The Ceremony

Sienna cringed at the sight she walked in on. Alyssia was on Azriel's lap and his tongue was shoved deep down her throat. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. And what revolted her, even more, was Alyssia's lewd moans. 

"Ohhh..I want your wolf to ravish me," Sienna's face burned with embarrassment at Alyssia's statement. Her anger was eclipsed by embarrassment. She contemplated leaving and confronting him when he wasn't busy tongue-fucking Alyssia. But apparently, she took too long to come to a  decision as Azriel had already spotted her. 

"Can't believe our luck. Her Highness is here to visit us," Sienna was turning when she heard his sarcasm-laced statement. She knew he hated her because she was close to his father. He was convinced that she had her eyes on the crown. For him, she was nothing but an opportunist. Initially, the Alpha and late Luna tried to make him warm up to her but it didn't work. One day, Alpha Jarek proposed to adopt Sienna but for some reason, it set Azriel off. He categorically rejected the proposal and even threatened to sever his relationship with them if they ever went through with it. He had stated unequivocally that he didn't see and would never see her as his sister. The plan was dropped instantly. 

She tried to mend her relationship with Azriel but only to meet with disappointment. It seemed he was hell-bent on hating her. 

Sienna paused and gulped. 

She saw him pulling to his feet from her peripheral. Her heart picked its pace as he started towards her. Alyssia was next to him. 

"So what brought her Highness here?" he mocked. 

Sienna closed her eyes and took a breath in an attempt to calm down the irregular pounding of her heart. One of the hardest things in the world for her was to meet his soul-piercing stare.

Once she felt a little confident, she opened her eyes and turned to face him. He was already standing in front of her. She had to crane her neck to look up at him. 

He had a smug expression on. The corner of his lips was tugged up into a conceited smirk. That fueled her rage. How could he be so nonchalant after almost killing an innocent person? He was powerful but lacked big time in the department of empathy. 

He quirked a brow in question when he saw defiance flaring in her eyes. Despite his gesture, she didn't lower her gaze. Her disobedience didn't sit well with him. 

"Looks like her highness has forgotten the rules," he stated in a dark tone. His smirk was intact but there was a fierce warning in his eyes. 

"Babe, I think your sister needs a reminder," Alyssia placed a hand on his chest and suggested in a sultry tone. Her tone would automatically change from arrogant to sultry when around Azriel.  

Her statement brought out an immediate reaction from him. He grabbed her wrist in a painful grip and turned his eyes on Alyssia. 

"She is not my sister," he growled darkly while fixing her with a threatening glare. There was something forbidding in his eyes. Alyssia swallowed with difficulty. She winced when his hold around her wrist tightened more, blocking the circulation of blood.  

Sienna, who was looking at the engagement quietly, couldn't ignore a flicker of fear that she felt for Azriel. 

It was not a secret that Azriel had a real bad temper. No one could guess what would have him raging like a bull. He was like a ticking bomb.

However, the topic of her being his sister always managed to tick him off. 

"Now get the hell out of here," he shoved her hand with a jerk.  Alyssia immediately cradled her wrist and dashed out without looking back. Sienna felt the urge to follow her out. 

Azriel shifted his gaze to Sienna. 

"So for what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked, staring into her eyes with a smirk. 

Sienna summoned all her courage and spoke up.  

"He..he almost died. Why..why did you do that to him?" she lifted her chin to feign bravery.   

His smirk broadened into an amused smile.

"So he didn't die, eh?" he remarked and folded his arms across his large chest while looking down at her. The move made him look even more intimidating. He was quite tall. She reached up only to his chest.

"Leave him alone," she stated in a stern tone. His casual attitude about this whole matter was baffling. A boy almost lost his life because of him and he was hoping for him to die. 

Something akin to bitterness seeped through his features. 

"Why? Why are you so concerned about him? Do our little princess has a crush now?" his smile broadened and he eyed her mischievously but Sienna had caught a hint of annoyance in his tone. 

"Because he is my friend and he has done nothing to you," she ignored his question and answered solemnly. 

"A friend?" he burst into a fit of laughter. 

"Did no one tell you, princess? A loser like you don't have a friend. I am sure he is after your brain or maybe after your plain, pathetic body," he replied derisively while surveying her from tip to bottom.

"It is difficult to believe the latter though so I am betting on the first one," he concluded.   

Sienna couldn't help but feel offended by his comment. He knew just how to make her feel bad about herself. 

"I've just come to tell you not to bother him again," she said and was about to turn when he grabbed her wrist and pushed her against a desk. She had to clutch the edge of the desk to not fall back. 

He strategically caged her between the table and him by putting his hands on either side of her waist. He leaned down, making her lean back.   

"I don't take well to orders, moonshine. So don't ever boss me again. The consequences will not be good," he seethed in her face, causing a cold shudder to run down her spine. 

"And as for that pathetic loser. The more you will plead his case, the more I will go after him. He is a coward and spineless jackass.....just your type," he added venomously. 

Sienna glared at him with utmost hatred. 

"You are impossible. I am done with it. I am done with you," she spat, resentfully. 

With his towering height, he was looming over her tiny frame. Their faces were mere inches apart. They both were fiercely glaring at each other. 

The corners of his lips lifted into a smirk. 

"Really?" he purposefully drew closer, causing her to lean further back. Her elbows were supporting her weight now.  

"But I don't remember you doing anything with me. Does it mean you want to do something with me?" he asked goofily as he leaned closer, to her discomfort. Her eyes turned wider in astonishment when she realised the double meaning of his words.

