Chapter 12

ROSELINE~~~~

"You met him?!" I yelled at Ariel. "Why on Earth did you meet him?!"

"What do you mean?" she retorted. "We bumped into each other."

"And you couldn't just walk past?" I asked. "You couldn't act like nothing happened?"

"I don't even know this guy," she hissed. "How on Earth would I know that I'm supposed to walk past him?"

"Fuck!" I yelled as I plopped onto her bed. This bitch is about to ruin everything for me.

"Why are you so worked up?" she asked. "For a guy you hate, you're being really protective of him."

"I'm protective of you, silly!" I retorted, lying through my teeth. "That guy might mention you to your parents when they meet again and everything we've done until now would go up in flames."

"Did you hear anything I told you?" I asked. "That guy insulted me using my height and my parents perceived Asher's scent on me. I hate him and I'm in trouble now. Everything is going up in flames soon if I don't give my parents an appropriate answer. They already put a guard on me and I fear that they might interrogate Denise soon."

"Ahhh," I sighed. "How did you even make that mistake?"

"I didn't," she replied. "I went to see Asher since he was avoiding me and I also wanted to tell him of our plan."

"And he tried to rape you?" I asked.

I could see her face droop and her expression become sad as I mentioned that. I was spot on.

"He thought our plan wasn't foolproof," she said in a sad tone. "So he suggested that we elope."

"Good idea," I thought. "Without her here, I would be able to get myself closer to Xavier without any obstacles."

But I couldn't say that just yet.

"I'm guessing you refused?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I couldn't bring myself to do that. I know he was desperate and I don't blame him, but he tried to mark me forcefully."

I sighed in disappointment as it was obvious that he didn't succeed but I was able to mask it well enough.

"But Denise saved me."

"Curse that bitch!' I thought. "Cure that blonde-haired idiot!"

"Are you mad at him?" she asked looking at me.

I tilted my head in confusion. "Why are you asking?"

"Your eyes were orange," she replied. "They changed though."

"Yeah, I am extremely mad at him," I lied again. "What on Earth is he thinking, trying to mark the Alpha's daughter without permission? He would be endangering not only himself but you too."

"I know," she replied. "That's why I refused it, but he wouldn't listen."

"Well, I'm thankful that Denise was there to stop him in time."

"Yeah."

We stayed in silence for a few minutes as I unleashed a slew of curses on Denise in my thoughts for her role in preventing what would have been the best thing to happen to me.

"How are things with you and him?" Ariel asked after a few minutes of silence. "I heard from my dad that his name is Xavier."

"Yes, it is," I replied, hoping to not dwell on the topic. I don't want her finding out much about him.

"You didn't answer my question," she said. "How are things going with him?"

"He believes I'm the Alpha's daughter and I'm doing my best to fool him into thinking I love him," I replied, hoping she stops asking now.

"Is he being nice to you?"

"No, he isn't," I replied with an eye roll. She wasn't looking so I was sure she didn't see me. "He's the worst person I've ever known. It's almost been a week with him and I wish I could show your father who he really is."

"Then let's go tell Dad," she perked up. "He will dissolve this relationship the second he hears this."

"And then what?" I asked, sitting up also. "He would send him away shamefully or even hurt him. Whenever he gets home, all he has to.do is tell a lie and their barbaric pack would take up arms and come for us. What do we do then? We would be the ones to start the war that this whole charade was created to prevent in the first place."

"You said you didn't care about reconciliation with the North though," she said. "What changed?"

"Nothing," I shrugged. "I don't want a reconciliation between the nations but I don't want a war either. It would put everything we love in danger."

"That's right," she laid back down. "What do we do? After meeting Asher, I've been thinking. What if he's right? What if our plan eventually falls through? We would anger both the Alpha and every other person involved and I will still have to marry him. It will all be for nothing."

"What is this bitch saying?" I thought. "What makes you think I'll let you even a step close to my man?"

"You don't know that," I replied. "Just let me handle everything I'm doing while you make sure that he hates you so much that your presence annoys him. Also, try to have as little contact with him as possible."

††††††††††

AXEL RUSSELL~~~~

"Alpha, you called," Arnold said as he walked into the balcony and stood beside me.

"What do you think, Arnold?" I asked. "It's been about four days since Xavier went to the South. Do you think I made the right choice sending my kid into enemy territory?"

"If you put it like that then I or anyone would say you didn't," he replied honestly. "But there is a reason why you sent him there, isn't there?"

"Is it justifiable?" I asked. "No matter the reason, my kid is in a place where he could be mauled, mobbed or assassinated at any time."

"Xavier is a man and a warrior, Alpha," he said. "Do you think the son you raised would not be able to take care of a few disturbances?"

"You have a point," I smiled. "He has grown to be one of our best warriors in the pack."

"If you would let me," he said. "I have a few things to ask you, sir."

"Go on," I nodded.

He cleared his throat. "Do you think the war with the South would really end if we do this?"

"I don't think it would end immediately," I sighed. "This is a war that has spanned hundreds of years if not thousands. It won't end just because two kids get married."

"Then why are you compromising your son's happiness for a lost cause?"

I turned to look at him and he quickly averted his eyes from mine, but still didn't take back his question. Arnold has always been like this. He might have a lot of respect for me but even at his age, he can be really stubborn if he wants something. In this case, it happens to be answers.

"That's where you're wrong," I sighed. "The fact that the war would not stop when they get married doesn't mean the strive for peace is a lost cause. Everything in this world takes a gradual process, and the longer a particular issue persists, the slower the resolution. That doesn't mean the steps taken to attain that resolution are in vain or worthless. No matter how long it takes, it'll eventually produce results. This marriage is a very important first step towards establishing peace with the North."

"And his happiness?"

I hesitated at those words. I couldn't find a suitable answer for that and it bugged my conscience as a father. Not once have I considered my son's feelings. It was a shameful thing to say but ever since I got the condition from Darrell, I've been on tunnel vision. All my attention had been focused on making this work and creating a safer environment for future generations.

"I don't know," I replied honestly, my tone laced with disappointment for myself. "I haven't once thought about my son's happiness. I'm a king and a father. Sometimes, my duties overlap and I end up having to make a decision with the best possible result for everyone."

He cleared his throat again. "Your decision might be insensitive towards Xavier but I don't think you made a horrible decision. You said it yourself. As a king, sometimes your ideals and duties overlap with your fatherly duties. I just hope Xavier doesn't suffer any pain from all this."

"That would be bad," I let out an awkward laugh which I stopped abruptly as I lowered my head in sadness. "I really am a horrible dad. You would make a better father than me."

"I'm not interested in having children, sir," he replied and looked out on the horizon. "They are too much trouble and would interfere with no duties. They could also turn out to be spoiled brats who tarnish the pack's name."

"That's a little harsh for kids you don't even have yet," I laughed as I lowered my head again in sadness.

"Why don't you pay him a visit?" he said without looking at me.

I looked up at him as the idea had never occurred to me yet. "I think I will."