Chapter 3: Aiday

I paced around my room, pissed off to hell and back. How did they expect me to go through with this? How am I supposed to be happy with an arranged marriage? I could feel my wolf wanting to emerge and take control as I thought more and more about the prince and what was to become of my life. I slipped off my pale blue sundress and started the shower. I could feel the steam already; once I was completely naked, I hopped in, letting the water pierce my skin before washing my hair. I sighed, happy to relieve some of my stress. For the past two years, I've been thinking of ways to get out of this nightmare with no prevail. I don’t want to be the bride of a vampire; perhaps I could talk him into giving me another year? Doubtful. I hurried along with my shower then stepped out, wrapping a warm towel around my wet body. 

Glancing out the window, I see my father talking to the man I’m to marry; I must admit, he was devilishly handsome. Brushing off that thought, I sat down at my vanity and started getting ready. There was a light knock on the door, “Come in,” I called, Merissa walked in, shutting it quickly, “Merissa, is everything alright?” She came up behind me and grabbed my hairbrush and started brushing out my still wet hair, 

“So, a penny for your thoughts?” I chuckled,

“What is it, Merissa?”

“What are you thinking about the prince? He is very handsome, and you should see everything he helped with downstairs; it’s absolutely gorgeous.” I groaned, 

“I don’t want to marry him. What about my mate? What is he to think when I find him? His mate, taken by a vampire.” she sighed, 

“Perhaps you’re being a little tough on him. He seems to be a great man, maybe give him a chance to prove himself to you.” I groaned, knowing she’s right,

“Fine, I’ll tone down my sassiness some.” Merissa smiled and rubbed my shoulders then continued doing my hair. She braided half of my hair back before curling the bottom. Once that was done, I started doing my makeup while Merissa was going through my closet to find me a dress for tonight. I went with a smokey-eye with silver on my lids and a bold lip color; Merissa pulled out a royal blue dress with silver detailing which I paired with a set of strappy silver heels. After I was dressed, I looked in my mirror, truthfully, I almost didn’t recognize myself,

“Now, for the finishing touch,” Merissa put the necklace that Nicholas got for me around my neck, “Perfect.” I smiled lightly, trying so hard not to cry.

“I miss my mom…” Merissa rubbed my arms then hugged me tightly, 

“I know, honey, I know. Your mother was my best friend, and it breaks my heart whenever you or your brothers have these big milestones and she's not here for it.” I wiped the tear that was beginning to rule down my face,

"Let's get going, before they send a search party." We both laughed before we headed towards the party. 

Everyone looked towards the stairs while I descended, so many eyes were on me. My father, brothers, and the prince stood at the bottom of the stairs; Nicholas came over when I was almost to the bottom and extended his hand. I looked at his face, though his face seemed gentle, his eyes said he was scared of what I might do next. Merissa was in the crowd and encouraged me to take his hand, groaning inside, I did. Seeing the small smile form on his face, I looked at everyone as they came up to me wishing me a happy birthday. It wasn’t long until everyone was outside dancing on the dance floor my brothers set up; I soon joined, letting the music take control of my body. A slow song came on and everyone began partnering up, including Jackson; I smiled lightly before starting over to a table to sit, maybe drink some punch until, “Do you want to dance?” I turned my head to see Nick, 

“I’m pretty tired already, I kind of just want to sit for a minute.” He nodded his head,

“Can I get you anything?” 

“I could use a drink, but I can get it myself.” I went over to the punch bowl and fixed myself a cup; Nick pretty much stayed away from me, which surprisingly made me feel bad with how I’ve been treating him. It wasn’t long until Jeffery came up beside me with a glass of whisky, 

“Not dancing with the new boyfriend?” I gave him a glare and he put his arms up to defend himself, “I had to sis, chill.” I sipped on my punch some more, “For real though, why aren’t you dancing? This is your party after all; it’s not right for the birthday girl not to dance the night away at her party.” 

“I don’t know, Jeff; Nick asked me to dance but, with everything I’m being forced to do with him…” I didn’t even have to finish my sentence before Jeffery pulled me into the tightest hug he could give me,

“Aiday, you may be forced to marry him, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to sleep with him. And if he hurts you, I’ll be right there to rip his head off.” I chuckled lightly, but composed myself,

“I guess that’s your way of telling me to give him a chance, huh?” Jeff smiled,

“Did it work?” I stared at Nick, who was trying to act funny for the children that were there. Gulping down the rest of my punch, I went over to Blake to request a slow song. He nodded, giving me a smirk, which earned him a ‘quit it before I kill you’ look. 

