Chapter 2 - Nile

Every wolf in Pinedale was getting ready to head to the forest for my mating ceremony. Since this was my second wedding, I wanted a more casual affair, so I had opted for a simple ceremony followed by a light meal and dancing. I could only hope that my future bride agreed with the arrangements I had made.

The Pinedale wolves were excited to be getting a new luna today, but I was equal parts nervous and ambivalent about my impending nuptials. I had no need for companionship or love. I had lost my true mate shortly before my first marriage, followed quickly by the loss of my wife. Consequently, I had spent a long time doing things on my own. I could happily continue without the worry of a partner.

What I did need was an ally. The peace between all our neighbors was tenuous. I wanted a luna who was smart enough to help me advocate for harmony and goodwill. All I could do was trust that the Dark Moon wolves had selected a female who would be up to the task.

I hoped I might also find the piece that had been missing from my daughter's life: a good and kind female caretaker for her to look up to and emulate. Up until now, I had neglected to provide her with a maternal figure. She was the light of my life and had wanted for nothing except a mother's love. My greatest wish was that my new mate would be willing and able to fill that role. But first, I had to meet her.

The mating ceremony would be happening soon, but I had requested that Alpha Jasper bring the chosen she-wolf to meet me before we went through with our duty. It was important to me that both of us had the opportunity to back out without having the entire pack witness our conversation.

My thoughts were consumed with my plans for a political marriage based on cordiality when there was a knock on the front door.

"Can you get that, Terry?" I asked one of my guards.

He nodded and left the room. I heard low voices from the front door, and within a moment, he had reappeared.

"The Dark Moon alpha and luna are here," Terry said. "With your bride."

Jasper and April entered the room first, and I could only see a glimpse of blond hair peeking out from behind them. She stayed hidden, allowing her alpha to speak on her behalf.

"As requested, we brought the female who was chosen to be your wife so that the two of you can speak before the ceremony," Jasper said.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Would you like us to stay until after you've had the chance to speak with each other?" April asked.

I nodded in assent. "If you wouldn't mind waiting outside, I think it would be best if the three of you arrived at the clearing together."

"We'll leave you two to talk, then," Jasper said. "We'll be by the car."

The alpha and luna parted to the side, allowing the young woman to come into my view. She took a few steps toward me, and they absconded from the room quietly.

But I barely noticed their departure. All thoughts of a simple, friendly marriage had gone out the window when I realized that I already knew my intended mate. It was her—my true mate. The woman I had brutally rejected years ago.

I had done it to protect her, but I had broken my own heart in the process. I couldn't imagine how the twists of fate had conspired to bring us back together, but I knew that there was no chance I would let her go this time. Somehow, some way, I would make her understand why I had to leave. But now wasn't the time.

"Violet," I said.

I couldn't think of anything to say other than her name. It was a name I hadn't spoken in almost seven years. I had barely allowed myself to think of her, knowing that I had done the right thing in saving her from the horrors she might have experienced in my presence.

She was more beautiful than ever. Her hair had become a richer honey color since I had seen her last, but her eyes were exactly as I remembered them. The freckles that had always adorned her skin had become even more prominent, and I could tell she had been spending more time outdoors. Her expression was indecipherable as she stared at my face, her bright blue eyes sparkling.

"Nile? You've got to be kidding me," she said.

"I take it you weren't expecting to see me here," I replied, wincing slightly.

"That's one way of putting it," Violet said. "You're the alpha of the Pinedale Pack? How in the world did that happen. Last time I saw you, you didn't have a pack at all."

"I wasn't expecting you, either," I admitted. "When did you become a part of Jasper's pack?"

"I'm not. I arrived from Sparkle Hollow yesterday. I volunteered as an ambassador on behalf of Alpha Lex," she said.

I took a step toward her, wanting to reach out and hold her. "Vi…"

"Don't call me that," she snapped, interrupting my plea. "Were you the alpha back then, too? Did you lie to me about everything?"

"No," I assured her. "I swear on everything I hold dear, I never lied to you."

She scoffed at my assertion, but I continued.

"I know that I hurt you, but if you give me a chance, I can explain everything."

"I don't want to hear any of your weak excuses," she snapped. "Do you have any idea what I went through when you left?"

Her eyes shimmered with tears as her voice broke.

"You're right. I won't make any excuses, but I can promise to hear everything you have to say and tell you what happened to me whenever you're ready to hear it. I don't expect you to have any feelings for me, and if you want to hate me in private, I would understand," I said. "But for the sake of peace, it would have to be in private."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, looking at me questioningly.

"If we go through with the mating ceremony, we'll be doing it for the packs," I said. "All I want is to better the alliance between the packs, and it seems that's why you're here, too. Once we're married, you can say whatever you want about me in our own home, but in front of the packs, we'll have to fake it."

"Fake our marriage?" Violet replied. "How would that work?"

"All we need to do is pretend to get along in front of the wolves. If we can show them a peaceful and caring relationship between their alpha and luna, we can ensure peace for the rest of our lives. Won't that be worth it to you?" I asked.

She didn't answer as she continued to lock eyes with me. I could tell she was struggling with whether she would be able to maintain a fa?ade of happiness as my mate, but I didn't want to push her into it. As much as I wanted to be with her, it had to be her choice.

I held my breath as I waited for her response. Every word I had spoken to her was true. I wanted the marriage for the betterment of our alliances, but that didn't cover all the reasons I wanted her to become my mate.

Now that she was here, I was willing to do anything to keep her in my life. Even if that meant I had to pretend for a little while.

The truth was that I had never stopped loving her. If she would stay, I might get the chance to prove that to her.