Arkvine's Bride

2 - Marriage Agreement

My soon-to-be-husband is currently the head of the Arkvine. Should I be scared? Yes, definitely. Arkvine and Gonzalos are not really on good terms. On how my father managed to get his daughter to be married to an Akrvine, I didn't have any idea. He did perhaps manage to outwit them this time-unlucky them.

Perhaps this is an agreement or a truce between the packs. Hundred of years ago, the Lycan colonies were in war. Kasama na do'n ang pack ng mga Gonzalos at Arkvine. Mainit na ang dugo ng dalawang pamilya sa isa't isa noon pa lang. Kaya't wala pang umuusbong na giyera muli dahil patuloy ang diskursyo at kasunduan sa pagitan ng mga ito. This is perhaps one of the requests of my father.

Dapat nga ay kinakabahan na ako ngayon. I should feel my heartbeat rise and my hands shaking, but I couldn't feel anything as I stood in front of his office. I am not terrified or excited to see him. Bakit ako ma-eexcite if I'm going to marry a man twice my age? Baka nga ay kasing tanda na ito ng aking ama. I don't even know why the alpha of the pack is finding a wife when he already has like what... as far as I remember, four kids?

Nang huminto kami sa tapat ng pinto ay kumatok si David. "Come in..." I heard the Master's voice in a deep and authoritative timbre.

David opened the door and when I looked up, I saw him sitting on his office chair behind the big table while holding some documents in his hands. Edmund Arkvine, the alpha, and Master of the Akrvine. Tama nga ang hula ko. He's in his fifties like my father, perhaps almost in his sixties. He wore a navy blue tailored outfit. His salt-and-pepper hair is gently styled which imparts a sense of sophistication. From the subtle greying of his beard to the lines etched on his face, he embraces the aging process like a perfect wine.

So I would say, given that the man is already in his fifties, he is still dashing and good-looking.

He was buried in piles and mountains of papers on his table when I saw him. He stopped reading a document he was holding. When he saw me, he gave me a big and warm smile. As if he's very happy to see me.

"Lyanna!" tawag nito sa 'kin. "Finally! Welcome to Arkvine! How was your trip?" tanong nito sa 'kin na para bang ako'y isang anak na matagal niyang hindi nakita. Tumigil ito sa ginagawa at tumayo.

"I-It was okay..." Actually, it was not okay. Muntik na na akong hindi makarating ng buhay dito. I just mocked my father bago ako makaalis. Kailan pa ako magkaka-chance na gawin 'yon sa kanya? I had to do it. So it wasn't a trip but an escape.

Naglakad ito sa couch sa gitna ng opisina. "Do you prefer coffee, tea, or water? Any snacks that you'd like to try?" tanong nito sa 'kin at umupo sa isa sa mga sofa.

"Ah... coffee?"

"David, could you please?"

"Yes, Master. May I please give a suggestion, Lady Lyanna?"

Suggestion?

"Yes?"

"I think you'd love the cheesecakes our pâtissiers personally make. I'd get one for you and the master."

Huh? Cheesecake? Out of nowhere?

"Yes... David... Thank you."

Ngumiti ito sa 'kin na tila proud na proud ito sa kanyang ginawa at lumabas ng kuwarto. Tumingin ako muli kay Edmund at nakitang nakangiti pa rin ito sa 'kin na tila ba sobrang nagagalak itong makita ako. I don't know why he has that expresson on his face.

"Lyanna, please have a seat."

Naglakad ako at umupo sa katapat na couch. I am still confused sa mga nangyayari lalo na sa mga ugaling ipinapakita nila. I didn't expect the Master to be like this? He's the Alpha of the pack. I expected him to be intimidating and frightening. Pero bakit kasalungat? He does give a daunting presence but with me here right now, he looks like a carefree old man. Even David and Maya both greet me with cheerful smiles.