Chapter 4

The entire crowd of people standing in front of us gape at him and then at me. As if they saw E.T. in real life. Yes, I saw the movie. But whatever their state, I can bet mine is worse. I can't believe that out of thousands of werewolves I came across Xavier Ash has to be the person I have to seduce for my survival. This means only one thing. I'm screwed forever. 

"Sir, I am so glad you could finally honour us with your presence." The tuxedo man whose height and stature appears much smaller than the King Alpha standing beside me. Oh God! What have I gotten myself into? 

"Hmm. Prepare the stage. I have an announcement to make." The Alpha commands and then looks down at my petite,humbly discomfortable self. "Come with me." 

I silently follow him behind as he struts towards the raised platform that lies on the eastern wing of the Acadia. The corners of the stage are decorated with silk red curtains tied with golden curtain rings and a small chandelier hangs from the carved,golden ceiling. I have been accustomed to this place many times,but never did I imagine that one bad day,I will be standing on top of it, beside the most dangerous King Alpha. 

"Everyone." He holds the mike, though I wonder about the speaker's utility as his voice is already loud enough. "I stand here to declare my first marriage trial, who unfortunately appears to be a human, Miss Hazel Barnard." 

Everyone claps, while some whisper. I can see a group of few people who are clearly dissatisfied with the announcement. One is almost fuming to the extent that the hall will be soon filled with smoke. Extra dramatic effects. I feel self conscious as everyone in the hall scans me from top to bottom. Some even grimace at my look. I'm sure about what they are saying. Fragile human with an average face. How is she going to impress the lord himself? 

"Another important declaration that I want to make is that…" he continues,his voice booming through the speakers and making the floor beneath my feet vibrate. "...this is going to be the only marriage trial. After that, if Miss Hazel fails to gain my affection, I would stay mateless." The crowd gasps at what the Alpha said. Thousands of dreams break on this particular day. Including mine. The only difference is...they want status, I want freedom. 

"But Sir, that will be against the law of this pack." Someone in the crowd speaks out, keeping his voice as respectable as possible. 

"Don't you remember whom you are talking to?" The Alpha growls. "I make the law. I am the law." He says and the man bends his head. Such an egoistic bastard! "I hope everybody makes their peace with my declaration or else you should prepare yourself for the consequences!" 

After the announcement, everyone gets into a random chit chat session holding the glass of wine. The girls flirt around the powerful wolves to get some attention. Meanwhile the Alpha talks to a group of men in suits who by the way of their speaking appear to be his workers. Hmm. Workers in suits. I wonder if the maids are in flowery gowns. I stand beside him like a show doll, my mind completely buzzing with all the thoughts and questions. Just then, someone calls me from behind and I turn to find my hell of a family standing. Their eyes pretty blaze like hellfire ready to burn and oil fry me and then eat me up as their Sunday meal. Such caring people. 

"What are you—" Lisa starts with her usual spat but her medusa-like expressions change into a baby angel with a smile as her eyes deflect above me. "Sir Ash." She addresses the Alpha with honey dripping from her mouth as if she was born with a honeycomb in her mouth. My family bows in front of him. Never saw them doing that before. Wonders never cease to happen. 

The Alpha hums. "You all must be her family." 

"Oh, yes,yes." Says my mom-slash-aunt her matte lips stretched into a smile. "She's actually our adopted child." She adds. Well,well. Some things never change. 

"And we apologize on her part if she did something wrong or crossed any line." Dad adds. "She had failed several trials before,so may I suggest that you see my other daughter here." He points towards Lisa who flutters her eyelashes and bows again,this time the neckline exposing her deep set cleavage. I don't understand how sexual seducing helps because as far as I read, wolves are not horny like humans. Their carnal pleasures only arouse after they find their mate and stay limited to their mate. Something I very much appreciate about this tribe. 

Hence,as expected, the Alpha just eyes her for a second and then looks back at dad. "I'm very much conscious of my choice. Thank you." 

"Oh, but she is of our pure blood. Not like this foreign blood." Mom looks at me, the wrinkles showing under her overly applied foundation as she grimaces. "And she is very talented. She can cook, be a good housewife and also warm the bed when required." She grins showing her white teeth. Lisa can cook? She can do a lot of things,but house duties don't exactly fall into them. 

The Alpha stares at her silently,his green eyes reflecting no appreciation for the CV of her beloved daughter and pure blood. Something I can at least agree with him. He doesn't say a word and looks at me. "I will be busy right now. I need you to pack your bags and stay ready in the morning tomorrow. I will send my men to pick you up." 

I gulp down the lump in my throat. "Okay." 

He walks away in his usual glory, without sparing a second glance at my family. I turn towards my family who gain back their venomous stare at me and walk away. I follow them behind. I'm so tired. All I want to do is forget that all of this drama ever happened and sleep on my not so comfortable bed. But I know better than that. Since now I am the marriage trial of the King Alpha himself, another level of drama is waiting for me in the house. 

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