Nelson's POV
It's been two days since my outburst at Melissa. During these days, she ignored me totally and I did the same but that didn't stop me from thinking about her so deeply.
Most times, I find her together with Conri. I couldn't help but feel jealous but at the same time, I tried to take it away from my mind. The only thing I should be concerned about is nothing else but my coronation which is almost at the corner.
After a refreshing morning bath, I head towards the meeting hall, so eager to start my day. Tinox informed me of wanting to see me, the guard who brought the news to me this morning said it's an emergency and with each step I took heading closer to the hallway, I wondered deeply what this new update might be.
"You asked to see me Tinox" I uttered as soon as I walked into the hall, my eyes fixed on him and the five elders who said nothing but watched.
"Yes I did prince Nelson, it's good to have you here" Tinox spoke out. There was a Stern expression on his face, a look that really threw me off the core.
"I hope all is well"
"Yes it is"
"But the guard informed me that it's an emergency" I pointed out, my stare glancing from one man to another.
Tinox took a step closer to me, "Yes indeed, it's an emergency"
"So tell me, is there anything that I don't have any knowledge of?"
Tinox nodded in affirmation, "There is a new development"
Puzzled, I stared at him with a raised brow, "A New development?"
"Yes,a new development" Tinox asserted.
"What development? Is there something wrong in the pack?"
"The pack is fine,at least because this new development had nothing to do with the pack but with you" he revealed.
Still confused, at first I didn't say a word, I wondered what exactly he might be talking about and that left me very skeptical.
"Go ahead and inform the prince of the new development" one of the elders spoke out, drawing the attention of Tinox who looked away from him and averted his gaze back at me.
"It's about your coronation"
"My coronation?"
"Yes, your Coronation prince Nelson and I am sorry that it can not hold at the appointed time"
It felt like a bomb dropped right at me feet, immediately, I became speechless and was unable to utter any word, I couldn't take my eyes off Tinox, deep shock written all over me face.
"Why?!"
"It's just can't because some rules are yet to be fulfilled" Tinox replied.
At that moment, I just couldn't think straight, I had no idea what he was talking about. At that moment, so many unspoken words began to travel around my head making me lose balance in the most unimaginable way.
"What rules? What rubbish rules are you talking about Tinox" I fired not hiding the anger that began to rise in me, "What do you mean that my coronation can't hold at the appointed time. I am the first son of my father, the legit Alpha next in line and I won't stand here and watch you rub me off my birthright" I uttered with so much fury, I was confused at the same time, it felt like the whole world just collapsed on my shoulders.
"Listen Nelson, no one is rubbing you off your birth right. Mind your words, I never said that your coronation as the next Alpha won't hold, I only stated that it won't hold at the agreed time due to some rules. We are the elders of the pack, we were there when your father was made Alpha, we know the rules guarding the pack just the way a mother knows her child."
I was not having it, I turned away from him biting my lower lip very tightly to the point that I didn't care if I ended up bleeding.
I inhaled deeply, I didn't want to let my emotions flare so high and get the best of me.
Fine, I was boiling with intense rage because I don't seem to understand the change of plans.
"What rules are you talking about?" I implored.
"The rules of the pack. Your coronation can only hold if we the elders see how well things have changed, only in that condition will the coronation hold.
I stared at him so hard that I could feel my eyeballs hurting.
"What condition are you talking about Tinox?"
"It's simple Nelson, your coronation can only hold if you prove to everyone that indeed, you have accepted Melissa as your mate"
I felt struck by a thick thunderbolt, I couldn't even move my lips, as strange as I felt, my heart jumped at his words, anger slowly creeping in.
"I beg your pardon"
"You heard me right prince Nelson, you and Melissa must prove to us that you two have finally accepted yourself before any of you will be crowned Alpha or Luna of the pack. Mind you, we know that your coronation has to come first as the Alpha of the pack then hers will be under the guidance of the moon goddess. The more you two delay this, the harder it is on you getting the title as the Alpha, this is the only possible way to get what you want"
"This is insane!" I growled in contempt.
"This is the rule" Tinox countered but I was so mad to listen to any of his words.
"How sure am I that you didn't make this up? Last time you met Melissa, you praised her so much and talked to me about how lovely she is. How sure am I that you and the elders aren't doing this on purpose. Did Melissa tell you to do this? Did she?" I fired with widened eyes, the veins on my forehead were so hard that I felt it was going to burst open at any minute.
