Chapter Eleven

Cassius' P.O.V

"Don't talk to me."

"But Your-"

"Don't." I growl angrily trying to resist the urge to rip his jugular from his throat. This is all his fault. All of his fault.

"She'll be arriving here shortly along with her father and a few of their tribal members." Elder Richard manages to mumble out before I throw a blood-curdling glare at him causing him to completely freeze. It took every ounce of me not to bludgeon him to death. He has put me in a situation I wanted to have no part in.

"Shut up and tag along quietly. I do not want to hear your or any one of the Elders voices today. Do I make myself clear?" He nods his head solemnly as he silently trails behind me out of the room.

How long do I have before Pierce finds out? He would never want to speak to me again and that same hate he had held for me will rise once more. I know he would think I lied to him. . .but I just wasn't being completely honest with him. I didn't want him to continue to hate me.

Being King is not something I wanted. It was my brother's title before mine and my father's before his. It was never meant for me, but somehow I attained it.

I know this doesn't excuse the fact that I hid the truth from him, but it was out of necessity. As for this. . .this farce marriage I. . .I'm afraid. If he finds out. . .My eyes begin to narrow downward. I'll lose him for good.

"Alpha Castille, you have grown into a fine young wolf since I last saw you."

I give a slight nod of acknowledge as I enter the room and sit down at the head of the long table. It's plastered in gold and fine silk. Even the chairs held large amounts of cushioning. My seat is a nice velvet red with markings of my kingdom marked all around its borders.

"Good evening. . .Alpha Camuilla." The look I give him is a distasteful one. We all know the game that is being played here and I am no fool. Waging war against a tribe that has done little enough to warrant such attention is folly. I know that. But the Westerners have always despised us. I don't believe a marriage will solve a grudge that has been held for thousands of years. I look around noticing Grimm off to the side along with Stevens and a few other guardians of my well-being.

Soon enough my eyes land on a woman. Her eyes widen slightly and soon doesn't bother to try and make eye contact with me again. "You must forgive my daughter. Cecillia introduce yourself to your future mate." The last word practically stings at my heart. I cannot ever marry this girl.

"My name is Cecilia. I am third in line to inherit the tribal name. I would like to. . .thank you for accepting our proposed union and I hope we can find happiness within each other until the end of our days." She says all of this while looking at me directly in the eyes but mine begin to falter. I want no one but Pierce. Her green eyes reminds me of him, but his was so much more gorgeous. They were dark. They were light. They were green. . .they were blue. . .

Addelin clears his throat bringing me out of my short daydream. "I hope you do not mind me leaving a few guardians around for my daughter's well-being."Chimes in Camuilla which makes me growl inwardly.

"I do not, but I assure you your daughter will be in great hands here."

" I do not doubt you Castille, but my daughter is a great treasure of mine you see. I would not like for her to end up like many of your predecessors that walked these very halls." I tune down my rising anger and smile at him. "I suppose your unease is well warranted. Let her have her guards."

My eyes find her again and I must admit she is nice to look upon. She is everything the Elder's said she would be, but I am not interested. "I hope you will honor the code of loverage and keep to yourself as will my daughter until your marriage has been anointed."

I blink a couple times trying my best to stamp down my wolf's growing unrest. That is terrible to agree upon. With Pierce and I. . .That's close to rejection. Denying his right to touch me. . . "Very well. . ." I say reluctantly and wolf is close to lashing out, but I reign her back in.

He smiles at me gets up from the table. "Now that all of this is settled I would like to spend one night here to gather up my strengths again. My daughter will stay here until the marriage date is planned. After all she must get to know her mate."

"I will set you and your men in the Tower of Agno. Cecillia wi-"

"She must be near your chambers. You do have some faint idea of engagements do you not?"

As if reading my growing disdain for the man Addelin breaks the tension by saying- "Well he is young. Marriage usually isn't done until kings are twenty-one. We will house her across from his chambers if that suits you."

"It does."

