Marriage First, Mate Second

**Amber’s POV “What do you mean by you can’t marry me now?!” I look at my fiancé and repeat what he has just said incredulously. Sebastian is pacing back and forth in the lounge, looking at his watch every now and then. His brows furrow solemnly. He is wearing a well-tailored suit, and his deep eyes are stained with worry. He is a handsome and elegant man. Even just standing in front of the window doing nothing, he has already attracted enough attention from other girls. In my opinion, he's gorgeous too–– handsome, intelligent and hardworking. Although he was born as an omega, with his effort, he managed to carve out a place for himself within the pack and made his way to become a gamma. I always remember that rainy night when I accidentally twisted my ankle, and he carefully tended to my injury. It was pouring, and he didn't have an umbrella. He gave me his jacket to shelter me from the downpour, while he himself was soaked to the skin. Little by little, he won my affection. Even though I know he was not my fated mate, I have been looking forward to becoming his bride. Today, that wish was supposed to come true. I have done everything I could to make this a perfect wedding for us. To show him how much he means to me, I planned the wedding based on his taste, so that he can be assured that his opinion in our marriage is respected and valued even though he is marrying an Alpha’s daughter. He prefers red, and thus I choose red as the wedding theme. He loves roses, therefore I used roses as the primary decoration. He loves my hair down, so even though I normally prefer an updo when I wear a dress, I left my hair cascading. All I want is a long, loving marriage with the man that has my heart. However, as I am looking at the man standing right in front of me, I realize that maybe I didn’t know him that well. “Sebastian… what’s going on?!” He frowns, “Rose just fell into the water earlier. I need to go take care of her.” “Rose?” I pause for a moment because this is not at all what I expect to hear from him. Rose is my friend. She is 19 and has a sweet personality. With her heart-shaped face and doe eyes, she is quite adored by the guys. This morning, while I was preparing my wedding, I heard that Rose fell into the lake at the wedding venue, and it caused a commotion because she doesn’t know how to swim. Luckily, nothing worse happened. Four guys jumped in to save her: the Beta from the Avevale pack, the son of the Alpha from the Stonyhill pack, the young Alpha of Sillare, and my fiance. Thank the Moon Goddess that she was brought up from the lake without a single scratch. I had my staff take her to the other guest lounge to rest. The problem is, she's a bit traumatized and keeps saying that she is afraid. Sebastian replies, “Yes, Rose. Someone needs to be there for her. She’s scared to death.” “Sebastian,” I try to reason with him, “I understand she fell in the lake, but I know she is safe and sound. She was there for only a few seconds and was taken out by four of you. As soon as I heard about it I went to see her and I talked to her, her parents will take care of her during the wedding ceremony.” Sebastian looks at me impatiently, “She is not safe and sound. She’s traumatized! Amber, this is not a small matter, do you understand? She needs us!” “No, she doesn’t! She has someone with her who’s watching over her right now. But Sebastian, I need you. Right here, right now!” Why does he act like this? This is our wedding ceremony! Shouldn’t that be his priority? Shouldn’t I be his priority? Plus I have worked so hard for this day, our day. I step closer to him, take his hands and look deeply into his eyes, almost pleading. “She’s my friend and she took my hands and told me she wanted us to move forward with our union. Rose cares for me, my wellbeing, and my happiness just as much I do with hers. She even said she would join us after getting some dried clothes!” “But she says she’s afraid. Why are you so unreasonable?” I can feel my frustration building up out of how confusing his statement is, “I’m unreasonable? Sebastian, this is OUR WEDDING! You want me to cancel our wedding, and you’re saying I’m unreasonable?! Out of all of the people, someone can take Rose to the hospital, why does it have to be you?” “Because I’m a responsible man. C'mon, Amber, you’re only doing this to keep appearances. You don’t care about Rose and her wellbeing.” “Of course I care! I was just with her half an hour ago and I assure you she is totally fine.” My voice is desperate, but even with me begging him to continue with the wedding, he seems determined to do and act as he says.Why is he being this way? I don’t understand at all! “I thought you’re better than that. Why are you so selfish? I should have known that you were no different than a spoiled alpha’s