Mine

ROSALIND’S POV
“Well don’t just stand there. Pick the box up and move!”
Aunt Lily stared at me from the door like I was daft.
It took me a moment to regain my senses.
One moment, I was in Cillian’s arms, just in front of this same shelf. The next thing, the door swung open and here she was, scolding me. Cillian had disappeared without a trace.
Just before she had opened the door, my whole body was enveloped in fear. I heard her before she came in but that wouldn’t have helped. It was a small room, there wasn’t much space to hide. There wasn’t much room for anything, really. But Cillian was gone.
I resisted the urge to frantically look around the place for him. Was I hallucinating or something?
No. He touched me. I could still smell his scent. That strong redwood. He had moved, and he had moved with the speed of lightning. I said a silent prayer to the goddess that Aunt Lily was too stressed to notice anything was amiss.
Cillian was so fast that I didn’t even see him move. He really was full of surprises.
If aunt Celia had walked in a minute later, my boobs would have probably been out. Then even if Cillian disappears, I’d still have a lot of explaining to do.
Oh goddess. That would have been bad.
I picked up the box slowly. Only then did I notice how fast my heart was beating. This was a very close call.
I picked up the box and followed her. Praying with all my heart that she could not smell my arousal.
“I always have to do everything myself…”
Aunt Lily muttered under her breath as she left.
I glanced back at the store one last time, still amazed.
Outside, the pack was getting filled up with more and more people. The villagers had already begun the fire rituals which was the very first thing to be done in the festivals.
Visitors from other packs were also arriving. They were being escorted to their various lodges by security.
Aunty Lily nodded greetings to a few of them as we passed. I felt very small beside her. It was like she knew everyone and was all important and I her omega daughter in-law trying to live up to her standard. I just walked beside her with a straight face.
Before I could dwell on the thought, something struck me mentally from the crowd. A pair of eyes on me. Dark, cold eyes watching me closely. I couldn’t see them but the feeling was very strong. Almost like…
River.
I looked again and couldn’t find him anymore. He was gone.
His gaze was so intense that it seemed to blur out everyone else in the crowd for a millisecond. But then, I saw this from the corner of my eye so I could have been wrong. But the feeling I got wasn’t just strong, but ominous. It was like I saw him from my mind.
I shook it off. I was obviously tired, that’s all. I had just witnessed Cillian’s speedy abilities and now my mind was overthinking. Yes.
After helping out with the rest of the tasks left, I headed back to my chambers to get ready. Amidst all the drama, I was still excited for what the festival had in store. The preparations had been grand so it was sure to be a blast.
There was a big package on my bed when I entered my chambers. It looked exotic. I checked the tag and it was addressed to me from Killian.
‘My colours look good on you. Wear this like the princess you are… Mine.’
It was a cheeky thing to write but it still made my legs go weak. The wrapped box had a beautiful black and golden gown with a matching necklace and earrings.
There was a knock on my door and my maids entered with my permission. It was dusk already and I could feel the powerful rays of the moon pour into Southern Paw from the goddess. It was time to get ready.
The girls took their time to dress me up tonight. And when they were done, the look of satisfaction on their faces told me that they were pleased with themselves for how well they had dolled me up. When I looked in the mirror, I held back a gasp.
“How do I look?” I asked, just to be sure.
“You look like a queen, your highness.”
The rays of the full moon seeped into my skin as I made it to the square. The wind was different. Everything felt closer, shinier, louder than normal. The full moon was powerful, it amplified everything; strength, hunger, joy, speed, anger, everything.
I saw Killian addressing some wolves at the entrance. He sighted me and excused himself.
He came up to me, looked around and pulled me into the shadows, away from the moonlight.
His touch was electric and still sent off sparks in my body. He pulled me to a wall and looked into my eyes.
“Now what do you think you’re doing looking all sexy tonight?”
I blushed at his words and before I could say anything, he grabbed my ass. Holding both cheeks firmly in his strong palms.
His hands on me and the scent of his wolf coupled with this moonlight amplifier made me so horny, I felt dizzy.
“We’re out in the open, Killian.”
I managed to say. Regardless of our needs, it still didn’t feel proper to be in this position in public even though we were engaged.
