Last night, I dreamt about Adrian again.
They say, 'unrequited love does not die; it's only beaten down to a secret place where it hides, curled and wounded.' I guess it was true in my case because the love I felt for Adrian was starting to turn bitter and cold.
Adrian Dalton was the youngest son of the Blood Crown Pack and my longtime crush. I'd been pining over him since I was a little girl, but he didn't even breathe in my direction. No, I am being unfair. He did pay attention to me but not the way I wanted. He treated me maybe closer than some others, but it is just like I was his sister.
I stood up and walked to the full-length mirror, resting against the wall, so I could take a good look at myself.
My hair was long and dark, just like raven feathers. My face was round, with a pair of big brown eyes and full lips. Freckles faintly dotted my cheeks and nose, but they were barely visible. I'd seen other men in my pack and other packs glance at me many times and make feeble attempts at flirting, but I paid no attention to them. My heart belonged to Adrian only.
I never asked what kind of girls he liked because I was too scared.
I never told him about my feelings, I was afraid if he rejected me right away, I wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Lindsey! Are you awake?"
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest, startled to hear my nanny's voice outside. "What is it?"
"I am coming in, Lindsey. I need to tell you something."
What now? Did our rivals attack again?
I waited as the door opened, and my nanny walked in. "What happened, Sue?" I looked at her curiously. She had a frantic expression, but she didn't look upset. Instead, her eyes were glowing with excitement.
"Lindsey! I have great news!" Sue looked breathless as if she had been running.
"What is it, Sue? You are scaring me now." I giggled nervously.
"Adrian Dalton, the son of the Alpha of the Blood Crown pack, has asked your hand in marriage!" Sue chirped.
My chest felt like it'll burst. Adrian wanted to marry me. But why me? Why now?
I was too shocked to reply to any words.
"Well, say something!" Sue asked me when I didn't answer.
"Well...I..." I stammer. This wasn't the news I expected to get first thing in the morning.
"Aren't you happy? Don't tell me you don't want to marry Adrian." Sue winced.
"I am! I am happy. I've always liked Adrian," I finally found the right words to say. My eyes teared up. Adrian finally realized I was the one who suited him!
"Great. I will let your father know that you accept this matrimony." Sue nearly danced her way out of my room. I smiled at her excitement. She always treated me like I was her own daughter, so my happiness meant a lot to her. She knew how I wished to marry him.
I must tell Betty!
I let out a soft gasp, then quickly got ready to go downstairs. Betty was my cousin and my best friend. We shared everything with each other, even secrets. She knew how long I'd been in love with Adrian, so surely she'd be happy for me!
"What got you all excited this morning?" Betty laughed as I nearly knocked her off her feet with my hug.
"Betty, you are not going to believe what Sue just told me!" I cried.
Betty rolled her eyes. "What did that old hag tell you?"
"Betty! Don't talk about Sue like that. She practically raised me," I frowned.
"Okay, sorry. What did the lovely Sue tell you that got you all riled up?" Betty asked.
"She said that Adrian wants to marry me. Can you believe that? Adrian Dalton wants me as his wife!" I nearly screamed.
"Is that right?" Betty's eyes were dark, and her cheeks turned red. She was not smiling anymore. "Adrian from the Blood Crown Pack? Our friend Adrian?"
"Yes, who else? Why do you look so surprised? I told you I loved him many times!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, you did, but I thought he looked at you as a friend and nothing else."
I stared at Betty. She did not share the same excitement I was, which confused me. I thought she would be happy for me. Maybe She was shocked because this was all so sudden. That's probably what it was, I told myself. Or maybe she was afraid to lose me. I wouldn't be able to see her as much as I am now when I get married off to a different pack, so maybe it made Betty sad.
"You should probably go talk to your parents about it more. Make sure you are not making any mistake," Betty said.
Mistake? Not a chance. This was a dream come true!
"Yes, you are right. I will speak to them, but are you sure you are okay, Betty? You look kind of upset," I inquired.
Becky looked taken aback by my comment at first, but recovered quickly. She smiled brightly. "Oh, Lindsey. I am very happy for you! You will finally get everything you've ever wanted. I am sure Adrian will make you very happy."
I wrapped my arms around Betty and hugged her again. She had always been there for me. I didn't have siblings as I was my father's only child, so Betty was as close to a sister I've ever had.
I walked to the living room where my parents usually had their afternoon tea.
"Lindsey, I see you're awake. I guess you heard the news?" My father, Alpha Dexter, narrowed his eyes.
"Of course, she heard the news. Look at her, she is glowing with happiness already." My mother smirked, making me blush.
"Um...yes, Sue told me about it," I said quietly.
"I am glad. Adrian is a fine young man, however..."
However? Did my father object to this wedding? My heart thumped against my chest. Anxiety crept up my spine. What if my parents disapproved of this reunion? How would I ever be happy if I didn't get to be with Adrian?
"I...is everything okay, father?" I asked timidly.
"It's just that...I've always thought you could be the bride of Alvis Dalton, that's all." my father grumbled.
Alvis? I winced as his face flashed before my eyes.
