Chapter Fifteen: Shame

Sawyer

               It was nearly eight when Aurora and her friends arrived, and I saw them through the upstairs window. Despite her smile, tension radiated through her body. She knew. My family came an hour ago. We circulated among the guests who had been ordered to arrive by seven. Everyone seemed to be in shock that the Hawthornes were there to celebrate Aurora Crane. We receded to our private wing before the birthday girl arrived. The spacious hotel rooms made Wonderland very accommodating for its guests.

Everyone seemed uncomfortable. Aurora fiddled with her key as two of her friends helped carry her dress out of the limo. I knew she hated it, but she did look beautiful. I touched my suited shoulder in remembrance of the early hours I spent with her. The mark was nearly healed when I dressed, but it didn’t matter. I knew it was there.   

               “Are you ready to meet your bride?” my father elbowed my brother in jest. “Remember, play nicely with her tonight, Archer. You can play roughly with one of your whores tomorrow.”

               “I remember, and I took the edge off earlier.” At that moment, my mother excused herself from the room. “I think her cries will keep me satisfied until tomorrow. I can’t even remember the last time I was with a virgin.” I wanted to kill him.  

               I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent any words from spilling out. He was a monster and going to be our next leader. As a child, I wondered why my mother’s rooms were on the opposite side of the house, away from Father’s, but as I got older, I began to understand. They would have polite dinner conversation, which was the only time I remember seeing them together, unless at a pack gathering. No doubt Aurora was being instructed on accepting Archer and to just deal with it. That wasn’t a life.

               She was mine. The first thought was killing Archer. There would be no wedding if he were dead, and he could never get his hands on her. But father was wise and used his words carefully. Nobody could touch Archer or stop this wedding. It was going to happen.

               The first hour of the party drifted by with people whispering and smiling. Most approached Aurora with gifts and words of encouragement as she smiled and nodded. People knew we were there but remained upstairs until the grand announcement. There were ballgowns and dancing, glasses clinking, and it looked like a good time from a distance. But the lines etched into faces, and a fine layer of sweat over brows showed the truth cracking in. This was all an act. I watched the highest members of the Crane Pack look stiff-jawed at their Alpha. Each man and his wife would look to their daughters as if wondering how they could prevent the same fate.

Old Alpha Crane didn’t realize that he’d sent panic and resentment among his officers, he might not give a shit about his daughter, but the others were actual wolves through and through. They would die for their families. I doubt he realized the mutiny he just started. Good. The old bastard deserved to die as horribly as my brother and father. If they took me out in the process, I would be okay knowing that she would survive and thrive without us.

               Their grand solution for peace and prosperity would bring about another revolution, and I don’t think either saw it coming. Fear could only keep people in line for so long. Neither Alpha was respected, and tonight, as their people would be forced to watch an innocent girl marry and be taken by a monster, it would be unforgivable. Alpha commands only work as long as you are the Alpha. Not even an Alpha can prevent a challenge. Watching the leaders of the South, it didn’t take much to see plans were being made, and the Southern Leaders would take action. Sadly, Aurora was going to be the sacrificial lamb no matter what.

               At eleven p.m., Olivier called the guests in the ballroom to circle the large landing he and Aurora were standing on with the massive seven-tier cake, “Tonight is a special celebration.” The crowd cheered, trying to show honor to the sweet blonde standing next to him. However, fear was showing since everyone should be leaving at this point.

My father began to push my brother and me from our seats. It was time. “Not only is my lovely daughter a woman today, but she is also going to be taking on the greatest role of her young life.” People began looking at each other as silence spread. We were now standing in the shadows behind Aurora, her father, and their pack leaders. He looked behind and smiled and waved us onto the front of the little stage he made. “Today, we put an end to old feuds and move into a new era of peace.” In a blink, my brother took his place between Oliver and his bride-to-be. He took Archer’s hand and joined it with Aurora’s, who was visibly trembling and holding back tears as he clasped my father on the shoulder. I was still out of sight. “Tonight, you all will witness the unity and marriage of the Hawthornes and Cranes.”

