FATED TO THE WEREWOLF DRAGON KING

Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as people bustled around with trays of food, drinks, and flowers. The air was misty with the scent of the delicious food being prepared and mingling with the flowers hung on the walls.

A woman with grey hair tied into a tight bun barked out orders and tapped her walking stick on the ground once in a while when something didn't meet her satisfaction. The hall in which the woman stood was magnificent. It had been decorated with violet and lilies filling the air with a refreshing smell.

"Adriana wait!"

The woman's head turned sharply to the voice and she spared one glance at the activities going on before limping away, her stick clicking on the ground.

She gasped at the scene in front of her and walked quickly towards it. "Lady Adriana." She called out to the silver-headed woman who was still laughing heartily.

Adriana turned to her, her eyes full of light. "Rita!"

"Rita, can you tell Adriana to stop running?" A blonde bent down slightly her chest heaving. Adriana chuckled.

"Ohh dear Ashley, are you adding more weight that you can't even have a little sprint with your sister?" She teased.

Ashley shook her head still trying to catch her breath. "Not in our human form please. It's exhausting."

Adriana chuckled again and Rita smiled but it faded slowly when her eyes fell on the letter in Adriana's hand.

"What is that?"

Adriana looked down at it, her lips stretching out into a wide smile. "Xavier sent a letter to inform us he is now at the border."

Rita gasped. "That's so close. And you didn't inform me..."

"That's why I ran here to tell you."

Rita was already turning away. "I need to see to the finishing of the hall before he graces us with his presence." She stopped walking away and turned back sharply. "And my lady, why aren't you dressed already? It's your wedding today!" With that said Rita disappeared into the corner.

Adriana smiled at her retreating and then at the letter she clung to.

"Are you that happy that you are getting married?" Her sister's voice brought her back to earth.

"Yes." She nodded.

"Do you like him that much?" Ashley was already breathing normally now and she straightened her back.

"Like is a small word.... I LOVE HIM." Adriana grinned and opened the letter again to read the contents written in it and she didn't see how her sister's eyes darkened and how her lips curled into a sneer.

Adriana started walking away. "I need to get ready. My soon-to-be husband is on his way. Oh God, how I love that title."

Ashley stood alone, her hands fisting beside her.

****

"You look so beautiful my lady and I'm sure Alpha Thornaxe will be swept away by your beauty." Kara; her maid said as she brushed Adriana's hair softly.

Adriana blushed. "You please with your words Kara. You sure have a way with words."

"My lady I'm being honest. You're the most beautiful maiden in all of Blackwood and Alpha Thornaxe is lucky to have you." Kara complimented her and Adriana smiled at the reflection in the mirror.

Her hair was braided into a long tail at the back and adorned with flowers and glitter. Kara had done a good job and Adriana smiled widely thinking about Xavier's reaction when he sees her.

She traced her fingers over the necklace Xavier had given her on her eighteenth birthday, a year after their mating ceremony.

"One day, you'll be my Luna," he had whispered as he fastened it around her neck.

She had treasured those words ever since and couldn't wait to be his wife.

She could hear horses coming their way and knew Xavier was drawing close but she couldn't see him now because according to the marriage tradition, the husband and wife are not meant to meet till they get to the Red aisle.

Her wolf stirred within already catching a wift of Xavier's scent even from miles away.

"Calm down Mia." She spoke to her wolf but her wolf was beyond listening.

He's finally ours, Mia purred.

Adriana laughed softly.

Yes. Ours.

She took a deep breath and brushed her hands against her dress. Just a few hours, few hours and she will have Xavier all to herself as her legally married husband.

Her mind drifted to how her wedding night would be. Yes, she had already kissed Xavier before but they hadn't gone beyond that because Xavier had said he wanted their first time to be memorable.

Oh, she can't wait to get him in her bed.

She also imagined waking beside Xavier every morning, raising pups together, and growing old with him.

It was a future she had cherished for years.

Her wolf stirred again, this time restless and Adriana knew she couldn't hold her at bay any longer.

Mia was eager to meet her mate and so was she.

Adriana cast a glance at Kara who was still going through her wedding dress that lay on the bed.

Adriana opened her mouth slightly and breathed out at Kara's direction then waited silently watching her.

Within seconds Kara yawned and her head drooped already asleep.

Adriana smiled and stood up. She had breathed out a dozing pill; that's what she had called it when she found out she could do that. She doesn't know how but it has always been an ability she had hidden from everyone even her trainer.

