Chapter 5: Kidnapped

~REIKA

"You did what?" Paige shouted, but I covered her mouth before she could utter more insults my way.

"I'll be damned. Why the hell would you do that? Okay, so what if he starts looking for a girl named Paige? What am I to do?" She started biting her lips. It was something she did unconsciously when she was stressed out.

"It's no big deal. He left without a goodbye. I doubt that we'll ever cross paths again." I said in an 'I don't care' tone, but I knew from how she narrowed her eyes that she could see right through me.

"You almost had me fooled, Reika, but the look in your eyes tells me something different. You want to see him again, don't you?"

"Ugh, Paige, it's killing me not knowing what he looks like." I finally said, letting my frustration show. I hadn't been able to sleep last night because my mind was occupied by the stranger.

"When we talked yesterday, I felt something that I can't understand. I know we don't believe in mates, but it felt like he was the one for me. I just don't…." I break off as tears start flowing from my eyes. Paige draws me in for a hug. So I end up crying on her shoulder while she soothingly pats my back.

"Damn it. What is it with me and strangers? Why am I even crying over this? It's so stupid."

"No, Reika, it's not stupid. It's okay to cry sometimes." She tries to assure me.

"No, it's not okay. I'm the daughter of the Alpha. I'm not supposed to cry or show any form of weakness." I raise my head from her shoulder, and she puts her hands on mine, interlacing our fingers.

"You know I'll always be there for you, Reika. No matter what."

"I know. That's why I adore you, Paige."

"Aww. Come here, give me one last hug." She pulls me forward and envelops me in another hug.

I hugged her back, and I couldn't ask for an even better friend. The door suddenly burst open, and I quickly pulled back and found my father in front of the opened door with a frown on his face.

"What's going on here?" he spat, flicking his eyes to Paige, who looked like she wanted the ground to open and swallow her up.

"I'll leave now, Alpha Conri." Paige bowed and hurriedly left the room. My father turned his eyes back to me. I forgot about the tears on my face, so he noticed that I had been crying.

"You're crying?" It sounded more like a statement, not a question, and the tone he used told me he couldn't believe that I was crying.

I quickly used the sleeves of my gown to wipe off my face. It wasn't what a lady was supposed to do, but I had to. The look of disappointment on my father's face was enough to make me bow my head in shame.

"Why are you crying?" his voice was surprisingly calm, and I didn't like it one bit.

I didn't know what to say. I obviously can't tell him the truth; it would worsen everything.

When I said nothing, he placed his hands on my chin and forcefully turned my face to look at his. He clenched his jaw as he spoke. "Answer me when I ask you a question. Why are you crying?"

"It's nothing, father. I…I just. Something got in my eyes, that's all." He let out a sigh and sat down next to me on the bed.

"I have something to discuss with you, dear." It had to be something really important because my father had never called me dear before. I knew he didn't believe my excuse, and how he dismissed it showed how little he cared about me.

"It is something of utmost importance." He took my hands in his and looked at me with a smile. That small action scared me to death. "You are to marry before fall ends"

I stared at the man in front of me as if he had grown two heads. I pulled my hands from his and asked. "W…what do you mean, father?"

"All I'm trying to say is that you are to marry. You are now of age, and it is time for you to fulfill your duty to this pack as my daughter."

"Who is it?" My hands were shaking at this point.

"Lowell, brother of Alpha Botolphe, who is the leader of the Moon pack. He's a fine lad, and he'll treat you with respect."

"But I barely know him, father! I haven't even laid my eyes on him before!" I cried out, rising to my feet.

"And where is it written that you have to know someone before you can marry them?"

"I won't do it."

"What did you say?" my father was on his feet now. His face was red now, and his hands were clenched at his sides. He looked beyond angry, and I knew that the words I uttered next would come with serious consequences, but I did it anyway.

"I said I won't get married. And how can you say that he would treat me well? Do you think I haven't heard enough about him? You can't force me to marry someone I do not...."

I stared at the man I called my father with shock as I placed my hand on my left cheek. I couldn't believe that he had slapped me. My father!

"You will do what I tell you to. Did I make myself clear?"

Angry was an understatement of how he looked right now. The veins on his neck were so evident. It then dawned on me that if I did not agree to whatever he was saying, I'd receive a very good beating.

