Chapter 9: The Arrangements

MIQUEL'S P.O.V.

“Father, what if my mate is not among them all?” I was on my feet already.

“That means you have to marry one of them, not everyone is destined to have a mate, my son”. It's so shocking, mother isn't saying anything because she knows this can't work. Maybe she didn't disapprove because father's mind is made up. It's been five years, and he has declined to appoint a new beta. He sees mother as his beta.

He is making everything tough for me. It was a love letter from a lady I don't know. She was ready to get united with a nonnative and also ready to endure every pain. She was ready to wait for my love.

What on earth! What kind of woman is she? Father contended I have no option but to go along with the treaties. I stood at a hill, reasoning what to do. I can't select any of them. I'm just a lady like them. My coaching with Seneca ended two years ago, but I still consider him as my guru.

It's a new place I discovered a couple of years ago that can relax the mind.

A breeze blew through my hair as I stood on top of a small hill overlooking the sea. The waves were calm and gentle in their movement, gently rocking me back and forth on the surface.

I was standing there alone, lost within those soothing waves. It felt like hours had passed since I left home, yet I still hadn't made any progress on getting away from reality. I felt so tired – the weight of the world weighing down on my shoulders.

All this is Miguel's responsibility and not mine. The only assistance I ought to provide was to support him in controlling the Pack. He should be the one getting married and not me. How can I cope with getting married to a girl? It's a forbidden thing in the Pack.

“You should go home, your father will be worried,” a voice startled me. I stared at the lady standing before me. Is she a mermaid? I don't see a tail anywhere… wait… Is she talking to me?

She has fresh skin with a black headband around her long wavy black hair. Her eyes are golden, and the colour of fresh honey. She looks stunning. If she isn't a mermaid, then where did she come from? She's far too perfect to belong here.

“Why are you out here all by yourself?” she begins again. “Is there something wrong with that?'' I raised my eyebrow, but her face remained calm and composed. What do mermaids usually look like?

Her dress is red with gold flowers embroidered along the skirt. It's beautiful and simple. A necklace hanging around her neck makes up for its simplicity.

“It is said that you will feel better when you talk to strangers,” she giggled.

“Well, my father wants a wife for me whereas I don't have interest in her, she might not even be my mate” I uttered sadly. She stared at me for a while, then took a stone and threw it into the sea.

“It's so funny, I have the same story. My father wants me for a royal home also, I don't know which pack or his name” she lamented. We came down from the hill and lay beside the ocean. I think that's the trending thing now. Fathers getting their children married to strangers.

“I have a plan,” she said.

“And what would that be?”

“We'll become mates! Fake mates to be precise” she replied excitedly.

“Are you sure about that?” I questioned.

“Yes, I am! Let's pretend to be mates until you meet your soulmate” she spoke confidently.

“That's really risky and dangerous…”

What was I even thinking? I'm a lady like her. She would be disappointed if she finds out, and that's dangerous for the Pack.

“I just cogitated your idea, I don't think I'm interested” she grimaced sadly, and a tear dropped from her eyes as she got up and left.

I felt terrible, of course, but it wasn't my choice to make.

I left for the pack house and sneaked in.

“An Alpha's son sneaking into his father's house,” a voice said, and I froze.

“Just let it slide” I walked up to the dining room and dug into the food.

“Where have you been?” He scolded.

“Went to clear my head and met a stranger in my shoes, she wants us to be mythical mates, but I refused”

“You don't like her?” I choked on the food. I don't like her because we are of the same gender. I wish to say, but kept the muffler.

It's finally the day I will be introduced to many maidens and I need to choose one as my wife. I wore a red hanbok with a touch of gold embroidery. I will be deliberately harsh today, but I have no choice. My hair was styled and parked into a donut with a gold hairpin in its middle.

“Everything is done, my Lord,” a maid said, wearing my shoes for me.

“Greetings father” I bowed as he entered.

“You're picking a bride and not going to war” he muttered, seeing I wore a red dress, but I ignored him. Miguel came in a few moments after father left.

“Do me a favour brother,” Miguel nodded for me to go on.

“Stay in the room with me while the ladies come in” he was reluctant, but I didn't give up.

I lay on the bed thinking about how to begin a conversation. This is just too hard for me.

“Come in” a maid unlocked the door and a lady stood by the door. She has a white spotless skin, and she wears a yellow hanbok. Her hair was tied in two ponytails and I could tell she was beautiful.

“You may enter” I stood up, giving her permission to enter.

She sat in front of me, looking straight at the floor.

“You wrote the letter, or someone wrote it for you?” I demanded, and she nodded stylishly. I sighed. Can't she talk?

“Talk to me and stop nodding like a lizard,” I ordered.

“I wrote it, my Lord” she uttered, her gaze still fixed on the floor.

“Don't you think it's a mindless decision to love someone you haven't seen?” I pressed further.

She didn't say anything afterward.

“This is the tenth maiden and none impressed me” I groaned, though I'm glad.

“I love the game you're playing with your father” father smiled with anger in his eyes.

“I…”

“No need for explanation, the rest will be around tomorrow, I will choose one for you if you don't, you may take your leave” I went back to the hill side. It's better I agree to the lady's request. We can make an agreement that we won't live like real couples. I waited all day but didn't see her and left disappointed. I have no option but to decide on someone tomorrow.

“What's your name?” I asked the first maiden, and she gave me a slate. “Beulah” I read and she nodded. Ten minutes later, I was exhausted. She had been giving me a slate in every question I've been asking her.

“Can't you talk?”

“I'm on an oath not to voice out until our wedding night” I read and scoffed. How sure is she that I would like to get married to her?