Unpleasant Feelings

An audible gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd. Lips were parted open in astonishment. Breaths were suspended and eyes were dazzled. 

For a second, Masha was confused about her father's second daughter. She wondered if he had another child she must have forgotten about. Then, it dawned on her that she was his only daughter and was the one being referred to. 

Her heartbeat increased rapidly in her chest as she looked up at him, her lungs becoming difficult to breath. Even Kona seemed confused and looked at her. And it was obvious the shock was not meant for them alone as even the Alpha's family seemed shocked to the teeth. 

Surprise and befuddlement rushed through the crowd. It was the most shocking news to them as they've never had a Vampire getting married to a wolf. It would definitely be the first of it's kind. Even the rest of the Alphas turned to themselves and mustered their shock. 

Lord Galadriel could see the resentment trying to build up in the crowd. Thus, he had to act quickly. 

"I know this is coming as a great shock to you all" he lifted his hands halfway. "But I want us to see this as a new beginning. It's for the best. This union will strengthen out bond. Do you have any idea what it will do to us? It will create a better relationship where we can not only co-exist, but inter-marry".

"I don't understand", Masha scoffed under her breath. 

She looked at her mother but noticed she was equally shocked. 

"This decision was made just between the Supreme King and I. And it has already been finalized because it is the best for us. I decided to start with my daughter - Lady Masha - because I want to make a good example of myself. And because I trust the wolves to do a good job with her. I want everyone of you to know we can trust them. So, this is not just a celebration of our bonding, but a celebration to a new relationship that has never existed", he lifted his drink and toasted it in the air, then smiled at the Supreme King before drinking. 

Masha was already having difficulty breathing. Inevitably, her gaze turned to the table of the Supreme King and his family. Was it a dream? Or it was indeed, reality?

Her heart gave a mighty leap when she saw the Alpha's son. Was her father trying to play games on her? Of course, it was a game, because there was no way it was happening. 

Lord Galadriel ordered the dancers to warm up the stage. And when he returned to his seat, Masha stood up. 

"What is the meaning of this, father?" She asked, her eyes glistening as her chest plimmed. 

It drew the attention of the guests. But staring into her eyes, Lord Galadriel could see betrayal. 

"We shall talk after the party, Masha. Have your seat", he said nevertheless, his voice as hard as a rock. 

"No. I will not be a part of this until I get a full explanation", she repelled, although her tone was less stubborn but more hurtful. 

Her mother had her head bent over, seeming short of words. Lord Galadriel said nothing more and Masha turned to leave. 

"Sit back, Masha I shall not have you disobey me", her father's words were low, but aggressive. They echoed a warning of a consequence to her actions. 

Slowly turning back to the table, she glared at him with eyes glistening with tears. And forcefully, she plonked herself on her seat. 

Her chest rose and fell heavily as did her breath. Tears stung her eyes and made the rest of her vision blurry, and oh! she was so on the verge of breaking out. But Kona quickly reached for her hand, squeezing it into his. And somehow, that calmed her a little. 

The dancers were already on stage, doing what they knew how to do best. But this time around, it couldn't have much impact as the people couldn't stop nattering on the strange announcement. 

It didn't take long before the Alpha's son stood to his feet and walked out, equally earning the attention of everyone, including Masha who felt her throat going dry.  

She had never been so scared her entire life and had never prayed for a truth to be false. Perhaps, it was a dream. Or better still, a test. 

***********************

Masha did not wait for the party to fully come to an end before excusing herself and finding her way to the room. Everything about her screamed anger and detest - her footsteps, her breath and entire body language. Everyone could read it around her and the servants knew that was the moment she should be avoided the most. The slightest provocation could cost them their jobs. 

Getting to her room, she whacked the door close and began pacing tho and fro, her chest rising and falling heavily. Her head was spinning with echoes of her father's words. How did everything happen so fast? How could he even think he could just use her to seal up his stupid deal?

She brushed her wispy hair as her chest heaved. And just then, the door went open with her mother showing up. It was just as if Masha had been expecting her as she turned and snapped out her frustration. 

"I need an explanation, mother. What does your husband think he is doing?" Her eyes were fierce and her words blunt. 

*Husband?* Lady Jade was taken aback by her choice of words, but considering how intense the situation was, she decided to wave it aside.  

"Keep calm, Masha. I am as shocked as you are", she crooned. 

"Keep calm? You expect me to keep calm after such disturbing announcement? What does he even think I am? A puppet? Who's ready to be married at his will? How can he just engage me to someone I've only known for a few hours? To someone I've never spoken with? And not just anyone, but a werewolf?! He really expects me to be the first vampire to co-exist with them? If he is so interested in setting his example, why not use himself? Why does it have to be me? I am not a scapegoat, mother. So, tell that to him!" Her voice was threatening the roof. 

"Watch your tone, Masha!" Lady Jade rasped. "Do not pour out your frustration on me. I did not make this decision".

The door opened again and this time, it was Kona. 

