Chapter 9
CARINA
It was silent for a while before the room exploded into murmurs and gasps.
“How can you choose her, Alpha?” one of the older wolves demanded, rising from his seat with a glare,
“She’s not even trained!” another voice chimed in.
“She doesn’t have a wolf!”
“Just because she is Natalia’s sister does not mean she deserves to lead this pack.”
I pressed my nails into my palms, forcing myself not to react. Just how cruel can they be when I haven’t even done anything to them? It wasn’t like I hadn’t heard this before, but it was still out of line.
“I’m still here,” I muttered, though it was drowned out by their complaints.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, my mother’s voice broke through the silence.
“She will be a placeholder,” she said with a small smile, halting all other conversations. I looked up at her, my eyes wide with betrayal.
“Yes, a placeholder,” my father echoed.
My gaze snapped toward him. “Not you, too, Dad,” I muttered.
“Until Natalia returns, she’ll be a great replacement.”
My chest tightened painfully. A replacement. Not even a person, but just something to fill the gap.
“I think it’s perfect, Alpha,” the female guard, whom I found out was named Alex, stood from her seat. “Rina will be a good Luna,” she continued, glancing at me with a small smile.
Her approval, small as it was, sent warmth through my chest. But it was quickly doused by the suffocating wave of judgment coming from all around.
Falco shook his head.
“Enough,” he said in a loud voice. The hall fell silent immediately.
He ran his fingers through his hair, and it made my heart skip a beat again. Why was it that even the simplest things he did made me react in such a way?
“This is my decision,” he continued, looking at everyone.
“It is final. And it is for the good of the pack.”
With that, Falco dismissed everyone, leaving no room for further argument.
The wolves stood, leaving the hall slowly. They left in clusters, still doubting Falco’s decision.
I, of course, was still in my original spot. I had plenty of questions in my mind.
Carter also didn’t leave. He made his way toward me with pursed lips.
“What do you want now?” I asked.
1/3
11:40 Mon, 3 Mar M
Chapter 9
“So,” he started off, placing his hands on the table in front of me. “You’re officially off the market now.”
I rolled my eyes. “You and your jokes.”
“What if I’m not joking?” he shot back, his smirk softening into something that looked sincere.
Our eyes locked for a moment, the playful banter fading into silence. My heart thumped uncomfortably in my chest.
Then he chuckled, breaking the tension with his playful personality.
“I knew it.” I said, shaking my head.
Carter winked. “Just keeping you on your toes,
Just then, someone joined in our conversation. She nudged Carter’s side, causing the latter to exclaim dramatically.
“That hurt!” he exclaimed.
Alex rolled her eyes. “If that hurt, then you should train more. You’re the Beta, yet you’re getting beaten by me?”
“You’re the head guard, Alex,” Carter muttered.
Alex didn’t pay attention to him anymore. Instead, her gaze focused on me.
“Hey,” she said, sounding warm and reassuring. “If you need help adjusting to…all this,” she gestured vaguely, “I’m here. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
I managed a small smile, feeling a hint of relief. “Thanks, Alex. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Her grin widened. “Good. You’re going to be fine.”
For the first time that day, I felt a spark of hope. Maybe I wasn’t as alone in this as I thought.
But the moment was short–lived. Falco was still there.
“Leave,” he said to the two.
Alex gave me a small nod before turning to go. The room emptied entirely, leaving me alone with Falco.
The silence felt suffocating. I turned to him hesitantly, my heart pounding.
“Are you serious?” I finally asked. “About me being your bride?”
Falco pursed his lips for a moment before nodding.
“Come here,” he suddenly said, his voice softer now.
My feet moved before my brain could process what was happening. My heart raced as I stopped just a breath away from him.
“Do you know why I picked you?” he asked.
I shook my head, feeling too nervous to form any words. He was so close again.
“Because somehow,” he began, “when you’re there, you calm me down. It might be because you’re still a medical apprentice.”
I blinked, unsure if that was supposed to be a compliment.
2/3
+13
11:40 Mon, 3 Mar MIO
Chapter 9
“Two,” he continued, his gaze flickering down to my hands before meeting mine again, “you’re harmless. You don’t have a wolf.”
Again, I didn’t know if that was supposed to be a compliment. What a confusing man.
However, before I could react, he leaned in. “And three. You’re my mate.”
My breath got caught in the back of my throat. I stared at him, wide–eyed, as I internalized his words.
He finally acknowledged it. After all these years, he had finally said it. I thought I was being delusional at some point.
His eyes softened for just a moment, but then his expression hardened again. “But let me tell you this,” he said. “Don’t get yourself hurt in the end. Don’t get too attached.”
Don’t let myself get hurt?
That would only happen if one of us hurt the other. And I think I already know who.
“Got it, Rina?”
I gulped, looking up at him before nodding in agreement.
“So, does that mean that you are willing to be my
bride?”
+13
Maybe I should have said no. Well, I didn’t have a wolf conscience to tell me otherwise. However, my instincts were telling me that I was only going to get hurt in the end.
However, a part of me hoped that through this, he might actually see me as who I was.
Not a medical apprentice.
Not a pitiful wolfless mate.
And especially not my sister’s sister.
So, with that, I nodded.
“Yes, Alpha. I will be your bride.”
田
