After Obliteration

■Chapter 3■

I was shocked.  Yes, the idea had occurred to me, but I had denied it.  I'd been expecting to have a quiet breakfast with my father, and when I saw the guests, I'd hoped they were here for business other than an arranged marriage.  

My father stood up, his chair scraping across the floor as he did so.  "This is Mr. James Mendel, Alpha of the Diamond Pack," he gestured at the older man who smiled and nodded politely.  "And his wife Mrs. Elora Mendel, Luna of the Diamond Pack."  The woman scowled at me.  Father then turned and smiled genuinely at the handsome man sitting next to me.  "And finally, young Mr. Xacian Mendel, future alpha of the Diamond Pack, and your fiance."

I turned to Xacian and gave him a small smile, knowing that if I didn't , my father would punish me later.  He gave me a small smile in return.  

Turning back to my betrothed's parents, I smiled.  "It is so very nice to meet you all.  How was your trip here?"

Mrs. Mendel continued to glare at me.  It was making me uncomfortable, but I showed nothing but pleasantness on my face.  After a few seconds Mr. Mendel spoke.  

"It was very beautiful.  The deep purples and blues of the mountains surrounding your pack's land are simply majestic.  I see the Corundum Pack has fared well since the Obliteration."

After the Obliteration, the ten remaining packs of the world were renamed, to symbolize the new era.  The remaining minerals of the world were tested for their strength and so were the alphas.  After being tested, the alphas were ranked according to their power and given a mineral.  The alphas then took their minerals home and placed them in display cases, as symbols of pride or shame at their power.  My father and Mr.  Mendel were young men when this happened, but both had already married.  My mother had been given to Father by the Topaz pack.  Their alpha was almost as strong as Father.  Almost.  

The corundum sitting in its case in the entry hall was a source of pride for my father.  The glittery, red gem showing that we were the second strongest pack in the world, behind only the Diamond Pack.  My future pack.  

"It has." My father stated.  

Mrs. Mendel finally spoke up," How's Lillianethia been of late?"

There was an awkward silence at the mention of my mother.

"She was better yesterday," I finally said, breaking the silence," Mother was awake for nearly two hours."

Mrs. Mendel's glare lessened at the talk of my mother's illness.  She straightened in her seat," I wish her well.  I hope to see her at the wedding."

You probably won't, I thought.

Some pack members came in with breakfast, including Maren.  

"I'm sorry about you mother, but what of the marriage arrangements?"  Mrs. Mendel abruptly change the subject once again.  "I know that the decorations and dress have been ordered and the food being prepared, but what about the guests?  I know we will have one ceremony here and another at home once we've returned to the pack."  She finished before sipping from her water glass and taking a large bite of her hash browns.    

"My pack has been invited to the ceremony,"  Father answered," They know this arrangement is for the good of the pack.  Additional seating has been provided for anyone you wish to invite."

Xacian finally spoke with a smooth tenor," We are very grateful for you taking our wishes into account.  I am very excited for the end of this week."  He looked at me and smiled.  

I glanced back at him in shock.  How could he go along with the arrangement so easily?  I know I haven't said anything, but that's because my father will punish me harshly for speaking up.  Xacian is a future Alpha.  His opinions are listened to.  He isn't punished for stating how he feels.  The thought made me suddenly angry.  I'm such a hypocrite, I thought, to be angry at him for failing to do something that I haven't done either. 

I wanted so badly to lash out, to tell them this was wrong and we could both find more compatible mates on our own, but fear of my father's fist stilled my tongue.    

"Azula, your dress fitting is tomorrow, and I've already chosen the design.  It is marvelous."  Mrs. Mendel sighed. 

I was beginning to feel pity for Mr. Mendel having to spend his life with such a woman.  

"It's embroidered with-" 

Xacian cut his mother off.  "Mom, she doesn't need to know about every detail right now.  She'll see it for herself tomorrow."  Turning towards me he said," Dearest Azula, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind passing me the rest of your plate."  It was a kind of statement question.

"You want the rest of my food?" I asked bluntly.

He gave me a large smile," Of course I want your food."

I think there was a double meaning in that, my wolf, Ziri, said.  I silently nodded, passing him my plate.  Wanting to laugh because of Xacian's way of asking for my food, I glanced at my father, trying to see his face at the impropriety.  It was carefully blank.

"Look how well they get along," Xacian's father commented.  "They'll be a fine married couple."

At that, tension coated me like a stifling blanket as the adults watched Xacian and me with calculating eyes.  

I looked anywhere but at my fiance though I could feel his eyes on me.

I simply wasn't ready to get married, and I certainly wasn't ready for what came after that.  Xacian would want a child as soon as possible to secure his position as Alpha.  

Oh, why couldn't Father have kept his promise?  I thought desperately.  

I gave a quiet cough," May I please be excused?"

My father raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth.

"It's an emergency."  I finished before standing up and fleeing the silent room.