Chapter 3
Venus POV
“What?” Aaron retorted, standing up.
“What?” Gaia and Vicky said in unison.
“Wh–what?” I rasped, my eyes going wide in shock.
They wanted me to marry Aaron? Did I listen wrong? Hell, no. “N–no!”
Aaron seethed with anger. “How can you do that, father?” he retorted. “I won’t marry someone who isn’t my mate! Vicky is my mate and I will marry her!”
“My decision is final,” Alpha Martin growled. “You will marry Venus. You are both getting engaged in two days and will get married at the next full
moon.”
This is ridiculous!” Aaron shouted as his hands curled up into fists.
“Lower your fucking tone!” Alpha Martin said in a menacing voice, his eyes flashing amber, his wolf hating anyone questioning his authority. “I know this is in the best interest of the pack.”
Vicky started crying as she looked at me with accusation in her eyes. My stepmother turned to her and hugged her, pressing her head to her chest, trying to calm her. “Hush, no baby..”
My heart thundered in my ribs. This marriage would be a disaster. Aaron would never love me, and I would die loving him. I glanced at my father, who was sitting there with absolute calm, watching Aaron. Why wasn’t he saying anything? I got up from my place to take hold of the situation. “Alpha Martin,” I said in a low, cautious voice. “I can’t marry Aaron. He loves Vicky and Vicky loves him. They are both mates. It would be a catastrophe if I marry Aaron. Please reconsider your decision.”
Alpha Martin raised his eyebrow as if saying that I dared to challenge his decision. I withered under his gaze, but I couldn’t allow him to force me to marry Aaron. I had to stop this nonsense before it catapulted into a ruin for all of us.
Luna Marie held my hand and said, “Sit down, Venus. I know that this can be overwhelming for all of you at the moment, but this is your Alpha’s decision. We have thought about it for a long time before announcing it.”
“B–but Luna Marie, Vicky is his mate, not me. It’s not justified,” I argued, trying to be as courteous as possible even though my inside was in a state
of turmoil.
“She’s right!” Aaron shot a glare at me. “And why did you hide your decision?” he said to his parents. “You can’t expect me to marry someone I don’t love!”
Upon his words, Vicky started crying loudly. “This can’t be…” she murmured.
Gaia looked at me as if I was the one responsible for this debacle. She intervened. “That’s the right thing to do. Vicky and Aaron are meant to be with each other. Please don’t be so harsh.”
“I can’t marry Aaron,” I said to Luna with pleading eyes. “Let Vicky marry him.”
Luna Marie’s eyes softened. She cupped my face with one hand. “Venus, I gave my word to your mother that you will marry my son, Aaron. I know that this is all shocking for both of you, but I’m sure that with time, things will be fine. You both complete each other. There was a reason I insisted that you be trained as a Luna. We have talked to the Elders about this marriage and they are of the same opinion. From the bottom of my heart, I know for sure that Aaron is going to be thankful to the Moon Goddess for marrying you.”
I blinked my eyes in astonishment at her. They had also talked to the Elders about it? My heart drummed in my chest like a drummer gone mad. I peered at my father with pleading eyes, but he just stared at me with a hint of a smile. Seriously, what was going on? And then my father said, “Happy birthday, Venus.”
My mouth dropped to the floor. So this was why he hadn’t wished me since morning?
Aaron was so furious that he stomped out of the room.
“I want to go home,” Vicky said through tears. “Please take me home, mom.”
My stepmother and Vicky got up. They bowed to the Alpha and Luna and walked out. I rushed after Vicky. “Vicky!” I breathed as I caught her in the foyer. “I- this is all so surprising! I didn’t know-”
“Oh, cut the crap!” Vicky hissed at me. “How could you? Why didn’t you deny their decision? You wanted Aaron to yourself and become the queen of this wealth and pack. You’re a disgusting, greedy little bitch! I should’ve been the Luna of the Oak Pride pack, not you. I am Aaron’s mate, not you. You have usurped my place with your shenanigans!”
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Chapter 3
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“Vicky!” I said as shock flickered wildly through me. “What are you saying? I protested because I know Aaron is your mate.” Acknowledging that was killing me, but I caught her hand gently. “Please listen to me.”
“Oh please! You protested weakly!” She jerked her hand away, her face contorted with anger. “You are such an ingrate! After what my mother and I have done for you, this is how you repay us? If you have any shame left, you will reject this marriage before coming home.” With that, she spun and walked out of the house with Gaia. Gaia gave me a hateful look as she stormed out of the manor. Blood drained from my face, watching them leave. Until a few moments back, they were the sweetest people in my life. How could they turn so bitter in less than thirty minutes for something that wasn’t in my control?
As if in a haze, I turned to go to the main hall. Somehow in my heart, I knew Aaron was the right wolf for me, but did Aaron know? Did he believe in me even once?
Eric came over and hugged me warmly. “Congratulations, humbug! Welcome to the fam!”
“Bah!” I dismissed him. “This gotta be my worst nightmare,” I murmured.
“No, it isn’t,” he chuckled. “And if Aaron fails you, I’m always there.”
I smacked his forearm, and he laughed. Eric, Aaron and I had been friends ever since I can recall. Eric was two years younger than Aaron, and we both bonded well. He was like a brother I had never had.
My mom died when I was fourteen. It was an enormous loss for both me and my dad, but Alpha’s family had been there for me always.
“Don’t go back home now,” Luna Marie said when I arrived in the main hall. “We will be there for your first shift.”
The Alpha and Luna were there for the first shift of every pup. They gave them their blessings. I hoped Aaron would be there with me on the first shift, but my heart sank a little more when I realized he would probably be with Vicky, nursing her wounds. Tears burned in my eyes all over again.
“Yes, Luna,” I said, glancing at dad. Why was he still so cool about it? Wasn’t he concerned about Gaia? He was in deep conversation with Alpha Martin about the engagement. “Father, can I speak with you?” Only he could convince Alpha to take his decision back.
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