Chapter 12
ALEXANDER
Veronyka is taking things way too overboard. I know she isn't always like this. I've known her since she was just a little pup, and I can tell somehow, this Veronyka sitting two seats away from me now, is not the Veronyka I know.
"Veronyka Blade! You will not disrespect my mate in this house! Apologize!" I made sure to emphasize that last word for Veronyka to understand, that she's done something she will soon regret if she still chooses to push her boundaries more than she should
I shot her a warning look complemented with my most effective threatening glare. Veronyka pursed her lips into a thin line, as though she was holding her emotions back before me. Damn right she should.
But instead of apologizing directly to my mate, she hurriedly stood up, making a screeching sound as she pushes her chair abruptly and hurting my ears, enough to irk me in a way I never felt towards her before.
Don't get me wrong. I love Veronyka. Just not the way she wants me to. I love her like a sister. A friend. Someone I trust wholy with my life.
"I won't apologize to a lowly human, Alex. So don't make me." She says, leaving everyone in the table gasping in shock. Great.
Veronyka's brows were furrowed closely, making it clear she was suppressing her anger in front of the pack, and me. She storms out of the room, banging the door with a loud thud as soon as she stepped out.
I made a deep breath, fighting the frustration and anger rising in my chest hearing her speak like a heartless woman, which she wasn't supposed to be.
"I'll talk to her" Elijah spoke all of a sudden, rising to his feet with his eyes visibly fixed towards the door. I nod at him but I was pretty sure he wasn't really looking at me as he just continues to walk out without looking back. That bastard. I groan uncontrollably as I watched him disappear out the door.
It was when the room fell into silence and I noticed that all my warriors and the other members of my pack were looking at Eleanor sympathetically that I snapped back into reality.
I glanced at my mate, who was shifting uncomfortably in her seat with her head lowered, as though she feels embarrassed because of what Veronyka said.
I reached out to hold her hand that was resting on the table, aiming to clasp her fingers so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. To my surprise, however, she immediately pulled away and would rather place her hands on her lap, avoiding my eyes completely.
Everyone, even my brother, saw what I was about to do but she rejected. She rejected to be touched by me. Her own mate.
“Give her time. She doesn't know it's us yet." Loki interrupted my thoughts just when I was about to say something out of anger mixed with confusion, which I'd probably regret.
Sighing, I rose to my feet and ignored everyone's confused looks and cleared my throat, intentionally breaking the silence that was making my mate too uncomfortable right now.
"Ten years ago, the Red Silverwood and Blue Mountains packs clashed in a war that killed the former alpha and luna of our pack. Recently I've received a letter from the current alpha of the other side, inviting me for a peace talk that would finally unite our packs together. It is one way to stop any more future wars that would rip our people's lives even if we come out triumphantly over the enemy. That is why Elijah and I as well as some of my trusted warriors went there with caution to finally break the ice, and unite our packs.” I glanced down at my mate, who was staring at me blankly.
Curving my lips into a smile, I made a second attempt to hold her pale, free hand which she had withdrawn to her lap. This time, she did not resist, and she let me guide her to stand up in front of the large crowd.
Her hands were trembling slightly, probably because of fear, or anxiety. I wasn't quite sure, but her face looked rather whiter than normal. I furrow my brows at the sight but decided to ask how she was truly feeling later. Eleanor's face, though slightly pale, looked like that of a goddess and still the most beautiful face I've ever seen in my life. My hands gently gripped hers as I whipped my head in front to face the crowd.
"This stunning lady beside me is the daughter of the alpha of Blue Mountains Pack, Eleanor Raven." There was a round of applause that followed after I introduced her name. I glanced at her and noticed how her body slightly relaxed upon hearing the cheers, claps, and whistles of the warriors who obviously had their eyes on her.
I smirked, feeling only pity for my warriors who thought they had the slightest chance to win her, when at birth, she's already mine.
Leaning in her ear, I whispered, "Ready to be my official mate?"
