- Everest -

"Wake up little sister."

I opened my eyes, genuinely surprised to find Briar in my bedroom.

"Briar?" I asked with a yawn. "What're you doing here."

"Well" she smiled, "we're here for the presenting of the new Luna to the council this evening, and we're also here to celebrate your big birthday, 22 is a big deal Everest."

"My birthday isn't for another three days." I grumbled

She only rolled her eyes

"You look so happy Briar." I said slightly astonished, "so I take it things with Grieg are going well?"

"They are, and look...I know it was difficult to accept at first, but I actually do enjoy being married to my husband." She smiled, "I mean mates are rare, so I guess I was super lucky that father picked a sweet man for me to marry."

Briar and Grieg had only been married for about a month, but I was glad to know she was happy.

"Well he says he only wants our happiness."

"I believe he truly does." She nodded. "Grieg is absolutely wonderful and caring, and even Brooke's fiancé is extremely supportive, I know for a fact he is always trying to please her...but you know Brooke." She rolled her eyes daintily, "I also hear father has secured you a fiancé as well Everest, so who is the lucky guy?"

I shrugged, "I couldn't tell you, I don't exactly know who he is...hell I don't even know his name."

"And how goes the mate hunt?"

"No such luck on that end either." I half lied. Sure I had found my mate, but the fact is that he isn't mine, and he never would be.

I wonder if I had tried harder, if I hadn't have left that night, if I made him accept me...would we be together right now?

"It's probably for the best."

"How so" I asked.

She shook her head, "you know in the beginning I was so upset that I had to marry a stranger, I didn't know anything about this man, but after our mating he opened up and it really helped ease me into our union and I was able to fully accept him as my husband."

I remain silent and she continued.

"Father could have very easily matched me with someone for his own gain, and in the beginning I naturally thought that that's what he had done...yes my marriage secured his ties to the Capetown pack, but there are much richer, more powerful, and heinously ruthless alphas out there, and father selected only the best for us...oh I can't wait until we find out who your fiancé is."

"Can you please stop calling him that?"

She shrugged, "it's what he is Everest."

"I-I know that Briar...its just a little overwhelming, and today is gonna be hectic as it is, last thing I need is to go into full blown panic attack mode and lose my shit in front of everybody."

"Language." She scolded. "I understand Everest, it's hard at first, but just remember...if he's nice then please just give him the same courtesy, he has alpha blood, and alphas can get mean quick if they feel disrespected."

Her words stuck with me as I understood perfectly.

Play the game, stay safe.

"Now it really is time to get up...you've slept in quite late as its already going on noon."

I jumped up, I knew I would need all day to get ready for the party and now I was running behind schedule.

___________

"And now, many of you have had the privilege of watching her grow from a cute little pup into an elegant and gorgeous young she-wolf...it is with the greatest pleasure, that I get to introduce the jewel of this evening, my lovely daughter, Everest."

His pretty words clouded the thinly veiled attempt to come off as the perfect father.

The dinner began, my father seated at the head of the table while his friendly new Luna sat on the opposite end. Everyone around me spoke merrily as I sat in a complete daze, my whole mind was wrapped up in Caleb.

Even after what I had seen I just couldn't stop thinking about him.

When the dinner was over the dance had begun. Everyone watched as my father and Kirsten (his mate) danced, everyone clapped and then I knew it was my turn.

"You look perfect tonight Everest, I knew I could count on you."

I didn't know how to respond.

"Trust me, I realize everything has happened rather quickly when it's come to your engagement."

"I don't have a ring so I'd hardly say I'm engaged." I quipped back colder than intended, but I also knew he wouldn't react in front of everybody.

"I can promise you, you'll get your ring and so much more but rest assured that you are in fact as good as engaged contractually."

I figured as much but hearing the truth was like salt to an open wound, I held my composure as my father continued to gracefully lead me across the dance floor.

"Smile and remain silent as I finish." He ordered.

I complied.

"There has been a change in plans," he announced in a voice barely above a whisper. "Since your soon to be father in law is in attendance tonight he would like to meet you, IF he likes you he will sign the contract and you are to go with him."

I went to protest but his grip got just a bit tighter and I knew better than to cause a scene in front of the entire pack and council members.

I looked around and pasted on a fake smile.

Which of these men here (whose names I didn't know) would be my new father in law, which one of them has damned me to a life without my mate?

But I knew there was more than a few men in attendance who I had personally never met before.

"So after this dance you will follow me into my study where we will be met by your fiancé's father, in a sense he will inspect you and if he approves of you, you will be leaving tonight do you understand.

I looked up at him and sneered, "perfectly."

And as if on que, the music slowly came to an eerie end and everyone around us clapped, the dance floor was now open for everyone's use. People stepped forward and embraced their lovers happily while I was silently ushered away.