CLAIRE 

I'd been crying to sleep for the past three days, but then when I saw things had worsened around the pack, I decided it was time to stop moving around and finally face reality. I'm going to marry a man I've never met or know anything about. I couldn't stand and do anything for no, no, especially when there's something I can do to give people back their normal lives. 

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door, waiting for his permission to come into the room. I knew he had a guest there, which is why I chose this moment as an excuse to talk to him. Alpha Xavier had come in with a few of his men some minutes ago, and I waited for Dad to finally introduce us, but that didn't seem to be happening any time soon, so I took matters into my own hands. 

"Claire, what are you doing here? "Hilda said. "You were out distributing food again. "I hope there's still some left," he joked, raising to his feet as he motioned for me to come closer. "Alpha Xavier, meet my daughter Claire Fair-Moon. 

He stood up, causing me to take a step back because I wasn't prepared for how tall he was. He stared at me with his hand stretched out for a handshake, something flashed across his eyes. These were the most intense green eyes I'd ever seen, and I found myself staring speechlessly at the handsome stranger in front of me. 

As if aware of the effect he had on me, his lips quickened, and he reached for my hand instead, shaking it. I blushed at my obvious distraction, looking down at our joint hands. There's something about him, something I didn't have words for, but it caused my body to react to him. My heart raced with excitement and when we touched, I felt electrified. 

"Claire..." he hummed, his eyes never leaving mine. 

"Xavier..." I returned in a dazzled tone of voice, then someone cleared their throat, startling me with whatever spell I was under. My cheeks reddened as I suddenly became aware of my father standing a few feet away from us. 

He reluctantly let go of my hand. "I personally asked my men to check out the damage done to Fair-Moon so far, and it got me thinking. "Those attacks seemed very personal," he said, lifting one perfectly arched eyebrow at Dad, like he expected him to know something. 

Dad darted a glance in my direction. "Personal? I don't deal with rogues, they are nothing but filthy outcasts! If they are targeting Fair-Moon only then they're probably doing it to claim our resources or start a rebellion, but whatever their reasons are, I'm not interested. I want them to pay for what they're making my pack go through." 

Alpha Xavier nodded like he understood, which he probably does, being an Alpha himself. However, I couldn't keep my eyes off him, maybe because he reminded me so much of someone...then it all clicked in my mind, a memory forming into a picture. He's the dark-haired man from my dream! The realization made me gasp before I could help it, making them turn around to look at me. 

"Miss Claire, is everything okay?" he inquired, his voice deep and filled with concern. 

My heart melted right there and then. "I'm okay, thanks for asking, I'll be leaving you two now." With that, I hurried out of the door. 

All of a sudden, an arranged marriage doesn't seem to be a bad idea at all. I have never felt that way about anyone before. Placing a hand over my chest, I fell backward onto my bed. The reason I went to Dad's studies earlier was mainly to try and talk Alpha Xavier out of the marriage option, but then the minute those pair of dreamy green eyes met mine, I was lost. 

Does he feel it too? I couldn't help but wonder if it was one-sided. It doesn't matter though. This wouldn't be a love marriage, but now that I'm halfway in love with him already, I'll make our marriage work. I will make him fall in love with me! My thoughts were interrupted by a quick knock on the door. I almost yelled at permission to go away. I wanted to be left alone with my daydreams right now. 

"Come in." 

The last person I would have been expecting stepped into my room, making my eyes go wide with surprise. With each step he takes further into the room, so my heartbeat increases at an alarming rate. Can he hear it? Because that was all I could hear aside from the chirping of birds from outside my window. 

"I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye," he informed me, reaching for my hand and slowly lowering his head to place a kiss at the back of my hand while holding eye-contact. 

As chaste as the kiss was, I felt the tingle all the way to my feet. "That's so sweet of you, I was hoping to talk to you before you left." I gestured towards the single couch in my bedroom for him to sit once he let go of my hand. 

He nodded, settling down on the couch. 

"Why do you want to marry me? "I know I'm doing it for the benefit of my pack, but why are you? "You could have anyone you wanted. "Why settle for a loveless, political marriage?" I inquired, curiously. 

"And what makes you think, I don't have the one I want?" 

