Martha was puzzled. “I thought this girl said she didn’t like you… what she displayed today wasn’t far from jealousy. If she has no feelings for you, why does she care that I’m here?”
“Did you tell her who you were?”
“No, she didn’t even stay for long. She didn’t want to wait for you either.”
“I have to tell her. I have to tell her so she won’t have any wrong ideas…”
“And what if she does? It shouldn’t matter if she’s rejected you, right?”
“She didn’t outright tell me that she doesn’t like me. She just said that she wasn’t ready and she wasn’t sure of her feelings for now because she was so hurt, I don’t want to hurt her any further.”
“You’re not hurting her by being with another woman, Renard! And besides, you’re not really with me, we’re just pretending.”
“What do you think to achieve by just pretending?”
“I’m telling you that if this girl really likes you, she won’t stand the sight of you being with someone else. We have to pull her legs a bit, we have to make her jealous…”
“No, we can’t. It will only make her hate me.”
“Yes, she might, and she might also reveal her true feelings for you and then you can tell her the truth.”
Renard sighed, “are you sure this will work? I don’t want things to end badly…”
Martha smirked, finally he’s agreed to have some fun. “I assure you it will, little brother.”
***********
Beta Renard is back.
Katrina nearly jumped out of her skin upon hearing the news. Was he not on leave? Why is he back all of a sudden? She wondered.
Another surprise; he’s got an announcement to make and he’s gathered everybody into the pack hall.
What for? Why is he calling everyone and for what sort of announcement?
She hesitated for a while, and when she couldn’t take it anymore, she decided well f*** it. I’m going to see him. At least let me hear of this announcement he’s come to make all of a sudden.
She left her room and headed down to the pack halls where the silver wolves were gathered. Renard was right there on the stage and right beside him was the lady she’d seen in his house this morning. Why was she with him? What was he going to announce?
Renard had seen her right there in the crowd. It was like he was waiting for her to come in before he began, because as soon as she entered, he quieted the audience and started his announcement.
“Good day fellow wolves of the silver tribe. I hope you’re all doing well today. I hope your families and your businesses are all doing fine.”
“I want to thank those of you that tried to reach out to me during my unexpected absence. I want you all to know that I am very much fine. I just needed to take a break because of the preparations going on right now.”
Katrina’s heart leaped. What preparations was he talking about?
He then took the ladies’ hand and gazed into her eyes so intimately. Why was he doing that? Katrina nearly screamed her head off.
Renard continued. “I didn’t come here today because I had any plans of resuming my normal duties. I only came to inform every one of you that the lady standing before you all today is my fiance and I will be getting married to her on the next full moon.”
Those words cut right through Katrina like a blade. What the hell was going on? Why is he suddenly getting married and where did this lady come from??? This wasn’t supposed to happen… why is this happening? Why? Why? Why? She nearly screamed… She couldn’t take it anymore, walking right out of the halls as soon as she’d heard those words, those words she wished she’d never heard.
Renard saw her walking out immediately. Oh no, he knew he shouldn’t have listened to Martha. Now see, she’s upset already… He needs to go after her, as he was about to climb down from the stage, Martha suddenly dragged him back, whispering into his ears, “you can’t go after her now. It will ruin everything.”
“I don’t care if it ruins everything, Martha. I can’t lose her because of a silly joke.”
“You won’t. I promise you, just give it time and you’ll see what happens after today.”
He can’t believe he’s listening to his sister again. If he loses Katrina because of this, he’ll never forgive himself.
“Worry not, little brother. Trust me on this one; you’ll have her soon, right at your fingertips.”
**********
Evening time had come and Renard with along with his new bride had spent the whole day receiving congratulatry messages from the silver wolves. They also received surprised last-minute gifts as many didn’t expect the sudden news but still, they couldn’t be happier for their beta as the goddess blessed him just the same way she blessed their alpha with a beautiful mate.
Renard bid goodbye to everyone along with Martha before they both returned home as he would be continuing his leave of absence, giving him more time to spend with his partner. Everyone understood this now.
That night, he received an unexpected visitor right at his doorstep. He dropped his jaw seeing Katrina’s reddened swollen eyes. You could tell she’d been crying the whole day. Renard felt bad suddenly seeing her like that. He never expected that he could affect her like this. He regretted his actions immediately
“Katrina, I…”
She didn’t let him talk, bursting out all the emotions she’s been bottling up ever since she heard about his engagement. “Why? Is this how you claim to love me? Were you playing with my feelings when you confessed your love for me? Why did you have to move on so quickly without giving us a chance? Why, Renard? Why?
“Katrina, I’m sorry for…”
“You Should have never kissed me then. If you knew that you were going to move on so quickly, you should have never made me fall for you…”