Chapter 2 2

Amelia’s POV:

You didn’t have to save me.” I said, folded my arms, while glaring at Killian’s unreadable expression.

Killian’s silver eyes flicked toward me.

“I didn’t mean to.” He replied. “I was taking a stroll and saw someone who needed saving. So I did.”

My jaw tightened as his tone. “If you’re doing this to win me over.” I snapped. “Then you must know that you are wasting your time.”

His eyes darkened.

“Win you over?” His voice dropped a note lower. “I’ll soon be wed to the first daughter of this Pack, I wouldn’t dare flirt with a stranger.”

I froze. He doesn’t know?

He turned, sheathing his dagger, and began walking away. “Wait!” I called after him.

Killian stopped and turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting mine once more. “Yes?”

My lips parted, but the words caught in my throat.

I should tell him the truth now, I should tell him that I was the woman he was to marry. But then what? I would love to see the expression on his face when he realized it.

So instead, I forced out a smile. “Thank you… for helping me.”

He inclined his head politely. “Try not to wander so far alone next time.”

And with that, he disappeared into the forest.

I exhaled slowly, clutching my book against my chest. “What are the odds?” I whispered again, shaking my head.

Then, gathering my composure, I hurried back toward the Packhouse. At the gate, one of the guards straightened immediately.

“Lady Amelia! You’re safe! The Alpha’s been searching for you all day .”

I smiled faintly. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

The guard nodded in relief. “Please, let the Alpha know you’ve returned. He’s been worried sick.”

‘Worried?’ I said bitterly as I walked past. More like scared I’d run away after his little announcement.

Inside, I stopped a maid passing by. “Where’s the Alpha?”

“In the dining room with Luna Margaret and Young Master Hunter.” The maid replied.

I nodded, squared my shoulders, and strode down the hall. The moment I entered, I heard her father’s irritated voice.

“Does she think she can disappear without consequence?”

Margaret sighed dramatically, touching his arm. “She loves causing drama, Gerald. She's probably trying to make us feel guilty.”

Hunter snickered. “She’s being childish, as usual.”

I ignored them, stepping fully into the room. “If you’re done talking about me, I’d like to say something.”

The room fell silent as three pairs of eyes turned toward me.

“I’ve decided.” I said, meeting my father’s gaze directly. “I’ll marry Killian Storm.”

My father leaned in, stunned. “I am glad that you made the right choice.”

“What choice?” I demanded. “I’m not doing it because you asked me to, I’m doing it because I choose to.”

I reached for a loaf of bread from the table, tore off a piece, and added.

“I’ll make sure everything goes perfectly well and won’t have to lift a finger.” Before any of them could respond, I turned and walked out, biting into the bread as I walked.

<>>><>><>

Over the next three days, I threw herself into supervising the wedding preparations. I inspected decorations, approved floral arrangements, and oversaw the seating chart which left the servants whispering.

But inside, I wasn’t thinking of love or fairytales. I'd never believed in such things but still… meeting Killian had stirred something I never expected.. He’d risked his life for me and that drew me in. And I couldn’t wait to leave this house, to be free of Margaret’s smirks and Hunter’s mockery.

And on the wedding day, I was the happiest when my maid, Serah, entered with several others, carrying my mother’s wedding dress, a white gown wrapped in silk, with the faint scent of lavender still clinging to it.

They dressed me carefully, fixing my hair and adorning me with pearls. And when they were done, I could barely recognize myself in the mirror.

Serah smiled. “You look beautiful, my lady.”

I returned the smile. “Thank you.”

Then I was told to wait inside my chambers until the groom arrived, only then could I step out. But Minutes had tured turned into hours and the sun had begun to fade, but he was nowhere to be seen.

I sat rigidly by the window, my hands gripping her gown. ‘Maybe he was attacked.’ I thought desperately.

Maybe the rogues from…

Before I could finish the thought, the door burst open and Margaret with Hunter at her side stepped in.

“Well.” Margaret said sweetly. “It seems Alpha Killian came to his senses.”

Hunter snorted. “Guess he realized you’re not Luna material after all.”

I jaw clenched as I forced back the tears that had threatened to fall because I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

“Get out!” I said coldly.

But they continued taunting me.

I couldn’t sit still anymore so I got up and stormed down the hall to my father’s study so that I could demand for answers, but before I could push the slightly ajar door open, I heard.

“Alpha, Killian’s gone.” Beta Uriel said. “He called Amelia and the people of this Pack leeches then left with his elders.”

I stumbled back as a single tear slid down my left eye, but I quickly wiped if off. I had gotten carried away, with the idea that someone could save me.

“I will make sure this Pack won't need to form another alliance just to survive.” I said aloud, tightening my grip around the hem of my dress.

But first I would have to prove to the people that I am worthy, and I knew exactly how.

The day after tomorrow, was the annual Hunting Contest, the one no woman had ever participated in. But I will be the first to participate, win and show them all that I was worthy of being the first female Alpha.