"Grimm, show them to their rooms." He nods and slowly begins to shuffle out of the room. "Stevens, show Cecillia to hers. I'll. . .I'll like to discuss some things with you later." She nods and gets up going out the same door as her father. As soon as I hear the door shut my built up anger begins to unravel.

"The Code of Loverage! Addelin do you know what this means. . .? If I see Pierce. . .I cannot allow him to touch me, kiss me, even hug me. He's my mate. . .my rightful mate and what I just agreed to is pergury."

"I'm sure Pierce won't be here for the amount of time Cecillia will be. You have nothing to fear. He is back with his pack. He has no reason to come back here."

". . .But if he does. . .what do I do then?"

"Tell him the truth."

"He wouldn't give a damn about the truth Addelin! Have you met him? Do you know what he's like? He'll despise me."

". . ."

"All over again. . ." I rub my hand against my forehead trying my best not to get too worked up, but the thought of him even thinking of hating me and wanting nothing to do with me is too painful. Despite everything, I lived without him for nineteen years up until this point. His absence really shouldn't matter. I try to reason with myself but it's only making things worse.

As if seeing my face had said enough Addelin comes and taps me on the shoulder before giving me a little shake. Your mates, whether he or you like it or not. There will come times when misunderstandings arise. With your situation it is bound to happen, but do not lose confidence in him. If he didn't care about you then he would be emotionless."

". . .So you're suggesting that I tell my mate that I'm engaged to a westerner and that I am also the reigning "Alpha" of this kingdom as well?"

He nods his head which only causes me to scoff. "Do you want me to officially end things with Pierce Addelin?"

"Honesty can go a long way. . .his loyalty, fealty, and trust in you is what you need most from him. Without it, things are sure to turn sour."

"He's not coming here so I don't have to worry about that right now. It's that woman I have to worry about now. I agreed to a code of loverage which entails everyone to believe that I am trying to woe her and gain her loyalty, fealty, and trust. I'm not even attracted to women Addelin!"

"You're only saying that because of Pierce." I hear Stevens voice say causing me to scowl. "She is a beautiful, gorgeous woman capable of giving your mother the grandchildren she so deserves. You cannot have that with that Easterner."

". . ." I bite my tongue and continue to let him think whatever the hell he wants. Arguing with him about who I like isn't going to solve the problem I am facing right now. He doesn't need to know. . .Pierce is my mate. If he did know he wouldn't have said something as thoughtless as that.

"Stevens, if you excuse me for asking but who allowed you in here?"

"Old man, you are a doctor not an advisor. It's best if you would mind yourself and not forget your place."

"Don't forget yours Stevens." I say practically growling. My wolf has been growing restless around him for the past couple of days and it's only increasing now. "I never allowed you entry. You may leave right back out the door you came in from."

"Your Highness. . .I did not come for leisurely talk. Alpha Camuilla would like to present you a very. . .interesting gift if I might say."

"I don't want his gifts." He is only doing this to spite me.

"No, I think you may be a little interested in this one, My Lord." I cut my eyes at him as his lips upturn into a smile.

"DO you realize what exactly is at stake here? My bloodline. My Pride. And goddamit I am going to be MARRIED you fucking prick!"

"Rest assured, this is for the best."

"Fuck you." I say out of complete anger. This must have been all of his doing. Ever since I rejected his advances. . .he has been pushing this marriage proposal from there on. How far is he willing to go to ruin me I wonder.

"Cassius I'm-"

"I don't want to listen to anything you have to say to me. Get out. Your presence is making me angry. Your voice is only making me angrier."

"Whether you want to believe me or not, I'm not doing this out of spite. This Pierce guy. . .he is an Easterner thoroughly in and out. You- you being infatuated with him is a disaster. You have seen it for yourself. They're cold-blooded killers. In the end of things. . .you're going to end up getting hurt. . ." I smack his hand away as I hold back my frustration.

"Out." He bows his head deeply and turns away back out the door without another word. As soon as I hear the door shut I let out a deep sigh and continue to think about what he just said. "I know either way I'm going to get hurt. . ."

