EVANGELINE.
Hours have passed, but I canât get the rule book out of my headâ¦
Consummate the marriage before the tournament? How!
All I can think of is everything that can go wrong if we do that, but without it⦠it means we canât even participateâ¦
Urgh!
Just think Evangeline, if you werenât an omega, you would have to be marked too. But the downside is, once the rest of the couples all mark one another until they go into heat, no one will even know if they are mated, unlike me⦠I have a feeling that rule was put there because I am unable to be marked due to being wolfless.
I shudder at the possibilities of what could go wrong; it isnât that Zedkiel is that bad⦠but this life, this rank, itâs all a façadeâ¦
I sigh heavily, running my fingers along the spines of the leatherbound books that line the shelves in the royal library. I donât even know what Iâm looking for, but I need something to keep my mind off everything.
1 had spent two hours with Alistair, and I am exhausted. He gave me all his theories about what our test may be but regardless of what it will end up as; I know I just need to think smartly and with a level head. Iâm hoping I can at least do that.
Glancing around the library, I see that it is mainly empty. There is scarcely anyone here and I appreciate the silence. To my dismay, I had also learned that all the couples will move into the palace the night. before the tournamentâs first day.
The double doors to the library open and I turn to see Lucia peek in, her eyes lighting up when she spots
âLuna Evangeline!â She whispers loudly. I frown slightly at that title.
âEvangeline.â I correct her, as she hurries over, trying her best not to run and remain graceful.
âYouâre the Luna now⦠congratulations on your weddingâ¦â She says, lowering her head to me politely as if just remembering all that.
I reach over, and place three fingers under her chin and tilt her head up and shake my head. âLucia⦠Iâm still Evangeline⦠your friend, or I hope we were friends.â I say.
âOf course, we were- I mean we are⦠but you are a Luna now.â
âAnd it changes nothing, so tell me why you were looking for me?â I say.
She nods, smiling gently before she looks around and then reaches into the bag she is carrying. âI got your something.â
âOh, for me?â I ask in surprise, not expecting anything.
She nods as she takes out a small rectangular box, its plain white with gold writing on it.
âHere.â She says, holding it out to me.
âThank youâ¦â I say, as I take it. My heart skips a beat as I flip the lid open. My eyes widen when I look at the gold bracelet that sits on the suede cushion. A delicate chain with three charms on it set with pearls.
âI found out your birthday is June the third, so youâre a Gemini, hence the zodiac charm, a pearl pendant. for your birthstone of the month of June, and a good luck charm to help you through this tournament.â She explains, looking at me with a smile, but I can see sheâs worried I wonât like it but⦠I love it, Iâve never ever had such a thoughtful gift.
âThank you.. itâsâ¦.â
âDo you like it?â She asks softly.
I nod vigorously before I step forward and hug her tightly. âI love it, thank you, Lucia.â She hugs me back before I step away. âI really do.â
I know, some may say, that my birth date is wrong, but I know deep down Alpha Aeron only said that to make me feel better. The Oracle is never wrong. I push the gloomy thoughts away and instead admire my bracelet.
âHere, would you like to wear it? Iâll put it on you.â She offers gently.
I look up and nod, âYes, please! I will wear it for the entire tournament, although Iâm sure you are rooting for your prince to win.â I tease.
She chuckles, blushing before she shakes her head. âCan I not root for both you and him?â
âYes, you can.â I smile as she takes the bracelet out of the box and places it around my wrist, my eyes fall on the one around her wrist, it is almost identical to mine, but instead of a Gemini charm it has a Pisces charm and two different birthstones.
She sees me looking at it and once she h0oks mine up; she moves back. âItâs mine and Prince Chasynâs birthstones.â She explains softly, playing with the ruby gemstone.
I nod, feeling an ache inside at the fact she couldnât have the man she lovesâ¦
âItâs gorgeous too.â I say, âWe are twinning.â
âWe are!â She says, holding her wrist out to mine.
It may seem trivial to some, but for me, it is special to share something with a friendâ¦
I look up and our eyes meet. I smile at her, feeling the gloom of the morning fade away. She had cheered me up nicely!
âWhat are you doing in here?â She asks, now scanning the shelves.
âJust looking for a good read.â I say. âPreferably about the Chamber of Truth, its origins and how it came
to be.â
âOh, those books wonât be here. You will have to ask the Third Prince for access to the private area.â She replies.
I feel disappointed and sigh. âOh⦠well, I guess Iâll ask Zedkiel. Shall we go?â
âZedkiel?â She whispers, her eyes lighting up as I blush.
âAh! He wants me to call him that.â I mumble, making her giggle.
âOf course⦠You two look very in love.â She teases, making my cheeks burn even more.
âIâm leaving,â I say with a pout, leading the way out of the room. She laughs softly as she follows. I bid her farewell and head to my quarters, remembering that Zedkiel said we would visit the oracle today. I better go back before he searches for meâ¦
It is an hour later when Zedkiel enters the bedroom. I had actually found a book on his shelf and had begun reading it but had fallen asleep reading, that is until the door slammed open shocking me. I jerk. awake, my heart thumping.
âDo you need to always bang the doors?â I ask, rubbing my eyes, freezing when I realise what I had just said. I swallow hard as I look up slowly, only to see him watching me emotionlessly.
