Chapter Eight

* Nick *

I choose to be late for a couple of minutes inside the palace comfort room in order for everybody to be at the table. But, when I saw all of them standing in front of the table and all their eyes are on me when I arrived I wanted to kick myself for being late. My mother who stand beside my father has her eyes full of conviction when they meet mine. Then my father motioned his hands to make me sit beside my brother Brad who's face is a little bit excited? If I am right.

"Thank you for coming later than usual Nick, we were all standing and waiting for you. I told everyone we couldn't sit except for Mr. Bates. But he insisted to stand with us, don't you know that he has a fragile bone condition which makes it difficult for him to stand on longer period of time?"

I let out an exhausting breath when Maleficus and Mrs. Bates made a low chuckle. Then I notice a female wolf standing beside Mrs. Bates, her slim and alluring figure then my eyes move slowly to her skin revealing due to the tiny straps of her gown. She has a body that every she wolf would envy and her eyes, are they emerald or forest green? I gulp down a lump in my throat when she meet my gaze and a shadow of admiration passed through her vision. She has the most expressive gaze of all the female wolves that I have ever encountered. Is she Emma? The Emma Bates that my brother is going to marry!

"Everyone! let us all be seated now that both of my sons are here. I am sure Nick will be bothered by making us all stand for a few minutes this evening."

I cleared my throat and raised my defined chin. "I sincerely apologize to everyone here tonight and to my brother, as for this event is more important to him than me."

Before we all took our seat, Brad elbowed me slightly. Then I feel his eyes towards the lady sitting opposite of us. I shifted my gaze from her when I felt the disappointment eating my heart. Maybe I was never envious or jealous of my brother before but for now I have no doubt that it is what I'm feeling. The old man Maleficus raise his glass and then made an introduction.

"Once again, I would like to thank the presence of the Bates family but more importantly to Miss Emma Bates who accepted the fate that lies on her hands and that of Brad. By the permission from our Alpha King Vincent and Luna Queen Ashley, I am formally announcing the engagement of Miss Emma Bates to Brad Langston. As we continue the celebration it is my honor to declare the public celebration one month from now and let all the wolves in the palace and of the world be aware of the two hearts union in the next full wolf moon!"

She made a low gasp, I could hear it despite the loud voice of Maleficus. I am not liking this feeling which is slowly eating my heart out. Am I going to like my brother's mate too because we are twins or what?

Brad Did not say a word as I felt him stiffened, this was not informed to him and I was not able to hold myself back when I directly look at Emma. Her beautiful green eyes are wider now and then her soft pink lips slightly move to say something but I saw her mother's hand squeezed her shoulders. There was a moment of silence before Mr. Bates clap his hand and then followed by my father and mother and Dylan, whom I only notice now. He slightly bows his head to recognize my gaze and I then clap my hands to join them. I have no valid reason not to support my brother in this.

We all cheered and made a wine toast except for Brad and Emma who look at each other silently. Her mother squeeze her shoulder softly and then she let out her beautiful voice.

"Thank you wizard Maleficus and also to the great Alpha King Vincent and Luna Queen Ashley."

She lowers her head slightly. My ears immediately notice the soft and pleasant sound of her voice. I didn't mean to sniff the air but I swear to the Moon Goddess I could smell her sweet scent lingering in the air. It made me want to destroy the table that separates us and pull him up from the chair then crush her body in my arms. I have to shake my head in order for the thoughts to go away.

"You are welcome Emma. Please Brad, why are you so silent on your seat? This is so unlike you."

My father questioningly raised his arms towards Brad. I saw how my brother's jaw flexed before he calmed himself down. This is unlike him, the Brad I knew will not agree easily if being manipulated by anyone even if it is our father.

"Well, what can I say? My mate is the most beautiful girl tonight it rendered me restless and I lost my tongue but not totally lost for I am asking for everyone's permission that after our dinner I speak with her privately. This is important if I am to take her as my mate."

I held my breath and look at my brother whose eyes are of that someone who has been happy and calm. My brother never treats women or female wolves seriously and is now agreeing to this. His eyes meet mine but he did not say a word. Mr. Bates nodded as everybody listened but begin to start getting the food which the Palace's maids are offering.

"Of course you may talk to my daughter Brad! You two could have this evening for as long as you both wanted, get to know each other and stuff."

Emma fake her cough as she look at her father, I saw how her cheeks turned red in embarrassment. My blood is rising when I saw how she and Brad both exchanged looks like they have a secret agreement in the mind link. Damn them! And I am not understanding why I am deeply frowning and I hated the idea of them talking alone. So I opened the mind link and ask my brother directly.

"Hey, what are you trying to do? Don't tell me that you wanted to already mark her on the first night? Isn't this too early for both of you?"

Brad groaned secretly in the mind link. "That is why I wanted a private conversation with her, meaning that none of our family members must hear. And why are you so interested to know dear brother?"

His question was challenging which made me silent and think of the right words to answer him back. He is right somehow but there is something that is not settling right with me.

"I am just wondering and look at her! She is scared, and she obviously looks like she has just been manipulated by her parents. You know every family would be delighted by the idea that their own daughter is mated to the heir of the Alpha King."

"Are you saying that there could be a possibility that she doesn't like me? Oh, why? Thank you so much for that Nick. I am more than willing to find out if that theory of yours is real."

Brad is being sarcastic so I stop our conversation and just gritted my teeth. What can I do to stop them from talking privately? What if my brother kisses her or takes her to his bed? Would she agree to that? I know him when it comes to wolves and women, he may have a high standard and taste for wolves but he could eat the Bates's daughter alive!

As I look at Emma I know that she is still in a little bit of shock, her eyes are a bit wider. I keep to myself for almost an hour, while the others are chatting laughing and getting to know each other. The party is getting lively but I am feeling down and weary or just emotionally not feeling up to it and I couldn't stop my eyes from following my brother's mate around.