1. Aylin: The engagement I

Perfection

That is what my reflection looks like in the dressing mirror. Beth, my maid has done a good job of helping me with my makeup. I am not sure I would be looking as flawless as I look now if it were up to me.

Make up and fashion have never been my area of expertise nor are things I have tried to dwell on. I can't say I suck big time but it is not something that fascinates me. However my blonde hair looks effortlessly straight and exquisite falling down on my head smoothly.

The golden glitter and make up ardoning my face makes me look like a queen. It makes my dark gray eyes stand out. I look completely beautiful and I love it. The off shoulder V neck long emerald gown fulfils all those dreams I have had since I was three. I always dreamt of marrying my prince eventhough it turns out that those fantasies were left in dreams.

I look like a queen but a sad queen. And it is about the fact that I am not marrying a prince, preferably the prince I wanted. Apparently I lost a say in my life the moment I was born. That was the very moment my parents sealed my fate. They made this stupid pact with the Northern pack that I would get married to their son when I made twenty.

Ladies and gentlemen, that same stupid pact is the reason I am glaring right at the perfect reflection of the future queen of the Northern pack. Fuck.

"Wear this. It matches with your earrings." Beth holds up for me the dark pearl necklace. I stare at it for a while contemplating my decision before I glance at the diamond pendant lying on the dressing table next to mirror.

"Whatever you are thinking is not a good idea." Beth murmurs carefully. I know. I have told myself that a million times but I still go against my words and wear it each single day. I torture myself every time I wear it and I know it. Perhaps it is the price I pay for betraying someone's love and trust.

"It is way more comfortable." I take it in my hands before I give it to her to fasten it behind my neck. It is true that it is comfortable but that is not the reason I hold onto it each single day. It reminds me that despite all that has happened, he is still deep within my heart.

Suddenly the door opens to reveal Claudia, my other maid.

"It is time Ms Aylin. The guests are waiting." she informs.

"I am coming." I plaster a weak smile on my face. She nods before she closes the door. I sigh hard glancing at my reflection one last time.

"Everything is going to be alright." Beth attempts a weak smile.

"I hope." I say before I exit my chambers walking down the big hallway that leads to the stairs downstairs.

Beth walks behind me all the way till I reach the upper stair.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we have all been waiting for. Please welcome our future queen of the Northern pack."

Hands of applause fill the room followed by a melodious tune as I take step by step down the stairs all the while staring down into the eyes of my future husband.

Haakon Delmore.

His grin right now might pass up for a pervert's smirk. I don't know why my parents thought it was a good idea to set me up and worst of all make me marry this jerk because I hate his guts. I am also happy to know from him that the feeling is mutual so when I return the smile, we both know we are pulling fake stunts.

Slowly my eyes lift up from Haakon to the crowd stopping on the familiar amber eyes. My heart stops for a milli second and so do my legs before I get back to my senses and avert my eyes from him back to Haakon's stupid grin. Why do his eyes have to stand out from the crowd? He didn't realise my slip and so did everyone else. But he did.

I know that this wedding that is going to happen in the next seven days is going to be the wedding of the century. That is what everyone has been whispering about in the corridors both inside and outside the pack.

The Alpha of the Northern pack and the sister to the Alpha of the Southern pack, people could never see that happen. That is because these two packs have been on each other's neck for years, decades but in seven days, all that will be over. The two packs will reunite into one.

The theory of it sounds really great but I just hope that didn't have to do with the fact that I have to marry the man I don't like for the rest of my life. It is like torture. I am sacrificing my happiness for the lives of thousands of werewolves out there. Many girls would die to take my place but I would die to have nothing to do with it in the first place.

That's why I know that many people were invited today to witness our engagement. I didn't know if he would come but I had a feeling he would. Now that I know he is here, this night is going to be hell.

"My love." Haakon places a chaste kiss to my lips. I am used to this affection from him. It is the same bullshit I have to put up each day to prove to anyone that him and I are in true love. Note the sarcasm.

"You look beautiful tonight." he lowers his voice for only me to hear. This is the time I am supposed to blush or return the favor but I nod with a narrowed gaze. The only time Haakon calls me beautiful is when he is trying to get into my pants which he sucks at.

"Come on." he offers me his hand which I take without hesitation. No need making a fuss infront of what five hundred, one thousand people? Haakon leads me further into the room swarmed with people from different packs all over the world.

I was not always good at mingling especially with strangers and I am not about to start today. I hate crowds most especially crowds of people I don't know. That is why while it has been half an hour in this room, I am having my third glass of the expensive red wine.

"You should slow down on the wine. You need to at least first put the ring on."

I know that voice and it belongs to only one person. Azriel.

"Did Haakon send you to baby sit me?" I take another sip of the wine before I glance beside me to find his green eyes watching me.

"He didn't need to." he replies calmy.

"Is that also part of your Beta duties?" I mock.

"If it helps the Alpha, yes." he answers.

I love Azriel. He is Haakon's Beta and one of the people who have kept me safe since I arrived here three weeks back. The truth is that he takes so much shit from Haakon and he always meddles in my affairs without even asking.

"I hate you." I smile.

"You don't mean that." he leans a little closer to whisper in my ear.

Suddenly I hear someone clear their throat behind us. My eyes close briefly. No way.

That scent, there is only one person on this earth who smells like that. The goose bumps have already formed on my body just by this closeness and I haven't even turned to face him. I want to turn back so bad but I also know it is not the best idea.

"Her majesty, your majesty is looking for you. It is time." Beth arrives just in time to save me from my first weak moment of the night.

"Excuse me." I murmur. I avoid Azriel's curious stare before I scurry away from him.

I survived this time, no one knows what will happen the next time.