Marriage First, Mate Second

Chapter 4 : The New Truth

The car slows down as it turns the corner and a series of huge, luxurious structures loom before us. Modern mansions with golden lights shining through the open windows nestle against each other atop a well-guarded hill. There is a forest to the left, which rises to the top of the mountain, and to my right stretches a huge, seemingly endless lake that would easily compete with the sea.

“This is beautiful," I say to Levi, and my words match what I feel. It almost feels like something out of fairytales.

“Thank you," he said, obviously proud of his domain.

His pack, I think, is one of the most powerful in the country, and probably the richest in the city. Years ago there was a dispute between his pack and mine, which separated the assets and finances of both packs, who had been powerful trading partners in the past. No one remembers exactly what happened, but from then on each went their own way.

Our pack is also powerful, and in recent years Dad has increased our wealth, thus benefiting the pack, but it's clear that the Grants' fortune knows no bounds.

Levi parks the car in a small park near the lake. Fireflies fly overhead, and in the distance, crickets chirp over the grass.

“What are you doing?" I ask as I notice him get out of the late model sports car and turn around to open the door for me. “I thought we were going straight home."

I get out of the car and follow him. He points to a huge mansion at the top of the hill.

“We'll be there soon, but I thought we should talk a bit about our alibi first."

His tone is harsh, but contains a slight hint of a joke.

“Oh. That," I reply.

I follow him and we begin to walk at a leisurely pace along the path that wound around the park. I couldn't help but bring my hands to my arms to rub them, as at this instant I feel like I might freeze to death.

Levi notices and takes off his jacket in one fluid motion. Underneath the garment he wears an impeccable white shirt and a gray vest that matched his eyes. The defined musculature of his arms is easily drawn over both garments.

“Thank you," I whisper as he reaches over to put the jacket on me.

“You're welcome," he says calmly.

His eyes linger on mine for a moment, and my lips part unwillingly in anticipation, as if I'd unconsciously want him to kiss me. He analyzes my expression closely. One of his hands comes up and caresses my face, brushing aside a strand of hair that plays across my cheek.

Could he even notice the way my skin prickled at his touch? It is a mysterious and completely unexpected reaction. It climbs up my skin and takes my breath away, causing me to snuggle under the jacket, which smells deeply of him.

I look away, overwhelmed by the powerful reactions to his presence. What is happening to me? I need to remember he is the Alpha of the enemy pack, yet he is my fake husband now, but I don't know him. For all I know, he could be pretending right now, testing me.

Levi begins to pace slowly after rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, so that the tattoos are much more obvious.

Would he have any idea how incredibly attractive he looks like that? Just another sign for me to be careful, he knows he is craved and desired by many, he knows he has an effect on everyone, on me.

“What do you want to talk about?" I ask, trying to focus and to forget the irresistible attraction he seems to arouse in me. It is just physical, I tell myself.

“There are a couple of things you should probably know before we get home," he says slowly, as if choosing his words carefully.

I nod. “Good. Shoot."

He looks down as he fixes his eyes on me.

“My mother... She is a special person to me." I chang my demeanor after hearing those words.

“Aren't mothers special to everyone?" I ask wryly. His lips drew a grimace halfway to a smile.

“Maybe they are. But in my case it's different. My mom is sick," he confesses.

“Oh. I'm sorry."

My expression suddenly becomes serious and ceremonial. Sickness, as well as death, are extremely rare among our kind. We usually had long and long-lived lives. We do not age at the rate of humans, nor do we function as they do.

Levi nods slowly, letting himself to process his words, and then says.

“She has been sick for as long as I can remember. That has led us to be very close. I would never do anything to hurt her," he says.

I notice right away that there is something in his voice, a certain protective tone that under other circumstances might be almost fierce.

I nod.

“I understand," I reply.

“Good," he clarifies. “That means that in front of her, you and I will be the perfect couple. She was very happy to think that I was getting married and I don't want to ruin that happiness under any circumstances."

“What is your mother's name?" I ask.

