chosen as the sacrificial lamb for this.

When the Elders told me their decision I went mad with rage. They didn't even give me a say in the matter at all.

*************

"It's been decided by all members, Izy," the Elders representative, Elder Jay said. Elder Jay was someone I highly respected, he was like a father to me and that was why he was sent by the Elders.

"I will think about it," I replied flatly.

"There's no room for that now. Besides, an alliance with Silver Dawn Pack will strengthen us the most."

***************

"Izy," Rick called out to me, breaking my thoughts. I furrowed my brows at me.

"Our car broke down," he said.

"I guess this is a sign from the moon goddess that this is a huge mistake," I replied.

"It's just your negative vibes towards the wedding that's the cause and…"

"Whatever man," I countered.

It took a few minutes to get the car fixed and we headed straight to Silver Dawn Pack. When we arrived at Silver Dawn territory a man waved at us to stop, we did, and came down.

"Welcome, I'm Russell White, the packs Beta," he said, grinning as he stretched his hand for a handshake. Rick accepted the handshake on my behalf because I'm very careful about the kind of people I shake. People use their hands for lots of nasty things.

"I will be your guide to the pack house," he said as he got into his car and we drove behind him.

The pack house is nestled on vast, sprawling grounds, with beautifully manicured gardens that stretch out in every direction. Lush, vibrant green lawns are meticulously maintained, bordered by meticulously sculpted hedges and exquisite flower beds that burst with color.

The pack house exterior was constructed with the finest materials, such as gleaming marble, glistening glass panels, and ornate stone carvings making it look like a modern-day palace. The entrance is a grandiose affair, featuring a sweeping driveway lined with meticulously placed trees and a majestic wrought-iron gate that opens into a courtyard.

I turned to look at Rick and we immediately had the same idea. This is where the Pack's resources were going to, the Alpha and his family. We got down and headed to the garden where the wedding was held. As soon as we reached the garden I was met with icy glare from the Elders for coming late.

I sighed. "Well, no going back now."

***********

FIONA'S POV

The council had come to a decision that I should go in place of my sister Stella. I stared at myself in the mirror with my hand tightly clasped as I nibbled on my lips trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall, I knew I couldn't afford to ruin my makeup, but damn it! I was scared shitless. I was going to be married to the ruthless Alpha of Silver Bow Pack, that Alpha was rumored to not have a soul, so anyone in my shoes would be scared right?

"Tris?" I called out to my wolf but didn't get a response, "Oh, great, now that I need you, you are nowhere to be found," I mumbled.

I have no idea what came over me when I offered to take Stella's place. What in the world came over me? Ouch, I pinched my nose to make sure this was not a nightmare. The door to my room opened and my dad walked in, he smiled at me but I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Dad…"

"Shhh…, everything is going to be fine," he walked up to me and opened his arm for a hug. I immediately snuggled in because that's what I needed at the moment. He squeezed his arm a fraction tighter and my body melted in his as I breathed slowly and every muscle in my body lost its tension.

"I love you so much Dad," I said, trying so hard not to cry.

"I love you too, Fiona," he replied as he patted my back. "It's time to go," he said, releasing me from his embrace.

The wedding was being held in the pack house garden in the enchanting embrace of the moonlit evening which provided a captivating view of the breathtaking moonrise. At the end of each seated aisle, delicate jasmine-scented candles gracefully hung from naked tree branches, casting a soft glow in the moonlight. The aisle itself was adorned with a carpet of white leaves, extending as far as my eye could see.

Alpha Shaw alongside the pack's council members, and a few pack members were present. Seated beside them were people whom I suspected were pack members of Silver Bow Pack.

I slowly walked to the aisle as my wedding gown flowed effortlessly, it was made of layers of ethereal chiffon that swirled with each step I took. The neckline of the gown gracefully framed my collarbones, while the sheer sleeves cascaded down my arms. If not for the situation in which I'm getting married I would have loved my gown.

I suddenly heard giggling and I turned my head to the direction it was coming from and my eyes met with Rhian and Leland, I felt a pang of pain in my heart as I watched them being all over themselves, I immediately averted my gaze, and my eyes met with my sister Stella, who was sitting behind a guy.

"Thank you," she mouthed, as she squeezed the hand of the guy sitting beside her, whom I suspected to be her boyfriend.

I stood awkwardly by myself in the aisle for close to five minutes. A normal wedding is supposed to have the groom waiting up for the bride right? But in my case, I was waiting for my groom and he was nowhere to be found. The guests were already starting to make side-talks about me being rejected for the second time in less than a month. It was getting really embarrassing, I could not even raise my head up to look at anyone.

Just when I made up my mind to run away and never look back, the aura in the garden c

hanged instantly, I looked up and was instantly dazed by who I saw.

"He's here!" Tris squeaked excitedly.