Chapter 2 The Alpha's betrothal

(Elina)

"What happened to you?"

"Nothing okay," I said while keeping my best friend at arm's length.

"You gotta be kidding...I was worried sick the last two days you didn't show up for school,"

"Forget it okay, it's not a big deal," I cut her off before she could go into her detective mode and ask me questions.

"This... this is a two-way thing... we need to come up with a plan"

"I'm not certain... sounds like trouble"

"Elina, we are trying to solve this... I mean... W-what if the rascal hurts you" Hazel whispered while glancing around the cafeteria. Many people were eating. Hazel was a pain in the neck. I thought we could come here and have a decent meal after sickening class. Unfortunately, she didn't stop nagging me about different plans to escape my betrothal.

"And I say cut it out... I told you about my secret...but that doesn't mean you should lecture me" I whispered back, not wanting anyone to hear our discussion. Hazel was my human friend. We attended the same school and did most mischievous things together. She was like my right hand. I couldn't do without her. However, she was full of crazy plans. I was already knowledgeable about everything.

"Last summer... you said the same and look at us... you are going to leave me...it's not fair" she whined while stuffing her face with fries. It was funny how cute she looked whenever she pouted.

"I can't go against traditions okay... it's inevitable... everyone does it... so why can't I" I was done investigating how to get out of the situation. Violetta was somehow right. I needed to embrace this.

"Plus I'll be a queen or princess... I mean whatever title I'll hold" I said nonchalantly and took a sip of my smoothie. It was about time,

"But there has to be love... or feelings... I mean..." Hazel said, waving her hands in the air dramatically when she was cut short.

"Hey, ladies" came a male voice that always had me blushing. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"Hey, Andrew... what gives" it was Hazel who said. The heavy male cologne hit my nose. So masculine and beautiful. He pulled out a chair and sat down

"Hey Lina..." he said and, like a fool, I looked up at him and nearly melted. His lips curled upwards into a cute smile. Such beautiful blue eyes he had. Andrew was my human crush. He was 20 years old. His friends called him Andy; hence I did the same.

"Hey Andy... Late for lunch again" I teased and he chuckled. His voice was deep and fruity.

"Well, I had football practice... The coach didn't leave us alone," he said, and Hazel and I nodded. He was the star player. Handsome and liked by all the girls.

"I'm sure your coach is an asshole...why would he jeopardize your lunch...how crazy, "Hazel remarked, she had a loose mouth? Despite the many gestures, I was giving her to shut the heck up. She didn't do so.

"Okay... So now gotta run...buy Andy, "Hazel said as if realizing we wanted to be alone. I would rather not be alone with Andy. My brain didn't function well whenever he was around. "Bye Elina. I'll text you at night" She said her goodbyes and left the cafeteria. By now, some students were leaving. Our classes were done for the day. Hence, I just had to have lunch and then return home.

"So... how about a walk?" Andy said, turning back to me. It was awkward between us. I didn't know what to say when he was smiling cutely at me.

"Okay... I mean, if you would rather not have lunch... What am I saying, of course you need to eat something... should I call the waiter and..."

"Lina" Andy cut me off and like a fool, I buried my face in my palms. Exhaling heavily, I didn't know how I got like that whenever he was around.

"It's okay... I'll order something to go... come," he said in between chuckles and reached for my hand. I didn't know what to do. But seeing his smooth hand with clean long fingers, I couldn't resist but take it, and he pulled me off the chair.

Soon we left the cafeteria, and we started heading toward the football field. By now it was empty. There was a secret garden there. It was beautiful and quiet. Andy normally studied there.

"You are never around. I mean, it's been years, and you still haven't invited me over for lunch to meet your family" Andy said as we walked, I had my smoothie cup in my hand. While he had a bottle of lime soda. Andy was on the gangster side. Wearing dark clothes with a leather jacket and boots. His brown hair fell over his face.

"Well... my dad is kind of strict... he won't let me," I said, making up an excuse. I didn't know what to tell him when I didn't belong here.

"Oh...then I'm sure he has to meet me and decide... tell you what...how about I come over," he said and like a fool, I froze in place. Andy stopped in his tracks and glanced back.

"What?" he asked, narrowing his eyes a little

"Well... I mean, Dad"

"He-he chill sweetheart... I won't force you... it's just that" he said with a chuckle and unexpectedly grabbed my hand. The electric current which flowed through me was something I couldn't understand. At the same time. I couldn't bear it.

"No!" the word left my mouth and stepped backwards.

"What is it... I didn't do anything wrong, right" he muttered and walked closer to me. By now we had both stopped at a hidden place.

"Umm, well... I have to go... Mom"

"Elina" he called out my name softly, this was my problem. I turned into a fool whenever he was around.

"I'm having a birthday party tomorrow. You didn't forget did you" he asked and attempted to hold my hand. I withdrew before he could do so.

"O-of course... How can I forget" damn it, I completely forgot about this? He already handed over birthday invitations. Andrew was a star of the school. Every girl wanted to have peace with him and I had a feeling he had a tiny thing for me.

"Please come...for the first time I want you for my birthday" he murmured, the urge to look up at him was imperative, but unfortunately, I kept my head lowered.

"I... I have to go" I said in a rush and stormed away from there. I didn't know if I would attend his birthday.

___

As soon as I reached home, I snuck towards my room, when suddenly I heard voices coming from my uncle's room.

"Dad... I would rather not, okay!" I heard Jasmine yelling as soon as I landed. She was my cousin, the beloved daughter of my uncle who wanted nothing to do with me because I had no powers.

"I won't let you do this to my beautiful daughter... She deserves a better man than a monster" This time it was Aunt Aural who shouted.

"You are a foolish girl... marrying the Werewolf king will be beneficial for you... you'll hold power" my uncle said, It seemed uncle was again forcing Jasmine to be the Alpha's betrothal, not me.

"Over my dead body will I let you marry off my daughter to a monster" it was the aunt who said. It was funny to hear. I didn't know how to react. So, I was suitable for the monster.

"Dad even if I have to marry some Werewolf... at least not an ugly one...you said it yourself... The alpha is so ugly Dad... why would you wish for me to marry him" Jasmine inquired, it was strange. Even I thought the eldest daughter was suitable for the Werewolf king. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, I quickly dusted myself and left from there

I had to see Mom before I headed to bed.

"For now, just make sure that girl marries him... maybe those wolves will leave us alone... plus... don't you want to rule the supernatural world?" Aural said and gracefully sat down. Collins paced around before he stopped before his wife. Jasmine stood to the sides.

"Dad, this is a good opportunity for you to be the official king... if you marry me off to that monster... then Elina has to stay and be our leader," Jasmine said with a smirk. Everyone knew their grandma favored Elina and her sister. The old woman even appointed Elina as the next leader of the clan.

"Honey, just think... we are doing her a favor here... marrying her off to that monster will kill two birds with one stone, "Aural remarked shrewdly, her husband was naive. He only thought about power, not his future.

"I see what you are saying, but..."