Erik's POV
"Married?!" I asked again, hoping to hear another response.
"Yes, they will get married next week," Clara said calmly.
"They've only known each other for over a month, and they will get married?!" I asked, my voice getting higher.
"Calm down, will you? It's not that surprising!" Clara exclaimed.
"It's too early," I said, shaking my head.
"Too early? When we first met, we already shared a bed. That's early," Clara retorted.
"That's a different matter," I said.
"Look, aren't you happy that his mate wants to marry her and take her as his husband, not just his mate? Melissa is not a child. She's an adult, even older than me, and I got married first! She supported you in everything, and it is your turn to support her happiness," Clara said, scolding me.
I understand what Clara is saying and know she is correct, but I still can't accept it. I frowned and slumped my back in the chair. I glanced at Clara, and she walked toward me.
She touched my shoulder, trying to comfort me. "It's just," I said and couldn't bring out the words that I wanted to say.
"Be happy for her. Don't you want her to be happy?" Clara asked softly.
She's right. I can't be selfish and ruin her happiness because I can't accept it. She is precious to me, so I should always prioritize her joy.
I sighed and forced myself to smile at Clara. She smiled at me sadly and looked at Tia, amused at the scene she had just witnessed.
I gave her a look, and she just shrugged her shoulders. "It was fascinating," She said. She was trying to stop herself from laughing. I ignored her and faced Clara.
"What are your plans? Should we prepare?" I asked.
"We'll prepare in two nights," Clara said, and I nodded.
"It seems that the both of you will get busy" I smirked at Vincent and Tia.
"I'll come. Who will protect the both of you?" Tia said, feeling confident in herself.
"Ian and Farkas will," Clara said.
"Hey!" Tia shouted at Clara, and she laughed at Tia.
"I am tagging along whether you both like it or not," Tia threatened us, crossing both of her arms.
"You can't," I said.
"W-what, why?" Tia asks, confused.
"You are the Luna," I said, slowly pronouncing every word.
"I will come," Tia said with finality.
I looked at Vincent, asking for help to convince Tia, but he just shrugged his shoulders at me. He is not even trying and just watching at the back.
I sighed and nodded at Tia. She smiled widely, showing me her complete white teeth. She was satisfied with my answer.
••••
It's been two days, and we are now heading out to travel towards the west side territory for Melissa's wedding. Clara, Tia, Ian, and Lia will be the one who is going to attend.
We only used one car since Tia would be flying with her broom. She said she couldn't be in the car and asked why she would be riding a car when she had her broom.
The drive was long. Clara and Lia talked to each other on the way. The she-wolves sit in the back while Ian and I are in front. Ian insisted on driving, and I let him be. Ian has always been a serious person, but that is one of the reasons why I chose him to be my gamma.
Clara's POV
The ride was long, but I never got bored since Lia was here. Tia sometimes rests on top of the car and then continues to fly. We didn't stop on our way to hunt and eat since Angela had packed us some food.
We continued traveling until we arrived in the east. Ian supported Lia while going down the car, and Erik did the same to me. Alpha Rick and Melissa came in front of us in a few minutes with their whole pack behind them. Alpha Rick bent his knee and bowed to us. The others followed, and Melissa did a small curtsy.
"Your majesty and your highness, welcome to the west. I, Alpha Rick, and my Luna Melissa welcome you and are honored that our rulers are going to attend our wedding," Alpha Rick exclaimed.
He is a warrior inside and out. It is suitable for us to choose him as our vanguard and general of the country's troops.
"I am glad to attend your wedding. I only wish happiness to my sister," Erik said, using his stern voice. I waved at them, dismissing their bow. All of them stood properly and proudly, and Erik smirked. He loved the atmosphere since the members were full of warriors.
Melissa's aura changed. I smiled, thinking that she was doing well as a Luna. I watched how Melissa approached their members and how she ordered them to prepare our rooms.
The Alpha and Luna of the west showed us the way to the kitchen. While we walked towards the kitchen, I looked around their pack house, which was full of armor and weapons on the wall.
"Our King and Queen, please sit. We have prepared some snacks and tea, and you must have been tired in your travels," Melissa said.
I smiled at Melissa again, she talks appropriately now, and her tomboyish style had vanished. I love how she is, but the refined version of her is just excellent.
"How are you?" I asked and grabbed her hand at the other side of the table.
"I am doing great actually, just a little nervous about our wedding," She said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Who wouldn't? At least you got a chance to feel nervous while I just woke up from a trial and got married immediately," I jokingly whined.
Erik cleared his throat, and Tia and Lia giggled at Erik's reaction. "I hoped Angela would come, but I am glad that the three of you are here," Melissa said and looked at us, showing her sincerity. We smiled at her.