"Camuilla would like a short audience. . ."

"I know. Accompany me there. You are the only true friend I have right now."

"Because of Pierce?"

I nod my head and start walking out the door and down the hall. "Pierce, whether people like it or not, is a part of me. He is my other half. The person that makes me completely whole. Without him. . .I will always have this empty feeling in my heart. . .I already lost my brother. I lost my father. I can't lose him too. . ."

"People will soon come to understand after finding out he's your significant other. They may not take it as well but they'll soon come around."

"None of that matters." I spit out madly completely consumed with the idea of rejection.

"I can tell it matters a great deal to you. . .Your Grace." All I can do is close my eyes and tune him out. I will hear none of his optimistic bullshit today. It's inevitable. It's going to hurt. It's going to be painful, but I am king of this kingdom and I have to do what is best by my people.

. . .Even if it means participating in this mummer's farce.

Addelin opens up the door leading into a much bigger, lavish room than before. I take my rightful seat on top of the risen piece of floor where a large elaborate chair is sitting. The blank stare I give my soon to-be father in-law says all that needs to be said. He isn't done making my life hell yet.

"Alpha Castille, because of your acceptance of the proposed marriage this makes you and I family. We musn't hold grudges towards one another any longer for the sake of this kingdom and the future grandchildren that is." I bite down on my tongue until I can taste my own blood after hearing this outrageous suggestion.

"To prove my trust and goodwill I would like to present a gift. Your enemies are mine as well." I hear a door crack open then a muffle and soon a body caked with dirt, grim, and blood splatters onto the floor in front of me. His face is swollen and his thick black locks of hair is tangled in clops of mud. His eyes, despite everything else, still held so much anger and resilience I was almost instantly reminded of Pierce.

As soon as our eyes meet my eyes widen so big I thought they would fall out. One eye was green, the other blue and in an instance both eyes were consumed in blue with the green shining out through the irises of his eyes. I was so consumed with the emotions coming out from his eyes that I didn't realize Camuilla talking until Addelin nudges me.

"He is yours to do what you will with. Kill him, beat him, starve him. He is practically harmless now that we have silver to contain him." I look from him to Pierce's father with so much playing on my mind. Before I can say anything the sound of spit hitting the floor causes us all to look at the bludgeoned man.

"You may think you've won. . .because you captured me." He scoffs while laughing cynically. "But you're wrong. I only ever held a title. Someone will always hold the position and now after what you have all done. . .there will be a massacre."

"Silence him Robert!" Before the guard could approach him I hold out my hand to stop his advances. "Consider yourselves and your loved ones all dead." My eyes fall as Camuilla's fill with rage and irrationality.

"Let him speak freely. He is mine to do with." I say as cooly as he glares icily back at me. He is my father in-law and he already has so much hate for me. "As you know we take no prisoners and we hold grudges. This-what you have done!" He yells at Camuila "Will cause a massacre. My pack will demolish you and your pack within three months. It's no wonder you came with your tail tucked behind your back to the Northerners. You will die and I will see it happen."

"Thank you for this rather. . .audacious gift. Now if you would go and rest. You have a long journey ahead of you. I would hate to be the cause of your tiredness." I signal Addelin to hold the door open as his men passes through first. He shoots me a look but I ignore it with a lofty smile and continue to rise.

This man. . .is my father in-law. I haven't. . .had a father in such a long time. Now here he is. That thought causes me to smile so big it ends up showing on my face.

"Kill me already. Let it be done." I blink a couple of times and shake my head. It may be a little sudden if I reveal just who I am to him. Not before I clear up this misunderstanding brewing between us. "I will do no such thing. ..No harm will come to you now or ever."

"Oh a Northerner showing kindness to an Easterner? Hell must have frozen over." I see cynicism runs deep in the family.

"I am not your enemy." I walk a little closer to him and stare at him straight in his eyes to get him to fully understand my intent. "The enemy of your enemy is the most dangerous kind of person is it not?" My lips purse for a moment, but I continue to take off the confines tying his hands tightly behind his back.

