Chapter 16

• ZACHARY
• "You seem...different today." I was standing in front of the mirror and looking myself over from the reflection the mirror showed me. "Must be the Cloak...am I wearing it wrong?" I whipped my head around to look at Alan who was standing a few feet from me,with a undecipherable look in his eyes. Undecipherable to maybe anyone else but to me, Alan was an open book I could read more than the history books of the Werewolf folks. It's that look he gives me when he's trying to see if I'm okay or not. "The fact that you're wearing it is the problem." "What? The red Cloak? Don't be dramatic Alan, I wear it everytime." "Yourself? When have you ever worn anything yourself?" I shrugged and returned my gaze back to the mirror. "Should I have chosen the black one instead?" I asked absent-mindedly patting down a hair that strayed out of the perfectly jelled mass on my head. I heard Alan sigh. I ignored it and just focused on making the red cloak hang properly around me, making sure my legs were properly positioned in the shoes. Seeing that nothing was amiss, I couldn't help but flash a smile at myself. Not even the maids could beat this. I knew what Alan was worried about but I chose to leave him in the dark. Like he said, I've never really worn anything myself mostly on important ceremonies and festivities in and outside of the pack. The maids are always at my beck and call and it was only normal for wolves of royal births to have maids, guards and lower subjects tend to their every needs. I've never really liked it. In fact, I hated it and once stopped the maids from showing up in my room with clothes and other items needed to dress me up for a festival or ceremony. But Luna Hegna wouldn't have it. It is very obvious that it's not that she cares about me or my well-being. She would do anything to make me suffer and feel uncomfortable. Even if it means ordering the maids to never heed to my warnings of coming to dress me up. Basically, she would always make sure to do the things I hated. The maids kept coming even if they were scared and caught up between the Luna and I. I had to let it be because I couldn't control it. I already had enough rumours of my craziness going about. I didn't want to add to that since it was just what the Luna wanted. They came as usual this morning. The morning of the duel rematch, to dress me up just like they always do everyday but I stopped them. They all had stared at me in confusion more than the usual fear when I told them I wouldn't be needing them but they were quick to leave when I asked. "Alpha, is there something wrong? Tell me if there's a problem. Why didn't you let the maids dress you?" I knew Alan wouldn't let it be. My reason was simple; I didn't want to have the scent of any other wolf on my body. Especially not that of a female's. I couldn't afford that. Not now that I have found my mate. Even Serge agrees with me and my plans. He's been awfully quiet since we found our mate. Just prowling around, purring proudly and happily. It was surely great to not have to listen to his lectures about how I should and shouldn't act. But of course, Alan would think of that irregularity in my actions as something being wrong. Alan was smart and nothing really goes past him. He should have figured it out by now but I guess the signs weren't there. The signs that the maid who came into my room the night before is my mate. No one has to know anyway. At least not yet. I had a grand plan for today. It was all I thought about after she left and after the short encounter with Luna Hegna. I wasn't confident about winning the Duel today, but I would do everything I can to win. And then after that, I planned to introduce my mate to everyone. To unveil her face for me to see and for the whole pack to meet their Luna and see who they would be bowing too now when I remove Luna Hegna from her regency. The thoughts kept me up all night and they were the ones pushing my every move today. I wondered what the look on the Luna's face would be when I win the Duel and take my place. The look on everyone faces when they see that I, the crazy prince who has been written off found my predestined mate and she's willing to be with me. The shock on everyone's faces is something I will feed on for as I can. Satisfied with myself and what I can see in the mirror, I turned back to meet my Beta's gaze already trained on me. He was trying to figure me out. Trying to map out his next line of action so as to know what to do when I act out later. I know every look of his too well and what they mean. Alan's loyalty to me is undisputed even I'm obviously not the best Alpha a Beta would wish for. "What do you think?" I asked him. His eyes took me in from head to toe and he only shook his head with a deep sigh leaving his lips. "You look too good for someone who's going