Page 9 of His Mate's Curves

Chapter Six

Andreas and Darya were ready to officially become mates, to become husband and wife in the eyes of their packs. It was their day to unite as one. Only a few days after their first date, as typically for werewolves choosing a mate, they were to be a union. Darya had put in her headpiece, as they would both be walking into the pack in wolf form. It was the most exciting day of her life, though she was nervous about Hanalei. She didn’t know what Andreas had told her or if she took the news well at all. She wasn’t able to present herself in wolf form, so she wasn’t allowed at the celebration to begin with—a lucky coincidence for Darya.

“I’m so proud of you,” Lydia told her as she fixed her white ribbons laced in her fur.

The flowery and lace veil draped around her back was perfectly aligned, thanks to Lydia. She had made sure everything was perfect, and they would have an amazing day together. It was going to be a beautiful event.

“I love you, mom.”

“I love you too.”

They nudged their noses together and walked toward the celebration. An alpha from each pack would say a few words, and they would then be congratulated as husband and wife, as a mated pair. It was a quick ritual to notice their lifelong relationship. They would be together from beginning to end. The day was to be perfect.

As they entered the pack, Andreas stared at Darya. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was beautiful, and everyone knew it, but Andreas got to have her. They would lead together, their packs would become allies and great fighters. They would be well known for how amazing they led. The pack would talk about them in generations to come. All around, it was the most important day of their lives. Though, they were both just happy to be with one another. They would finally be able to live with one another. They craved each other, and they could finally give in.

“Hello, beautiful,” he whispered to her as she finally got to him.

His fur held similar flowers and ribbons. They hung around each of their necks in celebratory fashion. Waiting for the alphas to speak over them. As the large gray male began to speak of his excitement for them, a sound burst through the room.

“STOP!”

Darya turned in shock. She couldn’t believe something or someone could ruin a moment like this. It was terrifying to turn and face what had interrupted their wonderful ceremony. Her heart raced, and she began to sweat in the humid air. She was afraid but brave enough to face the woman who ruined her relationship.

“You can’t do this,” Hanalei whimpered as she walked into the center of the open green space.

She was in human form, as she couldn’t be in wolf form. Everyone stood silent in shock. The half-breed had no authority to stop a ceremony. She knew that too. No one knew how to react. She had burst into the marriage ceremony of a pack alpha. They all looked to Andreas for guidance in the situation.

“What do you mean I can’t do this?” he asked as he looked over at Lukas, who was standing frozen in fear and disappointment.

Hanalei stared at Lukas, unsure of how she felt, “Don’t do this to me. Don’t marry her.”

Lukas immediately turned into the woods with a dagger in his heart, unable to face his best friend, who knew about his time with the woman who loved Andreas. He was hurt, broken down by this woman that lied to him. That mated with him and still wanted his friend.

Darya took off into the forest, too ashamed and angry with Andreas. If he had talked to her, told Hanalei that he didn’t care for her, she wouldn’t have done this. There’s no way she would burst into a wedding ceremony knowing that the groom didn’t love her. Darya sobbed, running as far as she could, never stopping for a moment.

“Darya,” Andreas cried after her. He turned back towards Hanalei with anger, “Hanalei, you will leave this pack. You will leave here and never return, do you hear me? You are not allowed anywhere near here, and I will let every pack in the state know what you’ve done. I love Darya, and you know that. Not only did you ruin our wedding ceremony, but you’ve also ruined my best friend who’s loved you for years and your own life.

She stood, encapsulated by his harsh words. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. It was traumatic to even try.

“I was just…”

“Just leave,” he interrupted.

With her head hung low, she walked out of the pack. Crying the entire way home. She was banished from returning to this pack or any in the state. Exiled because of her harsh, rash decisions.

Meanwhile, Andreas had a bride to catch. She was fast, but he was faster. They chased each other, Darya running out of tears, stopped to catch her breath. She threw herself on the ground, unable to regulate her breathing. The tears were falling, but she was mostly hyperventilating. She gasped for air, curling up on the ground. She took a minute to regain herself, to come back to reality, to think clearly.

“Darya?”

Hearing his voice was like a bullet to the heart. He was the last person she wanted to talk to.

“Leave me alone. I can’t believe I was going to marry you. You lied to me twice.”

He went to her side, laying beside her, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she would do that. She’ll never bother us again.”

“How do you know that? How do you know she’ll never bother us again. She’s terrible, she’ll always hate me, she’ll never accept us as leaders and as paired mates. You haven’t done a single thing about it! You haven’t told her anything about us, have you?!”

He gulped. He didn’t want to answer her, “I didn’t tell her about it. But she was supposed to be getting together with Lukas. I thought she was taken care of.”

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