"I'm not marrying that woman nor is he going to be my father in-law." I state matter-of-factly causing disbelief to fill the air.

"Considering your options, this would the most beneficial. Why would you so willingly-" As soon as the confines loosen he holds his side now beginning to leak fresh blood. "Why would you give up an alliance for nothing?"

I let a small smile cover my lips. ". . .For love some may say." His eyes widen as my head falls before a laugh full of regret escapes me. Why would I go and admit something like that to him?

". . .Love?"

"My name is Cassius. You may know me better as King of the North. . ."

". . ." Of course I know he won't be as accepting, but he has to know. Honesty can come a long way. . .I hope Addelin is right. I hold out my hand. He only stares at it for a while before taking it into his and gives me a firm handshake.

"My name is Andrew. . .I was former Beta of my pack." As I stare into his face I can't help but think how surreal this is. He looks just like his father. I hold onto his hand longer than what's normal causing him to stare even harder at me and for a moment I see his eyes fall on the bite marks that still have yet to disappear.

"So you found your "rightful mate" and you just throw everything away? Is that it?" I shake my head while covering the bite marks subconsciously. "It's a little more complicated than that. I wish it could be that simple."

"You're not marrying Camuilla's daughter for some other woman. You Northerners and your idealistic take on life. I'm surprised you have all lasted this long." He spits out tactlessly. I see him trying to stand and make an effort to help him out, but he pushes me away.

". . .I've only known him for a month and I'm already in love with him. It's much harder to fight against it than accept it." I mouth softly. There is certain rules and orders to follow by as he is my father in-law in the eyes of the Lunar Goddess. I can't speak so freely anymore.

As his gaze finds mine I lower mine reluctantly. "Your niceties are unwarranted. I am a prisoner of war. You don't even have to answer back to me nonetheless acknowledge my rank he. . ." By the look in his eyes I can tell realization begins to dawn on him.

"You're Pierce's father. . .and I must admit this isn't the way I ever expected to meet you."

He looks at me like he wants to say something but I cut him off intentionally. "I wanted to make a good first impression, but I suppose that is out the window. But understand this, he means a lot to me and I will do whatever it takes to be with him. I want to make him happy."

"He can't be happy with someone like you." The glare returns into his eyes causing to lose heart instantly.

"Someone like me?"

"Someone like you could never make my son happy. You cannot even bare any children. He is my only son left and I will not let him fall into the hands of a person like you."

"I know we have bad history between us, but you really shouldn't let that be a deciding factor in whether you are willing to accept this, accept me. I'm not asking for you to do it now. It could be months from now just don't dismiss me altogether."

He scoffs and doesn't bother to look at me again. "You will lead my son to ruin and I won't allow that to happen. Mates are not sacred to us. He could live without you. You are a Northerner. You are man. All you have to offer him is ruin. In the eyes of were's he will fall out of grace as well as you. Don't go on and pursue that kind of relationship."

". . .He's my mate. It may not matter to you or your territory but it matters a lot to me. I cannot just. . .give him up because of simple differences between our territories. You might not believe when I say I care for him, but I do. There is no ulterior motives behind my feelings. If you don't believe me than so be it."

"Then it's too late. . ." My eyes widen as I see the sadness coming from his eyes. "You're already falling. . ."

In. . .love? Well of course I am. I think to myself.

"From Grace. . . You're so young, dumb, and naive. There is still time to walk away from this. Please don't do this. Don't this to yourself. Don't do this to my son. . ."

"I-"

"You can do what you will with me. But my son. . .he is my only son. I beg of you... "

My eyebrows furrow together as my eyes fall to the ground barely able to make eye contact with him. Fall from grace. . .I would never do anything to harm him in any way. . .but if. . .being with him. . .I look at his father still pleading with his hands tightly clasped together.

Will we truly. . .lose everything?

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[A/N] Having second thoughts on matters like these is not a good sign don't cha think? Well guys leave me some comments and feedback if you can and once again thanks for reading!