My chest squeezed painfully at his question. There's someone else in the picture for him, of course there is! I thought, feeling stupid for even hoping that things would be different for us. He's no doubt in love with someone else and probably wants this marriage for one benefit or the other. 

I turned away from him, not wanting him to see how much his statement affected me. My body went rigid as he came up behind me, my breath hitching with desire. Being this close to him made me feel all sorts of things. I closed my eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths, I twisted my side to the side to look at him. 

It was then I noticed how close we were. Our faces were only a few inches apart, and yet I couldn't bring myself to step away despite my brain screaming at me. "You're very lucky Alpha Xavier, not everyone is destined to find one." 

"Call me Xavier..." his hand came to rest on my shoulders, using it to swiftly turn me around to face me. "You're going to be my wife after all." He added, his gaze resting briefly on my lips. 

"My pack needs this alliance more than you do. I understand that and, out of respect, I promise your true mate won't have to worry about me. I understand..." my words were abruptly cut off as Xavier cupped my face and kissed me. 

I might not have seen it coming, but I welcomed it, kissing him back with the same hunger and urgency he kissed me with. All thoughts about his true mate vanished from my mind. At that moment, nothing else mattered but the feel of his lips against mine. 

A throaty moan escaped my lips, which seemed to drive him crazy as his pace became more demanding, making it difficult for me to keep up, not that I'm complaining, because if I had my way, I'd kiss him forever. His pace became slower a few seconds before he stopped kissing me. He rested his forehead against mine, panting and trying to catch his breath, a sound I find incredibly sexy. 

"Should I apologize for that? I wanted to do that the second your father introduced us." 

"No, don't. I should be the one apologizing, your mate-" 

"I don't have a mate, Claire, I was talking about you," he admitted, brushing away the few strands of hair that had fallen across my face when we were kissing. "You're so beautiful..." he rasped before stepping completely away from me, like he didn't trust himself not to kiss me. 

"What?" A stunned smile threatened to split my face in half. 

"That is, if you have me. "Please have me Claire," he whispered, making my heart go wild with excitement. 

"Yes, I'll have you Xavier, oh I will!" I replied, my eyes glistening with undyed tears.

It's bad luck for the groom and bride to see each other until the mating ceremony, so don't be worried if you don't see me until then. "Your father wants a fast ceremony...not that I'm complaining, but what do you want?" he asked, lacing his fingers through mine. 

The tears I'd been trying to hold back, rolled down my face at his question. No one ever asked me what I wanted before, including my father. "I want whatever you want, Xavier, I can't wait to be yours." 

"Me either." He agreed, pressing a kiss to my forehead before stepping out of the room. 

Long after he was gone, I stood there still pinching myself, for it seemed like everything that happened was a dream. Fairytales do exist, in your face Hilda! I laughed at my pettiness, falling over my bed. I spent the rest of the day daydreaming about Xavier until I was pulled out of it when Hilda came to drag me out to a designer's shop for the ceremonial dress. 

The ceremony happened in a week. It was a small private wedding. Just as he had told me, we didn't see each other for a week and I missed him so much. I know it's crazy when it seems like we hardly knew each other, but I was ready to spend the rest of my life getting to know him. 

"So...you're getting married tonight." Hilda started, adjusting my veil over my head. "Do you know what to expect on your wedding night?" I blushed at the question. 

"I do have an idea but-" 

"Perfect! What I'm going to tell you is, since you are both not marrying for love, then don't expect yourself to enjoy your wedding night or all the other nights in your marriage. Try not to show any discomfort, just lay down and let him do whatever pleases him. "If you're lucky, he will be one of the men who finishes fast." Her advice only raises more questions. 

Like why did she think I wouldn't enjoy it? Although I haven't told anyone about the kiss we shared in our bedroom a week ago, I enjoyed it more than I care to admit, so why would sex be different? Before I could ask her any more questions, she was already rushing me out of the room, urging me into the courtroom where the ceremony was taking place. 

Drawing a sharp breath as I caught my soon-to-be husband and soul-mate standing in front of the minister waiting for me, our eyes met, and he winked at me from across the room. I realized then what Hilda said doesn't matter, what Xavier and I have is special...right?