Adriana opened the door and poked her head out, her eyes darting around the hallway before stepping out.

She could feel Mia getting excited and she hurried down the hallway before anyone could see and stop her, heading for one person.

Xavier.

His scent became stronger and she hastened her footsteps almost running.

Then just as she reached a door, voices stopped her.

"Where is Adriana?"

Xavier's voice drifted through the door and Adriana's heart fluttered.

He was probably dying to see her just like she was.

A blush warmed her cheeks as she moved closer and she stretched out her hand to twist the doorknob.

"Do you now long to see her even when I stand before you?"

Ashley's voice drifted out and Adriana's hand stopped mid-air inches from the knob, her brows creasing.

Her sister. What was her sister doing in there with Xavier and what does she mean by that?

"You know you're the only one I long to see."

Adriana froze, the smile slipping from her face.

No, she must have heard wrong.

Xavier would never say something like that to Ashley.

Her fingers tightened around the necklace at her throat until it dug into her skin.

"I've missed you." His voice came out again and then her sister's voice followed.

"Me too."

Adriana's heart stumbled painfully as dread curled through her chest.

No. Adriana screamed inside her head.

This couldn't be happening.

The necklace suddenly felt heavy, the same necklace he had clasped around her neck while promising she would one day be his Luna.

"But you are getting married to her." Ashley's voice was now sharper as if accusing him of treason

Xavier sighed. "You know why I'm doing it. It's because of the merger that it will be good for my pack as well as yours Ashley. It's just a marriage of convenience."

Adriana felt her skin run cold.

Her knees weakened and she grabbed the wall for support.

Inside her, Mia let out a broken whine.

Marriage of convenience.

Her soon-to-be husband and mate had called what they had a convenience.

Her heart wrenched in her chest by his next words, the world seeming to tilt beneath her feet.

"Now let's stop talking about her."His voice softened. "I've spent too long away from you."

A laugh escaped Ashley.

Then Adriana heard the unmistakable sound of a kiss.

Her head went blank.

The world fell silent.

No laughter echoed from the hall. No footsteps. No music.

Nothing.

Something shattered and broke inside her.

Adriana held the wall for support, feeling like her world had come crashing down.

She couldn't deny what she had heard within this door.

Xavier was having an affair with her sister.

The realization hit harder than their words and her despair turned into rage.

How dare they?

How dare he deceive her and call what they had a convenience?

Adriana straightened and pushed the door open but what she saw made her chest wrench the more and Mia whined again.

Her sister was in Xavier's arms and his head was bent to her neck, nuzzling it.

Ashley was the first to notice her presence and she gasped. "Adriana."

Xavier stiffened and he slowly lifted his head and turned to face Adriana.

Adriana stared at them, feeling the tears threatening to pour but she held them in.

"Adriana..." Xavier stared back at her but his face held nothing Adriana was expecting.

No guilt. No shame.

Instead, he was staring at her as she had intruded on his special moment.

"What are you doing here?" His question made her stomach churn.

"That's what I should be asking you." Adriana's voice came out steady and controlled unlike what she was feeling inside.

"What's going on here Xavier? Why are you with my sister?"

Xavier's face set into a grim line. "Is that what they have been teaching you? On how to speak to your husband in an uncultured manner and act all rude?"

Adriana stared back at him in disbelief. Was he coaching her about manners? After what she had caught him doing?

She shifted her attention to Ashley who hadn't spoken a word since she had caught them.

"So you now lust after my husband?"

Ashley scoffed. "Point of correction, you did. Xavier was always mine from the beginning but you stole him away from me using your mate bond as an excuse. You don't know how much I hated hearing you talk about wanting him and marrying him."

"I met him before you and we fell in love but you just came out of nowhere using that damn mate bond. I was meant to be his wife not you, but father wouldn't hear my plea and only listened to your fucking whine, always choosing his spoilt first daughter over his other daughter!"

Adriana felt slapped across the face and her words got lost.

Xavier took hold of Ashley's hand and placed a peck there. "My beloved, don't stress yourself out, I don't like it when you shout. You know you have my heart and no one else."

Ashley smiled up at him and he pressed his lips on her forehead.

All of this in front of Adriana who still couldn't form a word.

The shock washed over her again. The betrayal is creeping into her.

How could she not have seen the signs?

Those few times Xavier had visited, he would disappear for some hours, and her sister was never around.

