What Is Best

The news about the awkward engagement spread all around like wildfire. It was awkward as it was something nobody expected and it was slowly creeping into the ears of other packs and covens. 

While some found it exciting, so many others thought it ridiculous. 

"Why would Lord Galadriel sell out his daughter like that?" The people asked. 

"How can a wolf get married to a vampire?"

"It has never been heard of".

"It is obvious Lord Galadriel just wants his daughter to suffer because he's marrying her off to the wrong person".

"Prince Czar is a demon already and would never love her".

Even Alpha Kylo and Hector had gone upto King Gregory's room to talk to him about changing his mind, but the Alpha King wouldn't yield. And when they had asked the kind of offsprings he expected them to have, King Gregory was even more excited to tell them they'd be hybrids. In his words:

"We're about to make history. With my son and the Vampire together, their children would be hybrids which would be the very first of it's kind. For the first time, we'll be creating something unique - a lineage of hybrids".

The two Alphas had found it absurd, but there was nothing they could do to change the King's mind. Hence, they had to leave his room in a terrible mood. 

Even Lady Jade had gone upto her husband's room to discuss on the disturbing issue. 

"I find it disappointing that you could make such an important decision without my knowledge", she had stated icily as she stood beside his table while he undressed in front of his closet. "She is also my daughter, you know. Issues of her marriage should not be joked with".

"Do not try to start a fire in the rain, Jade. King Gregory and I concluded it was best to keep it to ourselves", Lord Galadriel grumped. 

"And you really think marrying our daughter to the wolves is the best idea? Did you ever sit to think about it? She would become the only vampire among them, My Lord! How do you expect her to survive?" She pointed at an empty space like Masha was standing beside her. 

"Masha is twenty-five. Definitely, she can take care of herself", he pulled out his robe and tied round him before heading to the table to get some wine. 

"But this collaboration can be done without marrying her off! Haven't you seen the so-called Czar? His mate was killed by a vampire and surely, I do not need to remind you of how much he now hates us! That guy kills without blinking a lid. That's the kind of man you want your daughter to be with? It's bad enough that we've had to do this collaboration that wasn't necessary, but marrying off Masha..."

"Silence, woman!" he snarled and at once, Jade zipped up. 

His face had grown so cold and mean, indicating she was crossing the line. 

"My decision is final. Masha will get married to Prince Czar and nobody can stop that".

He turned away from her and slugged more of his drink down his throat. Lady Jade badly wanted to ignore everything and leave, but she couldn't. 

"You only thing about yourself. Why don't you hold back for a second and think about your daughter's happiness? She is beginning to wonder if we truly birthed her", her voice was filled with so much bitterness, but her eyes glistened with tears she was never going to let down. 

"Any child of mine should be fearless. And if she doubts it, then maybe she is really not my daughter". Galadriel's words struck so hard, Jade had nearly keeled over. 

It was just one sentence, but it held so many meanings. So many. 

Her lips moved to argue, but she gulped down her words, not wanting to cause more hurt on herself. Dolefully, she started toward the door but stopped just when she had opened it. 

"Nikan must be so disappointed", she looked at him and said, her eyes fierce and fearless. "I am sure his spirit must be so restless right now".

There was a glint in Galadriel's eyes, the sudden drop of his brows evinced how hulking the lady's words were on him. His eyes were gradually having shadows of red.

Saying nothing else, Lady Jade turned away and walked out, knowing she had just stabbed him without a knife.

***********************

Later in the calm of the evening, King Gregory decided to go see his son. He knew the twenty-eight years old prince was unpredictable and could act non-rational most times. Consequently, he deemed it necessary to meet up with him and know his stand. 

The King rode all the way to his inn which was not far from the Palace. The whole time, he kept hoping the prince would be in his room. Like earlier stated, Czar was unpredictable and it was possible he had already ridden back to their pack. 

It wasn't easy getting to the inn as the King had to ignore a lot of weird stares from people. Not everyone was happy with the collaboration. And in as much as a lot of them wanted to embrace it, they still couldn't help but look at the wolves with bitter memories from their pasts. 

King Gregory finally got to the inn, two of his guards with him. He requested for the Prince's room and was told he wasn't in his room but was at the field, training. That was the reason Czar had chosen that particular inn - they had a training field for warriors who were passing the night.

King Gregory proceeded to the field. And getting there, a small smile tapped his lips when he found the young prince practicing archery. 

He stood at the entrance of the field and watched from behind, not wanting to make his presence known yet. 

The young man was shirtless, his glossy hair looking so good as they fell on his bare shoulders. His standing posture and stretched muscles as he aimed his arrow at his target depicted a true fighter. He looked too perfect, too handsome. And for a second there, King Gregory was glad he was the only son he had. Surely, his brother would have been jealous of the unequal love. 

The Alpha King stood there, still in admiration as the prince aimed the arrow at his target. His eyes caught the deep scar close to his neckline. It was a scar Czar hated but could never get rid of. Unexpectedly, Czar swiftly turned and released the arrow at his feet. 

King Gregory was startled for a mini-second and nearly toppled over, but he regained himself when he realized the arrow did not touch him. Embarrassment flashed his cheeks, hating to experience that in the presence of the guards.

"Greetings, father", Czar concealed his remorse behind his gruff abruptness. 

