WORST NIGHTMARE.

Gerard's Pov.

Yeah, that's right.

People will say, those were the golden old days, but for me, it was just a thing of pleasure to escape reality. As soon as Oceana was beginning to grow, understand what the world, the realm was all about, I stopped going to the Pleasure House to have sex, I needed to set a good example for my mate to as not go out and hear shameful stuff about me, I couldn't bear to see it.

"Are you sure, because this isn't like you, you and I both know Emily wouldn't be able to do anything, stop your tactics and get to the point?"

"Carmine, let me do this my way, I can't stop this alone, it's so hard to contain but I've waited this long and I can still wait."

"Our parents are beginning to suspect, they are having their suspicions, concerning Oceana."

"I know," I admitted. "That's why I need to carry out my plan as soon as possible," I suggested.

He hit my shoulder and winked. "Let's go beat up some rogue's butt, I heard they are invading the realms secretly."

I laughed. "Yeah, let's go beat up some asses."

We punched our fists, hugged our elbows and nodded with a smile as we both morphed into our werewolf form and sprinted as fast as possible to our destination and fought, shed blood all day long, which rid me of Oceana's thoughts for a while.

Oceana's Pov.

For the next couple of days, I was out of it, feeling lazy and weak about the whole thing.

I couldn't stop thinking about Gerard, every day it became my routine to think and get worried.

I sensed Carmine's presence, he came to me with a smile, wearing a long silver jacket, blue jeans and a white sleeveless shirt, he was getting handsome by the day.

I was on the balcony of the palace, staring at the people below me as they had their moments. I didn't look at Carmine, neither was I in the mood to be talking to him, he will take Gerard's side and not mine.

I wasn't in the temperament to smile back so I scowled at him, turning my face off, from him.

"You look pretty this morning, lovely."

"Don't call me that." I snapped, he can't jinx me to be in his control, like a stupid child nodding at every stupidity being thrown at her, I don't need flattery or sweet words from him.

"Will you calm down, I know you are pissed but listen to what I have to say?' I rested my chin on my fisted hand and rolled my eyes at him with no response, he continued.

"I know you are still angry with the both of us, I can't blame you, but you have to know this, he loves you and doesn't want to put your life in harm's way."

"You knew all this time." I glared at him, and he shrugged his shoulders and nodded. "Yes, but Gerard is trying to protect you, I get where this is going."

"I don't need his protection, I am his mate, why is he being so difficult by saying he is protecting me, he is not doing that. I want my Alpha, not his safety, it's killing me."

"Gérard knows the consequences, Oceana, why don't you put yourself in his shoes." He persuaded me.

"How can I put myself in a position that I don't even understand in the first place, he wouldn't tell me anything and all I keep hearing is that he is trying to protect me from what exactly, the realms, the people?" I questioned.

"He can't accept you as his mate even if he wants it so badly, even if he loves you and it kills him inside, he doesn't want to hurt and make you hate him in the future, he just wants…"

"If he loves me, he will tell me to my face, not hide it and I'm tired of hearing about the future.'

"Put yourself in your shoes, it's a heavy burden.'

Heavy burden.

"Why should I do that? Heavy burden, I don't have any idea what you guys are trying to protect me from when he wouldn't say anything. Did you guys have any idea how this hurt me so much? You guys broke my heart, you left me all alone and I hate the both of you for doing that to me." I slammed down the pavement with my fist, which crackled, creating a hole and Carmine put his hands on my shoulders and firmly held them.

"Look at me, my sister." He softly muttered. "I'm sorry for how I treated you all these years, I was also doing it for everyone's good. You and I are the only ones who know about this mate thing, if the others learn about it, we are dead. Gérard is trying to safeguard you, you know he loves you right and he doesn't want to lose you. That's also the reason he hasn't been home all these years, we are not preventing this because we hate you or I feel disgusted about him being your mate. I am so delighted that he is your mate, I am not scared of the consequences, the moon goddess arranged this, so I have no say in whatsoever, I love you, Oceana and I will also do anything to protect you, give him some time and let's sort this out, how we can handle this, Oceana. We are doing it for your safety and it has never crossed our mind to hate you. We will never loathe you no matter what comes or gets thrown at us, we will never feel hostility towards you. Oceana, Mom and Dad wouldn't be happy if they should learn of this secret between us, if Gérard keeps getting close to you, we will be in danger and we are both trying to avoid that, that's why we always leave the house very well back then too. Gérard doesn't want to affect you, get it Oceana, he loves you and he will do anything to be by your side, don't lose faith in him. He loves you so much, I noticed it throughout the years but he doesn't show it to you but it's hard and he's struggling so much."