I didn't wait for her to answer. Even after she whipped her head to me and looked at me with those beautiful blood-red eyes screaming the word, NO.
I smirked at her, raising her hand as I bent down, then kissed the back of her palm
Suddenly, as though time froze itself, everyone gasped, their eyes wide in shock.
"Everyone, she is my mate. From now on you will treat and respect her as your future luna. Nothing more, nothing less. Is that clear?" I raised my voice, scaring even the strongest warrior we have in the hall. They felt my domineering aura and the dangerous threat in my tone. Exactly how I wanted them to feel.
"Yes, Alpha!" They responded in chorus.
We all sat down and started eating breakfast immediately after that.
I kept looking at Eleanor who looked like she was lost in thoughts, yet her hands moved to insert more rice into her mouth at a much slower pace than others.
Somehow, I felt like I was invisible to her because she refuses to look at me in the eye even though I keep my eyes glued on her.
"Sister-in-law, you look pale. Eat some more meat”
The next moment I saw my brother Adrian pass a bow! of pork chop in front of Eleanor’s plate. Eleanor looks up at him and she soon mirrors my brother's charming smile by returning a smile of her own.
I raise my eyebrows unknowingly, watching the two of them keep on smiling at each other like the world would never end. Then I recall the first time we met, and she didn't smile like that for me. Her smile back then was rather forced, compared to the one she is expressing now towards Adrian. Adrian was sitting at the chair opposite to Eleanor, making them easy to communicate and exchange looks as though I'm not right here, and I'm not even included in their conversation!
"If I knew my sister-in-law was going to be this hot, I would have snatched you up right away" Adrian mumbled but I heard it extremely well. I saw him wink at my mate whilst Eleanor giggles as if she liked the compliment, and she was actually enjoying herself with him!
I couldn't help but frown.
Adrian glanced sideways at me in a provoking manner, and I have to admit, he was so good at it. "That's bold of you, especially when Eleanor is destined to be with me, only me and nobody else." I smirk at him playfully, challenging his wits.
"But how can you be so sure? Eleanor is yet to bloom into a beautiful flower, am I right?" Adrian raised his eyebrow looking over me, accepting the challenge.
I was about to speak when Adrian stopped me by faking a gasp as if he was acting excited when he looked at my mate.
"By the way, when is sister-in-law turning 18?"
Eleanor swallowed a piece of meat first before she opened her mouth to speak.
"She'll be 18 next month. The mating ceremony will be held by then.” I quickly answered for her. I glanced at Eleanor and saw that she had her lips pursed into a thin line looking at me.
Suddenly her head dropped to the table, as if losing her appetite. She didn't speak for the rest of breakfast and only kept her smile while my brother continues attempting to entertain her. Breakfast was over so I quickly turned to Eleanor to ask her out.
Just when I was about to reach out to her shoulders, Adrian swiftly slid behind her, making me stumble slightly backwards.
"Sister-in-law, want me to show you around? It'll be fun" Adrian winked at Eleanor to which she responded with a shy smile.
I frowned and shifted in my spot to look at both of them smiling at each other before me.
"Eleanor will come with me." I said firmly, crossing my arms over the other and raising my eyebrows at my mate.
Instead of giving me the response I wanted, she shrugged and said
"I don't mind being shown around” She looked at Adrian whose face lit up instantly.
I almost dropped my jaw to the floor when she walked a bit closer to my brother.
My eyes widened even more when Adrian wrapped his arm around Eleanor's delicate shoulders, pulling her away from me without even saying goodbye.
"Sister-in-law, I promise you won't regret it" Adrian's voice was gentle and soft, and I saw him throw a playful glance at me before turning on his heel with my mate.
Clenching my fists tightly, I watched as they both walked away.
“Don't just stand there! Do you really want your brother to steal our mate?" Loki said firmly, obviously panicking inside me after seeing him get too close to Eleanor's curvy body.
'Of course not! I'll follow them and keep an eye on my brother’ I reply and slowly walked, my eyes pinned on them as they went through one door.
I swear if Adrian tries to make a move on her, I'll...