Chapter Three

Silvana's POV

Why the fuck did I say that? Am I crazy? After the brief conformation with Garrick, I didn't even wait for his response and just stormed off to my chambers.

I really need to calm down.

But I can't.

If I kept on doing things like this, Garrick would catch on soon...and when he does.... The image of my parents head hanging on a spike flashed in my mind and I felt a shudder run down my spine.

I really should chill.

However, something wasn't right.

Alpha Garrick was known to be a killer, ruthless, unforgiving, and- well, practically almost everything terrible you could think of.

He was a good leader to his people...but he was also a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist.

How come he was such a gentleman when it came to me- I mean Morgana. He obviously thinks I'm her so that's why he's doing all of this.

Could he be that he loves her?

Or was this just one of his tricks? Rumors also had it that he was a womanizer. One that toyed with women as if they were nothing.

How come he was so different?

Well! Whatever the case, I don't care to know. I just wish I'd wake up one day and realize that this was just a dream- a nightmare rather.

Today was the day of the meeting among all the elders. Both from Garrick's pack and mine. The Stonefang elders sat on the right, while the Moonwhite elders sat on the left.

Shortly before we arrived at the wedding ceremony two weeks, my father had already informed Alpha Darius of what had happened. To my surprise, everyone agreed to my father's ridiculous plan of turning me into Morgana.

Immediately, they began to refer to me as Morgana. When they were asked about my father's second daughter, he simply insisted that 'she' was away on a trip which was far away and couldn't make it to the wedding.

Of course. A trip! A trip where she's pretending to be her elder sister!

I shifted uncomfortably in my throne, it felt weird sitting on it. I still wasn't the Luna yet. Just a princess.

The rituals hadn't been held, and also the mating ceremony. Those two events were the sole reasons why the pack elders had gathered here today.

To discuss further plans as to making me the Luna.

The air in the room was thick with expectation, I fidgeted from time to time, my hands were clammy and extremely wet. Every time someone called me by the name 'Morgana' a shiver of guilt and resentment ran through me.

This charade felt heavier by the day, like a suffocating cloak woven with lies and deceit....which is it exactly what it is.

Finally, Alpha Garrick rose, his presence commanding the whole room bringing everyone else to silence.

"Moonwhite Elders," he began, his voice deep and thick. "We welcome you l to our pack. Since the meeting has been concluded, it seems like we all are in agreement, then? The ritual and the mating ceremony will be held in two days time."

I snapped my head up at his words. Two days? Had I not be paying any attention? How could it be that fast?

Two days.....Two days until this farce became irrevocably real. My heart hammered against my ribs at the reality.

Garrick still continued. "However, tonight is the full moon. We will celebrate with a festival, a chance for our wolves to find their fated mates. You all are welcome to join, if you may."

My heart skipped another beat. The festival...where wolves found their destined partners. As I watched Garrick speak, a dangerous thought ran through my mind. What if Garrick was to met his destined mate tonight? Would that change anything? Perhaps he would want to be with his destined wife and not someone he was practically forced to be with.

A tiny spark of hope flickered, but it was quickly extinguished. Right... No destined mate would be strong enough to break the arrangement between both clans.

I was trapped. Stuck as Morgana, his bride.

Finally, the meeting adjourned, and Garrick turned to me, a smile playing on his lips. "You look worried, my queen."

I snorted, pushing myself to my feet. "I'm not the Queen yet," I said, the words shafoee than intended.

Garrick chuckled as he stepped closer, closing the distance between us. "You will be, soon enough."

I sighed, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Pardon me, your highness, but I need to retire back to my chambers. I'm extremely exhausted." I plastered on a fake smile. With a slight bow, I turned and walked away, my maids immediately followed me behind. I could still feel Garrick's gaze boring into my back, a weight I desperately wanted to shrug off.

The festival had begun. The air vibrated with energy, the scent of roasted meat and anticipation mingling with the earthy smell of the forest. Wolves danced, laughed and flirted, the full moon casted an ethereal glow over the revelry. Somewhere out there, fated pairs were locking eyes, their destinies aligning.

I sat close to Garrick, who was engrossed in a feast, his laughter boomed across the clearing.

Performances were held- fire dancers, acrobats and musicians from the pack filled the night with spectacle. It was a blast, an amazing festival that everyone was sure to enjoy.

Minus me...I just sat there, like a silent observer, a fraud at the heart of it all.

"Enjoying the show, my queen? Garrick asked, his eyes gleaning.

I forced another smile. " it's lovely, Garrick." The use of his name felt stranger on my tongue. I wonder why I did that, this was a step too far into this false reality.

His eyes widened, then he smiled, a slow, possessive curve of his lips. "First time you have called me that," he said in a low voice, leaning closer. "Perhaps you are warming up to me?"

I chuckled, meeting his gaze with a defiant glint. "You wish." I stood up, the sudden movement drew his attention as he chuckled.

"Excuse me." I said politely as I walked away, excusing myself in order to breath some fresh air.

"May I follow, ma'am?" The personal maid assigned to me, Elara, asked.

"No. I need the space."

"Alright ma'am." She bowed and took few steps back. I could see the concern etched on her face, but I really needed to be alone more than anything else.

As I walked towards the lake, the raucous sounds of the festival began to fade behind me, the weight of my deception began to crash down on me.

I fell to my knees on the bank, tears streaming down my face. I looked up at the moon, hoping the Moon Goddess would hear my pleas.

"I can no longer live as Morgana," I cried out, my words echoing in the stillness of the night. "Please...find a way to put an end to this...its suffocating. I'm an omega, Morgana isn't. Sooner or later I'll be exposed and disgraced...so please," I bowed my head low, staring at the grass. "Put an end to this."

Just as I knelt there, a figure stepped into my line of sight, blocking the moon's light. My breath hitched, I dared to raise my head up, and when I did, a sharp searing tingle ignited within me, starting from the tips of my toes to my chest. It was like molten gold coursed through my veins.

It felt like a primal undeniable pull... One that a werewolf would recognize easily.

The mate bond.

And to my most utter surprise, the man who stood before me was none other than Garrick. But his face..his face was contorted with a raw untamed rage that I had never seen before.

He leaned in closer, lifting my chin up with his index finger. "So?" He began, his voice thick and laced with anger. "What do you have to say for yourself?"