Thicker Than Water

Chapter 5

Scarlett

Dante pulled the blinds open, much to my annoyance. I pulled the blankets over my head which lead Dante to removing them off of me.

"Scarlett you have to wake up. We need to discuss our situation with the counsel. They called me an hour ago. I only have three hours to get you prepared to meet them, so please wake up." I glared softly then sighed as his brown eyes looked at me.

"Fine... Get dressed while I take a shower." My eyes lingered on his body and I blushed. He kissed me on my cheek when i sat up and grabbed my clothes. My shower went by quickly and I washed my face. I brushed my teeth before getting dressed in lounging shorts and a tank top. I walked out of the bathroom to see many, many dresses on hangers next to the window.

"First and foremost, you have to be dressed like a queen. The outfit you choose will determine how the counsel first sees you. The goal here is for them to see you for you and not a werewolf." I nodded silently and my hands gently touched the dresses.

Dante left the bedroom and went to the joining room where he stays up late to work and also where he can be close to me. A maid helped me get dressed in the very expensive clothing. All the dresses I tried on were uncomfortable and not me. I wanted simplicity and big, ruffly dresses were not it. Dante didn't care for any of the dresses either, which was a relief. However, when I thought that this could go on forever, my eyes landed on a baby blue dress. It was a floor length dress that was sleeveless and had a gold design on the torso. From the top of my breasts to my neck was a sheer blue material. I knew instantly that this was the dress. As I put it on, the material felt light on my skin and when Dante saw it, I knew he loved it too.

"I.. Wow.." A faint red appeared on his cheeks as he tripped over his words. "You look beautiful." A small blush appeared on my face as I looked down.

"Thank you." I smiled at him. A maid brought me a pair of white heels that I put on, with Dante's help, as I was holding on to him for balance before I got both of them on. I looked at the time- 2 an a half hours left.

"Now, you have thirty minutes to do your makeup, and twenty to do your hair. the remaining hour and forty minutes I will use to prep you for the questions they might ask. Sounds good?" Dante looked nervous which compelled me to grab his hand comfortingly.

"Dante, we've got this. It'll be okay, I promise." Somehow that made him calm down just a bit, but despite my calm stature, I was scared. From what I have heard the council was there when I first met Dante, which means their first impression of me, whatever that may be, is already in place. Dante kissed my forehead.

"I'm going to go get ready, I'll be back soon." I nodded and headed to the bathroom to quickly do my makeup. I decided on a very natural look, not packing makeup on. I curled my hair, letting it fall past my shoulders. When Dante rushed in I started putting away my makeup.

"Plan has been changed. They want to see us now." He grabbed my hand and we rushed out, thankfully, before he showed up I put deodorant on and perfume.

We rushed down the long hallways leading into the massive conference room. We stood outside the doors and we regained our composure. We fixed our posture and Dante squeezed my hand.

"Just be yourself okay?" I gave him a look and we both started laughing. "Okay maybe a little less sarcastic."

"Definitely." I giggled and he kissed my forehead. We held hands when we walked in, but when we stood in front of the council we let go; As naturally as I could, I held my hands in front of me while Dante held his hands behind him. The elderly faces looked down at us, but I remained unmoved.

"King Dante, we called you and this..." A slight disgusted look flashed across the males face, "Wolf here today to discuss the more slightly personal but important details of your relationship including the political side." Dante nodded quietly and an older black woman stood up smiling.

"Scarlett, correct?" Her voice was sweet and soft.

"Yes ma'am." I said that maybe a little too loud.

"Have you or Dante marked each other yet?" I shook my head no and she continued. "Have you had sex?" Another no, but this time a faint blush moved across my face. "No need to be embarrassed hunny. Now our clan is very traditional and the council would like it if you waited to do either of those after you are married, which leads us into our next point. However, if there is an issue with any of those conditions..."

"There is no issue ma'am." She nodded and sat down smiling.

"I admire your manners Scarlett. Now Dante, you and your mate shall make a formal appearance to the clan soon in the upcoming days, which could cause some issues regarding the fact she is a werewolf." The man was short and his black hair was very curly, and he kept having to push his glasses up as they fell off his face. "Some might want to challenge her and she can accept or decline. However, since you are king you have the final say." Dante nodded and I glanced over at him... Goddamn he's handsome.

"We will hold her coronation which will be a week after the wedding. You both should be marked by then." I took in all of the information and it was a lot. Was I ready for this? To get married? To change from a full werewolf into a hybrid? Am I ready to be marked? Questions sped through my head at light speed.

"Scarlett" I jumped and faced the council.

"I-I'm sorry..." Dante grabbed my hand trying to comfort me. The head councilman stared at me and his eyes softened slightly.

"Scarlett I understand this is a lot to take in at a young age but I need you to be that same girl you were when we first met. The girl that dared to run up to the heir of our clan and begged to stay with him. We need you to be focused and brave, can you do that?" I nodded. "You are dismissed."

Dante and I walked out holding hands in silence. He squeezed me hand softly and I gave him a small smile to let him know I was okay. The future laid out for me though, it terrifies me,