daughter!” he scolds. I stare at him and ask, “Excuse me?” I can’t believe what I hear. What’s going on?! Everything I have done for him doesn't seem to matter to him. I thought I knew my fiance well, but obviously I was wrong. However, I don’t have time to debate with him again. “You can make a choice. If you insist on going to Rose right now, then our marriage is off.” Perhaps my tone is too pushy, Sebastian's face drops. He always said that he didn’t like bossy women. "If that's your decision, then let it be." He yanks down the bow tie of his suit. I am speechless. His words hit me in the chest as if a knife plunges into me. It’s so painful, but I try to maintain my composure. “Get out!” I shout as I point to the door. “Get out now! I never want to see you again!” Sebastian sneers, “I should have known that you and Rose were different. She's gentle and kind, while you're jealous and narrow-minded.” After these words, he exits the room. I stand up and walk to the mirror. A slender figure in a beautiful wedding dress made of white silk, pearls and diamonds is reflected before me. My hair combed to perfection and my green eyes amidst my tanned skin. This is supposed to be my happiest day, yet I see tears streaming down my cheeks. Why does it have to happen to me? What have I done to deserve to be treated like this?! “Amber!" shouts the voice of my best friend and maid of honor, Sophie. She comes running towards me, “Amber, are you okay?” "Of course not,” I tell her, struggling to contain my tears,”You were just outside. I’m sure you’ve heard what he said, right?" I am in pain to the core of my soul. I can’t believe this is actually happening. It feels like a nightmare. My parents are waiting for me outside, and the news media also has their cameras ready. Tomorrow, all the headlines in the city will be ‘Amber Collins Was Dumped by Her Fiance on her wedding day’! Sophie obviously understands the situation, and her face turns pale. She murmurs, "I saw a bunch of women who are crazy about Sebastian among the guests. They are big fans of him and have been jealous of you. Now they’re definitely going to take advantage of the situation and make your life a living hell!” “Thanks for reminding me.” I say bitterly. “Amber, we need to do something,” Sophie tells me, “We just can’t sit here and allow this to happen. You don’t deserve this.” "What else can I do,” I ask her in exasperation, “The wedding can't go on without the groom, it has to be canceled. Unless I can magically come up with another groom right now." At this moment, another knock on the door makes me put my bitter thoughts aside. I raise my face at the right moment to see who enters. Tall, with hair like burnt honey combed back and a square jaw, the man who enters the room is absolute eye-candy, even with his serious, slightly sullen expression. The problem is, he is the last person I want to see at this moment. Levi Grand, the Alpha of our enemy pack. Despite his handsome appearance, his reputation precedes him. I can’t imagine that he’s here for any good, and I have no desire to let him make my already-miserable day any more difficult. “I didn’t say you could come in,” I tell him, narrowing my eyes as I stare at him. However, I’m met by his intense gaze. He looks at me with a solemn face, yet for some reason, the word “sincere” comes to my mind. The black tuxedo he wears blends oddly well with the series of tattoos that line with his body. As much as our packs don’t get along, I can’t deny that he is an attractive man – a dangerous and attractive man. “I heard that Sebastian Jude has left you here alone," he says in a deep, powerful, calm voice. I let out a chuckle. “How quickly the rumor has spread,” I sigh and stand up to walk out of the door. “So, are you here to humiliate me too?” “No, I’m here to help you,” he stops me, one eyebrow raised. I glare back at him. Help me? Why would my enemy help me? How ridiculous! What makes him think I’ll believe that? “Move!” I hiss impatiently, “I don’t have the time or energy for whatever game you’re playing right now.” “Wait,” he grabs my arm, willing me to look at him. His brow furrows and his gray eyes stare into mine. The time seems to have stopped for a moment as his gaze is so intense that I can almost feel the emotional turmoil under his calm face. His lips part slightly as if he has so much to tell me. Yet, he is just looking at me quietly for a few moments. My heart skips a beat under his gaze. It feels like an eternity before he finally starts to speak again. “Amber Collins,” he says softly, and his thumb gently caresses my cheek. My body relaxes with his faint smile as if my instinct tells me to trust him. Then I hear him say the words that I never would’ve imagined to come out from his mouth, not even in my wildest dreams. “Will you take me as your husband?”