- Everest -

In the last two days I had gotten the lay of the land so to speak.

As my birthday came and went I ignored at all together. there was no real point in celebrating anyways...it was only a reminder of the failure of not being with my mate.

Heidi cheerfully showed me around and introduced me to various people, everyone was more than welcoming and warm in such a cold place like the Northern Stone Pack.

And in all of my time wandering about the land and the snow mansion, not once had I been able to find a picture of Titus Graystone.

_________

"Rise and shine Miss Kirkshaw." Heidi practically sang.

I rolled over and tried to bring the thick comforter with me, but her strong grasp held the opposite end and tugged it right off of me.

"Hey!" I sat up ready to argue with her.

She only smiled as she fought back her signature giggle. "It's time to get out of bed my lady...you've a full day ahead of you and you've already slept in rather late."

I yawned, "I wasn't aware I had anything planned for today."

She gave me a look that suggested otherwise and I began to go through my mental catalogue trying to remember anything at all.

I came up with nothing.

"I thought you'd like to know that Alpha Graystone arrived last night."

At this my heart raced.

'He is here.'

My wolf growled angrily.

"It goes without saying that today we will be performing the union Miss Kirkshaw."

I shook my head. "I'm not ready for this Heidi."

It was the first time that I was showing any kind of protest to anyone other than Ash.

Heidi looked at me as if studying me, then her face grew soft and her eyes became much brighter than I've ever seen. "Alpha Graystone is a good man, I know his name carries a bad reputation but he is extremely devoted to his pack and very headstrong about fairness on his land...and he loves so strongly."

I shook my head in protest as tears threatened to spill over. "He loved HER strongly, and with good reason, she was his mate...but I'm not Maggie."

Once again she smiled. "He might not love you now as you may not have feelings for him...but if you both give things an honest chance, a mutual caring could blossom."

I knew she was right.

But I also knew what everyone said about him, and even though they may be rumors...rumors all have some truth in them somewhere.

And now I was suppose to marry this possibly deranged savage brute of a man who may or may not develop a "mutual caring" for me. A man I've never spoken to or even seen before.

"There's something else." Heidi added.

"And what could possibly be so important that it would trump the fact that my soon to husband is here finally?" I asked sarcasm dripping from every word.

"Well we've got to go over today's itinerary."

I took a seat in one of the stiff high back chairs and waved my hand silently asking her to proceed.

"First things first, we will fetch your father from the airport."

"First things first." I countered, "we're sending Bogart for him, I haven't the time nor the patience to face my father right at this moment."

She nodded as she made a little note on her list of 'to do's.'

"Dully noted." She commented. "Next is a soak in a bath of honey and milk whilst your hair rests in a bowl of ice cold rose water."

I looked at her horror struck.

"There are no exceptions for this my lady, it's tradition."

"What purpose could this possibly serve?" I questioned.

"The bath of milk is suppose to soften the flesh of the wife to be whilst the honey is suppose to make her sweet."

"Old wives tales." I scoffed.

She only continued, "the ice water is suppose to make you strong and the roses add to her beauty...I've always thought this was the most romantic of things."

"Romantic if you're into that sort of backwards stuff."

She smirked and shook her head.

"I've already picked out a few dress options for your ceremony, you get final say of course...you will also need to choose your mating outfit."

"What...sweat pants and my favorite ratty t-shirt won't suffice?"

"I would suggest the traditional cotton night gown but some women choose lace to be a little sexier, or silk so the man gets a little extra feel in the bed."

I blushed, "the cotton will do just fine...better yet, can we get a flannel gown?"

"Cotton it is." She giggled. "But of course all of this will take place after you've talked with Alpha Graystone."

"What?"

"Yes, it seems that Alpha Graystone has set up a meeting with you, apparently he would like to speak with you beforehand."

Now a whole new set of questions flooded me.

The main one: 'what if he doesn't like me and refuses to marry me?'

Surely I couldn't just go home, my father would be pissed that I somehow screwed this arrangement up.

Of course I wouldn't be allowed back home.

If this didn't work out I already knew that my dad would only find another "suitable husband" for me amongst the thousands of eligible Were-bachelors out there.

"And when am I suppose to meet with Ti- Alpha Graystone?"

"Once you're ready my lady."

I got up, "then I guess I should begin getting ready."

I walked over to the rest room and Heidi followed closely behind me.

"Just give me a minute please." I said.

She nodded and exited the restroom, closing the door behind her.

I reached the sink and placed my hands on the counter before I let my head fall and a deep sigh fell out of me. I looked up at my reflection, I knew I had to get ready, but I had decided that if I HAD to do this, then this family was going to have to take me as I am.

I wasn't trying to sabotage anything I was simply going to show this Titus Graystone just who his future wife is.

I quickly used the toilet before brushing my teeth and then strolling over to the closet, I looked over all of the beautiful gowns and furs until I finally found the purchases I had personally made.

I pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a plain white thermal.

I was never really one for having my hair up, so I kinda ran my fingers through my normal tangle of curls and this time shrugged at my reflect, "now this is me."

I went back into the closet took a seat on the floor as I put on some socks and pulled on my favorite old pair of boots.

"Miss Kirkshaw, I've already notif-...Miss Kirkshaw! What are you...your outfit."

I held my hands out, "oh help me up and quit before you have a seizure."

She took one of my hands and pulled me to my feet.

"Look, this is me one hundred percent, just Everest Kirkshaw without all the bells and whistles...I'm not trying to play a joke or make the guy refuse to marry me, but if he wants to meet with me then I'm guessing he wants to get to know me before we have to get hitched for the rest of our lives." I said, "I mean, I can only hope for the best here right, if not then my father's just gonna do this over and over again until one guy finally decides to marry me."

She gave me a sad sort of smile.

"You don't have to worry about anything my lady..." She said, though it seemed as if she were on the verge of tears now. "I have every confidence that he will marry you."

"Then I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

She nodded before she took in a deep breath and smiled, "then follow me please."

Together we walked down the hall to the opposite end of the snow mansion, with every step I took I could feel my heart beating quicker and quicker.

I was nervous.

Then we stopped, and without warning Heidi knocked on the door in front of us.

There was no reply that I heard but she turned the knob and entered.

Almost a whole head taller than me, I hid behind her so as not to see him just yet.

"Alpha Graystone, I present to you Miss Everest Kirkshaw."

She sidestepped, fully exposing me.

The man was standing right next to a fireplace with his back facing us, his hands clasped behind his back...but after Heidi's announcement he slowly turned to face us and his eyes met mine instantly.

I noticed immediately the way he took hold of the mantle over the fire place as his jaw seemed to tighten.

I wasn't sure what I had expected but he was younger than I thought, handsome as well with his dark hair and dark eyes.

"Leave us." He stated.

He looked into the fire as Heidi fled the room and I was left standing in front of the now closed door.