New home

Regan dragged Ivorie across the large hall and out of it. He didn't stop there; he continued to drag her away until they got to a nearby armoury in the compound.

“Where are you taking me?” Ivorie screamed, yanking her hand away from the Alpha's grip. She shot him a scowl.

Regan looked down at her, amused at how short she was. He held himself from sniggering.

“I need to make some things clear to you.” He growled, pointing his finger hard at her face.

“This marriage of ours…it is nothing but a diplomatic move. I wasn't aware of my betrothal to you until a fortnight ago.” He said in a gruff voice.

Ivorie rolled her eyes, folding her arms pompously, “Then I guess we found ourselves in the same shoes.” She said,

Regan's face contorted with confusion. “What do you mean?” He asked.

“Just like you, I was just chosen to marry you a fortnight ago. It was supposed to be my sister but…but she…she got really ill and I had to replace her.” She explained

Regan's eyes widened a bit. So she wasn't the one betrothed to him since birth. Then again, he didn't care as he wasn't even happy about the whole marriage thing at all.

“Alright then, but I still need to make it clear to you.” He said in a hushed tone, stepping closer to her. “I have to reject you.” He whispered in a grave tone. He honestly didn't want to hurt her feelings but he had to do it. If he doesn't, the pain she would feel now wouldn't be as much as the pain she’d feel when her mate destroys her home pack and kills her father.

He watched her eyes flared and a pang of regret hit him.

“What are you saying?” She asked, confusion etched unto her innocent face.

Regan sighed, “I’m sorry if this hurts you but I have to do it…”

“Only mates can reject one another, we are only bonded by a marriage, an arranged one at that.” Ivorie scoffed with distaste.

Regan was hit with confusion. She didn't know they were mates? Upon realisation, his wolf’s pained emotion seeped into his heart. He felt a little sadness gnawing at him before he forcibly shook it off.

“Right, that was what I meant. I will have to reject you as my wife but…not today.” He lied.

“That would be my utmost relief, Alpha.” She smiled. Regan's heart skipped at how warm her face looked with a smile. She was an angel!

The Alpha gulped hard, wondering how she hasn't felt their mate bond yet.

“So…I will go now.” Ivorie said awkwardly, she tried to hide her flushed cheeks. Why was he staring at her like that? But the look was quickly gone, replaced by a stern gaze.

“There is going to be a wedding dinner after all these, at my castle. I hope your peon parents taught you how to eat like a princess?” With that, Regan walked back to the castle.

“Peon?” Ivorie repeated, following the Alpha.

…

Hours crossed by and the grand wedding was finally over. It was time for Alpha Regan to take his newly wedded wife back home.

Ivorie wasn't keen on saying goodbye to her family. After all, they hated her all her life.

She sat down in one of the carriages of Regan's convoy. She was alone as Regan had refused to share a carriage with her.

“I guess I will be ignored and unloved for the rest of my life again.” She sighed.

She soon fell asleep throughout the ride home. It was almost completely dark when they finally arrived at Cresthowl pack.

“Finally, home!” Regan breathed as the carriages rode through the pack gates.

“Keep your head low, you don't want to give the people reasons to mock you when they see you're in a different carriage as your wife.” Estan breathed as he pulled Regan's head back in.

Regan chuckled, “You care too much about the people, my friend. They dare not share rumours about me if they love their heads.”

“One of us have to.” The beta muttered.

“Why did you choose a different carriage, Regan?” Estan asked inquisitively.

Regan gulped debating with himself whether to go on with this conversation or not.

“She didn't sense our mate's bond.” He mumbled. Estan’s eyes dilated in shock.

“What?”

“I was ready to reject her but then she was confused when I told her I had to.” He continued, his gaze outside the carriage.

“Perhaps it's just a delay, she’ll surely sense it soon.” Estan reassured.

“I hope not, it will only make things more complicated for me if she begins to crave for me.” The Alpha said coldly. “I will focus on my conquest and keep my distance. Right now, we have a wedding feast to attend.” He told his beta as the carriage halted.

The castle was already filled with a waiting crowd who wanted to see the Alpha and his newly wedded wife – their new Luna.

Ivorie stepped out of the carriage and she was instantly flanked by guards. This treatment surprised her as she wasn't used to so many guards walking with her back home.

She watched as the people cheered at the entrance of the castle gates. The smiles on their faces told her that they loved their Alpha. Then what about the stories she heard about him being a monstrous beast? Were they all just baseless rumours?

Before she entered the castle, her eyes landed on a lady. She was dressed like a noble and was even standing among the other important figures of the Cresthowl pack. Ivorie didn't know who she was and wondered why she was staring at her in an unfriendly way.

Soon, she was relieved of the noise and cheering within the castle walls. The castle itself wasn't much better than her father's back in Moonbeam pack.

Ivorie, along with Alpha Regan, sat on high seats in the castle hall as several noblemen and women presented gifts to them.

For an entire hour, Ivorie was forced to smile at people she didn't know and didn't care about.

Finally, the same woman who was glaring at her earlier came up to the high floor. Ivorie watched as she greeted Regan and presented him his gift before coming to her.

“My Luna,” she greeted with a tight smile. “My humble self presents this gift to you. May the Moon Goddess bless your marriage.” The scowl on her face contradicted the words coming from her.

“Uh…what is my lady’s name?” Ivorie quickly asked. If she was going to be antagonised by someone for getting married to the Alpha, she deserved to know their name.

“Lady Jenna Obrehowl, Luna. Duchess of Cantigo village.” Jenna said with distaste. She hated this, she hated how she was made to bow to the woman who had stolen her lover from her.

“Your Luna appreciates your gift, Duchess.” Ivorie said and Jenna was out of her sight quickly.

“Since this is now over, let's move on to the next.” Regan declared with obvious disinterest.

“Save me Moon Goddess.” Ivorie muttered as she followed her husband.