Chapter 4: Aiday

The next day, I got ready, dressing in a pair of black ripped jeans and a baby blue crop top and a pair of white converse, braiding my hair and putting on very light makeup. Once I was dressed, I saw it was nearly eleven so I grabbed my phone and made my way towards the office. There were chairs there, I could hear voices so I decided to sit while I waited. It wasn’t long before I heard a cheerful, “Good morning.” I looked up to see Nicholas and not too far behind him was his cousin, “I hope we didn’t keep you waiting too long.” He stated, I gave him a weak smile,

“Not at all, it sounds like there’s a meeting going on in there so it’s fine.” he nodded, just then, the door opened and my brothers walked out, “Brothers, what’s going on?” The eldest of the triplets smiled at me while the other two started towards the bedrooms, 

“We’re planning a trip to some of the neighboring packs. We want to find our mate, Jackson wants to wait until after the wedding to find his mate because of everything going on so he’s giving us permission to go.” I nodded and hugged him tightly,

“I hope you guys find the woman you’re looking for, though, I’m not sure if I could handle having three mates but I’m sure whoever she is can keep you three in line.” He gave me a look but just smiled and shook his head, then looked to Nicholas, 

“Perhaps you’ll be able to keep this one in line.” He joked which earned him a death look from me, Nick just scoffed slightly,

“I think that may be the other way around, Wesley,” they both laughed; his comment caused me to look at him with curiosity. Jackson walked out and patted Wesley on the shoulder,

“Shouldn’t you be packing?” Jackson asked, Wes smiled,

“See you later sis, Nicholas,” he nodded his head towards Nick and then turned and walked towards the others. Jackson then turned to us and smiled,

“The office is yours, but note that I have another meeting in an hour.” 

“Of course, Alpha, I assure you, we shall be done shortly. We just have a few arrangements to make before the wedding and wanted to discuss it further in a less intimate setting.” Nicholas explained, Jackson nodded and moved out of the way as I, Nick and Rick went into the office and shut the door. 

After half an hour of reading and rereading the contract, I set the papers down and looked at Nick, “So, in order to wait another year, your first condition is that I leave with you to the castle?” He nodded,

“You would have your own room of course and free range of the castle as well. There aren’t many women in the castle due to the arrangement so, I will personally assign someone to help your transition.” I didn’t like the idea of having someone hovering around me, but I suppose I don’t have a choice…

“Next was dates, correct?” I asked, Nick nodded again, 

“Every weekend, we will have date nights, to get to know each other more. I shall be honest, I stressed my concerns about the match to my father who basically told me to do this or else my people will die; trust me, Aiday, neither of us want another war between the wolves and vampires; we must do what is necessary to protect both of our people.” Curious as to the concerns he spoke of, I let my mind wander off, “Aiday,” I shook myself from my thoughts, “Is there anything else you wish to ask me about this contract or perhaps, anything you’d like to add?” Looking over the contract, I decided to write my conditions down on a separate sheet of paper and then handed it to him. He read over them and smiled before looking at me with his hands folded,

“Is there something wrong with my requests?” I asked him, he shook his head,

“Not at all, but I will say, these runs you want to go on, I only ask that you are accompanied by a guard to be safe.” I agreed. 

“Is there anything else you wish to add before I leave? I want to go back to my room.” he shook his head, I stood and went towards the door, 

“Aiday,” he called, “we need to sign this contract. Rick is here to stand as a witness just in case my parents try to object.” I heaved a heavy sigh and went back over where Nick handed me a pen to which I took and signed my name on the line, Nick followed suit. Once the papers were signed, Nick handed them to Rick, “Have these uploaded to my computer immediately and emailed to Miss Alcmene as soon as possible. Also, make two extra copies for the two of us to have on hand.” Rick nodded and left the room, I followed soon after going straight to my room.

