Chapter 4 Alyssa

Her brows furrowed together when she saw where the noise came from. It was her window, and it was wide open.

She fought back a startled gasp when a hand appeared on the earth-colored sill and jumped to her feet. Alyssa quietly tiptoed towards the window, the claws on her left hand slowly making their appearance.

Her father had always warned her about the possibility of intruders and with the war raging in the other packs, she couldn't be too careful. Her wolf senses picked up instantly and her eyes flashed, a signal to attack. Just as she made ready to pounce, a head of amber colored hair popped up, revealing a very familiar face,

"Lucas?" She burst out, her claws hanging midair. The boy cheekily grinned as he pushed himself further into the window, as a result tripped over and rolled onto the ground,

His body landed on the ground with a loud thud and he groaned. He stood up, a pained grimace on his face as he rubbed his elbow.

Alyssa eyed him up and down, "What are you doing here?"

He cheekily grinned, "I saw you on my way back from the training grounds, you were coming back from the river, yes?"

"That's none of your business," She muttered with an eye roll, plodding towards her bed, "And you didn't answer my question."

He was right on her heels, skipping from side to side as he hummed a tune under his breath, "Well, I wanted to see you."

"Why?" She dropped on the bed with a sigh.

"Why?" He screwed up his face as if he'd tasted something bitter, "Do I need to have a reason to see you?"

She raised a brow and the smile on his face fell. He had this inquisitive look as he watched her and Alyssa cleared her throat, hurriedly looking away.

"You said you were coming back from the grounds," Alyssa continued in what she hoped was her best excited tone, "So how was it?"

Lucas scrutinized her for a beat before answering, "Fine, actually. There was this twat who thought he could beat me and challenged me to a duel! Can you believe that? Well, I showed him who was the leader and gave him a mark that will surely-"

He rambled on and on about their training and although, she was looking at him, her mind wasn't truly there. She wondered where her brothers were as if they'd gone to see her. She worried if her father had eaten all day and if he went to see her too.

Today was her day, after all.

"Alyssa!"

Alyssa jumped, a flustered expression on her face, "Yes!" She wasn't even running, but she was flushed and out of breath.

"I knew it, there's something wrong with you," Lucas pointed out, peering closely, "First, it was the tears and now this."

Her eyes went wide, "Tears? What do you mean? I wasn't crying-"

"I'm fine."

"Alyssa," He grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him, "What's wrong?"

Her throat tightened and she tried to swallow but it hurt too much to do so. She knew she would burst if he kept on staring at her like that. Alyssa was never able to hide anything from him, he knew her too well.

She shook her head, "It's today," The words rolled out of her tongue in a feeble whisper.

He squeezed gently, sighing, "I know, and that's why I came here."

Alyssa smiled wryly and he pulled out something from his pocket, a small box and fastened around it was a small bow that looked like silk.

"What's this?" She quipped, looking from the box to his shining emerald eyes.

He motioned for her to take it, "It's yours, open it."

She smiled and picked it up, pulling the bow and watching with a smile as it came undone. Alyssa took off the lid and her eyes widened a fraction the moment her eyes caught the silver jewel cushioned inside.

"It's beautiful," She whispered in awe.

Lucas smiled, "I got it because it reminded me of your eyes. "They're like sapphire crystals, mesmerising like the jewel itself."

Alyssa couldn't help it, she scoffed, "This is why our families wants us together. Your tongue is too smooth."

His face suddenly went blank and she felt like a fool. The engagement wasn't only hard on her, it was strange for him as well. They'd been friends all their lives and suddenly, their families sprung this on them.

So, she cleared her throat and rose to her feet, "Well, aren't you going to put it on?"

"You want me to?"

"Unless I can suddenly grow eyes behind my head then yes, I do need you to put it on for me."

He chuckled and stepped up behind her, gently pushing her hair to the side and clasping the jewel around her neck. Alyssa rushed to get her mirror and another awed gasp left her lips,

"It's truly gorgeous,. I've never seen anything quite like it," She spun around to face him with a wide smile, "Thank you, Lucas."

"It did take quite a lot before I was able to acquire this, not to mention the scuffle," He shuddered, "But I'm glad I did, it was all worth it. To see the smile on your face, I mean."

Alyssa felt her face reddened and she look away in embrasment. She hated that he knew the right words to say and just how to say it,

"Tone it down, Lucas. It's starting to look like you actually like me."

They both shared a laughter and she suddenly felt like a fraction of the weight on her shoulders had been lifted, she could breathe better too.

Lucas stepped forward with a morose expression, and took her hand, "You should wear this tomorrow."

"But-"

"Please."

Alyssa sighed, knowing she that couldn't resist his doe-eyed look, "Fine, besides it's going to better than whatever they'll want me to wear."

"Thank you, and I'm glad you love it," He leaned forward and pressed his lips on her cheek, "I have to go now, I'll see you tomorrow morning."

She raised both brows, "You're aware that it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

He was already at the window sill when he looked over a shoulder, "You don't even believe that."

Alyssa chuckled, shrugging both shoulders and he smirked before jumping out of the window. She watched him leave as her lips slowly pulled into a frown.

"The bride," She murmured dully, her fingers twisting the jewel from side to side.

In a few hours from now, she would be someone's mate, branded and marked to be with him for life. Alyssa wasn't sure she was prepared for it,

She wasn't certain she wanted to be marked by him either. Her family had always mapped out her entire life, for her good they would always say but this?

This was too much and she didn't know what to do. Lucas was a good person but she didn't love him in that manner. Alyssa was sure that he didn't either, he did adore her as a friend but that was it.

She could only hope that this decision wouldn't turn them into enemies rather than the lovers their families hoped they would become.