Chapter 10 The Young Marquess\'s Ceremony

Chapter 9: The Young Marquess's Ceremony

I settled in the corner as more nobles had arrived tonight. So far, his celebration was going smoothly as it was. Alpha Grant was busy conversing with the other nobles.

All of the people of his pack were settled separately from the nobles. It was fine by me that we were separated instead of mingling with them. I was already afraid even to encounter another noble.

"The food here is great. Don't you think, Anais?"

I turned my head to see Achard eating like there was no tomorrow. I just raised my eyebrow, watching him.

"You seemed to enjoy your meal, Achard," I stated as I continued eating. I checked Milla and Ailwin, who were busy speaking with each other. They were also residing at the same table with Achard and me.

He thumbed up and winked at me. "Of course! It is a rare opportunity that we can come to Alpha Grant's celebration because, you know..." he paused, lowering his head. "We are Omega, so we don't deserve to be invited after all," he whispered. He wiggled his eyebrows afterward.

"I already know that. You have already stated the obvious." I rolled my head, shaking my head.

"Anais."

I turned my head to see Mrs. Rolfe and her children coming in my direction. I brightened up seeing them. It looks like they had only arrived just now. I left my seat and immediately approached them.

"Mrs. Rolfe, how are you?" I held her hand, smiling gently. Then I hugged her.

Mrs. Rolfe placed her other hand on top of mine. "We are alright, child. We have been coping up." A subtle smile shines on her face.

"Mama, I want to eat!"

"Mama, I'm hungry!"

I gazed down to see her two children tugging her dress. Mrs. Rolfe and I chuckled.

"Go ahead and grab your food, Mrs. Rolfe. You can still find some unoccupied tables there." I pointed at where it must be. "I'm sure your children want to eat some delicious food cooked by our Alpha's chef."

"Indeed." She nodded her head. "We must go now."

I waved my hand, bidding goodbye to them as I returned to my seat.

"Where are they residing?" Milla asked.

"In the South Wing," I answered.

"Oh." It was the only thing Milla could say. I could tell she wants to say something more, but we were in our Alpha's manor. There were guardsmen around. It is hard to say anything with them everywhere.

I looked around to watch our Alpha going to a different table. There, he met a nobleman in his 50s. The older man was with a young lady who almost looked like him. I watched Alpha Grant shaking his hand with that man before he turned his attention to the young lady.

"From what household are they, Milla?" I asked out of nowhere.

"Who?"

"The ones our Alpha speaks to."

I saw on my peripheral vision that Milla followed my gaze as to where I was looking at. "Ah. That's Viscount Thomas and his daughter, Lady Claire from House of Tanner," she said.

"I see." I nodded my head.

"Looks like Alpha Grant likes Lady Claire, huh."

Milla said that because there was a gentle expression written on our Alpha's face when looking at Lady Claire. That surprised me because I have never seen our Alpha having that kind of expression before. I agree with Milla. It was visible that Alpha Grant likes her already. His eyes shone like a diamond every time he was speaking with her.

"I bet he is hoping that Lady Claire will be his mate later when the full moon forms this midnight," Achard said.

I diverted my gaze away from the scenery of Alpha Grant and Lady Claire. "You may be right about that." Just by seeing our Alpha's reaction to her was already enough that he must have silently wished for that. "I just hope Lady Claire will be the one for her..." I shrugged, not wanting to mind it.

Maybe if that would be his mate, Alpha Grant may change his behavior against us, Omega. Just by looking at Lady Claire, she seems gentle and kind. I think that would be an excellent match for our Alpha.

"Duke Sylvester from the House of Callaway has arrived!"

I jumped in my seat upon hearing it. We all exchanged glances and stood from our seats.

We must pay respect for His Grace's arrival. He was the reason why we were invited anyway. Alpha Grant wanted to show and slap the reality to Duke Sylvester that he cares for his people with Omega blood. But I highly doubt Duke Sylvester would be deceived because he already witnessed how things were going around our pack and Alpha Grant's plantation.

I scrutinized how he was dressed up. Duke Sylvester looked so dashing in his fancy clothes with a hat and a walking cane in his right hand. He made an entrance to the aisle with an enigmatic smile plastered on his lips.

"Greetings, Your Grace," we all said in unison. All of the men bowed, and all of the women curtsied regardless if you are a noble or a peasant.

I checked our Alpha Grant from afar, who already forced himself to bow before him. I could already see that he was gritting his teeth. No matter he hid it, it was visible to him that he despised the Duke of Ascian.

"What a pleasant evening to all of you!" Duke Sylvester said politely as he removed his hat and placed it on top of his chest. "And of course, I am honored to be here for the celebration of the young Marquess of Reasien on behalf of Alpha King Kennedy and Luna Queen Lydia." He twirled his classy walking cane smoothly and placed his hat on his head at the same time. Then he drew out a dazzling smile.

The representative on behalf of Alpha King Kennedy and Luna Queen Lydia's presence was the Duke of Ascian and an Alpha, Sylvester Callaway. That was the reason why our Alpha wanted to flaunt with him because of the authority Duke Sylvester has granted from their majesty.

"You may all sit down, everyone," His Grace said.

