Chapter 3

I stared at the bucket of paint on the ground and held back my tears.

Picking up the bucket, I found very little paint left in it.

I sighed, then carried the bucket to refill it with paint.

No matter what, I still wanted to paint the fence. It was Melissa's favorite color, after all.

After painting the fence white, I took off my sun hat and wiped the sweat on my forehead. I felt a little better now that I had finished painting the fence.

I think Melissa was going to love the new fence color.

"Andrea!"

I turned towards the voice and found that Melissa had pulled back the window and waved at me from the second floor.

I placed down the paint bucket and was about to head upstairs when I realized that the paint on me would probably leave stains in Melissa's room. So, I went to change first before knocking on Melissa's room door.

Melissa opened the door, then pulled on my arm and complained, "You were so slow!"

I gestured, "I went to change clothes since I had paint on me."

Melissa blinked her big eyes. "Okay, I got it. I have a surprise for you."

Melissa pulled me over to her European-style princess bed and said, "Look. Do you like it?"

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

A long, gray-bluish evening gown was in front of me. It had a veil-like texture, and sparkling crystals were embedded in it. There were also tassels on the sleeves as decoration.

I remembered this dress. Ellen had given this dress to Melissa for her birthday last year. Melissa had many pretty dresses, and she hadn't worn this one yet.

I tilted my head to the side and looked at her, blinking my eyes.

Melissa held the dress up against my body to measure me.

"You'll look beautiful in this dress for sure!"

I was stunned and shook my head. "Sorry."

"Why don't you want it?" Melissa said as she continued to compare the measurements. "Alpha Enzo will be coming here tomorrow, so you have to dress elegantly. They need to know that you're the most beautiful princess in our Blue River Pack. Otherwise..."

Melissa's eyes and nose were a bit red as she continued to speak, "I'm afraid they'll mistreat you when you marry into their pack!"

I pulled Melissa into my arms, and she suddenly grabbed my shoulders and started to cry. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry..."

I knew she was apologizing because I was marrying Alpha Enzo in her place.

But I didn't resent her because she was Melissa, my best friend.

***

The following day, the hall becomes bustling busy.

Alpha Michael had arranged for many people to clean up and prepare the place because we would hold a welcome party for the guests coming from the Cold Moon Pack—Alpha Enzo and his pack members.

For the first time in my life, I didn't need to clean the house or get up early to prepare breakfast.

Since I would be a bride, Melissa and some maids flanked my side early in the morning to prepare me.

I changed into the gray-bluish gown that Melissa had given me last night. My hair, which I usually didn't do anything with, was curled into big, curly waves that fell nicely behind me.

Melissa put on the diamond rose necklace she had given me on my neck. Then, she took my hand and twirled me around, praising my beauty.

Alpha Michael knocked on the door and asked if we were ready as the guests from the Cold Moon Pack were arriving soon.

Melissa opened the door.

Michael stared at me with a hint of surprise in his pale eyes. His lips twitched as he mouthed something.

I supposed he was saying my mother's name, Stella.

Perhaps the way I dressed brought back memories of my mother, and his attitude towards me softened.

"Let's go, Andrea."

He waved his hand at me.

Melissa and I walked side by side as we followed behind him.

Five minutes after we stood in front of the banquet hall, a black Bentley pulled up in front of us.

I watched the driver get out of the car first, and then he went around the front to open the back seat door.

Everyone held their breath, obviously wanting to see what a bloodthirsty tyrant would look like.

A leather-shoe-clad foot appeared from the door after it was opened.

The man in the back seat bent a little as he got out of the car, then straightened up under the crowd's eyes.

He buttoned the bottom part of his suit up and straightened the hem of his shirt before striding over in our direction.

I was stunned. I couldn't believe that the man in front of me was the manic in rumor.

He was clearly...reserved and noble aura. His appearance was also outstanding.

How do I put it… He's definitely the most handsome man I've ever seen.

I couldn't help but glance at his sharp features, and my heart jumped wildly in my chest.

He had dashing eyebrows, long curly eyelashes and a pair of deep golden brown eyes that were mysterious and elegant. He had a sharp, high nose and moderately thick lips. There was also a frosty yet appropriate smile on his face. He was taller than me by a head, even though I was wearing heels.

Alpha Enzo came to a stop in front of Michael. The two shook hands and talked.

At the same time, a special smell of cold, fresh wine rushed into my nose as he approached.

The powerful and aggressive smell momentarily struck me. A crackling, tingling sensation crawled all over my skin.

How weird. Why would I have this feeling?

But a wave of pain quickly washed through me. Melissa suddenly tightened her grip on my wrist.

I turned to look at her, finding her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Alpha Enzo.

A suspicious feeling surged up in my heart. I wasn't sure what it was, but it took my breath away. When I realized Melissa was fascinated with the man, I felt a hard stone had clogged my throat.

I endured the pain on my wrist and returned my gaze towards Alpha Enzo, who to my surprise, happened to be looking right at me too.

His golden-brown eyes reflected my figure, and I saw his eyes widen a fraction suddenly, as though he was surprised by my presence.

Then, his lips opened slightly. An extremely soft exclamation reached my ears.

"Mate!"

I heard him say, and my eyes widened.