Soon To Be His Luna

Care to dance?

-Ella

It feels like I just got punched in the face, no . . . I just got betrayed by my own father. The one who always encouraged me to follow my dreams, to wait for the most beautiful moment, the one where I find my mate and claim each other and create a big, loving family, just like my father did.

This is beyond repair.

How dare he? Wed me to that man, who does not respect me enough to shake my hand?

"You are to be wed tomorrow at sundown," my father spoke again and those words felt like venom.

Somehow, the oldest son of Alpha Farris, did not seem troubled at all. Not even a little bit. They of course talked about it in private, behind my back, but him not showing any kind of emotion, just feels unjust.

"Father, why did you no . . ." he raised his hand as to shut me up, making me seem and feel like a fool in front of everyone.

"Proceed with the party," he cheered and everyone in this room started talking and laughing as if nothing had just happened.

"Come with me," my father said and I looked on my right, at my younger sister who looked as downhearted as I feel.

I followed my father and so did Alpha Farris and his sons.

Father opened the door to his office and let me walk in first, followed by my father and the rest of them.

"Your mother will join us shortly."

"Why did you not tell me, that you plan to give me away to a stranger? I have the right to know, what will become of me," I spat out on one breath.

"Because this is not up for discussion. It was Alpha Farris's idea to offer one of his sons to be wed to one of my daughters and I am not going to back away from an arrangement that might keep my pack and my family safe. We are two of the strongest packs in America and together we will be invincible. Let alone a marriage which will bind these two packs by law and by the Words of God!"

"Ella, I am sorry if we made you feel unappreciated and disrespected, but it was not my intention. A contract marriage does not represent, oppression and submission, but respect and loyalty. You are the descendant of an Alpha. We are werewolves, my dear. It is our duty to protect our packs, not live our lives as we'd like."

"Just because I am the descendant of an Alpha, I do not deserve to have a normal life? Is that what you're implying, sir?" I stared at him and his facial expression changed from serious to a sympathetic smile.

"No child, but as it is your duty to protect your pack and your family, you must. You may not understand it yet, because you are indeed young and unexperienced, but that does not mean that you will not pick up a few things along the way."

My heart was beating like crazy, making me feel dizzy and my stomach felt like was going to burst out of my mouth.

"Are you okay?" My father was concerned.

"Sit down, sweetheart," my father said again but my eyes had developed a fog that made it impossible for me to see.

"Ella?!"

Someone grabbed my arm and I felt tingles all over it.

My legs were no longer touching the ground. I felt a grip on my waist and underneath my kneecaps. Someone had just lifted me. I am capable of walking on my own!

I tried to talk, yell, shout, but I couldn't form any words. Neither could I breathe. What is happening to me?

"She is having a panic attack," a voice said, but it was not my father's.

"Get a doctor, quickly!" My father said this time.

My body was finally on a couch, or sofa and my feet on the ground.

"Give her some water."

"Splash some water in her face."

No, no. That wouldn't be a good idea. My dress.

After a few moments, I got my vision back and everything was back to normal. My heartrate was down and my stomach was no longer troubled.

A warm body was somewhere near me, I could sense the warmth, the blood flow. I looked at my right and saw Xander staring back at me, with no facial expressions whatsoever. Not worried, not angry or sad or happy. Nothing. It was like he was blank.

Maybe, if I become his wife, I could be the pen he needs to fill him with words and facial expressions, I joked.

"Thank you," I said and all he did was nod.

I haven't heard his voice yet. Why does he not talk? Is he shy?

"She is okay, thank Goddess."

"Baby, how are you? What happened?" My mother approached me and I felt relieved she was finally here.

"I am okay, mother. I just. . . well, this took me by surprise and I couldn't control my emotions. I felt scared and alone and unloved." There. I said it.

"Unloved? Ella, sweetheart, why would you think that?"

"Because you are giving me away to someone I don't know and didn't even bother to ask me how I feel about it. How about getting to know him first?"

"You will get to know him, once you're married. You can stay here and talk all night, if that's what you'd like," my father suggested.

That's not a terrible idea, but not a good one either. He does not talk and we are about to be wed, tomorrow at sundown.

Maybe I could have an escape plan by then.

"No. It's alright," I lied.

My mother gave me the same look, she gives me when she knows I am lying.

"Alright then. Let's get back to the party. Your sister will leave for her honeymoon in two hours. We have to spend some time with her, before they leave."

I nodded and stood up quickly, forgetting that I am wearing heels and my legs wobble like jam and find myself falling back to the couch, but Xander put his hand on my naked back, just in time and kept me from falling.

"Careful dear," my mother spoke and I thanked Xander once again and he once again nodded.

"Can you talk?" I asked out of nowhere, but he said nothing.

"You're mute, I got it," I assumed and left, my mother holding my arm close to herself, to prevent me from falling, I presume.

Except for the elderly, everyone was outside on the tent, dancing.

"Oh, I forgot to wear my flats, mom."

"Go ahead sweety, I'll fetch them for you."

I thanked her and slowly walked outside and went straight to the tent.

The song 'Macarena' started playing and I rushed to the dance floor, careful not to fall flat on my face, because of these high heels.

When I arrived, a straight line of people had formed in the middle of the dance floor, ready to start the dance. I positioned myself in between a distant relative and my cousin Jordan.

We started moving our hands, our hips, our bodies. I love to dance. It's the most amazing feeling in the world. To roam free on the dance floor and sell your soul to the music.

After a while, 'Macarena' stops and one my favorite songs start to play. 'I'll be from Edwin McCain.'

I first heard it at the movie ' A Cinderella Story'. Oh, that scene where Austin and Sam danced . . . It has been my dream to dance to that song, on my wedding day, with the love of my life.

But I guess, not all dreams come true. If they did, the world would either be perfect, or a catastrophe.

My sister, Danielle was in the middle of the dance floor, dancing with her now husband. They seem so in love.

"Care to dance?" A deep voice asked and I turned around to see who was asking whom, to dance.

Xander, was standing behind me, his hand was faced palm up and I guess he was waiting for me to accept his offer.

"Sure," I said, but only because I wanted to dance to the song.

I planted my left hand on his right hand and he pulled me toward him, our bodies slammed together for a second and his left hand found its way on my naked back. I somehow feel too exposed, with my backless dress.

He took my right hand, and placed it on his left shoulder. Why does this feel too intimate?

I don't know him at all, but it feels like it's where I'm supposed to be.

"I do speak," he said again and his voice was actually very sweet and deep and hot.

I did not say another word and nor did he. We kept dancing, slowly, our bodies had found a rhythm.

When the chorus was about to start, Xander pushed me away, but did not let my hand go.

The moment Edwin McCain said "I'll be--" Xander swirled me around and an unintentional squeal left my mouth.

He pulled me back to his body, still not showing any emotions, but we kept dancing, until the song stopped and as it did, he left without saying goodbye or any words, at all.