We followed him and sat down. Then we watched him approaching Alpha Grant, who has a dignified aura.

"Marquess Grant, I present the jewelry box full of jewelry as a gift given by His Majesty and Her Majesty," Duke Sylvester announced when he stopped right in front of Alpha Grant.

An attendant who was with His Grace brought the jewelry box and bestowed it to our Alpha. Alpha Grant drew out a small smile and accepted it.

"Please send my regards to Their Majesties, Your Grace."

"Will do." His Grace nodded.

"You may sit here. I will escort you."

I averted my gaze, not believing what I saw right now. If I hadn't known better, I would think of them as long-time pals. But right now, they looked hilarious, pretending like they were fine. The rivalry between them was palpable even if they acted like that.

While we were waiting for midnight to strike, we enjoyed ourselves by dancing with a melodic sound coming from the instruments.

Milla and Ailwin had already danced so many times, enjoying each other's company while I was left with Achard. It was okay that I was with him rather than being alone in my seat. I enjoyed his company as we both danced.

I looked up in the almost cloudy sky, hiding the beauty of the moon. The ceremony for Alpha Grant shall happen this midnight. It was pretty typical for an Alpha to have a young adult ceremony. It could mean that he would be turning into a matured Alpha wolf of our pack. He would finally control the things around here and inherit all the treasures and documents left by the former Alpha and former Luna.

If our Alpha would be so lucky tonight, he might be able to find his mate in this area. His mate might belong from noble households, like Lady Claire, for example.

When midnight was near, Alpha Grant went to the front. His uncle and second brother of our former Alpha, Lord Edward Thompson, was beside him.

"Everyone, let us all witness for my nephew, Grant Thompson, as he becomes a full-pledged Alpha and Marquess of Raesien when the midnight strikes," Lord Edward announced.

I bit my lower lip when I suddenly felt the need to pee. I stood up and was about to leave when Milla stopped me.

"Where are you going, Anais?" she asked, whispering.

"I have to go to the loo. It is pretty urgent." I smiled wryly, trying to contain the shivers I felt. "I'll be right back. I promise."

Hesitant, Milla nodded. "Go and do not leave Alpha Grant's manor. You'll put yourself at risk if you ever do not witness his ceremony."

I nodded. "I will. Worry not, for I won't be that long. I'll arrive here on the shapeshifting of Alpha Grant," I said, reassuring her. As if I would ever ditch his ceremony. I would never do that. I won't put myself at risk. I still value myself.

I even had to go in the other direction to find the loo meant for peasants, commoners, and slaves. I almost got lost if only I didn't ask one of Alpha Grant's men.

"Thank you," I said politely.

I took my time there and felt satisfied as soon as I was finished. I arrived there hearing the drums being struck.

"What did I miss?" I asked Milla as I sat down.

Milla looked at me. "Alpha Grant just shifted to his wolf form right when you arrived. Then—"

Her words were cut off when we suddenly heard a loud howling coming from our Alpha. His loud howling sent shivers down my spine that made me fall from my seat.

'Mate,' my wolf whispered, which made my eyes widened.

"Anais, are you alright?" Milla and Achard asked in unison. Their tone sounded alarmed as they helped me sitting on the ground.

I hissed and groaned in pain when I heard Alpha Grant's loud howling again. I almost shouted if I hadn't bit my lower lip.

"What is happening to you, Anais? Achard, Ailwin, help me..." I heard how Milla panicked as she caressed my face.

"Mate," I said, slightly groaned, looking at her.

"What?" Milla's eyes enlarged. "Don't tell me..." she paused, looking at me horrified. Then she looked at Ailwin and Achard. They did have a horrified look as well.

I raised my head and ignored her as I smelled an alluring scent coming from not so far away. The smell was coming from fragrant flower oil. Hissing, I looked for it by trying to stand up.

'He is coming,' my wolf whispered to me again.

I shivered from my wolf's words. When I managed to stand up, in a blink of an eye, Alpha Grant's massive gray wolf was a few miles away from me. I shivered when his golden eyes pierced on me. My hands were fidgeting when his wolf slowly took a step towards me.

Gasping, I couldn't even move my legs. I couldn't even decide to run away. It felt like my feet had been nailed on the ground. What I could only do was to stare at Alpha Grant's wolf taking strides in my direction.

This couldn't be happening to me...

I had never wished for this...

Please don't come to my direction anymore, Alpha Grant. This was just a mistake. You must ignore it. I don't deserve this. This wasn't supposed to be happening.

I wanted to shout those words but I couldn’t even utter a word.

When his wolf was right in front of me, I finally got to see his golden eyes. There was something written on them. I didn't get to see the excitement in them. It was something else.

It was like... his eyes sent me daggers. It was as if... he despised me.

I gulped when he slowly transformed back to his human form. When our eyes met, I knew that what the moon goddess did, was not making us happy after all.

"A-Alpha..." My heart was crazily pounding. Just by calling on his name was enough to make me shiver. I couldn't even control how my hands were fidgeting right now.

I watched how his face darkened. "So, a wolf with Omega blood is my mate..." He scoffed, shaking his head. "What a shame." He smiled bitterly.