"Get away," she stated in a stern tone. 

"Let's strike a deal. I will stop bullying that cocksucker. But in exchange I want something," he whispered the last part in her ear before pulling away with a sly smile. In her guts, she felt apprehensive about his statement. 

Her brows scrunched in confusion.  

"What?' she asked lastly. She was intrigued to know his answer but at the same time also dreaded it. 

"Would you sleep with me to save him?" he whispered the words sinisterly in her ear.

Her face paled and her eyes widened in shock. Did he really say that? She stared at him dumbfounded, not sure how to react to this. 

He took a moment to gauge her stunned expression before letting out a loud guffaw. 

She blinked at him, perplexed, as he howled in laughter. 

"You really thought I would ever fuck someone like you?" he sputtered between his laughter. 

A sharp pain stabbed her heart. 

"I will not touch you even if someone paid me for that," he snorted in disdain. 

No doubt his words hurt her not because he didn't want to touch her but because of the tone he used. It was full of disgust. Was she that bad? But she decided not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her hurt so she kept her expression neutral. She averted her gaze and repeated what she had come here for. 

"Le..leave him alone, please," she said in a low tone and turned to leave.

'Or what if I won't," he challenged her. She paused and licked her lips. 

"I will tell the Alpha king," she answered with a thumping heart. 

Not a moment later, she found herself being spun around and staring into a burning pair of silver orbs. 

"You think it's a good idea to blackmail me? Where did you get this confidence from?" he asked and then a vicious smirk fell over his lips as if some evil idea had struck him. 

"Go ahead. Tell him. But after that I won't be responsible for what happens with your friend," he threw malignantly.

She swallowed. 

He let her go with a jerk.  

Dazed, she turned around. Her feet hurriedly carried her out of the room as she felt warm tears invading her eyes.  

She wiped them off instantly. 

 After taking her classes, she decided to visit Dustin's home. 

Dustin had recovered to a great length but his ankles still needed a day to recover. 

Sienna told him about Azriel's animosity toward her. She didn't want to drag him into her problem so she came clean. Dustin, now, realized why he suddenly had become a target for Imperials. Sienna told him that he can leave her but Dustin refused. He liked Sienna's genuine nature and he wasn't going to leave her just because someone didn't like their friendship. 

Sienna and Dustin had some chat before she bid goodbye to him. He said he would see her in school tomorrow.   

King Jarek had summoned her in his study after dinner. She made a coffee for her and the Alpha king. 

After knocking twice at his door, she entered the room. 

Her feet froze to the floor when she saw another person in the room. 

Azriel. 

"Come on in, Sinni," Alpha Jarek cut short her shock. Azriel twisted his neck to look at Sienna. 

He smirked knowingly. 

Sienna averted her gaze and stepped inside. She walked up to the Alpha and gave him his mug. 

Azriel leaped to his feet and grabbed teh second mug, leaving nothing for Sienna. 

"Thank you," he uttered and took a sip of the coffee.

"Too much sugar," he remarked and made a face. Sienna scowled at him, of course, he wasn't looking. 

"It tastes good," Alpha Jarek assured her with a smile. She returned it with her own. Azriel simply rolled his eyes and took another sip. 

"Sit down, Sinni," Alpha instructed her. She complied.

"As you know, Sinni, we have the annual mating ceremony coming next week. Although it happens under the Alpha King's supervision this year, Azriel has volunteered to organize it. And he needs an assistant for the cause. I couldn't think of a better name than yours. You are responsible, committed, and organized. I think you will do the job just perfectly. What do you think?" Alpha Jarek asked her with hopeful eyes. 

Sienna found herself in a tight spot. She didn't want to work with Azriel but she also didn't have the guts to refuse Uncle Jarek. Not when she knew it was his attempt to improve his relationship with his son. 

Alpha King had become lonely after the death of Luna. His son had also walked out on him.  This was the first when Axriel had come to initiate a conversation with Jarek which was suspicious no doubt. Why all of a sudden did Azriel become excited to organize the mating ceremony? 

"Umm..I think I am no.."

"I told you she won't be able to do this. She doesn't have it in her. She is just too boring. I think Alyssia would be a good choice," Azriel stated, looking ahead at his father. Sienna turned to him in disbelief. 

"Azriel," his father warned him in a raised tone. 

Azriel rolled his eyes, leaned back, and folded his arms. 

Sienna straightened up and lifted her chin. 

"I'll do it," she replied in confidence. Her eyes were trained on Jarek. 

Jarek smiled proudly at her. 

'I believe in you, beautiful," a genuine smile spread across Sienna's face and she nodded at him. 

About fifteen minutes later, the duo walked out of his study. 

"Be at the venue at 4 in the morning. I hate latecomers," he told her strictly while staring meaningfully in her eyes. She wanted to laugh at his remark. It sure sounded like a joke from someone who had acquired a certificate in coming late. He was the latest comer of the century. 

"4 is too early," she said meekly. 

"I also hate those who like throwing their unsolicited opinion on others. So refrain from doing that moving forward," he squinted his eyes and looked around. He started walking away from her towards his wing.  

"But.."

"At 4 o'clock sharp," he raised his arm and put four fingers up for her without looking back. He continued to walk.  

She huffed a sigh and glared daggers at his retreating back. 

"I can feel your stare on me. Tone it down a bit," he threw over his shoulder without halting. 

She squinted. 

Swear to the moon goddess, she hated him.