I made it over to Nick just in time before the song started, I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the dance floor right as the soft melody started, “Well then, I guess we’re dancing now.” Nick laughed, I gave him a faint smile, “Your mind is in distress, will you confide in me?” He asked as he twirled me around and pulling me back so my back was against him and his hand was just above my hip,

“How much will my life change after we’re married? Will I have to become a vampire? How would that even work?” My mind raced through hundreds if not thousands of questions; Nick placed a finger over my mouth, shushing me,

“I can’t answer so many questions at once, but let me try.” He stated as he twirled me out again and back into him, this time, I faced him and his hand landed softly on the small of my back, I tensed slightly as my face flushed. Nick noticed and smirked slightly, “Your life will change greatly, but I’ll do what I can to make it seem normal to you. No, you won’t have to become a vampire, unless you want to; if you did, the way we’d do it is in private the first time, but when you finally turned there would be a ceremony. Does that answer your questions?” I nodded, I still had more but just those few answers were enough for now.

“Can I be honest though?” He nodded, “We need time to plan a decent wedding, so maybe we should be engaged for a year before we get married.” Nick gave me a look, 

“You want to wait until you turn nineteen, so you can find your mate, don’t you?” I shrank down a bit, too scared to answer, “My parents are not going to like this…” I sighed,

“Okay, how soon are we going to be married?” I asked him sadly, I heard him sigh,

“I’ll grant you your year. But, I have a few conditions, are you willing to listen to them?” I nodded as the song came to an end, we stepped away and bowed to each other, “I’ll have my cousin draw up a contract that we will discuss over tomorrow. There is one thing,” 

“Okay, what is it?” Nick pulled out a box, 

“My parents gave me this to give to you tonight, may I propose to you tonight?” I held my breath for a moment, trying to think everything through,

“If I say yes, will we go over the contract tomorrow?” He nodded, 

“Do I have your permission?” I nodded slightly, “Alright, I’ll wait a little while longer so you can be somewhat surprised. I want this to be special for you, even if you don’t want to marry me.” I nodded as we walked away from each other. 

The night went on, Nick and I danced a few more times and did gifts, Dad and Jackson stayed by my side for most of the night. My anticipation rose every time Nick came around thinking he was about to propose but each time, he didn’t. It was nearing the end and next thing I knew, I was being pulled on the stage, confused, I stared at the crowd of people, just then, Nick came up on stage with a microphone in hand; this was it. This was the moment I’ve been dreading, “Aiday Silvia Alcmene, I know this is just an arranged marriage but I want to be there for you, no matter what. I want you to have everything you’ve ever wanted. I know this is very sudden, but,” he pulled out the box and opened it, revealing a gorgeous ring with a ruby red diamond, “will you marry me?” The crowd of people were waiting for me to answer; turning my attention back to Nick, I held out my left hand,

“Yes.” Is all I said; everyone cheered as Nick placed the ring on my finger. When Nick got up, he grabbed my hands and kissed my cheek, he then whispered in my ear,

“I already talked to Rick, he’s drawing up the papers as we speak, and I spoke to your brother and we have the office tomorrow morning at eleven to discuss everything. If you need anyone to look over the contract, feel free to do so.” I nodded. We walked down together and everyone was congratulating us on their way out. I yawned, clearly exhausted, “Here, let me take you to your room so you can sleep.” I nodded, he held my hand, walking me to my room. Reaching my door, he opened it and let me go inside. 

“Thank you, Nick. Goodnight.” He kissed my cheek,

“Goodnight, Princess.” I closed the door and stripped from my dress and heels and took off my jewelry. Slipping on some shorts and a tank top, I grab my notebook and a pen and headed over to the window, deciding to write to my mother again,

‘Hey Mom, it’s my eighteenth birthday. One more year and then I’ll find my mate, but I’m not sure how that will work because I’m engaged; I’m engaged to the vampire prince… Everyone tells me that the match is mandatory, but what am I supposed to do? What will my mate think of me being with a vampire?’ I sighed and looked at the diamond, ‘At least he has good taste in jewelry. The ring is gorgeous.’ I doodled a picture of the ring in great detail, ‘Anyways, it’s late, I’m going to go to bed, I love you, Mom and I miss you.’ After I closed the notebook, I crawled into bed, trying to wrap my head around everything as I drifted off to sleep.