Chapter 2 The Arranged Marriage

CHAPTER 2: THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Ava's symbol caused a stir in the crowd. Everyone murmured in disbelief-it was so unexpected. Elijah, however, remained unfazed. She is going to be mine was his only thought. Though he was just four, he already understood what it meant to be an omega or an alpha.

Samuel and Michael exchanged glances. Michael had not foreseen this-Ava was an omega. He composed himself, though the ceremony had taken a drastic turn.

Years passed, and Ava and Adrian had just celebrated their thirteenth birthday.

The awaited engagement day had come.

Her long, curly red hair was packed neatly in a bun, and her emerald-green eyes matched the deep green of her gown. She stared at the omega symbol on her left wrist-it marked her as a wolf of the air element. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she stood by the mirror. Her pale skin, rose-colored cheeks, and plump pink lips made her look quite striking. She was ready, but still nervous.

She hadn't seen Elijah since she was five. He had visited once but barely said a word, merely staring at her. She wasn't sure what kind of person he truly was. Although a silent observer, he had always been kind to her when she needed help.

She was taking a while when her mother, Freya, entered the lit room and found her staring at her reflection. Freya sat on her bed and patted the spot beside her, urging Ava to sit.

Ava joined her.

"I can say I relate to how you feel," Freya began. "I was also thirteen when I got engaged to your father. Honestly, I was so nervous. I even locked myself in my room because I was scared. But I knew I had to come out. I eventually married your dad, and today, I'm the Luna of Ravenwood-and he treats me well."

She held Ava's hands. "You're just like I was. You're beautiful. Let's go-we don't want to keep them waiting too long," she said, kissing Ava on the forehead and gently urging her up.

Ava walked out. It was nearly sunset. All eyes were on her as she walked gracefully down the aisle toward Elijah. He was now seventeen, tall and composed. He still wore that unreadable, bored expression. It was hard for Ava to tell what he was thinking.

Her palms were getting sweaty when Adrian came over and held her hands, walking alongside her. He whispered, "You look good, sis." His words made her smile. She was grateful for his support. She noticed her father's disapproving glance-she wasn't getting married yet, just engaged.

Ever since she was discovered to be an omega, Ava had become timid and shy. She flinched at unexpected sounds, her senses overly sensitive. She had lost her self-confidence. Her people either looked at her with pity or disgust. Being an omega in a line of alphas was shameful-not only for her, but also for her family. People even spoke about her openly in her presence.

But Adrian had always stood up for her. And just like many times before, he stood by her now.

She gently pulled away from him, turning to him with a smile.

"Thanks, Adrian... but I'll go from here," she said.

He smiled back and stepped aside.

Now standing close to Elijah, Ava took his hand. Together, they faced the elder. She blushed at the touch.

"Stretch out your hand," the elder instructed Elijah. His apprentice moved behind Ava, holding a rune stone. He placed it on her neck, while the elder did the same to Elijah's hand.

A sharp pain surged through Ava-it burned. But she dared not cry, not now. She remembered all her lessons. Though no longer the next alpha of Ravenwood, she had been trained to be a submissive Luna.

She held her breath.

The stones were removed and exchanged. These stones served as tokens, to be worn on their wedding day, symbolizing their bond.

Chants of joy rang through the air. The sun had set, and the moon was in full display. The scent of freshly cooked meat and wine filled the air.

Ava sat beside her mate as they watched the pack's presentations. She wanted to strike up a conversation but didn't know how to begin. Then Elijah stood and offered her his hand, which she took. He led her away to somewhere quiet.

"You have something to say, Ava?" he asked, his eyes on the path ahead.

"I... I haven't seen you in years. How have you been?" she asked softly.

Her question made him glance at her. "Forgive me for not having anything interesting to say," she added quickly.

He smiled faintly. "You fear me, don't you?"

The question caught her off guard.

"Yes... I mean-no... I don't-" She sighed, "I apologize."

Elijah turned to her. "You'll be my Luna someday. We are marked. We'll lead Nightshade together. Fearing me is your choice, but I advise against it."

He stopped, his eyes narrowing. He'd sensed something.

They were being followed.

With a sigh and a forced smile, he asked her to excuse him. She did.

Curious, Ava found a spot to hide. Elijah was talking to someone-but who? She couldn't make out the words. She tried to listen harder, but still, she couldn't hear. Had Elijah interfered with her hearing?

Then she saw a wolf walk up to Elijah in full form.

Elijah didn't flinch. He gripped the wolf's neck with one hand and examined it. The wolf wheezed and struggled in pain. Suddenly, it shifted back to human form, dropping to his knees, coughing and holding his throat.

Elijah said something that made the man's heartbeat quicken.

Ava saw the man's face-and Elijah's. He remained unfazed, wearing his usual expression. He tightened his grip around the man's throat, nearly snapping his neck.

Then Elijah looked toward where Ava was hiding.

She had seen too much.

Her cover was blown.

Panicked, she ran. She returned to the celebration, then slipped away to her room, ignoring Adrian's calls. Locking the door behind her, she stood still.

He saw me.

He almost killed that wolf.

Ava was terrified.

Am I going to marry someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill?

She knew being an alpha meant protecting the pack, but the wolf was one of his own. Had he done something wrong? she wondered.

What if it were me?

What if I made a mistake? Would I face the same fate?

A knock sounded on her door-and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.