"You don't have to speak to us in such a rude manner…."
"But you left me with no choice Tinox" I cut him short not trying to give him the chance to speak further, "How does my relationship with Melissa have any impact on my coronation? We have issues to solve and I can't solve them without getting my leading title"
Tinox shook his head in disagreement, he was so calm that it added more anger to me.
"You can get them solved without your title,you are the acting Alpha,we all know that. This is very important to you so it's best you take the bull by the horn. The longer you waste, the worst it becomes and might even end up ruining things on the process"
No!
No way Is this happening!
This is bullshit and unacceptable!
Me and Melissa are not on good talking terms, we both hate ourselves, how on Earth are they expecting this to work out? How?
Tinox took a step closer to me, he placed a hand on my shoulder, a calm expression lingered on his face.
"There is no other way but this, if this pack means a lot to you, then, this shouldn't be a big deal to you. You know about the rules guarding the pack, this decision of ours is a part of it and it will be best if you take it into consideration if you want what rightfully belongs to you. Have a talk with her and see how things go, the faster you get together with her, the faster you get what you deserve" saying this, he patted my shoulder and began to walk towards the exit door along with the other elders.
I watched them walk out but my paralyzed legs made it hard for me to move.
What just happened?
What?
Me and Melissa?
Impossible!
This will be the hardest task I have ever been assigned to and knowing how stubborn she is at the moment, I knew at once that this won't come out well.
How am I going to do this?
"Just act and pretend that you both are in love just to get what you want" a voice spoke out inside of me.
Phoenix my inner wolf growls at the thought.
I ignored it.
"Listen to me Nelson, this is the only way you have to get what we both want" Phoenix spoke out in between growls, "The sooner you act on this along with Melissa, the better for we both, you get the post of the Alpha and she becomes the Luna, perfect"
I shook my head at his words.
"I still can't do this" I said mind linking with my inner wolf, "I just can't, I don't love her, I can't even stand her, so you telling me to act along with her just for the sake of everyone present, that will be way more harder than anything else"
"Don't be a weakling Nelson"Phoenix growls.
"I am not!"
"But you are acting like that right now just because of a woman"
"Not just any woman,but a woman forced into my life just to ruin things!" I countered back only to have Phoenix growl more loudly.
"Do you really want to be the alpha of this pack?" Phoenix Implored
"Of course i do"
"Then this is the only solution, you fake it until you make it"
I listened to his words, it sounded so perfect to me and at once, I bought the idea.
Yes!
This is just what I will do.
I can't let things go further in a way I didn't plan it to go.
The only problem is for Melissa to also agree and the more I think about her, the more I realize how messed up this situation is.
I walked out of the hall and headed towards the chamber. I know that she must be with Conri at the moment.
But where can they be?
I asked myself, the sound of my footsteps filled the hallway as I strolled further.
I got into the room,as expected, there was no sign of Melissa. My eyes glanced at the likeness of books on the table.
Yes!
She might be at the library
I need to get there and talk to her. Right now, I don't want to waste any more minutes, if we can fool Tinox and the elders, they can still keep to the appointed date and immediately I get what I want, the game will definitely come to an end.
I got out of the room and headed towards the royal library. I walked past some maids who greeted me at the sight of me but I was so buried with my thoughts that I totally ignored them.
Getting closer to the library, I could hear giggles and the voice of Melissa talking so happy. Of course, she is with no one else but Conri, deep jealousy overwhelmed me greatly.
"Melissa, we need to talk" I let out standing in the hallway.
My voice echoed quickly drawing their attention, a look of surprise on their face as they saw me.
"Good to see you Nelson" I heard Conri speak out but I totally ignored him, my eyes not leaving Melissa"
"Melissa, you heard me right the first time, get on your feet and come with me this minute, we need to talk" I spoke out adamantly.
A displeased look appeared on her face.
"I am going nowhere"I heard her say, turning her attention back to the book placed in her hand. "I am busy at the moment, perhaps, we don't have a relationship that should be discussing about something" she noted strongly and at that point, I was already losing my patience.
"You need to go Melissa" I heard Conri whisper to her.
"Please stay out of this Conri, you of all people know that I have no relationship with your friend. I am busy, If he can't wait till night time, then he is welcome to waste his time standing at the entrance"
At that point, I lost it. I didn't care anymore, I walked towards where she sat and without thinking twice, I slapped her hard across her face, her eyes widened in shock.