Alvis was the oldest son of the Alpha of the Blood Crown Pack, Adrian's older brother. I've known him since we were children too, but...I never looked at him the way I looked at Adrian.
He was the stark opposite of Adrian. Adrian was popular and social, while Alvis liked to stay in the shadows. He had this mysterious aura about him, as if he was full of deep dark secrets. To be honest, I was a little afraid of him.
"I never looked at Alvis that way. He is like an older brother to me," I told my father.
"Is that right? Well, that's disappointing. I thought Alvis was a better match for you. He is much stronger than Adrian and more powerful," father declared.
"Not to mention more handsome," my mother interjected.
I rolled my eyes. Was that all they cared about? Looks and powers? Yes, Alvis seemed to have stronger features than Adrian with his sharp jaw and muscular chest and arms, but I didn't care about all that.
"I understand Alvis's position in the pack is stronger, but I like Adrian, and I'd like to marry him."
My father nodded, so I sighed in relief. He wasn't trying to stop this wedding.
"Very well, Lindsey. You will get your wish. We will start the preparation."
I gave both of my parents a quick kiss on their cheeks and then rushed out of the room. I am over the moon. All my fantasies of romance have now come true, and I am the happiest girl ever.
~-~
The days turned to nights, and my wedding day finally came.
My father wasn't shy about spending money, so he threw Adrian and me a grand wedding. Everyone in our village and the surrounding packs were invited. There was music and dancing. I glanced at Adrian, who occasionally looked at me and smiled, but we didn't speak all that much during the reception.
"You look beautiful, Lindsey. Like a princess," my friend Amelia gushed as she walked closer to me.
"I'm glad you could make it, Amelia," I smiled politely and hugged her.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" she said. Amelia Emerson belonged to the same pack as Adrian and knew him a lot better than I did, which made me jealous. I wished I could stay as close to him as she did.
All that will change now. I was finally going to be with him all the time as his wife.
Amelia walked away, and Betty approached me and pushed me aside. "I wouldn't let Amelia get too close," she said in a hushed tone.
I looked at her with surprise. "What? Why? Amelia is a nice girl."
"Yes, but she is always jealous of you. I bet she thinks you are stealing Adrian from her."
I let out a soft gasp. "You are joking, right? Amelia doesn't like Adrian!"
"You don't know that. Just be wary of her, okay?" Betty said curtly.
I nodded. Betty was my best friend, so she was just looking out for me.
After the reception was over, I was escorted to Adrian's pack house.
I'd been to their territory many times before, but this felt new and different. This time, I came here as Adrian's wife. My cheeks warmed at the thought.
I sat down on the bed and waited.
My heart thumped against my chest, my stomach was in knots. I'd never been with anyone before, so I didn't know what to expect.
This was it, I was about to have my first time with Adrian. Fear mixed with excitement surged through my veins when I thought about him touching me.
But where was Adrian?
I've been waiting for almost three hours now.
That's it, I couldn't sit here and wait all day. So I decided to look for him on my own.
I walked out of the bedroom and started to walk down the hallway. I didn't see anyone around as it was getting late. Everyone must be sleeping already.
I stopped in my tracks as I heard voices coming from one of the rooms. One of the voices sounded a lot like Adrian.
I paused before knocking as I heard a second voice that sounded a lot like a woman.
Who was she, and why was Adrian with her?
I slowly opened the door, not knowing what to expect. Why couldn't Adrian let me know before meeting with a friend so I didn't wait for him all day? I was slightly irritated at the fact. My heart plunged to my throat as I saw Betty kissing Adrian. My Adrian. No, this can't be happening! Adrian had Betty wrapped into an embrace and his lips pressed against her lips. His hand lazily stroked her back while they kissed with their eyes closed. I tried to call out of them but only managed to let out a soft whimper. Betty suddenly opened her eyes. They turned wide as she finally saw me. She gasped, then pushed Adrian off. "Oh my god, Adrian. What do you think you are doing!" Betty cried out and pushed him again. "Wha…what?" Adrian looked at her in confusion. "Jesus, Adrian. How much did you have to drink?" Betty barked. I stepped closer. I can't keep quiet anymore. "What is going on here?" I demanded to know. "Shit, Lindsey, it's not what it looks like," Betty said. "Then what is
Two years later... "Will you be home for dinner?" I grabbed Adrian's sleeve before he ran out of the house again. "Ah...I'm sorry, Lindsey, but I have to work late again," he said and tugged at his arm, motioning me to let go. Again? We've been married for two years now, and Adrian was now the new Alpha as his father passed away a month after our wedding. As the new Alpha, Adrian was constantly out and about, coming home late, and sometimes, he didn't come home at all. I didn't like to question him too much. I didn't dare as I watched him work hard to gain his pack's respect day after day. He had to work extra hard since everyone secretly hoped Alvis would take over. I knew it made Adrian feel insecure that he had to leave under his older brother's shadow. But I knew I couldn't stay quiet anymore when one day, I smelled another woman's perfume on his clothes. He came home drunk one day and didn't bother to change his clothes before jumping in bed. I sighed, helped him take