He smirked at my words and pulled my hips to his and I felt how hard he was. Then he leaned forward and licked my ear.
I bit back a moan.
This shook my entire body. I didn’t know I was this sensitive until tonight. I wanted him.
“Is it just the moon or do I just want to fuck you dirty right here?”
He said, pulling me even closer. The scent of his cologne was messing with my self control.
I bit hard on my lips, holding back my gasps with everything I had. I was helpless. We were hidden behind a wall just metres away, people were passing.
“I thought I just saw Prince Killian. Where did he go, Von?”
The voice was not far away from where we stood.
Killian hissed, like he just remembered he ruled this pack. He brought his face close to my neck and inhaled deeply.
“They will soon call you. You should head back.”
“I will walk in with my fiance.”
He said, wrapping his strong arms around my waist.
“You look good in my colours.” He smirked.
“You don’t look bad, yourself.”
He laughed at this and pulled me closer. My heart skipped.
“Shall we?” He motioned, and we walked into the venue together.
There was a trumpet sound and a spotlight fell on us immediately. For a moment, I felt dizzy under the stares of so many people. Killian held me close, like his prized possession. I could tell the crowd loved it. Killian led me to my seat on the high table and sat beside me. This was greeted by a round of applause by the audience.
When we settled down, the trumpet came again and Cillian walked in with Aunt Celia. I was confused for a moment because of how young she looked tonight. She looked absolutely beautiful and she wore his colours. Cillian smiled and waved at the applauding crowd.
When his eyes fell on me, my heart clenched and I recalled our narrow escape earlier. He gave me a look like he had read my mind and smiled.
More people joined before the ceremony kicked off.
First was the revered wrestling tournament finale. A contest of strength between the North and South had been ongoing throughout the week leading to the festival.
The two fighters in the grand finale were Storm from the North – a giant of a man covered in tattoos, and Timber from the South, he wasn’t as tall as Storm but he looked fast and cunning. It was going to be a great show.
“But before they begin, do you have a favourite, my princes?”
One of the ministers asked.
“I didn’t know we were betting.” Killian laughed out.
“I say, Storm. Cillan?” He asked, looking at his brother.
All eyes turned to Cillian at this. He looked a little flustered, like he wasn’t expecting this.
“I guess I’ll have to pick Timber, to make this thing interesting.”
There was a cheer from the crowd. A little more competition for them.
“If my man wins, he gets double the price.”
At this, Storm smiled.
“And my man gets double if he wins too.”
Timber flexed his muscles and faced Storm. This was going to be interesting.
A bell sounded and the fight started.
Both of the fighters circled each other, never taking eyes of one another. They were both seasoned in tournaments for them to be finalists. Storm made the first move, he struck with incredible speed and caught Timber’s face.
The crowd cheered at the strike.
Timber wiped his mouth. He didn’t look deterred in any way.
They both circled on, Storm did feint moves to put his opponent off balance. Storm pushed forward again and landed another blow but this time Timber was alert. He blocked it and attacked, going for the midsection. Timber dodged this swiftly. They were both very fast. Timber just jumped and landed a heavy headbutt on Storm’s forehead.
Storm did not see that one coming. He staggered more than a few inches back.
There was a tiny flash through the crowd, I followed it and my eyes met with River’s cold gaze. I blinked and he disappeared.
My chest tightened and I felt suffocated all of a sudden. When I stood to leave, Killian and Cillian gave me the same look simultaneously. I just smiled and walked outside as fast as I could.
I was almost hyper-ventilating by the time I was outside. It took me about ten minutes to regain myself. What the fuck was happening? What game was he playing?
The reflection of the moon was dancing in the stream. I felt drawn to it, amidst all this drama, the moon still shone on. I grazed the water with my fingers, I looked like a total stranger, my eyes looked… different. I blinked and looked again and for a fraction second, I saw someone else’s blue eyes looking at me through the water and it smiled.
I jumped back immediately and River appeared from nowhere.
“You chose the wrong side. I hope you enjoy the show.” He smiled menacingly.
I had never seen him like this before.
Before I could say anything, he had vanished into thin air.