BREED&QUEEN

MARKING

It was time for me to get ready for my wedding. I was nervous because I knew that tonight I would have to give myself to the Alpha. I was still shocked and confused about the decision that he made three days ago. He chose me over Danielle, and I couldn't figure out why. Why would he do that? I wasn't like these other girls; I wasn't noble and lady-like. I was the complete opposite, and I wasn't a queen. There was no way that I would blend in with the royal family, I would stick out like a sore thumb. I looked up and smiled when I saw Elizabeth walking towards me. I was happy that I was able to choose who I wanted to help me get dressed.

Elizabeth wasted no time, she grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs. "Come on Eden we have no time to waste."

I nodded my head and followed closely behind her. She opened the door to the bedroom and pulled me inside, closing the doors behind her.

"I will start on your nails and toes," she said pulling out her supplies. I took a seat and let her get to work on me, for a while it was silent until she broke it. "How do you feel?"

"Nervous...scared...completely in shock. I don't know why he chose me. Why would he do this? I don't understand any of it. I mean, what am I supposed to do?"

She shrugged continuing to paint my nails a metallic gold with sparkles. "Marry him. I know that's the last thing that you want to hear but that's what you came here for. You said that you want to take care of your sister and you can do that now."

I sighed loudly, "I know."

She paused on my nails before staring into my eyes, "so what's the problem?"

I was quiet for what seemed like forever, "I don't know anything about being a royal. I have no idea how to please a king. I was happy working as a maid, and he told me that's what I was going to do. So, why would he change his mind?"

Once again, she nodded her head and continued doing my nails. It felt weird talking about my feelings and how I felt about the king. Silence overcame us once more as she started on my toes.

"You came here to be with him." She said painting my toenails. "My cousin had an arranged marriage two years ago. She didn't want to get married either, but she knew her duty to her family. It's hard the decisions that we have to make but we are women."

"So, just because I'm a woman, I shouldn't have a voice?" I asked a little confused.

Elizabeth shook her head, "no. You should have a voice. You shouldn't be forced to do anything you don't want to do."

"But yet here I am getting ready to marry a man that I don't want to."

"Eden, if you didn't want to marry the alpha, you shouldn't have come here." She snapped back at me. I could see the frustration on her face. She was frustrated with me, and I couldn't blame her. "Sorry," she mumbled. "Hold still so I can finish."

"No, I'm sorry. I'm complaining and it's making you angry."

She closed the polish and stood up, "You're not making me angry. I just don't want you to keep complaining about something that you can't change. You will be married and mated to the alpha. He chose you and you will live a good life with him. You or your family will never go without. I'm not saying that you should throw away all your hopes and dreams. But what's done is done and you can't change it. You chose to come here to bring honor to your family and you did. You will do just fine as long as you are open to learn about the alpha." She grabbed my brush and started to brush my hair.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of being catered to.

"You're right, this is what my mother wanted." I smiled staring at her in the mirror.

"What do you want?" she asked taking a piece of my hair and curling it.

"I don't know," I watched as the curl fell neatly and she moved to the next piece.

We sat in silence until she finally finished my hair, taking some hair glitter, she sprayed some throughout my hair. She checked my hands and toes to make sure they were dry, she glanced at the clock and gasped. It was eight o'clock she clapped her hands together and pulled out the wedding dress, I stared at it in amazement. It was white and gold, it was so beautiful something royalty would wear.

"I wish I could be wearing something like this," she smiled.

I smiled and pulled her into a hug, thanking her for helping me get ready. She hugged me back and then pushed me towards the bathroom to get dressed. I quickly pulled the dress on knowing that time was limited, and she still had to do my makeup. I stepped out of the bathroom and tears came to her eyes, I smiled and pulled her into another hug. After breaking apart she sat me down and started to do my makeup.

We didn't speak at all while she was doing my makeup because she needed to focus. It didn't take long for her to do my face and I was amazed at how I looked. After she finished my makeup, she pulled out the most beautiful golden heels I had ever seen, I slipped them on before taking one last look at myself in the mirror. I couldn't believe that this was it, I was getting married. The bedroom door opened and my mother stepped in. Elizabeth gave me a small smile before leaving me alone with her.