How he had avoided her touches and cuddles using stress as an excuse?

How had she been so blinded as to the extent of accepting his proposal?

A proposal he had flung in her face after she had spoken about not wanting to wait any longer.

Now her mate stood before her, holding her sister like she meant the whole world to him, ignoring the cry of her wolf that mingled with his.

"Why?" The word finally escaped her lips. "Why? If you knew you wanted my sister why did you propose?"

Xavier sighed. "Because you acted all too desperate. You don't care about anyone's feelings except for yours Adriana. Just because we are mated doesn't mean I would want you for a wife, not all mated wolves marry but you just couldn't wait to get a husband, could you?"

His words stung, and a tear slipped out.

Beg him. Mia's broken voice echoed in her.

Beg him, Adriana.

No! She said to Mia. I will never do that.

"You shouldn't have come in here Adriana, you should have just obeyed the marriage tradition and waited patiently for me at the Red aisle."

His words held no remorse and Adriana wiped the lone tear away from her face, feeling her anger creeping back.

"What was your reason for agreeing to the marriage?" She waited for his response but he clicked his tongue and humped.

"What was the reason?" She repeated.

"Is there any good in knowing why? You will just get hurt."

Then it clicked. The way he avoided this one question. It now made sense.

"The merger," Adriana whispered.

For the first time since she entered the room, Xavier's composure slipped.

She was right.

"You did this because of the merger my father promised you." Adriana scoffed as everything fell into place.

"My father wouldn't merge his pack with yours unless you married me, would he?"

"Well now you know, so go back to your room and wait for the wedding to begin so that we can please daddy."

Adriana's fists curled at her sides. "I would never get married to you Xavier. Never in my life. This wedding is never going to happen." She held her head high and she looked at her sister then at Xavier.

"Since you feel like I am a hindrance to your happiness and have come between your love."

Mia moved restlessly as if she knew what she was about to do and Adriana's heart ached with pain as she did the one thing she thought she would never do in her life.

"I, Adriana Eliana Blackwood, reject Xavier Leo Thornaxe as my mate."

Mia wailed inside her and Adriana felt like her insides were being clawed at.

Xavier's face turned into a sneer. "How dare you do that?!" His voice thundered and he staggered a little, the weight of the rejection hitting him and Ashley held him.

Adriana struggled to hold herself from falling to the ground. Mia's wails were getting to her.

She had to finish this and she can't afford to crumble to the ground.

She took a deep breath and continued coldly.

"And let me tell you this, I'll make sure this merger doesn't pan out. I'll tell Father every damn thing and about your betrayal." With that said she turned on her heels and left them there.

Xavier stared at the doorway long after Adriana disappeared.

Ashley paled.

"Xavier! What are we going to do? She is going to tell father, if she reaches him everything will be over. Father will disown me!"

His jaw tightened.

"Ton!" He called loudly and his head guard came rushing in immediately.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Adriana has found out everything and she is on her way to Alpha Raymond."

"What should I do to her?" Ton asked waiting for the order.

"Make sure she never reaches him."

Ton bowed and hurried out.

After Ton left, relief slowly spread across Ashley's face and a smirk formed on her lips.

*********

Adriana let the tears out now and they flowed freely. The weight of the betrayal and her rejection overwhelmed her and she struggled to walk, dragging her feet on the marble floor.

She needed to get to her father or Rita.

Maybe they could help with the burning in her chest.

She saw Rita talking to a maid and made to call her but a hand clamped over her mouth and dragged her off.

Adriana fought against the hand clamping heavily on her mouth but Ton was stronger and he succeeded in forcibly dragging her away.

Adriana's hands came up to the hand on her mouth and tried to remove it but it came down only an inch and she bit down hard.

Ton snatched his hand away mumbling curses and Adriana to face him and she saw his face.

"Ton."

Ton examined his finger where she had bitten him before looking at her, an evil glint in his eyes.

Adriana took a step back. "Did Xavier send you?"

But Ton didn't respond instead he walked quickly to her and grabbed her hand.

"Let me go!"

He didn't let her go, his other hand came up and landed a sharp blow to her neck.

Adriana felt the walls in her lungs tightening painfully and she gasped for breath but she couldn't breathe.

She held her throat gasping for air and her knees buckled not being able to hold her body which was growing weak in seconds.

Adriana slumped to the ground still struggling to breathe.

She saw Ton crouch low and he carried her in his arms throwing her over his shoulder.

