CHAPTER FIVE

Amelies’ pov

“Amelie Amelie”

My name rang out from a distance but the voice, I've heard it before. It's a familiar voice. My feet sauntered down a slope but I couldn't see a damn thing. Thanks to the thick cloud that made my sight blurry.

“Amelie Amelie,”

The voice rang out again but still, no sign of anybody. I could feel my body descending down hill as I continued to saunter. The clouds were thicker at this end and I swung my hand every few seconds to clear the path.

“Mom, is that you?”

I recognized her shrill voice earlier and with the tall figure standing from the distance, I knew she was the one even though I hadn't seen her face. But she confirmed my doubts when she spread her arms open. Just like old times.

I found myself wrapped in her arms for a few seconds and dad appeared from behind.

But wait. My parents are dead, how the hell am I seeing them.

“Mom, what's happening? How am I here?”

My mom bore a smile on her face. “Not yet Amelie. Not yet. You have to go. Athena watches over you.”

Her voice echoed as I watched them fade into thin air.

*****

"Amelie! Amelie! Amelie!"

I jerked upward, gasping for breath. My lungs suddenly became filled as I continued panting.

"Are you alright? Are you alright?"

A light-skinned face with some dark blue eyes registered when I looked up.

"Dave!"  I blurted. I didn't fail to notice the dark hair that dropped just below his shoulder.

Handsome.

"You are here!" I wrapped my arms around him in a never ending hug and we embraced.

"OK, OK, that's enough. Let's not keep him waiting!" he said, giving me a weird look. He thinks I'm crazy.

"Who is waiting?" I asked.

"No, not right now. Let's not start this. My dad and the rest are waiting in the hall already."

He pulled my arm and we both sauntered through the hallway.

Who the hell is waiting? Replayed in my mind as I walked towards wherever Dave was leading me.

"Wait, I still don't understand what's going on."  My feet screeched to a halt. I needed an explanation. But I got another weird look from him.

"You are scaring the hell out of me when you say that. If it's a joke, stop it. It's not funny. Now, let's not keep them waiting."

My questions were still unanswered and I was not about to give up. I pulled him aside.

Time to start talking .

"Hey, careful not to ruin your gown!" he exclaimed.

At his words, I glanced to see a blue gown on my body, the only gift I got for my eighteenth birthday. But how the hell did I manage to put it on?

Crazy.

"Tell me, what happened?" I asked.

He sighed. "You really want to know!"

I nodded.

"Well, we've been waiting for you in the hall and my dad asked to check what's taking so long. Then I found you lying unconscious. You must have tripped or something…now enough talking. Let's go. I can't afford to keep my dad waiting."

His words were now making sense but everything unfolded when the door swung open.

Evelyn came to sight. Alpha Ryder was seated next to her and Mrs Ryder on the other end. And that's all. The hall was pretty much empty as I had no bridesmaids.

Just like my previous life.

I turned, and a dark suited man came to sight but when his face registered, I knew the moon goddess had given me another chance.

’Artemis’

The exact same man who had strangled me to death stood before another man I recognized to be a priest. His eyes bored through my soul the whole time.

Why? Was the only question in my mind. I desperately wanted to ask it but I managed to hold back.

I stared at the little staircase that would lead me before him, contemplating to either ascend or not.

But I needed to know why

I stood before him a few seconds later, with so many questions begging for answers. And marriage would be the only way to find out what really happened.

A shiver ran through my spine when our arms met.

Murderer!!!

"Alpha Artemis of Waterfall park, do you take this woman to be your mate and wife," the priest's voice rang out.

"I do!" the deep voice came forth.

But you killed your mate! Was what filled my head

The priest turned to me. "Amelie of Summersile park, do you take this man to be your mate and husband?"

Dave bore a contemptuous look on his face when I turned. He was pissed with the whole thing but had no choice.

Silence ensured as we exchanged stares. I shot Dave another look and his eyes became teary.

Don't worry Dave. I came back to love you. But first, I must do this.

"Amelie of the Summersile park, do you take this man—"

"I do!" I said, cutting the priest midway.

And that marked the beginning of my quest.