Dark of the Moon

Chapter Three: The Gathering

Eliza stared tiredly out of the window that was opposite her bed, she was wearing her Vero Moda grape PJ set and hadn’t had much sleep that night; after Lord Ramos had made the preliminary connection, he had gone to discuss the next move with Brendan and Tanya. 

The official bonding ceremony would take place the next day and Eliza would remain in Seville with him while her brother was being sent to Madrid to train under another werewolf, who would attend the private ceremony tomorrow.

Closing her eyes, the blonde tried to fall asleep but she knew that it wasn’t possible; her life had been turned upside down and she had no choice but to do as she was asked.

Eliza still didn't know what her father had done that had caused this deal but she knew that she would never forgive him for selling her and Evan to the werewolf that he had upset in exchange for his freedom.

The sound of her bedroom door opening made Eliza stiffen before she heard someone move about her room quietly, she hadn’t seen her family since the kiss that she had shared with Lord Ramos; the one where he had established their primary bond.

“Buenos días milady,” Natasha said as she opened up the curtains properly and smiled over at Eliza, who sat up and looked at her maid-servant.

“I have brought you breakfast and Lord Ramos has asked for me to ensure that you are prepared for the guests arrival today,” Natasha said as Eliza nodded numbly, tomorrow she would official become Lord Ramos’ mate.

“Is everything alright milady?” Natasha asked when she saw the look on the blonde’s face as she set down the tray of breakfast on the bed next to her; Eliza nodded as she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.

“This is all happening so quickly…” Eliza murmured she wished that she’d been given a little warning about this; her parents had known for months and hadn’t said a thing to warn her about her impending marriage.

“I haven’t even had time to get a dress,” she said making Natasha tilt her head at the blonde as she understood what Eliza was talking about; it was rather sudden that this had been dropped on her.

“It’s all been taken care of milady,” Natasha reassured the blonde who looked at her as she realised that this wasn’t sudden for them, they had known for a while that she was coming here.

***

Allowing her mother to fuss over her, Eliza stared at herself in the mirror; she couldn't believe that all Tanya seemed to care about was that Lord Ramos was kept happy, she didn't seem to care that her daughter was feeling numb.

The blonde was wearing a green one shoulder dress with drape side paired with black heeled sandals; Natasha glared at Tanya, who seemed to be doing her job.

“Remember… you are here to keep him happy, your Padre’s life depends on it,” Tanya said as she made sure that Eliza was looking perfect in the mirror.

Eliza nodded stiffly as she glanced at her mother, who almost seemed thrilled that she was marrying her only daughter off as if she would get something more from it.

There was a knock at the door, making Tanya pause as she made her daughter look perfectly; she wanted to ensure that there was no way that Lord Ramos could find a problem in her daughter.

Edward stepped into the bedroom holding a black box, he frowned at the sight of Tanya, who moved away from Eliza allowing Natasha to actually do her job.

“A gift madam from Lord Ramos,” Edward said as he handed the black box to her, she stared at him curiously before she opened the box to reveal an 18ct yellow gold multi stone pendant.

“He hopes that you will wear it tonight for the gathering,” Edward said making the blonde nod as Natasha took the pendant from her and helped her put it on; Tanya pursed her lips as she watched her daughter, she had a feeling that she wasn’t going to get what she wanted from this deal.

***

Eliza shifted nervously as she waited for Lord Ramos to collect her, she didn't know what to expect and was anxious about meeting his family, who had arrived earlier.

“I must say you aren’t what I expected,” said a voice that made Eliza jump before she turned and noticed a brunette staring at her. The brunette frowned as she moved closer to Eliza, who held her ground as she stared at the unknown woman.

“When I heard that Lord Ramos was marrying, I expected something… well more,” the woman said bitingly making Eliza stare at her, she was wearing a green bodycon dress with ruched side.

“I’m sorry who are you?” Eliza asked as she wondered what she had done to upset the brunette; it was clear that she wasn’t here to be friendly with her.

“Lara,” said Lord Ramos’ voice as he approached the two women, the woman smiled as she looked at the werewolf that had entered the hallway; it suddenly became clear why the brunette disliked her, Lara liked Lord Ramos.

The werewolf wrapped his arm around Eliza’s waist making the brunette purse her lips as she glared at the blonde.

“I believe you have met Eliza, my mate… Eliza this is Lara, she’s an old family friend,” Lord Ramos said making the blonde swallowshe doubted that they had just been friends by the looks that Lara was giving him.

Lord Ramos squeezed Eliza’s hand as he led her away from Lara, who watched the couple leave with a frown set upon her face.

“You look beautiful in our colours,” Lord Ramos murmured as he looked at her, he had to admit that she was beautiful; it wasn’t something that he could ignore easily.

Eliza blushed making him chuckle as he pulled her to a stop, he gently cupped her face making the blonde look up at him; the werewolf brushed his lips against hers making her breathing hitch.

“Don’t keep her to yourself Ramos… we want to meet her,” a woman said as she approached the couple, Lord Ramos pulled away from Eliza; who looked confused as the woman and man stopped in front of them.

“Eliza… this is my brother Garcia and his mate Vania,” Ramos said making Garcia and Vania smiled at the blonde, they had been looking forward to the day that the younger werewolf finally settling down; he was the last member of the family to do so.

It had come to the blonde that Ramos and Garcia weren’t the werewolves’ first names as if they had something to hide; Eliza felt Ramos wrap his arm around her as he held her close to his side.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you…” Vania said before she pulled the blonde into a surprise hug making Garcia chuckle as he patted his brother on his shoulder. He had never expected his younger brother to settle down but after finally seeing Eliza; Garcia could understand what Ramos saw in her.

She wasn’t like any of the other women that he often spent time with, she held a certain aura that seemed to be made perfectly for Ramos and as long as his brother was happy that was all Garcia wanted.