Wedding crasher
“I’m sorry, alpha Lucas. The news of Ava’s marriage surprised me as well, you know I would never purposely do anything to offend an ally that has helped me so greatly. I too didn’t support the idea of this union when I first heard of it, but then I didn’t want to impose my thoughts on anyone. I also thought that…” Daryl stopped short then, unsure of whether to continue as soon as he realized where his words were going.
“That what?”
“That…. She’d been… you know… Discarded.”
Lucas scowled, “why would you think that?”
“Well, it was the manner in which she came here, but I meant no harm…!”
“Ava was not discarded, Daryl. I would never throw her away, she’s only here because of some personal disputes between us that I will not be discussing with you.”
Daryl nodded his head. “Yes… I realize that now…. of course, you wouldn’t have come here if that were the case, but then another reason I blessed them was the fact that Ava seemed so sure of her decision to mate another wolf.”
“She did?”
Daryl nodded, “yes, she did. That was what surprised me the most. Even when I asked her, she showed no doubt in her confidence to carry on with the marriage.” Daryl saw Lucas’s expression and thought to ease the situation as he suggested. “I can… call off the wedding if you want. It is in my power as alpha to avoid anything that can cause squabbles between my pack and another, such as Ava’s marriage…”
“No. Don’t do it.”
His answer surprised Daryl, “but why? Do you wish for them to get married?”
“Of course not. I’ll see to it myself that the wedding gets called off, but not like this. If I retaliate by letting you forcefully cancel the joining, Ava would not like that. She already hates me for something and I can’t keep giving her more reasons to do so.”
“Hmm… so what do you intend to do about it now?”
“You said so yourself that she’s fully in support of marrying someone else. She wasn’t forced nor compelled, so I have to fix things on my own. Ava has to agree with the decision before you can call it off.”
Daryl still had doubts, “ok, my friend, but are you sure you can get her to change her mind? You know that if she does not agree, then nothing will stop him from marking her.”
“Leave that to me, I know my woman more than anyone else. I know I’ve hurt her, and I know what to do to gain her love once again. It won’t be easy, but I’m willing to go all the way for her.”
**********
After getting settled in, the servants arranged the dishes containing different meals on his table. Lucas dined alone in his room as this was the choice he’d preferred. He would have had dinner with the Daivie wolves, but he didn’t want to announce his presence to anyone yet.
Time had passed, and it was far into the night now, he’d been placed in the executive suites of the guests’ quarters, the most exquisite parts of the Daivie packhouse apart from the alpha’s chambers. He had as much comfort surrounding him just like it was at home, but just like all the other nights, sleep eluded him.
He knows what he should do now, but still, it feels as if he’s not ready, he doesn’t think he’ll ever be. He then heard his wolf’s voice urging him on.
‘It’s now or never.’
Erasmus was right. He’s never going to be ready. He’s not sure his heart will ever fully heal from the tremors of the past, but if there’s anything he’s sure of at this moment, it’s that he desires to be in the arms of a woman, the woman who’s never seemed to leave his mind, no matter how far she goes, the woman his heart beats for, the one his wolf longs for. He needs to go to her now.
It’s now or never.
**********
It was already night by the time Ava had woken from her nap. She’d missed dinner, and neither Rian nor Keisha came to call her as would have been the norm. They both must have been busy with wedding preparations. She heard her stomach growling, of course she didn’t have much to eat in the afternoon. Dinner time had long passed, and she didn’t know if anyone would still be in the kitchen by now.
Getting up from her bed, she saw that a tray of covered food had been left for her. Keisha must have probably missed her at dinner and thought not to wake her up, but then she never fails to take care of her, no matter how busy she is. Keisha is such a good servant.
She went over to the table and quickly uncovered the bowls of chicken soup, veggies and stir fry. She didn’t waste time in clearing the plates, silently thanking Keisha in her mind for remembering to serve her. It wouldn’t have been good if she had to start bothering kitchen servants so late to whip up something for her.
After her food, she took the plates outside and dropped them on the ground beside her door, as Keisha would come pick them up in the morning. At least it would be good to know that her efforts didn’t go to waste.
Ava then went over to her rocking chair, the one where she usually sits to knit. Her hands didn’t feel like doing anything tonight, so the only thing she could do was rock herself slowly on that chair, singing wolf nursery rhymes to herself and her baby of course.
She caressed her bump slowly as she went back and forth singing.
Sleep well my little cub,
Mother wolf has got you.
For when you come to me,
You’ll be a strong little stub.
Sleep well my little cub,
Mother wolf will shield you…
“I’ll be getting married tomorrow, soon you’ll have the love of a father. I’ve got you…”
Her peaceful moment was suddenly interrupted by a knock on her door. So late at night? Who could be visiting her? Keisha must have probably come to check up on her. Although something like this was unusual, it was the only possible explanation she could think of.
She didn’t think to ask who it was, finding a little difficulty in standing up from her rocking chair, before she headed to the door to let Keisha in.
But to her utmost astonishment, it wasn’t Keisha at the door, but the one she’d least expected. All the blood drained from her face as she saw him standing right in front of her.
Lucas De’ Clan gave a grin as he spoke, seeing her surprise, “good to see you again, precious.”