               I’m relatively sure the crowd’s reaction of cries and anger were not what he was expecting. Women were shouting, men grumbling, and others were turning to flee as the phrase “I’m not going to be a part of this” was repeatedly used.

               “Silence,” Oliver belted out. “You shall not move. This is a joyous occasion. Those of my pack, you will sit, witness, and not disturb this union. Linus and I want to further prove the peace by having this wedding take place after the faerie protection has ended. There shall be no fear of the other side, no fear of violence. We will be one unified people after tonight. We have agreed that as soon as there is an heir, Archer will ascend to lead us all.”

               My father nodded his head in agreement, “My pack, you shall do the same. This is a celebration. Maybe these two will produce an heir of unity tonight. I hope Olivier doesn’t see it as losing a daughter but gaining a son.” He smiled at Archer and laughed. “As I am sure you all are aware of Lady Aurora’s attendants, Archer only asked for one, his brother. Come forward, Sawyer.” That was a lie. This was the moment I had been both dreading and yearning for. I needed to see Aurora, but I hated that she would know who I was.

               As I entered into her view, I saw her body stiffen and jaw slack. I dipped my head in a sign of respect though all I felt was shame. I wanted was to crawl on my hands and knees and beg for forgiveness for being who I was. I couldn’t read all her emotions, but pain and hurt fought at the forefront. I walked in front of her, fully bowed, and kissed her hand. “My lady,” I whispered, “know that I will protect you with my life.” I was giving fidelity to anyone listening as a good subject would do to his future Luna, but she knew exactly what I meant.

               “Thank you. It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Sawyer.” She gave me a genuine smile. My hand immediately went to my shoulder as I raised up. Her face contorted, and I could see her love for me, even though it was hidden from the rest of the world.

               “How touching, Sawyer. Please lead your brother’s betrothed and her ladies to their suites so they may get ready. We want Aurora to feel welcomed by her new family, which is why we have given Sawyer the sacred duty of presiding over the consummation.” What? Those fucking dirty bastards were going to have me listen and check the damn sheets. If her father had any idea what we had done, he wouldn’t have let me anywhere near her. But the fool didn’t. The crowd gasped in horror. In a matter of moments, modern-day society went medieval. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Neither Alpha addressed the outrage. “Guests, please make your way to the old Grand Hall. Seating has been arranged for all.” With that, everyone began to scatter to their destination, and the Alphas and Archer went forward down the steps into the crowd while I was to lead the girls along with Mrs. Drake in the opposite direction. Each woman gave me the dirty looks that I deserved. I was the enemy to them. They had no idea my feelings for Aurora. As soon as I was down the hallway with Aurora and her friends, I grabbed her hand. I heard yelling but ignored it. I pulled her into the nearest alcove and kissed her.

               “I’m so sorry. Please, Aurora, please don’t hate me for who I am.”

               “Shadow, I could never hate you. I can’t do this. I don’t want to be his. I belong to you,” she whispered.

               “I know, my love. I know. I’ve watched you all of these years for Archer, but the truth was I wanted you all for myself, now tonight I have to watch you wed another. I could kill him. I could challenge my father before the ceremony?”

               “Would you win?” she asked breathlessly.

               “I don’t know.”

               “Then don’t risk it. I think I can survive tonight,” she was calculating her strength, “but will you still want me tomorrow?” Her eyes were cast down in shame.

               “Goddess, Aurora, I’d love you no matter what and take you any way you would allow me. I could never blame you or look at you differently for what you are being forced to do. Goddess, will you be able to look me in the eye again, knowing that I’ll be outside the room as my brother takes you, and I can’t do a damn thing to stop it. What kind of man does that make me? I’m a coward who will have to listen to the horrors of the woman I love. I fucking hate our fathers and their fucking commands.”

               “I do too. I can’t believe they are taking a chance with the fae magic. Anything could happen.”

               “They are relying on the belief that now they said there is peace, it will occur. They also believe that most of the pack members don’t have ill will towards the others, but the problems lie among the elite who they believe they fully control.”

“It going to be a blood bath.”

“I know. We have to find a way to get you out.” Her breathing was heavy as she wrung her hands and wrapped her hands around her throat. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s getting closer to midnight. I can feel my shift coming. I still can’t control it.”