Page 20 of Wolf Traded
She motions for me to sit and I shrug not really having much choice. “So why did you agree to this? I have never seen Archer behave the way he did at your mating ceremony. I thought he’d lost his mind.”
“I didn’t have much choice. It was either this or go rogue. My family would have suffered.” I pick a piece of bacon off the plate in front of me taking a bite and nearly groaning at the taste. I didn’t realize how hungry I am until now.
“And at least this way you’re still alpha female.” She studies me close and at my raised brow she shakes her head. “You don’t really care about the title do you?”
“Not particularly, no. It was never like that with Grayson. I thought we were fated.”
“You have got to be the only female I have met that doesn’t want an alpha mate just for the power.”
“You don’t.” I smirk at her reading her clearly.
“The alpha? Gross. We grew up together. That man is like a highly irritating older brother.” She grins.
“So my point stands. I’m not the only one you know who doesn’t care.” I laugh when she nods in acknowledgement.
“Well as fun as this has been I have an annoying alpha buzzing in my brain that I can’t seem to shake.” She says moving to stand.
“Thank you, Angela. I feel a bit better now.” I smile in gratitude.
“Just do me a favor. Don’t go easy on him. He’s going to fuck up and make idiotic choices and though his heart is always in the right place the path to hell is paved with good intentions and he’s gonna need his mate to tell him when he’s being an idiot. In private of course.” She grins and slips out the door. The lock clicks into place once the door is firmly shut but it doesn’t bother me as much as it did before.
Angela’s words spin through my head on repeat. She’s never seen Archer act the way he did at my mating ceremony before. What does that mean? He really wanted me that badly or he just needed a mate and I was the strongest female in the pack? If his actions last night are anything to go by any strong female would have been fine.
Everything about Archer is a mess of confusion in my head. Why lock me in? Is he protecting me from his pack until the mating or making sure I can’t run? If it’s the latter that’s just plain stupid. I made this choice. Why would I flee from it now?
With nothing else to do, I walk slowly over to the garment bag Angela left behind and slowly pull down the zip. It’s a gorgeous cerulean blue but the fabric is sheer and nothing will be left to the imagination. There has to be some mistake. Surely Archer doesn’t want me to be presented to his pack this way? Unless all I am to him is something pretty on his arm? But no. That’s not the impression I get from the alpha at all. Yes he likes the way I look. From the heated glances I caught him sending my way in my old pack he likes what he sees but he values my strength even more.
“What on earth is he doing with this gown?” I wonder out loud. Is this some kind of power play to show me where I belong in the pack?
Maybe I’m overthinking all this but after he negotiated for me and then left me locked in his bedroom I’m spiraling out of control wondering what he really wants from me now that he has me here.
“It really is a beautiful dress,” Angela startles me. I didn’t here her come back in I’m so focused on my own thoughts wondering what the future holds.
“It is but where is the rest of it?” I ask with a smirk.
“The ceremony is private. Archer would die to protect his pack but he doesn’t trust them not to challenge him for you. I think that’s why you have been kept here away from them. He wants to claim you before introducing you to them.”
“How sad it must be to be an alpha that can’t trust the people he’s sworn to protect. That sounds lonely to me.” Every time Angela comes in here I get a little more incite into the alpha who’s to be my mate in just a few short hours.
“It is but now that you’re here, I think you can help him with that.” She looks so hopeful and it’s the first time I can actually see how deeply she cares for Archer. Not as her alpha but as a brother like she said before.
“I don’t know about all of that. Like I said before, trust isn’t freely given especially from a man like Archer. I can try though. I may eventually earn his trust.” I shrug looking away. This conversation is weighing heavily on me.
“Archer is hard to love. He’s fiercely loyal and protective but doesn’t let people in. He’s sees affection as weakness and was taught never to look weak. It will be tough but I think it will be worth it in the end.” Angela squeezes my shoulder gently her eyes sad but there’s hope in them too. Hope that her friend can find some kind of happiness in this world where strength and honor mean everything. I hope I can find that too because the alternative is just too much to bear.
“C’mon, let’s get you ready for the ceremony. The alpha is going to lose his mind when he sees you in that dress.” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively breaking the heavy moment when I giggle at her antics. No more deep conversations for now. I can save those for Archer after the ceremony as long as he doesn’t decide to lock me away again.
I can’t help but think about my parents as I get ready for the mating. My last one didn’t go so well and I wonder if Grayson is sticking to his word and not hurting them because I was dishonored. The only mating ceremony of mine they will ever see is the clusterfuck that I fled from. A sniffle escapes as I think about it.
“Don’t cry. Everything will work out. If the alpha senses tears it may be worse than before.” Angela whispers even as she pats my back in sympathy.
“I’m not crying just wondering how my parents are doing. If Grayson has actually kept his promise that they will not be punished. I mean if he can’t keep his promise to mate me I can’t really expect him to keep his promises right?”
“There is something wrong with that alpha.” Angela shakes her head as she pulls the gown from the hanger. “I don’t think he realized how much stronger you made his pack, but his loss is our gain. You will be an amazing alpha female for the Everette Pack.”
“Thank you,” I say gratefully as I take the gown from her and step into the en suite. I need a minute to breathe and dress in the sheer gown that marks the end of my time as an unmated female. I have no idea what the future will bring but I can only hope things are looking better than they did yesterday.
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