Duped

I hear mixed cries from my maids and Mason as I hold on to the front of Quill's jacket to hold him in place as I kiss him, his body stiff as he's stunned.

I need to make this believable, though; I press my breasts against his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He seems to relax then, placing a large hand on the back of my waist, his other hand cupping my right cheek where the moon mark is at.

I feel him ripped away from me as Mason grabs him and slams Quill against the far wall, honey eyes boring into Quill's calm green ones.

"I will kill you!" Mason screams in his face, and again, no fear in Quill's eyes.

"Mason! Release my lover." I ordered, walking over to where they stood. My maids trailed me, nervous chatter coming from them.

Mason let go of Quill then, causing him to fall back on the wall, sliding down. Mason stepped towards me, looking like he wanted to hold on to me, either to hug me or shake me.

"Darling, have you forgotten that you're betrothed to ME." He replied, looking down at my left hand for the engagement ring.

That finger was bare.

Mason's expression went into disbelief, and he looked at my other hand in case I had switched the ring to my right hand.

Bare as well.

"You can leave now." I said coldly, and Mason flinched as if I doused him in hot water.

"We're not even going to talk about it?" He asked, and I tapped my chin as if thinking it through.

"I, Cecilia Ivette Thorn, reject you as my possible mate." I replied, and I walked past him, grabbing Quill by his arm as I led him away.

I looked back at Mason, seeing his expression full of shock, and I shrugged.

"You should be happy, Mason; you're free."

I dismissed my maids, as they were eager to spread the gossip to the others in the castle. I walked Quill to my father's office, silence around us.

Truth be told, I did feel a bit brash pulling a stunt like that. I didn't know what Quill thought of me because of it.

As I opened my mouth to apologize, the butler stopped us in front of my father's study, handing me a scroll tied in black ribbon.

"From the shaman, my lady." the elder man said, and I thanked him, pushing the door open.

My father sat behind a heavy oak wood desk, looking busy as he shuffled some papers. and scribbled his name on some of the parchment.

Before he could say anything, I tossed the scroll into his fireplace, watching the flames eat eagerly at the paper. Death's words echo in my head.

"Daughter, what's going on?" He asked as he motioned for Quill to sit in the chair across from him.

"Nothing, Father. I just wanted you to know that I broke the engagement between Mason and I." I replied, still watching the fire.

"What? But the wedding is two weeks away! And the invitations have been sent out!" He said, slamming his hand on his desk.

I turned to him, my eyes glaring at him, and I was going to reply back, I heard Quill clear his throat.

"That's one of the things I wanted to see you, sir. I've taken your daughter as a lover and wanted to take her as my bride." Quill said, his eyes meeting my father's steadily.

"Sounds scandalous, Quill." My father said, looking between Quill and I.

"I've fallen for him." I say, trying so hard to make the words sound true.

"And this late into the soon to be wedding?" my father asks, his eyes full of suspicion.

"Father, you were right. Mason isn't the one for me. Quill is different. He's kind, and he's present, and he wanted to talk to you about asking for my hand before doing anything else." I said, wringing my hands together.

My father is quiet for a moment, staring at the work in front of him before rubbing his temple.

"You couldn't pick a human, could you Cecilia?" He asks.

I think about it then, wondering if I should take this moment and reject Quill as well.

After all, I didn't really know Quill at all, only knowing bits of information because of Mason.

A faint memory pulled up then, of Quill laughing and smiling with a member of his pack when I was looking for Mason. He didn't look menacing nor scary.

Mason proved to be someone I couldn't trust in the end.

"I choose Quill." I say softly, and my father sighs.

"At least this will make trade easier." Quill says, sounding businesslike.

"Was that the plan?" my father asks, arching an eyebrow.

"Of course not." I say, getting ready to leave the office.

"Don't think I didn't notice you wearing one of your mother's gowns, Cece." My father says.

"I wanted to include Mother in this moment, father." I say, and his gaze softens as he nods in understanding.

I leave the room before another word is uttered, heading to the kitchen.

There is chatter about how Mason had to be escorted by the guards, as he had refused to leave of his own accord.

Maids walked by, whispering to each other and stopping as they caught sight of me. I saw the look shift from doubt to surprise as they realized the rumors they helped spread had been true.

I gave them a frosty smile, pushing the doors to the kitchen where the smell of breakfast floated around. Taking a seat, butlers ushered by carrying trays of food.

Fresh scones, cooked bacon, eggs mixed with seasoning were placed on the table, toasted bread with slight butter spread on it, and a jar of jam on the side.

My aching ribs let me know that I wasn't going to be able to eat like I wanted to, so I simply ate small portions of each plate, dabbing at my lips with my napkin.

The chair across from me scraped against the floor as it was pulled back, and Quill sat down, the butlers hurrying to him as they placed breakfast before him as well.

I felt my heart leap and reach for my glass of water, drinking it quickly.

"We have many things to speak of." Quill started, and I cleared my throat.

"Is that so?" I asked, pushing my plate away.

"Yes. Firstly, what in the world was that all about? I came here to do some business with your father and leave engaged." He says, sounding like he himself can't quite believe it.

"I say, you're lucky. After all, this would make business with my father much easier. Plus, we both know your pack is the strongest in all of the land."

Quill didn't look like he believed me one bit, and I sighed as I looked at my dirtied plate.

"I was made aware that Mason was having an affair with my best friend Isadora. Even though he was to wed me."

"So you did this as an act of revenge?" Quill said flatly, and I winced

"It kind of got out of hand..." I trailed off, and Quill rolled his eyes, shoving a spoonful of eggs into his mouth. "If you like, I can clear this up with my father."

Quill shook his head, which surprised me.

"You want to go through it?" I asked, and he nodded, drinking his water.

"It makes sense that the alpha of the strongest pack was to court the girl from the wealthiest dukes." He said, and something akin to disappointment hit my heart.

I covered my reaction by nodding in agreement. "We don't have to get married in two weeks."

"Good, because that's not enough time in getting to know you."