Chapter 7
At the announcement made by Zane, my mouth went wide open with shock and surprise.
I fiddled with my fingers as my face coloured bright red as I flushed in embarrassment, trying to avoid every single eye that tried to make eye contact with me.
Silently, I hoped that the ground could somehow open up and cover me up.
Reality struck me hard, that I had to be facing the people taunts and hatred now as Luna.
After everything, the meeting came to an end, and Alpha Zane and I left the hall together.
It felt so awkward as he treated me with so much love and attention, that it looked surreal.
It made me wonder if he was just acting based on the contract or if he actually genuinely cares about me.
This strange feeling of his love stuck in my throat as I felt disgusted to fall for my family murderer.
“How are you feeling now?” He asked, searching me for any physical injuries.
“I'm fine Alpha”
“You do not need to act as if you care, we're already behind doors and out of people's eyes,” I reminded him.
I felt a pang in my chest when I said that and I didn't understand why.
Anyways, I was hell-bent on not falling for Zane.
“Do you think I was actually putting up an act out there?” Zane asked with his curled eyebrows, gawking at me like an owl.
I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, biting my lips and tapping the ground anxiously.
“I'm a very straight man, Amelia. There's no two ways about me.
I had decided to marry you and I am committed to doing my duties as a husband and not just an Alpha,” Zane said.
At that moment, it was as if he was mumbling some mantras vows to me while we Circumambulated round the sacred fire to consecrate our vows.
The passion in his eyes as he spoke was surreal that I got lost in them.
“Alpha Zane, this is just a marriage of convenience and there's absolutely no need for love and affection,” I reminded him, distancing myself from him.
Not that I didn't care, but I couldn't find myself falling for my father's killer. It was totally unforgivable.
Maybe, if we met on better terms, I would have given him a chance.
A glimpse of pain and disappointment flashed through his eyes as left me in the room, dragging his feet on the ground as he left.
Though, I could see through him but he was too quick to hide his emotions.
Tears slid down from my eyes, as I couldn't help but burst into tears.
I couldn't understand what was happening and why the moon Goddess would choose to pair me and my family murderer as my mate.
Thinking of the mating ceremony tomorrow made me sick in the stomach.
To think that the first mating ceremony I would witness would be mine, and to think that the mate was Alpha Zane made me gnash my teeth in misery.
Alpha Zane held no title before me except My family Murderer.
****
The entire palace was bustling with life and energy as stewards were all busy with the wedding preparations.
I walked aimlessly round the palace searching for Eliora, who's my only companion and friend since I got here.
Fastening my pace, I frantically searched every corner for her but couldn't find her.
While on the search, I burst into a group of stewards carelessly gossiping about me.
There was no doubt that everyone thought of me as an whore, especially since Princess Issabella has bought their hearts with gifts.
Unfazed, I left the scene and returned to my lonely bedroom, since my search was futile.
My heart pounded in my chest heavily at the sight of an unknown shadow in my room.
I heaved a sigh of relief, when the figure became clear and I realized that it was Eliora who was setting up some clothes and jewelry for the occasion.
“Let me dress you up for the occasion, Luna. Your groom is awaiting you.”
Eliora said passionately as she moved to wash me up with some scented oils and soaps that made me feel so relaxed.
“So this is what royalty feels like,” I exclaimed inwardly.
I was adorned with beautiful dresses and jewelries that made me stand out amongst others.
I could be mistaken for a dazzling sun. The brightness from the diamonds on me was too blinding.
Taking each step, slowly I strided to the ceremony venue where I met the villagers gathered ready to witness the event.
Their eyes gleamed with excitement as they all jubilated at my presence.
Forcefully, a smile plastered in my face as I waved to them politely as Eliora had trained me to do.
Deep down, I was a bit excited about all this.
Infact, I was pained beyond my imagination.
I got to the podium, where my mate was standing, staring at me lustfully that my face turned red with embarrassment under his piercing gaze.
A lot of celebrations, presentations and gifts were presented to us but I was seated there, lost in my world not until the priest called me for the rituals.
Finally, after all the priest had read out, he asked us to profess our vows publicly.
My heart thumped violently in my chest as I heard the priest thunderous question
“Do you, Alpha Zane Reynolds, take Amelia as your lawfully wedded wife and Luna?”
“Yes, I do,” Zane responded quickly.
Then, the question was directed to me.
“Do you, Amelia Moore, take Alpha Zane, as your lawfully wedded husband and Alpha?”
The whole arena was quiet as I kept mute.
I looked into Alpha Zane's eyes and caught him glaring at me with a deadly gaze that was supposed to be a reminder to me.
“Yes, I do,” I stammered, remembering our contract.
The priest passed us a knife for the blood oath.
Alph Zane helped to slice my fingers and his, as we poured our blood into a cup, mixed them together and drank the potion as the priest enchanted some prayers to the moon Goddess.
“I present to you, Alpha Zane Reynolds your Alpha and Amelia Moore, your Luna.”
The crowd burst into excitement. Shrills sounds were heard as they all shifted into their wolf form to celebrate with us.
“Long Live Alpha!!!”
“Long live Luna!!!”
They hailed.