âI can if I want to.â He says before walking over to the bed and taking something out of his pocket. âHere.â
I look at the slim black device in his hand and my mind instantly goes to the phone I have hidden in the sofa in the other room.
He c0cks a brow and I know he didnât miss the way my heart began racing or the way I had probably paled. I need to get rid of that phone Sinclair gave me before he ever discovers it. It could ruin everything.
âWhatâs wrong? Never had a phone?â
âN-no, I mean yes, I have!â I say, taking it quickly. âThank you.â
âJust in case I need to get in contact with you, and since you canât mind link, keep it close.â He says, frowning slightly as he watches me. âYou look guiltyâ¦
I shake my head quickly, shutting the book that lay on the pillow, hoping he thinks it is because of that.â No, not at all. I just⦠itâs the second gift I got todayâ¦â
âHmm⦠Second?â He asks, and I hold up my wrist.
âOmega Lucia gave me this.â I say. He frowns, taking hold of my hand and yanking it up as he observes it. âHmm. Come on, letâs go to the oracle.â He says, dropping my hand and I stand up, feeling nervous.
I follow him to the door after placing the phone on the bedside table.
We walk down the hallways, passing people, but apart from clearing the path for Zedkiel and lowering their heads, no one seems curious about where we are heading just wanting to be clear of us.
We reached the door to the Oracleâs quarters, and I take a deep breath, feeling nervousness overcome me. He glances down at me before he takes hold of my wrist and knocks hard on the door.
Remembering the last time I was here, I was brandedâ¦
The door swings open and I feel the same odd atmosphere settle over me.
âLetâs not go in there.â The voice in my head returns, but itâs different today. Angrier and commanding.â Leave Evangeline!â It sounds shrill, panicky even, and I frown.
Are these memories? Or am I going crazy?
I frown, allowing Zedkiel to lead me into the room. The Oracle is standing today, her hands are folded in front of her as she watches us emotionlessly. âI was expecting you.â
âWe have some questions that you will answer.â Zedkiel says coldly. His eyes flicker red as he looks at her.
Her eyebrow rises, but she doesnât react, swiftly looking us over. Her eyes linger on me, and I feel as if sheâs looking into my soul.
âThat, of course, depends on if I canâ¦â She says as the door shuts behind us.
âThereâs a link between us, correct?â Zedkiel asks her sharply.
âI cannot say anything.â
âYou must answer to the royals.â Zedkiel reminds her dangerously.
She doesnât say anything and purses her lips. âI will answer only one question. Choose it wisely.â
Zedkielâs eyes flash and I feel his anger rising. âYou will-â I place my hand on his arm and shake my head.
âCan we ask one question each?â I ask, frowning slightly.
She raises an eyebrow, and I canât make out the expression on her face.
âVery well. Choose carefully for once you have asked the question it cannot be changed.â She says calmly. She looks at Zedkiel, who clenches his jaw.
âThen how about you answer what the mean-â
âZedkiel.â I say, cutting him off again. âLetâs come back after weâve thought the questions over.â
âWise.â The Oracle says, turning her back on us. âNow please do leave. There is much I need to do.â
âWe need answers Little Mouse.â He growls and I find myself smiling slightly.
I missed that name. I really am strange⦠âBut we need to think them over carefully. We canât lose this chance.â I whisper.
He frowns before he turns and yanks the door open. The unease that had been building in my mind eases. away the moment I step out. I look over my shoulder as Zedkiel tugs me away and I see the Oracle. watching me. Our eyes meet and only when the door snaps shut is the eye contact broken making my breath hitch.
What was that about?
My mind is a whirl as Zedkiel leads the way, still holding onto me, and I donât even realise that we are halfway back to our quarters until Iâm called.
âLuna Evangeline!â
Zedkiel comes to a stop, and I look up as one of the omegaâs bows his head.
âAlpha Prince Zedkiel. There is an invitation we were commanded to give to Luna Evangeline herself, it is from Alpha Sinclair Welhaven of the Silver Mountain Pack.â He says trying to hide his fear. Zedkiel frowns and he snitches the embossed envelope from the man. Zedkiel rips it off and I lean closer, looking at it.
âYou are invited to the wedding of Sinclair Welhavenâ¦â I donât read the rest feeling a sting of pain inside. and itâs not over Sinclair getting married but the fact after everything⦠now he wants to invite me to a wedding?
Zedkiel growls, making the omega flinch as he backs away and I give him a nod, letting him know he can leave. Iâve been there and wished there had been someone who would let me run away. Sometimes Alpha Aeron or Sinclair would try to give me a chance to escape when facing Grandmother Philomenaâs wrath.
âAn invitation to that foolâs wedding? Like hell, weâre going to go.â Zedkiel snarls about to tear the invitation in half when I place my hand over his, stopping him from tearing it.
âNo, we will go. I think we need to show everyone how nothing will shake us.â I say, frowning slightly.
Zedkielâs frown softens, and he looks back down at the card in distaste.
âAre you sure you want to go?â He asks venomously.
âIf you go with me⦠please?â I ask, my heart thundering. I know Iâm pushing itâ¦
He clenches his jaw and nods. âFine, weâll go.â
âThank youâ¦â I say, my heart skipping a beat at the fact he has agreed. âWhen is it?â
Zedkiel holds the card up between two fingers. âTomorrow evening.â