I Do (Not)

White Moonlight

Under the moon, the venue is fully decorated and glitters under the moonlight, white fabrics brightening the forest with its light hue and fairy lights illuminating the party area. Tonight is the engagement announcement between me and Alpha Dawson. After a full week of nothing but negotiations, it seems he and my father have finally come in agreement, and things are finally taking place.  Soon, the whole pack will know that we are going to combine powers with the Twilight Pack.  In a month's time I'll be a married woman, and I will lose any chance of finding my destined soulmate... if I ever had one.

The party tonight is taking place at the Pack House.  Everything is set up in the clearing behind it at the edge of the Crimson Forest, Pine Trees setting the theme of the party.  Fake trees are used to hold up the white fabrics that line the edges of the party scene, tables with white tablecloth scattered around, surrounding the dance floor in the center of the clearing.  At the center of the dance floor is an elevated platform, where the band is setting up but is also where my Father will be making his announcement tonight.  at the edge of the party scene, close to the Pack House, is a long table holding the snacks and refreshments.  It starts with the plates and silverware, then to the food, then desserts, and at the end has the various drinks and glasses.

I'm not the only one who knows the negotiations took longer than they should have.  Due to my hair, my father did not want me to be introduced until the wedding day, which Dawson did not like one bit. After all, who would marry someone he doesn't even know truly exists? My father seems to have convinced him, however, assuring him the power of his entire pack, which also took some convincing. According to my mother, Dawson was unsure of being in charge of a pack that would easily double in size and then some with the addition of my people, but my father somehow proved to him we were self sufficient, and would not need to worry about resources but would actually see an increase of profit. While my father is not wrong, he did certainly sugarcoat a number of facts, and Dawson eventually agreed.

Honestly, I didn't even know he arrived until today. Thinking about it, though, he is the only one in the Twilight Pack who would get away with kicking the Beta's seat in the car while I interrogated him. That being said, why didn't he interject? Anyone could tell I was giving his Beta a hard time, nearly mocking him and implying he was a mere nobody who has no business meeting my father.

"Now remember," my mother monologues, pulling me from my thoughts as she fixes my dress, pulling it down to cover more of my legs and then making adjustments to my hair. "You are not to reveal who you are to the Alpha. Tonight, you're an Omega just participating in the party." That'll be difficult, considering I've already come across them once.  Maybe I can get away with calling myself a border guard? "The guests for tonight have already been put in the loop, so you have nothing to worry about." I nod, looking back out at the edge of the forest where the party is taking place.  The wolves from Twilight finding out who I am is the least of my worries.

"Mother, does he live up to the rumors?" I ask, wondering if she even knows what they have all been saying about Alpha Dawson. Gray Dawson, the Bloody Red King, Conqueror of Wolves. Many expect him to become the next Wolf King, which is not determined by lineage, but rather power. According to the rumors, he took his place as Alpha by killing his older brother, the Alpha before him, and he took control of three other packs before he even turned eighteen, the Mating Age.

"Don't worry, Sis," Isabel interrupts, walking out onto the patio to us. "You're not going to marry him if I can help it." She struts over, her hand reaching up towards my head and I flinch away, remembering the day she cut my hair. Not again, please.

Isabel notices, freezing before taking her hand away. "I won't let you end up like his last mate, even if you end up hating me."

"Isabel!" Mother snaps, clearly knowing the rumors just as well as she. With a sigh, she calms herself before continuing. "Go find your mate. No matter what, do not reveal your sister to them. This is too important for tonight."