“June," his lips slowly draw an almost barely noticeable smile. It is evident that he cares a lot about her.

“What did you tell her about us?" I ask.

“That we met in a jewelry store, a year ago. You tripped and fell into my arms, and it was love at first sight."

“How romantic" I say, picturing the scene, with a hint of humor in my voice.

“It's supposed to be. Mom didn't like knowing that I hid our alleged relationship from her for so long. I had to tell her that we did it for the good of the packs."

“Naturally," I say with my arms crossed under his jacket, to keep myself warm. “If anyone had known, they would have all gone crazy. Especially my dad, who is still waiting for an explanation from me."

Levi clicks his tongue.

“That's right. And that's the excuse we'll give her for not inviting her to the wedding. Because until the last second we didn't know if your father would accept us as husband and wife. I had to fight for you all this time. But we made it. and now we are together."

He doesn't look at me, but I can't help looking at him as he tries to hide an innocent smile.

“Good. It's a beautiful story, I guess," I say

“We have to rehearse it before we get there. So she won't have any doubts about us," Levi affirms.

We are descending, following a path that brings us closer to the lake. By this time the heels are killing me and the tight dress is cutting off my circulation. All I can think about is taking a bath and sleeping. but I know I have no time for this right now.

“Do we have to rehearse it now?" my lips pout. “It's almost four in the morning. I'm sure she's asleep. We can explain everything to her in the morning, over breakfast."

Levi shakes his head.

“I assure you she'll be expecting us. And I won't take you there until we have this rehearsed."

He stops then, and looks at me then I sigh as I roll my eyes.

“Okay, we met a year ago in a bakery..." I begin to recite. Levi sighs.

“In a jewelry store," he reminds me.

“Right. In a jewelry store," I bite my tongue. “I fell into your arms and it was love at first sight. And everything else."

He stops and looks at me seriously. He is so intimidating that I stop right there, my heart beating faster.

“Say it like you mean it," he challenges me with a hard voice.

“I beg your pardon?" As if breaking the spell, I raise an eyebrow.

“For my mother to believe it, I have to believe it first. Say it like you mean it."

“It's not true, Levi," I remind him, pursing my lips.

“I know it's not," his gaze meets mine. It's hard and immediately imposes respect. “But it must look like it." He takes a step towards me. Unexpectedly, his hand stops and grabs me, pulling me from around my waist and into his body, causing the cold to melt away and for a moment, all I can focus on is the warmth emanating from his body.

“What are you doing?" I say in an attempt of a demanding voice but it's cracking with nerves. Levi ignores me.

“Look, I did this for you. I got you out of a jam and your reputation remained intact. Now I want the same thing. You'll look me in the eye and make her believe that we love each other madly. That all we can think about is how much we want each other."

I swallow slowly. The problem is his closeness, which makes me feel that what he is saying isn't so far from reality.

What is wrong with me? Of course he is just practicing our lie, he doesn't know me, he doesn't love me. We just met!

“Okay," I breathe in to calm myself and place a hand on his chest to keep my balance. His musculature is drawn against the palm of my hand.

My gaze rises and searches for him. Suddenly my mouth feels dry and my heart is pounding. I know he can hear it. It is ridiculous how he affects me, I have to remind myself constantly how to breathe.

“We met in a jewelry store a year ago. I fell into your arms when I tripped," I say. He nods.

“Go on."

“The instant I saw you, I knew," I affirm, feeling that my words are dangerously close to being true. “Something in me felt connected to you. I didn't know who you were, or what your name was, but I couldn't lose you. I couldn't walk away from you."

His lips draw into a slow smile. He nods at my words.

“Much better," he replies.

He releases me then. But he does it slowly. His fingertips run along my lower back, making my breath catch inside my chest.

“Remember those words. You will recite them the same way when you meet my mother," he commands, taking my hand to lead us back to the car.

I follow him silently.

The problem is, at the moment I feel that I am not able to forget what I have said to him. I can't, because my words have been burned into my skin, and now the heat is running through me, making the cold just an illusion of the past.