I barely came out of my room for the rest of the day, instead, I spent the day going through most of my belongings trying to think of what to take with me to the castle. There was a slight knock on my door, “Come in,” I called, Merissa then came in with a smile, she took my hand and stared at the ring, 

“Beautiful.” she hugged me tightly, “So, what was that little meeting about? Planning the wedding already?” she giggled, I smiled at her, unsure if I should mention the contract, deciding not to, I just shrugged,

“I guess I’m taking everyone's advice and giving the poor boy a chance.” Merissa raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off, then noticed what I was doing,

“Planning a trip?” She asked me,

“Do me a favor, don’t mention anything to the guys, especially my father. I want to tell them when I’m ready.” Merissa nodded, and sat down on my bed, picking up my old songbook and flipping through it,

“You haven’t written in a while, not since…” she didn’t even have to finish the thought before I started walking away, “Aiday, you’ve always had such a beautiful voice. The fondest memory of your mother is when you received your first piano; she’d sit there with you for hours helping you learn to play. And when you wrote your first song, I saw the tears of happiness well up in her eyes.” I smiled, wiping the tears from my eyes,

“I think the notebook with that song is around here, somewhere.” I told her while rummaging through my bookshelves. Before I could look more, a knock interrupted my train of thought, Merissa opened it to reveal my fiance along with Jackson and my father.

“Nicholas informed us that you two have decided to have the wedding a year from today; congratulations.” Jackson said, I gave a weak smile, “Though, I’m sure the king and queen won’t be as thrilled to wait another year.”

“No, they will not, however, my parents will agree we need time to plan this wedding properly; especially knowing my mother.” Nick chimed in, I gave him a look,

“I’m pretty sure she’s been making the plans for the last two years. If I were a betting person, I’d say she’d have us married the moment we made it to the castle.” Nick thought for a moment and then nodded,

“You’re not wrong, I definitely wouldn’t put it past my mother dear.”

“We were also told that you’ll be leaving with Nicholas tomorrow evening, is this true as well?” Father asked, this time, Merissa went over to him and my brother, crossing her arms while looking at me, I sighed,

“Yes, it is. It will give us time to...get to know each other and see if we’ll even be able to tolerate being together.” They all nodded, but I could see the disapproval written on my brothers’ face. “Now, since that is out in the open, may I pack my things in peace?” Everyone was walking out of the door, “Except for you, your highness.” Nick stopped and turned around, I gave him a glare which caused him to swallow the lump forming in his throat, “Shut the door, please.” He did as I asked, 

“Did I do something wrong?” I placed my hands on my hips,

“You told my family, without me and much worse, without my permission as well.” 

“I’m sorry, you’re right, I should have talked to you first to see what you wanted to do.” I gave him another small glare, “Can I help you pack?” he asked, 

“Fine, but leave my clothes to me. I don’t want you seeing my underwear.” he smirked, 

“Yes ma’am.” he said, grabbing books off of my desk and putting them in the boxes. I can’t believe  I’ll be leaving my home tomorrow with a man that I don’t want to be with…

The evening came and all of my belongings were sealed away in the car; I decided to go for a run since I’d be cooped up in a vehicle for hours. Feeling the damp dirt under my paws was so refreshing, the breeze blowing through my white fur, I felt at home, free. I loved this feeling, it’s been the best feeling ever, but I’ve been so afraid ever since my mother was killed, killed by my fiance’s people; I made it to the creek where I stopped for a moment to rest, taking a drink of the cool water, I sighed, allowing my thoughts to run wild. 

Returning home, I joined my brothers and father inside along with Nick and his cousin, “It’s getting late, you’ll have to leave soon.” Father stated, I nodded as I threw my hair in a ponytail,

“Yeah, it’s going to be a while until we reach the castle; I already informed my parents and they’re planning to have breakfast prepared for you when we arrive.” Nick stated, Rick leaned over to him and whispered in his ear as they enjoyed a private conversation while I said goodbye to my family. The triplets were leaving tomorrow to other packs in search of their mate. I hugged them first, then Jackson, who was still not happy about the situation I’m in, and finally my Father, who held me tightly, not wanting to let me go. Jackson walked over to Nick along with the triplets,

“I will say this once, and I speak for the four of us, if you hurt our sister, consider your immortal life done for. She is the most important thing to us and our pack, if anything were to happen to her, we will come after your head first. Understood?” Nick put his hands up in defense,

“Yes, I understand. I do not intend to hurt her nor allow anyone else to. She’ll be very well protected, I assure you.” The boys nodded before I had to take hold of Nick’s arm as he led me to the car, opening the door for me, “After you.” I gave him a faint smile before sliding in the seat, he then followed and the car started. Rick turned on some music and rolled up a divider so it was more private in the backseat. I watched as we started leaving my pack; once the lights of our small pack disappeared into the dark, I turned to Nick who looked at his phone,

“Perhaps I should take a nap, I’m pretty tired from my run.” Nick looked up for a brief moment and nodded,

“I figured you’d say that. Rest, I’ll wake you when we get there.” I nodded and curled myself up in the seat and began to drift off to sleep.