Under Her Mercy

Betrayal

Nina

"Why are you carrying a gun?" Nina asked from the couch. She was all dressed up for the night but Saranya was running behind time. Though the way Saranya was grooming herself the term 'fashionably late' seemed to be invented for her. The woman was looking ravishing in a black suit. But she grew curious when Saranya attached a gun belt around her waist.

"I am done," Saranya said, turning around. She froze for a moment with her eyes glued to Nina, "You are looking like a goddess." Nina had matched her suit up with a black sleeveless knee-length dress and a pair of stilettos.

"I know," smirking at the Queen, Nina jumped up from the couch to accompany her to the garden, where the party was held. "But what's the gun for?"

"I don't like carrying a weapon. But it's protocol." walking to the girl, Saranya extended her arm towards Nina. "Don't worry. It's just for show. And it makes me look sexy."

"That's for sure." Nina slid her arm around Saranya's and mentally gave herself a quick boost up.

"Don't panic." It was easy for Saranya to say, standing in front of a wave of immortals. Nina, who had been monitoring the crowd from the past half an hour from Saranya's room's window, found it utterly nerve-wracking. She had been helping Myra to supervise the decoration around the vast garden from the morning, yet when she found the field filled up with people, her palms were sweating.

She had rehearsed everything in her mind. Saranya would say everything. She would nod and smile at the crowd.

The announcement went well. Most of it was missed by Nina as she was beyond anxious. She remembered hearing Saranya joking about how her men couldn't keep a secret so most of the people already knew etcetera.

Meantime, Nina's eyes were scanning the crowd around them. Her eyes found Allena, standing at a distance, with a glass in her hand. Behind her were her pack members, standing together. When Saranya announced her as her mate officially, Nina's eyes met with Jenny's. She remembered her as the North's Pack's future Alpha's mother. Unlike last time the woman's warm smile towards her ensured Nina that she wouldn't be spitting venom this night.

The crowd was not half bad as Nina had assumed. They cheered for her. Many of them came forward to congratulate the pair. They were from everywhere around the world. Some came bearing presents and bouquets, which were managed by Renee.

Even Allena came forward. Smiling at the couple she congratulated them. "It is wonderful news," she said, shaking hands with Saranya and smiling at Nina. Nina swore she noticed Allena frowning at her by the way she was always hiding behind her mate.

"After the party," Saranya's words made Allena avert her gaze. "We...my mate and I would like to have a word with you."

"Of course," Allena agreed with a smile. "I will stay back," she assured. She looked relieved. Nina was hoping for a prolonged conversation when another group emerged to have a word with Saranya. With Saranya, reluctantly Nina had to leave Allena and concentrate on the small group of werewolves.

When they left them, looking around Nina couldn't find Allena because of the crowd around them.

Soon Nina began to feel uncomfortable and out of place. The spontaneity of the night was overwhelming her. One after another, people were coming up to Saranya and of course, as she was standing next to her she also had to smile and interact with them. Not to ignore the fact that half an hour ago, Saranya announced her as the Queen's mate; the cherry on the top.

Saranya was used to it. They had tons of information and queries stored for their Queen. Nina was astonished to find out the way her ill-tempered woman was catering to all of her subjects' demands individually, with the smile never leaving the corner of her plump maroon lips. On the other hand, Nina barely knew anything about the grave subjects which are being discussed.