"Are you speaking about brotherly love, Carmine?"

"No." He shook his head. "This is Gérard we are talking about, he doesn't have such feelings for you, we both know for sure that you are his first love and he's deeply in love with you.'

His words melted my heart.

I smiled and then it struck me. 'What am I going to do, Carmine, does this mean I can never be with him.' He dropped down his hands and put them at their sides.

"I don't know how to answer that, I know it's hard but the only thing I can tell you is that you should forget about him for the rest of your life and move on."

My frightened eyes widened. "Move on.' I whispered.

It was as if cold water was poured on me, wasn't he the one encouraging me a while ago, Carmine gazed at me sadly. "Life is such a cruel place, isn't it, Oceana?"

He left.

That's it, I ran after him and Carmine ignored me and said no word.

I was devastated.

I should move on. That's what Carmine said to me, he wants me to move on, how dare he play with my feelings.

Did he just tell me those words that I should move on, I knew he will always be on Gerard's side, what was I reckoning on, damn what have I gotten myself into.

I wish it was a dream but it turned out to be a nightmare instead and I was shocked, I didn't expect this kind of action from him. I thought or maybe he was pulling out my legs and making me break whatever bond there was between Gerard and I, and truth be told, my worst fear came true.

"Gerard Daciana, will you take Emily Jones as your lawfully wedded wife, in peace and unity, for better or worse, till death do you part.'

The priest stood before them in his black attire, his little eyeglass was on as he looked between them, holding his book in his hand. He was an old man in his fifties, his long white beard fell across his neck and cleared his throat to put the couple in their best impressions and my eyes were fixed on Gerard. I shook my head to tell him to stop this wedding but he resisted me.

I was wearing a pink gown, holding a bouquet of white flowers, and being a bridesmaid for this woman who was getting married to him, to my mate.

I shouldn't dress beautifully for this stupid wedding, if my mother hadn't forced me to dress in it and I don't want her getting suspicious about me and trying to ask any rhetorical questions, I can't handle it.

My eyes were blurry with tears, I squeezed so tightly to control myself and not burst out in tears in front of this woman, I just don't want to see her face and my parents.

Gerard smiled and with an instant exciting reply, he held the elegant lady's hands. "Yes, yes, I take Emily Jones as my lawfully wedded wife, I do."

The priest turned to the excited Emily who was smiling like a pig lost in love, this was making me even angry. 'Do you take Gerard Daciana as your lawfully wedded husband in peace and unity, for better or worse, till death do you part.'

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I do take Gerard Daciana as my lawfully wedded husband."

"You may kiss the bride." The priest instructed with a smile. Gerard looked over at me with a smile.

What was that look for and why was he staring over at me?

"You look very beautiful in this gown.' Kai held my hand, and gave it a light squeeze, I went still and gave him the darkest expression in the entire world.

"Hey, don't look at me like that, don't you want to be in that white wedding dress and say"I do" to me."

"Get your hand off," I commanded and he took it off and looked properly at me.

"How long are you going to keep behaving like this, I am about to be your husband for crying out loud.'

"And I am about to push you away for crying out loud, what type of body language, the signs I have been giving you that you don't comprehend, I don't want to be your wife, Kai, then be the Luna of the Mackenzie Clan, I don't desire any of that but you keep forcing yourself on me and it's becoming irritating, makes me want to barf, so stop bothering me, leave me alone.' I snarled and grimaced at his expression.

"I know you are so cold to me because you don't like me, if you will give me a chance then you will see I'm not the type of Alpha you think I am, don't assume things you don't know about me. Give me a chance before pushing me away from you."

"You are only doing this because our parents us to be together to make the clan powerful, sorry to burst your fucking bubble, but I am not interested and that should tell you to leave me alone.'

"Yes, our parents want us to be together, but I like you and that's why I want us to be together.'

"Stop talking, Kai, stop talking, it's irritating.' I hushed him and I could see his clenched jaw and how frustrated he must be feeling about all this.

"I don't care about what you think of me, you are going to be my wife, Oceana.'

"In your dreams, Kai.' I muttered and he just chuckled.