She couldn't struggle against him, she couldn't move. Whatever he had done to her was making her weak.

She tried to shout for help but the words were not coming out, it was like her lungs were gone.

Mia. She called out to her wolf but only silence greeted her.

Mia! No response, just an emptiness Adriana dreaded.

Fear crept into her and the hallway Ton was walking through told her they were headed to the back door leading outside.

This was bad. Wherever Ton was taking her was not going to be good.

She was sure Xavier had sent him after all he was his head guard.

Was he trying to stop her from exposing what he had done?

Mia! She sent a desperate plea to her wolf but Mia didn't respond.

"Have you seen Lady Adriana?" A voice came out from the side opposite them and Ton halted, his body tensing.

Someone was looking for her.

Adriana tried to move against his shoulder but it was fruitless. The whack he had landed on her neck was still in full effect.

Her body felt numb and she couldn't move a limb and her lungs were still compressed together resisting words from slipping out.

Ton turned and took another corner.

He walked so confidently through like he knew every nook and corner of their mansion.

He got to the door and pushed it open and walked through.

A blast of air graced Adriana's face. They were outside.

Her eyes darted about trying to figure out where they were.

She saw the luscious buds and the flower blooms around them and she knew they were in the garden.

Ton moved quickly, her body bumping on his shoulder and he got to the fence of the garden and he threw her over it.

Her body landed with a hard thud on the ground and her elbows scraped on the hard ground.

Ton was at her side the next second, carrying her again and flinging her over his shoulder.

They were now outside the mansion away from her father, from Rita, from everyone.

Her lungs were already repositioning back to their right place but just enough for her to draw shallow breaths.

Adriana struggled to speak and when she did it came out like a broken whisper.

"Let me go...."

Ton didn't hear or pretended not to because he kept walking and then he stopped.

"Ton."

She heard someone call his name and he took a few steps and stopped again.

"Andrew." Ton greeted and Adriana could make out a pair of shoes on the ground.

"What's that over your shoulder?" Andrew asked.

"Something the Alpha wants us to take care of."

His words brought a jolt of fear into Adriana.

Something to take care of.

Could they... could they mean they want her dead?

********

Rita limped to Adriana's room and tapped gently on the door but no reply came.

She tapped again but still no answer.

She tapped again this time using her stick to rap on the door and it swung open revealing Adriana's maid; Kara.

Kara's eyes were red and puffy and she stared at Rita, nervousness written all over her face.

"Kara, what is taking my lady so long? The wedding ceremony is about to start."

"My... my lady... my lady...." Kara stuttered and Rita frowned at her.

"What's wrong?"

"My lady isn't in her room," Kara said finally and Rita raised a brow at her.

"What do you mean? Where is she?"

Kara's hands fumbled with one another nervously. "I don't know." She replied and bowed her head immediately.

"You don't know?!" Rita snarled and Kara's head bowed lower.

"I... I was going through my lady's wedding dress when I suddenly felt drowsy and I didn't know when I fell asleep."

Rita stared at the maid whose head was bowed and scoffed.

"You slept off and left my lady unguarded and unattended. Now you say you don't know where she is."

Kara kept her head bowed not daring to look up.

"If you know what is good for you, you'd better start looking for my lady. The Alpha must not find out about this unless you want both of our heads snapped from our necks." Rita's stick tapped the ground hard.

"Now get going!"

Kara scurried away and Rita also limped away to find Adriana before anyone got a wind of what was happening.

Kara asked the Butler if he had seen Adriana but received a negative response.

She had basically asked every maid and servant but no one had seen Lady Adriana.

Her heart thumped faster in fear and dread.

Where could her lady be?

How could she have fallen asleep and left her unguarded?

The Alpha won't forgive her.

Kara heard the chiming of the bell coming from the wedding hall and fastened her steps.

The wedding ceremony was to begin soon and Lady Adriana was still not in sight.

She was about to stop a maid when she heard the thunderous voice of the Alpha coming from somewhere in the hall.

Fear gripped her as she wondered if he had found out about Lady Adriana's absence.

She walked in the direction and saw Alpha Raymond of Blackwood, Rita, and Lady Adriana's soon-to-be-wed husband; Alpha Thornaxe standing in the middle of the hall.

People were also gathered and the look on everyone's face made unease wash over her.

What was going on?

Had he found out?

Her questions were answered by Alpha Raymond's voice which came out like a snarl.

"What do you mean Adriana is dead?!"