Our Other mate

Chapter 2

Merrick's POV

I can't believe I am doing this.

I find myself walking in the empty cathedral just a few days before my wedding. I took a seat on one of the pews that had just been decorated with lilies and gold. As I look around I see the vision that Alliyah had imagined. The moon lilies were always her favorite and they only grew here in Dashpointe. I planned everything the way she had talked about it just a few years ago. She was the love of my life and here I was 2 days away from betraying that love. I felt disgusted with myself. I really wish you were here Alli, You belong here! Not some princess who I've never met. My head bent as tears escaped from my eyes. Almost 2 years to the date I lost her. The Spears had found her alone while she was away from my protection and injected her with silver, enough to kill 3 Lycans over and she was a lowly Werewolf. She didn't stand a chance and the silver overtook her quickly. She died a few moments after I arrived, in my arms. For months every time I closed my eyes she was all I saw. Her long blonde hair in the breeze and her skin smelled of sunshine.

My father had chosen for me to marry another, as his last act before he succumbed to cancer that grew in him. Now as Duke I could unmake it, but the Duke of Lumanaris begged me not to overturn the decision. He had made a good point about strengthening the ties that hold our kingdom together. Honestly, I was content with being alone, but if it helped secure the kingdom and protected the pack and clans I was willing to do whatever it took. The kingdom is my duty and I could not let my family down.

I felt raindrops hit my face when Joseph pulled at my shoulder. "Come on Merrick, are you really going to be late for your wedding?" I look back at him and then to my watch. I finish the last bit of Dalmore in my glass. Maybe if I drank it would not feel like such a betrayal to my true mate. Joseph took the glass out of my hand and propped me up against the building. "I know things are rough, man, but you should really be sober" he scoffs and rolls his eyes at me. I had known Joseph all my life and we grew up together. My father and his worked together so naturally, we saw each other all the time. He was now Joseph Nicolette, Marquis of Ruedon, a neighboring region to Dashpointe. He and his wife helped me get through the death of Alliyah.

I made it to the altar just in time to see everyone standing as my new bride cascaded her way there. " She looks almost as unhappy as you", Joseph poked. I just rolled my eyes, neither of us wanted to be here. Abigail, Joseph's wife gave me a half-hearted smile and she grabbed Joseph's hand and told him it was time to be seated. She stopped before she went to take her seat, her hand on my shoulder, " You deserve to be happy Merrick, Alliyah would have wanted that. Just give her a chance..." her sweet smile faded as she walked away. My bride takes the first few steps up the altar. I say to myself, Time to get this show on the road.

The ceremony was a fog for me...as if I wasn't there. I vaguely remember the vow and thanks to Dalmore, I remember even less what I promised my new wife. I remember saying Alliyah's name, seeing her in front of me, and with an eyeful of tears, she was gone, replaced by the other creature. My first impressions of Eleanore were not terrible. I mean she was not bad to look at...Her curls bounced as she nodded and her breasts were supple. Not bad to look at, eh? My inner Lycan gave her a good once over. She smells like lavender and vanilla. I gave the air around me a good sniff. She must have thought I was crying as she handed me a tissue. As I bring the tissue to my face her scent envelopes me, the first time I had smelt anything remotely good in a while. Since... Alliyah.

After the ceremony, everyone of importance congratulated me on my new bride. To my surprise, my aunt had shown up. I could tell by the way she looked at my new bride she did not approve. I felt anger boiling up inside me as she made some unsavory remarks at Elenore, but she just smiled and kissed her hand. Which made me smile, she at least knew her way around the delicate whims of the upper class. Surprisingly she wrapped her arms around me and asked to leave without actually saying those words. Very clever, I thought to myself walking to the Limo that awaited us.