My gaze shifted restlessly. He was the last person I had expected to see at the dinner. The dining hall was alive with soft murmurs and clinking of cutlery. His warm blue eyes also stared at me. It seemed like the world around both of us faded, leaving us alone in the room.
My father, the alpha of the pack cleared his throat and gestured towards the man who caught my attention.
"This is Brian. The man who would wed Maria."
My breath was caught in my throat as the revelation startled me.
"Brian." I whispered, shocked that the man who had saved me was the one I would marry.
"It's nice to meet you." Brian smiled at me from across the table.
As the dinner progressed, I noticed that his eyes were fixed on me the whole while. Sasha sat by his side while I sat opposite him, but I noticed something which caused me to feel unease.
He had torn his gaze from me and was looking at Sasha. She slipped her hand underneath the table and placed it on top of Brian's. The gesture felt uncomfortable, but I kept looking without saying anything. Brian brushed his fingers over her hand, causing my unease to increase.
I swallowed my food and shook the thought off. It's nothing. I'm just overthinking.
When the plates were cleared, I excused myself and moved to the side, knowing that I'll finally have the chance to talk to Brian.
My fingers fidgeted with the folds of my dress as Brian followed, stopping behind me.
"I never knew you were the one," He admitted, causing me to turn to face him.
"I didn't know either." I confessed. "Thank you for saving me." I said with a broad smile on my face.
He scratched his neck nervously before responding. "I'm glad I saved my future wife."
I still had other things I wanted to tell him about. The man who captured me had said something of the females of Veilwood being special. I wanted to know more about the rogue king and why he decided to capture me.
Before we could say more, my father's voice rang through the hall, announcing, "The bride to be would now entertain us."
I inhaled deeply and moved away from Brian. The harp was positioned in the corner of the room. I sat gracefully and my fingers brushed against the strings of the harp as I played each note.
The melody from the harp filled the room and I closed my eyes, allowing myself to flow with the music.
I finished and the crowd clapped. I stood up and curtsied while returning the harp in its place.
The evening drew to a close. I was even happier when I heard that Brian and his family would be spending the night at the packhouse. I would use that chance to get to know him better.
"You play very well." He complimented as he walked towards where I was. His blue eyes were lit up like a man who was really impressed.
"Thank you." I responded, my cheeks slightly reddening from his compliment.
He smiled faintly, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. I felt comfortable with him. Maybe if I had known that he was the one I was meant to marry, I wouldn't have run away.
"I have a gift for you." I said and watched as his lips curved into a softer smile.
"I appreciate that…" A man walked towards Brian, causing his attention to be shifted from me. He whispered something into Brian's ears before leaving.
"I'll talk to you later. I've got something important to do." Without waiting for my response, he waved and rushed in the same direction that the man who came to talk to him had gone.
His departure didn't bother me as I knew I'd have enough time to spend with him since he was spending the night in Veilwood.
I found my way to my room, in search of the gift I planned to give Brian. My father was an alpha and if I told him about Brian saving me, he would reward him. But I dared not mention my escape to anyone, it would only cause trouble for me.
I brought out a box from my drawer. It contained trinkets and pearls. I needed to make something special for him—a bracelet.
I took out some of the pearls that had a masculine touch and connected them with the string. The emerald pearls glinted in the faint evening light. I admired it in my palms.
It was only left to connect the ends with a hook. I searched the box and was left with disappointment after discovering I had run out of hooks. I headed to Sasha's room to borrow some of hers.
As I passed through the corridors, I noticed that the visitor's quarters room was slightly opened. People hardly visited this area, and I doubted if Brian had settled in his room already.
I moved closer to shut the door and my eyes couldn't believe what they saw. I gasped, dropping the bracelet on the floor, making it scatter.
"Sasha, Brian…" I whispered, but they were too engrossed in their act to even hear the sound of the pearls shattering. I blinked my eyes a couple of times, trying to wake up from this nightmare, but it was real. Their naked bodies moved on the bed, making out passionately.
I moved away from the door and leaned my back against the wall in desperation. I slid down and sat helplessly on the floor.
How long had they known themselves? Is this the reason that Sasha encouraged me to run away?
My fingers raked through my hair with tears falling from my eyes as I sobbed silently. The man who had saved me. Someone who I had started to love, was making out with my sister.
Something urged me to enter the room and let them know I'd caught them in the act, but something else held me back.
I left the scene and headed to my room, abandoning the shattered gift on the ground.
The evening turned into night. I tried to comfort myself as I climbed into my bed to sleep, but I couldn't stop the tears from gushing out.
Tomorrow would be my birthday and the day scheduled for my marriage. I would end up getting married to a cheat who slept with my sister.
I had to think of how to end this marriage before it became late.