"Did you just say frustration?" Masha focused on her mother. "Father just announced my engagement to a stranger and you think I don't deserve to be frustrated? Do you even see the Alpha's son? Haven't you... noticed how he looks? He is scary, mother! He hates vampires so much and derives pleasure from killing them. Didn't you watch how he killed those men without batting a lid? And how he rubbed off their blood on his skin? That's the kind of man I should get married to? How?! Just tell me, how? It's bad enough that this stupid collaboration is taking place. But trying to use me as an example is something I will never do!"

"Masha..."

"I do not want to listen to you!" She cut her off. 

Tears were already seeping down her cheeks. 

"I deserve to be happy, not married off to some strange people. Or don't you care about my happiness? You've never did! Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder if I truly came from your legs or you just picked me up from somewhere!"

Now, that hurt Lady Jade so bad, even Masha could see it. But she cared less as she dabbed her tears and headed for the door. 

"Masha..." Kona tried to stop her, but she ignored him and walked out. 

*********************

Her footsteps sounded down the walkway as her disenchanting eyes stared at the door before her. Even the male servants behind her were careful as they guarded because they did not want to step on her toes at that moment. Stepping on her toes would definitely cost them their heads. 

The face of the Supreme Luna - Eve - didn't seem good at all. There was nothing but anger, disappointment and disgust as she walked down to her husband's room. 

Still dressed in her powerful regalia that gave her the perfect 'mean queen' look, the servants could not comprehend what exactly disgusted her. The environment? Or just the news?

Getting to the door, Luna Eve stood back while one of the guards knocked. And in a short time, they got the response to enter. The guard opened the door and stayed behind while the Luna proceeded. 

She stomped into the room and huffed when she found the Supreme King with some men who helped taking off his clothes. Cocking his neck, he spared her a glance from the door before looking away. Eve felt he must have guessed her reason for being there. Thus, didn't care much. 

"I request to have some privacy with the King", she voiced out, but the men didn't leave immediately as they needed to get the final permission from the King himself. 

The Supreme King heaved a sigh and stepped away from the men. 

"It's fine. Leave us", his grumpy voice worded. And with a bow, the men left, earning a hard glare from Eve as they walked out the door. 

"Before you begin bickering, Eve, just know that the decision is final and I am not going back on my words", The Supreme King stated casually as he walked to the table to grab a tobacco pipe. 

"Seriously?" Eve scoffed. "How can you just engage our son to that Vampire? With all due respect, My King, it is not wise!"

"Point of correction, it is not an engagement. I do not even want them to have that tag - engaged - because they will be getting married in three days to come. And just so you know, my decision is wise", he corrected with a warning glare. But the Queen ignored. 

"Fine. I understand this collaboration was needed. I mean, even if it was totally against my will, I still managed to embrace it because it was important to you. But making our son marry that vampire? You of all people should know how he detests them! They are the reason his mate is dead! You really expect him to love one?" The Queen quarreled on. 

"That is my point, Eve. That is the point I expect you to see. This collaboration will not work with Czar harbouring the kind of hatred he has towards the Vampires. So, if we make him marry one, perhaps, his hatred would decrease. Besides, it will be a good thing if he finally gets to love again".

"Love?" The Queen scoffed ridiculously. "You seriously think our son has any place for love?" 

The Supreme King said nothing as he ambled to the window where he puffed smoke out from his pipe. 

"Please, My King, you need to reconsider this. Didn't you think about Sephora? You know how much I wanted her to be the one for Czar", The Queen added. 

"Sephora is Czar's mistress and she can stay that way", the King answered bluntly. 

"Really? I cannot believe you are saying this. You know what Sephora has been through. As a matter of fact, these vampires killed her entire family! She has gone through so much to..."

"Everything happened in the war, Eve! And we were not the only ones that lost people! We had also killed a lot of Vampires, Eve! And that's the reason for this collaboration! To put an end to the bloodshed!" 

There was a stunned silence, then the Queen's cracked voice came: "But you know Sephora loves Czar. This news will break her".

"If she loves him, she should have tried harder to get him before now".

"My King...",she paused and sighed. "And what about the witches' daughter? She won't take this news likely and you know it".

"Do not worry about Hagar. I know how to handle her".

"But, my King..."

"I am done with this topic, Eve. Quit standing for Czar. If he has a problem with my decision, he should let me know. But even if he does, it's still not changing a thing. My decision is final!"

Tears stung the Luna's eyes, but she was never one to weep. So, she blinked them back and flounced out of the room. 

...

With bittered steps, she returned to her room where Sephora had been waiting for her. For some reasons, she had prayed not to find the young lady there, but unfortunately, she did. 

Sephora had been pacing tho and fro, hands on her waist with her heart beating rapidly. When she heard the door go open and turned to see the Queen, it increased her anxiety. 

She stopped pacing about and tried deciphering the outcome from the Queen's face. But it was difficult. Or perhaps, she didn't want to believe the outcome she was getting. 

"H... How did it go? Did the King agree to change his mind?" She finally asked, her right hand unconsciously holding her chest. 

The Queen was still by the door and when she shook her head negatively, Sephora bursted into hysterical tears. The Queen had to rush to her for comfort.