Five - Dawning Reality

KNOX

My heart stopped as my gaze fell on her, descending the stairs and everything around me seemed to disappear until all I could see was her—all I could breathe. She didn't even look at me. I didn't think she wanted to. If anything I thought she looked bitter. Bitter and yet beautiful.

The way my Wolf reacted to the presence of an ordinary, small woman, was uncalled for. I could hardly compose myself as I stood there, staring at her. I shut and opened my eyes.

What was happening?

“Mate—” from the inner part of me, the manly voice of my wolf muttered.

I had never heard it sound this way.

It was supposed to be a stubborn creature, domineering the other wolves whenever there was combat.

Not this way.

It sounded weak—like it had been conquered by something.

Someone.

Someone in the room.

Someone who just walked into the room.

Mate?

Mate?!

Did I hear mate?

How was this even possible?

Looking away, I looked around the room.

The Alpha, his wife, two boys and a younger woman in their midst mopped at me.

There and then, I looked at the woman who walked into the room.

She was the prettiest I would ever see.

Although small in stature, she possessed the look of a dominant woman. Her eyes also. Their colors complimented her skin, hair, and look so much.

So much that I needed to have a feel of her skin.

Did she feel it?

Did she feel the connection we shared as mates?

What was I thinking?

Was I dreaming?

Snapping out of my illusions, I smiled and gave a nod.

“What is your name, my lady?”

“Sage—”

“Sage,” I repeated, glancing at the Alpha. “Is your daughter ready to be taken, Alpha Arden? Has she packed her bags already? I believe I don't have all day to spend here with your family. I'm guessing you'll see her at the wedding.”

“Oh, yes!” The man mouthed.

Immediately, he snapped his fingers and a maid walked to the room, bowing. “Get her bags. She's leaving the pack in a moment. And you must be fast about it. Our guest needs to leave before the evening begins.”

“Yes, my lord.”

In my mind, many thoughts were running around in it. What was I about to do? Handover my mate to my nephew because I loved him and needed him to be fine?

How dumb could I be?

The creature inside of me wasn't done reacting.

Holding him down was a lot of work, especially when I found myself attracted to Sage in the space of a few minutes. Few minutes!

Looking up from where I was seated, our gazes met again.

Why wasn't she saying anything?

What was I expecting her to also say?

The door to the room opened, while the same maid walked in with a bow. “My lady's bags are ready, my lord. Shall I put them in our guest's car?”

“Yes,” I was on my feet this time, talking to the maid.

“The bags shall be kept in the trunk of the car—” and I looked at Sage.

“Shall we get going already, my lady?” Then, at the rest of her family. “My brother shall be glad to have a woman as pretty as Sage for a wife. Thank you for your acceptance. You and your family must also know that there's nothing at all to worry about because she is in safe hands.”

“We trust your family, Alpha Knox.” Apha Arden got on his feet. He walked closer, and shared a gaze with his daughter before glancing in my direction.

“Thank you.”

♡

In the car, I wondered what was right to do.

There was no way I would stop the marriage between Aegon and Sage, the woman who I had just discovered to be my mate.

But this wasn't right.

Intentionally handing over my mate to my nephew because I loved him. What about the woman?

Poor woman.

“Are you okay?”

From where she was seated next to me, she gave a nod without looking at me.

Did I look so horrible?

“I'm fine. Thank you.”

Couldn't she say something?

A word?

Maybe something that had to do with the connection we shared. Or was she trying to say she didn't notice the bond?

Why wasn't she against getting married to my nephew?

Did she even know we're mates?

Before evening, we had arrived in the pack.

Maids and guards, at the sight of our arrival, hurried to the car side, echoing greetings. “Welcome, my lord.”

“Thank you.”

I hopped down and pointed at the trunk.

“Her bags. Take them out.”

“They'll be kept in her room soon enough.” Facing the maids, I asked. “Did you clean the room like I asked you to? I don't need excuses from you maids this evening. Take the woman to her room. I'll join you shortly.”

While she was taken to the room prepared for her, I headed into the mansion and rushed to my room.

There was a need to think and digest all that was happening, before making up my mind for the worse.

What would Aegon think?

Was he going to like her?

If he didn't, then it was to my advantage.

Deep down inside of me, I wished he would find her unattractive. Maybe ugly or a woman who was not in his class. This way, I could have her for myself.

“Welcome, my lord.”

The guard who watched over my room greeted me with a bow. “I am guessing you had a good trip. Shall I call the maids to make your bath?”

“No, Aiden. I won't be needing that.”

I managed a smile, walking past him and catching up with the bed in my room space. As soon as possible, I had fallen on the bed, heaving a sigh of relief.

At the thought of it, I jumped on my feet and hurried to the drawer built into the table next to my bed. In a rush, I took out a portion bottle, sipping from it.

So many things bothered me, of which one of them was handing over the woman I should be with, to the son of my late brother.

My health mattered but not as a case this critical.

This wasn't right.

It wasn't the right thing to do, but what would they have me do? There was no other bride to take over, after all.

Aegon was dying.

If I didn't do something about it and in a hurry, I would lose him to madness. There's so much that the concoction could do, and now was the time to take action.

Just then, there came a knock on my door.

“Go away. I don't want to speak with anyone.”

“Uncle, it's me.” Aegon sounded, forcing me to rush to the door. “I thought I could come in for a chat. Are you okay?”

“Y—yes, Aegon,” I stuttered, deciding whether or not to let him in. “Come on. Come inside. What do you want to talk about? And how are you feeling? I'm sorry I didn't come to see you since I got back. I have a few things to—”

“Come on, Uncle,” settling on the couch in the space, he chuckled. “It's enough that you've gone all the way from this pack to the Moonclaw Pack to bring a woman this beautiful to come be my wife.”

He had seen her already.

When was that?

“Well—”

“I saw when you came back. And I have seen her, also. She is beautiful. More than I expected. Thank you, Uncle.”

“Oh, I see. You like her already. You haven't even talked to her, yet. Or have you? You could have waited for an introduction, my dear nephew.”

“I haven't said a word to her, uncle.”

“But she's my wife, or is she not? I mean, I have the right to speak with her if I want, isn't it? She is really beautiful and I cannot wait to hold her hands.”

That was too fast.

But what could I do?

What could I even say?

There was no way I would refuse my favorite nephew a woman. An ordinary woman even though she was my mate. For all that I knew, I wasn't planning to be married all my life. This was about him the last time I checked.

“That's enough, my boy,” I mouthed while struggling with my thoughts. “I believe this is the point where we get ready for your wedding. Don't you think the same?”

“I do. Thank you, Alpha Knox.”

He was happy.

I cared about nothing more. But his happiness.