I was frozen in place. It was as if time stood still as I watched them making love. They paid no attention to their surroundings, too busy touching each other, biting, and clawing. My best friend and my husband were too immersed in each other to notice me standing there, watching. My heart was shattering into tiny pieces. I tried to say something and cry out in protest, but no sound came out. Betrayal is a bitter brew, isn't it? I couldn't believe it! How could they betray me like this? Did they just get together? Or has it been a long time? I sobbed out loud, making Adrian flinch. He turned to look at me. His blue eyes turned dark as he realized what had happened. "Wha...why..." my voice came out a mere whisper. I should be yelling, screaming, clawing his eyes out ,but I was too hurt to attack him. I was pregnant with his child. We were supposed to build a family together but now? What will happen to me now? "Oh my god, Lindsey!" Betty screamed and pushed Adrian off of her. M
I felt like I was floating in darkness. Am I dead? I thought to myself as I tried to move my fingers. "Lindsey, are you awake?" I heard someone calling me, so I opened my eyes. I closed them immediately as the bright fluorescent light assaulted my eyes. I felt someone touching my forehead, brushing away some strands of hair. Their fingers felt warm and comforting, and it made me sleepy again. "Come back to me, Lindsey," a deep voice spoke, so I snapped my eyes open again. I squinted to take a good look at the figure looming over my face. It was a man. "Adrian?" I whispered, but my vision was already starting to clear. "Oh, it's you," I whispered. Alvis smiled. "Don't look so disappointed." "Where am I?" I tried to get up but groaned as I felt pain in my stomach. "Don't get up. You need to rest," Alvis scolded me. Wait, why was he here? I suddenly remembered bits and pieces of what happened last night, and my heart plunged to my throat. My hands moved on their own as they tou
"You are pregnant," I repeated as I couldn't believe my ears. Betty smiled brightly, radiant and glowing with happiness. The happiness that should've been mine. I returned to my room in a state of disorientation. Sure, I was still Luna, but that title meant nothing. Adrian didn't respect me ever, and I had lost our child. To him, I was nothing. And now that Betty was pregnant with his child? He will deem me as their enemy. They took everything from me. The man I loved most and my best friend, together, betrayed me. But, more importantly now, my pack and my parents. How are they doing now? I must go back and make sure nothing has happened to them. But I had just had a miscarriage, and the succession of news made an already weak me even less energetic. Before I could go out, I fainted. When I was awake again , I heard someone call me. "Miss? Are you OK? You need to eat something." Someone spoke to me, so I looked up. I recognized her as Adrian's nanny. "What is it?" I asked w
Alvis POV Ever since I could discern my feelings, I knew that Lindsey was different for me, the Alpha's daughter from the Blue Moon Pack. Unfortunately, I was a bit older than her, so I never got to play with her. Lindsey never looked at me as a companion, and sometimes I felt like she was afraid of me, so I stayed out of her way. Not once did I take her as a sister. Growing up, I always thought she was cute with her raven black hair, red lips, and tiny freckles on her cheeks like pieces of sunshine. And then, when she grew up, she blossomed into someone even more exquisite. Lindsey was radiant and heartbreakingly beautiful. I was attracted to her innocence and charm. I watched her secretly, just so I could get a glimpse of her smile. So when I found out she was to be married to my brother, Adrian, I was devastated. But I knew Lindsey loved Adrian for the longest time. I watched her from a distance and saw how happy she was when she found out Adrian wanted to marry her. My hear
I groaned as I felt the sunlight hitting my eyes. I struggled to open my eyes, and when I finally did, I stared at the familiar ceiling. I sat up abruptly and looked around in confusion. I was in the house I lived before I married. What's going on? I was outside in the field, and my pack was attacked, so when did I return to my bedroom? I touched my face and body, completely amazed. I didn't think returning from what I'd been through was possible. I squinted my eyes, trying to remember what had happened. But I couldn't remember how I got home. The last thing remembered was an arrow flying at me and then piercing through my chest. And an enormous wolf running toward me. My mouth filled with bitterness as all of my bad memories came rushing back to me. Adrian and Betty betrayed me and then murdered me. That's right, I was dead, wasn't I? My hand subconsciously touched my stomach. It was flat as I was not pregnant anymore. I felt a wave of sadness as I remembered losing my baby.
Alvis, what did he want from me? I remembered him running toward me right before I died in my last life. I didn't have the time to speak to him then. He had screamed my name. He sounded angry as if seeing me die upset him greatly. But I wasn't sure if I could trust him yet. He was my enemy's brother, after all.But then again, the last time I checked, Alvis had his own separate pack, so he may not have been part of Adrian's schemes. All these questions circulated in my mind, but I knew I had to be patient. Now that I was given a chance to start over, I had more time to figure things out. Sue handed me the phone. I took a deep breath before answering as I felt butterflies in my stomach. Alvis never called me. We hardly ever talked, so I wasn't sure why he wanted to speak to me now. "Linsey?" he asked in a low and husky voice, making my heart skip a beat. "H...hi Alvis," I said. I hoped he wouldn't notice how nervous I was. "Are you okay?" he asked. Huh? Why was he asking me tha