Finally free, I grabbed a glass of wine, more for show than taste while my eyes kept scanning the hall. I was looking for white. For her.
But she wasn't here.
Did she go back inside? Did she leave?
I considered asking her father. But before I could move—
"Let me go!"
The desperate voice landed in my ears, followed by a man's crude curse. Anyone could guess what was going on.
My head snapped in the direction of the sound. It came from the garden. Tall hedges and floral arches blocked my view.
Could it be her?
My body moved before my mind gave the command. I tossed the glass aside, shattering it against the wall as I stormed toward the sound, rage and concern rising in equal measure.
If it was her, and someone dared to lay a hand on her—
They'd regret being born.
No one touches what's mine and walks away.
I stepped onto the garden path, and the scene that met my eyes made my blood boil.
Pinned beneath a man I didn't recognize, her white dress gave her away instantly. She was struggling, her wrists caught in his grip, his body hovering over her.
Sheer, blinding fury overtook me.
My hand grabbed a stone vase resting by the pathway before I even realized it. With a low growl, I hurled it toward the bastard without hesitation.
CRACK!
It collided with the side of his skull. The impact knocked him clean off her, sending his limp body crashing to the ground like a broken puppet.
She gasped and pushed him aside, her breath ragged.
I was already by her side within seconds.
"Are you okay?" My voice was low as my eyes met her teary ones. The rage I felt almost consumed me, and it took everything in me not to let my wolf rip that man to shreds.
"Thank you for saving me," she choked out, tears gushing from her eyes like a waterfall.
I crouched, gently cupping her face, careful not to startle her. "You're safe now."
My chest felt tight, and the more I watched her tears fall like broken pearls, the more determined I became to make that bastard that made her cry pay.
But first of all, I couldn't scare this kitten.
"Thank you... Thank you for saving me," she repeated again like a broken doll.
"I was just passing by," I lied, holding her arm as her rose scent collided with my nose. "Shall I help you up?"
I waited patiently for her answer. If she wanted to sit here all day, I'd happily accompany her.
But the words that came out of her mouth were nothing I expected.
"Pl–ease marry me," she uttered in a quivering voice.
My eyes widened in shock. This was a proposal I wasn't expecting.
Or wait... Did she feel it too?
The mate bond?
My eyes searched her bright green ones. It didn't look like that. She just seemed desperate to marry me.
I had no idea what was happening, nor had I ever pictured myself getting married to anyone in the future.
But for this beautiful little woman in my arms, looking at me as if I were her only savior, the word left my lips before I could even think.
"Okay."
Okay, I will marry you. I want to get to know you. I want to wipe your tears away. I want to crush anyone who hurts you. I want to see you smile. I want you to be by my side. I just want you here with me.
Even my own thoughts surprised me. What was I thinking?
I just met this woman today, but my thoughts resembled that of a smitten fool.
But who wouldn't be smitten by a woman as beautiful and graceful as this?
"O—okay?" she repeated, her eyes flashing with shock and excitement as she held onto my arm.
She's happy.
A smile crept over my lips, and I brushed the strands of hair off her face. "Yes."
I just met you today, but I'm determined to always make you happy.
But to my shock, her body went limp, and she fell into my arms.
My eyes widened abruptly. "Miss? Miss?"
But no response came. I felt my heart jump in my chest, and I placed two fingers beneath her nose.
Was she still breathing?
Relief flooded me when I confirmed she was okay, probably just tired or traumatized.
I scooped her gently into my arms and mindlinked the Beta, asking him to request a room from the Alpha.
One could only imagine the Alpha's shock.
Soon enough, I was told a room had already been cleared for me.
I told Jaxon where I was, and he soon joined me.
His eyes lit up once he saw the woman in my arms. "Yo– you – you...?" That's all he could say, like a broken tape recorder.
Laughter escaped his lips and he did a little dance around, and my expression turned strange.
This was a side of him I'd never seen before. I don't think he's okay. Maybe I needed to retire him. He was getting too old after all.
Not sparing him another glance, I followed the guard to the room prepared for us.
At the door was the Alpha's other daughter. What was her name again?
I barely remembered. Summer? I think so.
The woman in my arms was probably the Alpha's daughter too, right?
She smiled sweetly at me, then curtsied. "Alpha Caesar, my Dad asked me to attend to you. Do you need help?"
I glanced at her faintly as I entered the room. "Come with me."
Well, I needed to know more about this woman. I didn't even know her name yet. And who better to talk to than her sister?
I laid her gently on the bed, covering her with the sheet.
Then I turned around and pointed toward the bed.
"Who is she?"
The woman's eyes, which had been fixated on me, finally shifted to the bed.
I stared closely at her, and her expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"I – what are you doing with her?" she demanded.
"Tell me everything about her."