King Gregory was even more embarrassed that there was nothing akin to contrition in his cold eyes. 

"Czar. How have you been?" He cleared a lump in his throat and asked. 

Czar had already turned away to get an arrow from the table before him. Now, the King was beginning to think his son was angry at him. 

He turned to the guards and dismissed them, not wanting more embarrassments. Then, he walked closer to the prince who was trying to fix an arrow into his bow. There were about ten other arrows neatly arranged on the table with a water jar beside them. It looked like he'd been training for a long time. 

"I came here to talk to you, Czar", The King uttered, just when he had fixed the arrow into the bow and was about aiming at his target. 

The unreadable prince had to lower his hands to look at his father. Saying nothing, the King decoded he was ready to listen. 

"About your marriage with Galadriel's daughter. What do you think?"

Firstly, Czar lowered his gaze to the floor. Then, he turned and aimed his arrow at the target again. It was evening. Hence, the King did not need to worry about a harsh weather. 

'Whoop!' Went the sound of the arrow from Czar's bow to the target. 

It landed perfectly on it, even the King was impressed. The King watched as he lowered his hands while a sweat trickled down his backbone. He returned to the table to get another arrow. 

"What do you think I should think, father? You made a decision without my knowledge", he mumbled as he fixed the arrow into his bow, not making any eye contact with the King. 

"I did that for your own good, Czar. Because I did not want you to protest over it".

Czar was silent and backed the King. 

"You are my heir, Czar. And as bitter as it sounds, you need a wife. You of all people should know it is healthy for the pack. It's what we need. And you marrying a vampire will make history", the King spoke vehemently, but Czar said nothing still as he aimed at his target and shot the arrow. 

He returned to the table to get another. 

"I do not like the silence. Say something", now, the King's voice came as a command, one that reached the depth of Czar's arrogance. 

He stopped and faced the King, but his eyes twinkled with no remorse, still. 

"I am not one to argue - you of all people should know that", he began. "I understand it is best for the pack, and I understand it is something you want. But never you say it is best for me.

"If you want me to get married to the vampire, I will. But just so we are clear on one thing, she will never be a wife to me. A day might come when she might even die by my hands. So, I hope you consider your decision rightly before passing it to me", 

The King arched his brows, trying to decide if the prince had been rude to him or was just plainly stating the facts. Czar had already turned away and resumed with his arrow. And that gave the King enough time to cogitate. 

Would it really be safe marrying the vampire to his son? What if he ends up hurting her like he's claimed? Would it be worth it?

 He thought for a while and finally concluded the risk should be taken. 

"I want the marriage done", he caught the attention of the prince who had cocked his head and stared at him from the edges of his shoulders. 

"By morning, we'll go to the Palace so you'll meet with her for the first time".

Czar was silent for half a minute. Then, in his wintry tone, he mumbled an "as you wish" before turning back to his target.

****************************

Masha padded along the dark hallway, meeting with nothing but the litted lamplight on each side of the hall. Still in her party dress, she didn't mind the tip rubbing off on the floor.

She sauntered forlornly, feeling thankful there were no servants to answer to. At that moment, all she wanted to do was get into her room and grab some sleep. Enough, actually. 

She got to her door and walked in to find someone on her bed. It ruined her mood, but not until she discovered it was Terra. 

Terra who had been laying on the bed, quickly sprang to her feet upon seeing her. 

"Finally! You decided to have mercy on me. I've been waiting here for ages, Masha!" she queried with her hands clapping on her thighs. 

Masha, who had still been by the door, weakly closed it up and proceeded into the dimmed-light room. 

"Where have you been, Masha? I searched everywhere! And when I did not see you, I decided to come here to your room and wait". Terra added, her voice beginning to grow calm. 

"I just needed some time alone", Masha replied under her breath as she feebly sat on the bed, taking off her shoes. 

The somberness on her face was salient, it brought back the pity Terra felt for her. She sat next to her and threw a hand over her shoulder. 

"This mood doesn't suit you, my lady", she cooed. "You'll get through this. I know it".

"Get through this?" Masha scoffed. "My father's never going to change his mind. How else will I get through this aside marrying him?"

There was a brief silence. 

"I can't do this, Terra", her voice cracked up. "I'm... I'm not even ready. How can I... possibly leave among wolves? Yes, they may not publicly hurt me, but being married to the Alpha's son? From what I heard, he hates Vampires to the bones. Do you think he'd tolerate having one for a wife?" A tear trickled down her eye.

That was the first time in years Terra was seeing her bestfriend weep. The last time was when Bastet had died. Masha had always been a strong girl. And for tears to have access to her cheeks only meant she fought so hard. 

Terra sighed and pulled her into a hug, one that was very tight and warm. Perhaps, that was what Masha needed at the moment as more tears stopped streaming. She whimpered for a few minutes before getting a grip of herself. But, she remained there on Terra's shoulders, in the warmth of her embrace.

"What if the truth gets discovered?" she asked weakly, her head still resting on the only shoulders she had on. "What if...it even happens tomorrow? Don't you think it would affect this whole... collaboration and marriage?"

Terra said nothing immediately but only stroked Masha's hair. After some seconds, she whispered tenderly: "You can worry about that some other time. Not tonight".