"You look beautiful, Eden." She smiled standing behind me.

I stared at her in the mirror and sighed. "I'm happy that you're getting what you want mother."

She smirked, "this is what you want to. You will make him happy, Eden. I will not allow you to embarrass this family. Our clean name is the only thing that we have left. Do you want us to go back to eating leftovers for two days straight? Do you want to go back to those cold nights in our little cabin where the winter is unbearable for us? Remember you had to sacrifice being cold just to keep your sister warm. Taking baths in the lake behind the house because we have no water. Do you remember all of that, Eden? Do you want your sister to live like that just because you want to be selfish? You are marrying a man that will keep us safe and your sister will love being here. You know what you have to do, and you will do it because you want to." She turned me around to face her before placing a kiss on my forehead. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered pulling me into her arms.

I stepped outside with Elizabeth following closely behind, wearing a beautiful long white mermaid dress.

We made our way to the river where the throne I was to float on awaited me. A gentleman took my hand and helped me take my seat. When I was secure, he lit the torches and sent me floating down the river. My heart pounded in my chest as I floated gently to the ceremony, hundreds of people would be there.

The closer I got the more nervous I became, the throne slowly made it to shore. A gentleman took my hand and helped me out, I walked down the pathway as heads turned to see me. My eyes locked with Tristian's and never left his till I reached him. He put his hand out for me to take, and I did with no hesitation.

The minister silenced the crowd, and the wedding ceremony began, he looked at me and smiled. "We are gathered here today to unite our alpha with his mate." He bowed before us. "I will allow you both to say your vows and oaths to each other."

I stared around nervously before turning my attention to him. I knew what I had to do, there was no going back.

"I Eden Daughtler, take you, Tristian Pierce, to be my husband. As we continue to grow in our lives together, I promise to give you all my words when needed and to share in the silence when they are not, to pick you up if you are down, to love you unconditionally, to lay my bare skin on you when needed most, and to create children who will lead after you. I take you to be my husband... to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. This is my vow to you."

I was handed his wedding band and I took it placing it on his finger. He smiled at me before clearing his throat.

"I take you to be my mate for life, I promise above all else to live in truth with you, and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace. Today I pledge my love, devotion, faith, and honor as I join my life to yours. I Tristian Pierce take you, Eden Daughtler, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. This is my vow to you."

He pulled out a beautiful ring and placed it on my finger, and he kissed my cheek holding my hands tightly.

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife...mates for eternity." The minister smiled looking at Tristian than at me. "Alpha, you may kiss your bride."

He pulled me close and kissed me gently, I kissed back as his brother brought a silk cloth up to the altar. Tristian handed it to me, and I took it. The minister cleared his throat. "Marking is the first part of the mating bond." I frowned and stared at Tristian confused. Marking what did they mean by that? He told me that it was a normal wedding ceremony.

"Tonight, Alpha Tristian will mark Eden in front of us. Despite Eden being human, this will still be done. Doing this will allow them a stronger connection. After they mate, their bond will become even stronger. Tristian will be able to feel Eden's emotions and desires. They will become one not just by title but by blood."

I tried to step back but Tristian grabbed me and pulled me close to him. I knew that I couldn't deny him in front of all these people. As he got closer to me, I couldn't stop my body from trembling. How bad would this hurt? Would it leave a scar? I closed my eyes tight when I felt his breath on my ear.

"You are mine, Eden. There is nothing that you will be able to hide from me."

Before I could respond, I felt a sharp pain in my neck. I screamed as he pulled me closer. I could feel him sucking and lapping up my blood. My head felt light, and everything started to seem fuzzy. He pulled away and lifted me into his arms before I could hit the ground. Everyone stood up, and I could hear them clapping and cheering. Tristian placed the silk cloth on my neck gently before walking down the aisle to start the after-party.