out there to be roughed up." His comment reminded me of the ongoing preparations for the duel outside of my tower. Their voices reached my ears once again after I had blocked them out earlier. The sound of festive drums and chants also accompanied rushed voices. It was just like the first day. It's what happens that will set the days apart from one another. "I like your honest reply. That's the whole point anyway." I said. He merely looked at me with no emotion on his face. It's that look he gives when he's given up on asking me about something I refuse to give an answer to. He'll find out. Soon. Everyone will. "The ceremony is about to start, are you ready?" He asked. I nodded. "I'll be outside." He said and strode out of the room, closing it behind him. Finally alone to my thoughts, I looked back at the mirror. The nervousness I tried to hide from my Beta resurfaced and I could swear it was looking right at me from the mirror. "You're going to be fine,Zach. We have her. She's our new purpose." It was Serge pushing out of me. "Nice of you to finally say something. What...cat got your tongue all this while?". I teased. "I'd say a wolf did but you wouldn't get the joke." Serge fired back. I smirked. His first words sank in properly. Yes. She's my new purpose which I have found and who I was going to fight for with everything I had. Serge suddenly began to thaw at me. "What--" "Mate... she's here." I frowned. It took a moment before her scent caught my nose. It was faint. Not as strong as the first time and even when she was in my room yesterday. Where is she? "I'm not su--" I started to say but stopped when I heard voices from outside my door. "Wait...did you wear that into his room yesterday?" I didn't hear a response. "...I don't know what you're doing here but you should leave." It was Alan and it looked like he was sending someone off. My mate? "I came to see the Alpha Prince." "State your reasons. You were here yesterday and you knew what happened. I wouldn't hesitate to put a knife your throat again if you don't state why you're here to see him." "Look...just let me in.I wasn't here ye---" I didn't know if it was me who stopped her from talking because I swung the door open or if it was because she thought she almost let something slip. I didn't pay attention because I already felt Serge moving against my chest when I set my eyes on her. It was her. My mate. Dressed in the familiar uniform and with the same sash from yesterday night covering her face. The question of why she was there that early didn't occur to me. I was just happy to see her. As if she was the last dose of encouragement I needed. She bowed on seeing me. "Let her in." I said to Alan. He turned to me as if to confirm if he heard me well. He looked from me to the maid and the suspicious look in his eyes told me that he was only moments away from finding out what was going on. I didn't wait to confirm his suspicions. "Follow me." I directed at my mate and she followed me while I shut the door on a very shocked Alan. Once in the room, I turned back to her. She had her head hung low in respect just like yesterday. I couldn't help but smile at her timidness. I inched closer to her. Her scent was there but it was faint. Too faint considering the fact that she was standing right there in front of me. But I concluded that it was because the scent was now familiar to me. I liked that it was familiar to me. "Why are you here? I didn't expect to see you until after the Duel." I asked. She looked up slowly. Her eyes...they were brown? Did I get the colour wrong because it was too dark yesterday? Everything happened in a whiff yesterday and so I could have mistook a few details but I was disappointed in myself for thinking my mate's eye color was Amber when indeed they were honey coloured. The most beautiful shade I've ever seen. The same sash was still wrapped around her face and I itched to take it off. Soon. I told myself. "I came to see you." I used the same excuse as earlier to ignore the fact that her voice was stronger. Less timid and quiet unlike yesterday. She must not be afraid of me anymore. Well, that's an improvement. One j really appreciated. I grinned. "Really?" She nodded. Then she paused and hesitated. I could tell she wanted to say something. "There's something you should know and I honestly hope that...that you won't be mad at me." "Is there something wrong?" She shook her head before easing in a deep breath and letting it out. Then she looked straight in my eyes as she said; "I'm not who you think I am." I cock my brow in confusion. "What do you mean? Who are you?" I rushed out. Suddenly feeling paranoid that all of this will disappear and I'll learn that a sick joke was played on me. My mind spiralled with different thoughts of what she was about to say. What she said next had my head spinning.