"Yes, Father", I mumbled, trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to come out.

"This is for your good, Reika, and for the pack as well. It is a duty you have to fulfil as my daughter." He spoke softly as if he wasn't the same man who had hit me a minute ago.

"Kira will tell you everything you need to know about marriage and how to act as a proper wife and mother for your future children. I don't want to hear any complaints about your behaviour from her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand, father"

"Have a good night, dear" He gently patted my head and finally left my room.

I broke down in tears

~One Full Moon Later~

"Let me add some lilies to your hair. They make you stand out." Paige went over to the flower basket and picked a handful of lilies. She barely placed one in my hair when Kira came out of nowhere and snatched it from her.

"What do you think you're doing?" she screamed. What is it with this woman and screaming? "Are you deaf? Where were you when Luna gave strict orders to not put any flowers in her hair?"

Paige, who didn't like being scolded, looked down in shame and mumbled a 'sorry'.

"Get out of here. I don't want to see your ugly face." She shouted, pointing to the door.

I'd had enough of this woman bossing Paige around all morning.

"Paige, stay." I shot Kira a glare, daring her to talk back, "Clearly, you did not look in the mirror this morning, Kira."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, being the dumb woman she is.

"I mean, if you did look in the mirror, you wouldn't be calling my maid ugly. How old are you anyway? Hundred. I think the word ugly truly describes you from head to toe." I snickered, making sure to look at her from top to bottom to emphasize what I had just said. Paige quietly laughs behind me.

"How…how dare you insult me. The Alpha will surely hear of this." She says and storms out of the room.

"You….can be…very mean…sometimes.", Paige speaks in between laughs.

"What? She called you ugly. I couldn't let it go. Hmm, I can't believe they won't allow me to decorate my hair. It's already bad enough that I'm being forced to marry. Why can't they let me at least do something that would bring me a tiny bit of joy?"

"Are you sure there's nothing you can do to stop this wedding?" Paige inquires, looking at me with sad eyes.

"There's nothing I can do, Paige. My fate is sealed. I'll marry a man I barely know and have no affection for."

"Come" Paige opens her arms, and I get up to hug her.

"Will you come with me?"

"Do you have to even ask? I'll follow you anywhere you go."

"Thanks."

We hear footsteps nearing my room and quickly pull apart. Not a second later, my mother entered the room with a smile on her face.

"O, look at my daughter finally getting married. It is always a mother's dream to see her daughter wed. I see you took my advice for once." She examines my head and nods in approval.

"Yes, mother." I smile at her. It was the first time my mom looked proud of me. I knew I shouldn't be happy about it but I was. If I knew earlier that marriage would be the thing that made my parents care about me, then I would have agreed to it the moment the words came out of my father's mouth.

Ever since my father had spoken to me in my room, they had been nothing but kind to me. My father would always pat my hair affectionately the moment he set his eyes on me. My mother's lips would curve up into a smile whenever I visited her. They had shown me nothing but love. The love that I lacked from them for so many years.

"You look beautiful,l dear." She complimented me and pulled me in for a hug.

"Thanks, Mother."

"The ceremony will soon start. You finally get to see your soon-to-be husband. I'll leave now. Paige and Kira will bring you to the grounds when the time is due."

She leaves, and Kira returns to the room, glaring at me.

I ignore her and look at Paige, only to see her already looking at me with a worried look. I avert my eye, not wanting to cry.

Ten minutes later, a maid appears, telling us it's time. Paige puts a silk veil over my head and leads me out of the room with Kira behind us. I'm wearing the gown used for her wedding. It had a very outdated style, but the fabric was strong. It had been worn by the past during their wedding, and I would pass it on to my daughter if I was ever to have one.

I was afraid of what was to come. Every step that I took scared the hell out of me. My hands were shaking, and it took everything in me not to turn around and run back to my room.

But I couldn't do that. I didn't want my parents to be disappointed in me.

We reached the end of the corridor and descended the stairs. The wedding was to take place at the assembly ground, and we had to pass the garden before we could reach there. The veil was covering my eyes, so I barely saw a thing.

We had just passed the garden when I was forcefully pulled back by very strong arms, and a wet piece of cloth was placed over my nose. The veil fell from my head, and the last thing I saw was Paige and Kira lying on the ground before I lost consciousness.