"So, what do you want us to do?" Tia broke the atmosphere and joked. All of us laughed at her, "Since you mentioned that, I would love help from decorating since you can finish it with a flick of your fingers," Melissa said, acting the way Tia flicks her fingers when casting a spell.
We all laughed at the table and enjoyed the tea. "Well, it's nice if I just came here for the food," Tia said, shrugging her shoulders, and we all laughed again.
The guys went to Alpha Rick's office to discuss work since they couldn't keep up with our conversations.
"Did you already pick a wedding gown?" Lia suddenly asked, feeling excited for her.
"I have three gowns that were prepared. I still can't choose from the three. Do you want to see it?" Melissa offered, and all of our eyes twinkled and nodded at her.
We walked excitedly, and Melissa showed us the way to their room. We entered and gasped at the look of the beautiful wedding gowns.
"No wonder you can't choose!" I exclaimed, looking closely at the gowns.
Tia pointed at one of the gowns. "Can you wear this for a second?" She said. Melissa took the gown and entered their walk-in closet.
In a few minutes, she came out wearing the beautiful dress. "You look lovely," Lia said.
"Not quite," Tia said and flicked her fingers.
The gown that Melissa is wearing has some changes on it. It was full of rose designs, and it looked sexy on her. Her hair and makeup were also done, and her long hair had rose clips.
I teared up at her look, and Lia kept on nodding. Tia also nodded, satisfied with what she did. Tia signaled Melissa to take a look, and Melissa turned, facing the mirror.
Melissa's eyes grew big and touched the dress. She cried, looking at Tia. "I love it," She said, covering her mouth with both hands. She wiped her tears and hugged all of us.
"Thank you, girls, for coming! Thank you for the dress, Tia! I feel so confident and least scared now that all of you are here. How I wish Angela had come," She exclaimed while hugging the three of us. We all hugged Melissa back.
"I've been alive for too long that the designs invented over the years helped me design things," Tia said.
"By the Melissa, can you go and have a talk with Erik," I said.
"Why, what's wrong?" She asked, and I smiled sadly at her.
She mouthed an o and nodded to me. She knew that Erik was keeping it all inside. I want them to talk things through. I know that there isn't a day that Erik didn't worry about Melissa.
••••••
We are now at the dining table eating our dinner. Erik and Alpha Rick keep talking about how they train their warriors, and it seems they have gotten close.
Melissa told me that she mind-linked Erik for them to talk. She also instructed me to make sure he would come. They will talk after dinner, and I'm sure Erik won't avoid her.
"Did you make sure that the security will be tight?" Erik asked Alpha Rick using his stern voice.
"Yes, your majesty, I made sure that the strongest of my warriors will be on guard during the wedding," Alpha Rick replied to Erik calmly.
"That's good," Erik said and ate a spoonful of salad.
"Some of the Alphas who relocated at the middle near the west will be coming," Alpha Rick informed.
"Make sure that every one of the Alphas is trustworthy," Erik ordered.
"Of course, your majesty," Alpha Rick said. The both of them continued having a conversation about work throughout the dinner.
Everyone has already left and is still sitting at the dining table talking about work. He kept making Melissa wait, and I noticed that this was his way of avoiding the talk with Melissa. Melissa seems down that Erik is starting to avoid her. I got angry at his actions, and I walked toward them.
"If you excuse me, Alpha Rick, but I need to have a private conversation with my husband," I said threateningly.
"Well, of course, your highness, let us talk again tomorrow, your majesty. I have enjoyed our conversation," Alpha Rick said and bowed at us. He walked towards Melissa, and she must have explained it to Alpha Rick since he glanced back at us before leaving.
I looked at Erik and glared at him. "You better face her, or else I will leave our pack," I said, threatening him. "You better stop acting like a child Erik because when I said I will leave, I will," I snarled.
"I'm not avoiding her, okay? And how can you say that, my love? Don't do this to me," Erik whined.
"I always keep my word, and you know that. I will leave and live in another country," I said. He frowned and then sighed. He knows I am serious, so he can't say no to me now. He walked toward Melissa and sat beside her. Seeing they were now talking, I left and gave them some privacy.
Thinking about what happened made me feel like Klaus. "Why did you think he did it?" I asked my wolf, Angela.
"I also don't know, and it is saddening that he took another path," She replied.
"Yeah. That's true," I asked.
I blocked her and continued staring at the window.
"Whatever your reason is, Klaus, I won't forgive you. Of all the rogues living now, you must die. It still hurts that you decided to betray us, but it has already been done. You need to be removed from this world."
"Mommy, daddy, I miss you so much. Please keep watching out from me over there," I prayed and rested my head on the window.
"I am doing fine here, and mom, don't worry too much," I mumbled.