The Alpha’s Arranged Bride

LAVENDER’S POV

It was a new feeling for me, and I never expected to have such emotions towards him, but I was mistaken. Everything about him had a way of fascinating me and making me feel better. I didn’t even mind that he was a werewolf. He didn’t match the dangerous image portrayed by the myths.

Caramel was not dangerous. I smiled as he held my hand tighter. We slowly descended the stairs with Caramel’s hand clinging to mine. He looked gentle as he helped me down the stairs. We headed slowly towards the living area, and from the door, I spotted her sitting graciously on the couch with her eyes on the television.

Once we got closer, she turned to us with a bright smile on her face. “Caramel,” she called with an angelic voice as she stood up.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Caramel let go of my hand and hugged her. She hummed with joy before placing a little kiss on his cheeks, then let go of him. From the look of it, I could tell that they were close. There was a look of admiration in her eyes as she looked at him. She moved a step back, then curtsied. “Alpha,” she said, and Caramel nodded with a smile.

“How are you, Mother?” Caramel asked.

She nodded and said, “I’ve been well,” then she looked at me.

A warm smile appeared on her face as I mimicked her curtsy. I did my best to greet Mrs. Moon with a polite “Good day.”

I glanced at Caramel, who had a simple smile on his face. I took my gaze to his mother, and her eyes glided over my attire before landing on my face again with a bright smile. “Mum, this is Lavender,” Caramel introduced, stretching his hand to me, which I took.

I bowed slightly at her with a smile. Then Caramel turned to me. “Lavender, this is my mother, Delilah Moon,” Caramel said.

“It is an honour to meet you, Mrs. Moon,” I said, and she smiled, nodding.

We all took a seat, her eyes on me. I slowly felt my throat getting drier and drier with her stare. I wasn’t sure if it was a judgmental stare or just a casual one. Her gaze was piercing, and it felt like she wanted to get into my soul. She commanded respect, but I could also see why a few could fear her. “How have you been? You didn’t call me when you came back to the pack,” she spoke to Caramel.

“I had a lot to attend to, so I could not do it immediately. But I sent a message,” Caramel said.

“Your message came late,” she firmly said.

“I apologize, Mother,” Caramel waved off the topic.

The conversation only happened between them until I felt I was not in the room. Caramel tried to include me in the conversation, but his mother always had a way to divert it. In an effort to avoid crying, I simply held onto Caramel’s hand with great intensity.

It felt like she was already telling me she did not like me. Was it my dress? I knew she would not like this dress. I was just too dressed for an occasion of this sort. After thirty minutes, she sighed, “Why don’t you leave us, Caramel? I’d like to speak to Lavender,” she said.

My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed lightly as I turned to Caramel, who looked obliged to leave. I was panicking and was trying everything in my power not to show it. Caramel cannot leave me with her. What if she doesn’t like me?

“Calm down, Lavender,” I told myself, but it did not work as I felt Caramel standing.

It took a lot for me not to join him. He smiled at me, then placed a kiss on my forehead before leaving. “If you need me, I’ll be in my study,” he said and walked away.

I watched his back as he left, my heart beating ten times faster than it was meant to be. Nervously, I took my gaze to his mother, who had her eyes on me. “Pardon my attitude, Lavender. I get a little distracted when I’m with my son. He reminds me of his father so much,” she said, and I nodded.

“I understand,” I simply said.

“Let’s go on a little walk, shall we?” she suggested.

Once we got out in the garden, she inhaled. “The flowers always smell so nice.”

She walked over to the flowers and plucked one. “How is he treating you?” she threw a question at me.

I nodded, adjusting some strands of my hair behind my ear with a shy smile. “Well,” was all I could say.

“I could tell you’ve not known him long,” she said. She sniffed the flower, then placed it in my ear, raising my chin.

“Beautiful,” she muttered, and we resumed walking.

She stopped speaking as she went closer to another set of flowers. I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful this lady was, regardless of her age. She was old, but she had only a single strand of white hair that complemented her long, dark hair.

Her hair was so delicate and silky. I did not have to be told that Caramel took some of her looks, especially those piercing green eyes of hers. To make conversation, I said, “Caramel told me you were a seer back in the day.”

“Ah, yes. I remember those days like it happened yesterday.” She smiled, then took a seat on the bench. “Caramel’s father always told me to relax and not work myself up, but the pack needed a seer, did it not?” She chuckled lightly.

“Tell me about it,” I told her.

“It’ll just bore you with all that. I’d rather learn about you,” she smiled, placing her hand under my chin for a minute.

“How have you been taking things in the pack? Anything strange?”

I smiled. “Eating raw meat,” the words left my mouth before I could think.

My eyes widened in shock, and she smiled. “No need to be scared. I know that can be strange, but you don’t have to be scared. You can tell him to stop, though.”

I shook my head with a smile. “I won’t tell him to stop.”

“I know you won’t.”

She stayed quiet for a minute before speaking again. “He loves you, you know?” she said.

I could only stare at her without a word. She chuckled. “And it seems you do too,” she added.

I was about to speak, but she spoke before I could. “I could see it in his eyes and yours. Even right now. Each time I speak about him, there is this twinkle in your eyes. I also did when I thought of his father. What a charming man,” she paused.

“My son has his ways. Stubborn, I like to call him. I always knew from the moment I set my eyes on him he would do great things, but his mate died and his father and I wanted him to pick any girl as fast as possible and get it over with,” she smiled.

“But he didn’t.” She took my hand. “You do not know how long we have waited for you. You are the one we have been looking for to creep into that stubborn heart of my son and make him soft a little.”

“I know it might be hard for you to adapt to our culture really fast and how we do things here, but just know you don’t have to be hard on yourself. Caramel would not care so long as you love him, and I would not care so long as you make him happy. Most importantly, don’t feel intimidated. I’ll tell you this for free because I had that. The sentinels can be a little demanding, but don’t let them get to you. Be yourself and that is all that matters.”

“Be strong, Lavender. That is all I can tell you. You will need it,” she then tapped my hand lightly before looking away.

After a minute, she turned to me, then stared without a word. I thought others were trying to dig into my soul. This one was actually doing so. “Do you feel anything, child?” she asked, her tone different and more serious.

I darted my eyes around and shook my head, my heart beating fast. “No, I don’t,” I reluctantly said.

She squinted her eyes in disbelief, then muttered, “I do.”

Her smile returned, but I could not return it. “I’ll head back in now,” she said and walked away.

I watched her back for a minute before darting my eyes around to see if I missed anything. What was I meant to feel? Was it a test, and I failed?