chapter 31:Gabby’s POV

"And hope he is treating you well enough?" Helena asked and Aiden groaned which made me laugh, "If he isn't, I will kick his balls when I return."

That wouldn't be necessary mom." He yelled over the phone before I could answer, "I am doing my best. We were on a phone call with her as she wasn't around. She had decided to go on a mini vacation as she claimed that she needed time for herself.

"I asked Gabby, not you!" She retorted.

"He hasn't done anything bad." I said to her and Aiden smiled caressing my hair, "He has been

good.

"Okay then." She said, "Bye kids and don't do what I wouldn't do." She said before ending the call. Aiden flipped the phone aside and hurled me on his lap, his hands began to roam my back as I leaned into him, "What do you say about me, you and Kate going out today?"

"Where to?"

"To the human world definitely." He said, "The mall or something."

"That will be cool." I agreed with him and he kissed my cheek.

"I got something for you." He said and I got off his lap. He moved to his table and brought out a rectangular box.

"What is that?" I asked excitedly.

"Patience." He smirked and took his seat before pulling mne on his lap again, "Close your eyes." I did as he instructed. I heard himn opening the box and then I felt his hands on my neck accompanied with the feeling of cold metal. He brushed my hair aside and clamped it shut, "You can open up now."

I opened my eyes and looked down at my neck. There sat a necklace similar to the bracelet he had gotten me which still sat on my wrist.

"You don't like it?" He asked seeing I hadn't said anything, "I could change it, get you a new one and you pick, I could.."

"It's perfect." I breathed with a smile, "I am just overwhelmed. "

"I haven't even begun to spoil you silly." He said caressing my face, "You mnake me happy."

"You make me happy too." I said hugging him tightly and I was trying hard to control myself. I believed that he had accepted me fully, he was nothing like Alpha Titan and he would love me one day.

"I am glad I do." He said caressing my hair, "You deserve it."

"You spoil me silly, do all these stuff and buy me gifts, I got nothing to give you.." I said pouting at him. I felt really bad.

"You are enough." He kissed my forehead, "I do not need any other thing.'

I smiled at him and was about to say something when there was a knock on the door of the office,

"Who is it?" He frowned and the person answered. It was his Delta.

"Is there a meeting?" I asked as I got off him and he stood up.

"Yes babe." He hugged me, "We would see later today and I will take you and Kate out, okay?" He asked.

"Okay." I nodded. I exited the office. greeting the Delta as I passed before going down to my room to spend more time with Kate and prepare for the outing we had with Aiden. Aiden never came to get me and I tried calling him but it wasn't connecting. It was almost dinner time now past the time we had intended to go out. Kate had an early dinner and fell asleep waiting while I still sat on my bed hoping he would Come anytime soon. Minutes passed he never showed up. I heard noises from outside my room like everyone was busy in a moment of jubilation. I decided to step out and see for myself which I did. I went out of my room and saw almost all pack members running around getting different stuff done. I fiddled nervously with the neck piece he had gifted me as I walked further. Something isn't right, I said to Hera, I have a bad feeling that I cannot shake off. I feel the same too, She agreed with me as I advanced, I wonder what is going on? I got out of the pack house to see that chairs were being arranged everywhere and decorations had been put up. Everyone seemed busy with smiles on their faces and excited whispers. I couldn't talk to anyone to ask what was happening knowing that I would be snubbed, the fact that Aiden already accepted me didn't mean that they have too. I stood there for a while before going back in. It was time for dinner now, he will definitely be at the dining hall and I will get to ask him what is going on while he feeds me. After all, I will be on his lap, no one will hear me asking and no one will think me dumb. I reached the dining hall and the table was already crowded with elders of the pack and other elders that had interrogated me the other day. I scanned their faces looking for willow but she wasn't here and I wondered why. I walked to the table and took my usual seat while being spared glances of disgust. The Beta and her mother were already seated opposite and they wore cheerful looks on their faces and even smiled at me. This was all weird nothing seemed normal. We were waiting for Aiden, we both were to come in together at the same time but today was different. Time passed and he came in wearing a very tired look on his face, he didn't even pay attention to the salutations as he entered. He just took his seat and ordered for food to be served. He looked tensed, tired and disturbed. He didn't spare me a glance, he didn't place his hand on my thigh or kiss me nor did he pull me onto his lap to feed me in front of everyone. I ate my food silently trying my best not to pay attention to the fact that he was basically ignoring me. The dinner continued and everyone chatted around me, Aiden was still moody and willow hadn't come in, I wondered if she was sent on an assignment.

"Aiden dear." Laya called sweetly batting her eyelids at him and there was nothing I wanted more than to rip her to shreds when she reached out and touched his arm.

"Yes." He answered, he didn't push her arm away neither did he tell her to back off, "Is there anything you need?"

"You look gloomy my love, you need to be more cheerful for the ceremony later tonight." She winked at him, "We have a really long night ahead of us." Her gaze was directed at me this time.

"What ceremony?" I blurted out before I could think, I wanted to know. It shouldn't be what I am thinking.

The mating ceremony of course." She smiled at me and I saw Aiden inhale gravely from the corner of my eye, "You are invited you know?"

"What mating ceremony?" I asked trying not to let my assumptions get the best of me, be calm Gabby, be calm, it's not uhat you think.

"Well, I think it's time to remake the announcement since not everyone got it!" She said a little too loudly, "Wine please." She called and servants came forward feeling up our glasses. I looked at Aiden, he still hadn't spared me a glance, he still hadn't said anything. He just sighed, picked up his glass downed the contents before calling for another.

I wanted to tell at him to please explain what was going on, why he was ignoring me? What happened to the date we were to have? I watched in horror as laya stood up with that irritating smile on her face, holding her drink up, "I am glad to announce that your king as finally chosen me to rule by his side." Her Words were like punches in the guts to me, "The mating ceremony will be after dinner." This time they were like knife stabs, "Let's make a toast to Aiden and I." She am glad to announce that your king as finally chosen me to rule by his side." Her words were like words were like a gunshot to me. She continued, "May the moon goddess bless our union and may we be the greatest rulers you have ever had." They all clinked glasses and the elders cheered, it felt like I had just died a thousand deaths.

I gazed at him again as he dropped his glass, this time he looked at me. He said nothing, lips unmoving, he just stared at me before looking away.

"You look pale Gabby." Laya said to me, "You should drink up, you will need it tonight." She winked, You will need it tonight when you pay respects to your luna."