"Wow." I mumble softly, surprised by how beautiful I looked wearing a wedding gown that cost more than my life earnings.
"Once the wedding is done, a hundred million will be transferred to your account."
I snap my head to Gianna, unsure of what I just heard. "A hundred million?"
Gianna sat on the bed with her legs crossed. The wedding was taking place in the garden of her house that was more like a huge mansion. And even though the moon is already out, she says we will have to wait for it to be at its peak.
"You are shaking." Gianna frowns at me.
I sigh. "I'm nervous. What if I'm unable to act as Alvira, as your daughter? What if Kaldric and everyone else finds out the truth?"
"Kaldric has never met Alvira, so that's definitely not a problem."
"They have never met? How do two people who have never met get married?"
She scoffed. "It's not like they are getting married for love, so how does it matter? The Verlith are the only Lycans in the world, and as a result of that, they only get married to strong she-wolves, preferably an Alpha King's daughter, to keep their bloodline strong and from being tainted. Unfortunately, my idiotic daughter was unable to understand what a privilege she had of being picked to become Kaldric's wife."
Remembering how Derek had dumped me, I asked, "What if Kaldric finds his mate?"
"Not possible. Lycans don't get mated; they choose their own mates. With this marriage, my husband's position as the Alpha King of the South will be secure, and the Axton family will rise to the top. Do you now understand why I am willing to pay such an amount to ensure this marriage goes through?"
I nod.
Gianna smiled as she stood up. She removed the gold necklace from her neck and wore it on mine.
"Blonde hair looks good on you." She said.
I turned to the mirror, my eyes focusing on my hair that was once dark, but now it was blonde.
Before coming to the Axton mansion, Gianna had taken me to a woman who did some magic that not only changed my hair but also removed the surgical scar on my chest and also made me smell like her daughter, even though I didn't fully understand what that meant.
According to her, each werewolf had their own unique smell, but Derek has always smelled normal to me.
A knock on the door turned both of our attention to it.
The door opened, and a lady entered.
I honestly felt uncomfortable when she lowered her head to greet us, and with her eyes still fixed to the ground, she spoke. "Alpha Dane had asked for you and Lady Alvira to come down. The moon is at its brightest, and Alpha Kaldric is already waiting at the aisle."
"We will be right there."
The maid nodded and left.
Gianna looked at me coldly and warned, "Don't screw this up, Alvira, because if you do, you will end up losing your life."
"What?!" When did we discuss losing my life as well?
"What do you think will happen when Kaldric finds out that he has been lied to? Do you honestly think you will be spared? So for both our sakes, do not mess this up. Understand?"
"I do."
We both went downstairs, where Alvira's father was waiting for us.
He glanced at me coldly and muttered, "Let's get this over with."
I held his arm as we both stepped out into the garden.
The garden was beautifully decorated, but the eyes that were on me made it impossible for me to even admire it.
The guests all stood up as Alpha Dane slowly walked me down the aisle, and as we reached the figure whose back was turned on me, my heartbeat increased.
With all this tension, I had forgotten to take my meds today.
"I leave my daughter in your care, Alpha Kaldric." Dane said, causing Kaldric to turn.
My heart literally skipped a beat as his eyes met mine, and I just stood still.
I never expected my first marriage to be a fake one, but most of all, I never expected it to be with the most gorgeous man I have ever set my eyes on.
I felt trapped in his eyes and could only get back my senses when he looked away.
"Begin." He said to the officiant, an elder who looked nothing like a priest.
"We are gathered here tonight to witness the union between Alpha Kaldric and Lady Alvira, with the elders of both packs acting as witnesses. Under this full moon, I give the permission to accept Alvira as your mate."
A young man stepped forward and handed Kaldric a ring.
Kaldric held my hand, and I flinched at how cold his touch was.
He tightened his grip on my hand and, without any warmth, said, "I, Kaldric Verlith, Alpha of the moonstone pack, accept you, Alvira, as my wife, mate, and Luna, for as long as we both shall live."
He pushed the ring to my middle finger and released it.
Gianna stepped forward and handed me a ring.
I collected it and held his hand.
Why is his hand so cold? Is he perhaps sick?
"You may say your own vows, Alvira." The elder said.
I nodded, and under his watchful gaze, I repeated the same words Gianna had made sure I learned: "I, Alvira Axton, daughter of Alpha Dane, the Alpha King of the south, accept you, Kaldric, as my husband, my mate, and Alpha for as long as we both shall live."
I slid the ring to his finger, and the guest clapped.
Before the moonlight diminishes, let us seal this union with blood."
I snap my head to the elder. Did he just say blood?
Gianna never mentioned blood.
I slowly move my eyes to Gianna, and even she has a frown on her face.
An older woman stepped forward and slightly bowed to Kaldric before handing him a knife.
Kaldric made a slight cut in his thumb and then brought it to my lips. "Lick." He commanded.
I swallowed. There was no way I was licking a strange man's blood, but then again... my two hundred million depends on the success of this marriage. Yes, licking a little blood is nothing compared to the life of comfort I will have once I succeed in this mission.
Closing my eyes tightly, I licked off the blood from his thumb, and surprisingly, the nauseating feeling I thought would come never came, but instead, the moment I tasted his blood, the pain in my chest completely disappeared, like it never even existed.
I opened back my eyes to see him watching me with an unreadable expression.
Kaldric handed me the knife, and I knew I needed to do the same.
I wince as I also make a cut on my thumb and tiptoe to bring it to his lips.
He held my hand and slowly licked off the blood from my thumb, making my legs weak.
Why will the real Alvira run away from such a man who is rich, handsome, and hot?
His type was every girl's dream, including mine. But unfortunately, this isn't a Cinderella story, and girls like me never get noticed by the prince, much less a king.
"Sealed by blood, witnessed by both the moon and elders of the two families, I, Elder Vance, declare Kaldric and Alvira as mates and as husband and wife."
So this is it. I am now married.