Chapter 12

Leo's pov

Sebastian is acting weird again.

It's not in his usual giving me a cold shoulder kind of way or the I'd rather stay silent kind of way. He's avoiding me and he never avoids me. Well, atleast not until now.

Sighing, I stare at the papers in front of me in irritation. I am supposed to address people with a speech during the ceremony, which is in two days. I turn the pages around expecting my mind to follow and do the same but it got stuck on one thing.

Sebastian.

It started after we got home, the day he sprained his ankle. His mood seemed aloof in the car but I thought he'd get over it when the pain subsides. I was wrong.

I thought we had made progress after our 'talk' and I am pretty sure I hadn't just imagined the positive change in his attitude after we cleared out things. Now it all seems so futile and we are back to square one.

It paddles my whatever clarity I thought I had developed in figuring what I must have done to make him react that way in the first place. I can only now stare at it as it burned into ashes.

The buzzer of my phone demands my attention as I pick it up. It's from Dad.

" Leonard. "

" Yeah Dad. "

"Free to talk? It's just we need some clarity over a matter. " He asks.

I chuckle at the irony as that's one thing I lack right now.

" Yes. I will be there right away" I reply not prolonging the matter.

Entering the house I am immediately met with greetings, returning them I make my way straight towards dad's office hoping he would be there and I was correct. Dad along with two other men is seated at his usual chair. He had a expectant expression on his face when he saw me.

I nod to them after I enter the room, the other two men already standing up to welcome me properly. Perfectly settled in seat I expect dad to start the conversation but turns to the other men politely signalling to them to send them away before facing me when it's us in the room.

" You are aware of all the rituals of the Heksuwan festival."

It's a question but he framed it as a statement, meaning I must know about

the rituals of the festival.

" I studied about them in the academy." I reply trying to recollect contents of every page of the large book.

" Alright.So I am assuming you know about the symplexi ceremony that takes place. "

" You mean the engagement ceremony for mated couples? "

" It is. So...The council want to honor you with that during the festival." Dad says and a beat passes before I can process what he said.

"But-- We are not mated." I dumbly remind him as if he didn't know. The panic I am feeling must have shown on my face. His neutral expression turns into a cautious one.

" Relax Son! I know that. " He lets out a chuckle as if I am being silly." They just wanted to do this thing right by carrying out every single tradition there is. Obviously I told them you both are not mated yet they said it's not really important. "  Straightening up in the chair he continued. " They said it's just for the people anyway."

I dwell in thought, I understand the council's plan behind all of it. They clearly doesn't want to fall short under any of public's expectations. That's why they chose in the first place. With dad's reputation they can conquer the favour of people and with their association with me as the next alpha would prevail their future advances.

Understanding all of that I still can't take a decision on my own. It would be so unfair to Seb. Suddenly having to be public with such a big ceremony and having to get engaged infront of everyone is something even I can't fathom.

Engaged

The term seems so foreign to even think about it. Despite how pleased my heart felt at the time. No. I still can't do that to him.

Probably taking my silence as an answer. Dad starts speaking again.

" It is just a request of them Leo. We can always refuse it. "

" I know. It's just I can't take any decision on my own, I need to discuss with Seb first."

" Ofcourse Son. It's a matter that involves both of you. You should talk to him about it. "

As I drove to our home, my mind is agonised with various things. Wrapping around my head at the thought of breaking the news to Seb seemed like a setup for failure.

How is he even going to react to that?

These days he always looked like he's one thing away from snapping and calling it quits. And this proposal looked just like that one thing.

Already jumping to too many conclusions, aren't we? " Rex chides.

"What do you want me to do, be optimistic even now." I snort at the pathetic situation.

It's never wrong to expect the positive outcome from something you are yet to face, buddy. - Rex says and I sigh as I very well know how that turned out last time. In a new found hurry to get home and get this over with. I hit the accelerator doubling the speed.

"WHAT?" Seb reacts the same way as I expected.

But my notion that it would hurt less if I already expected it didn't really work. As it hurt just as much, at his reaction.

" It is what they proposed. "

" It's still so sudden. Very sudden. How can we- , How can they even...." He stutters struggling to form complete sentences.

" It's okay Sebastian, you have the choice to say no."

" 'I' have the choice ? " He looks at me in disbelief.

" You can. Yes."

"So it's fine with you, like you are ready for it? " He counters holding his hands in front of his chest.

I shrug feigning non chalance betraying my nervousness.

" Why are you not saying anything ? You can't be as chill as you seem to be with this. Stop. Pretending. "  He yells loudly.

Now I am truly pissed.

" I am not pretending anything and it's you who needs to stop assuming things on my stead." I yell back trying to keep my voice firm but he's making it hard. I walk away to give him some space and for myself. But a hand soon grabs my arm stopping me.

" No Leo, I am not letting you walk away. Admit it. " His voice is now raging with anger.

"Admit what? " I shout back in genuine frustration.

" Say it. You don't want this. "

I do. I wanted to scream in his face that I do but it won't even matter to him. It's a fool's play to repeatedly place one's heart to get stamped out in the name of love. Not when the one doesn't care.

" What I want doesn't matter and dad said It's for the people anyway.  We don't have to take it seriously. " I reply instead, the statement sounded so pretentious, even to me.

But he seemed to believe it.

His face morphing into expression I can't quite read, many emotions flashing on his face until he starts to speak again.

" Okay then. If it's only for the people and doesn't even matter to you. I want to do it too" There's only sternness in his tone.

" I never said it doesn't matter to me Sebastian. Stop putting words into my mouth. " I retort, not believing how much he misunderstood my words.

" I didn't put anything in your mouth. They were your words. " He blames me yet again.

" You know what? This is pointless. Just forget it. " Tired of arguing anymore, I left the room and made my way upstairs.

Sitting on our bed, I give my agitated nerves a much needed break to calm down. I have never lost my temper like this in front of him. It honestly made me even more frustrated with myself.

An hour later, standing under the cold shoulder with my head down I tried to make sense of the things that happened today. I wondered whether I could have prevented our fight by taking our conversation in any other direction but it appeared to be inevitable.

Changing into new clothes, I directly got to bed. With no hunger traces, my body isn't in need of the food. As I laid down all it needed was him. Him beside me as we slept in a tenure of scents mixture. So I waited for him. I waited and waited.

He never showed up, neither does the sleep.

And that night, for the first time we slept in different rooms in the same home.

It's finally the day of the festival. Every corner of the pack is lightening up with various luminiscent sources so is every members face. Heksuwan festival is known for its tradition to flare the darkest parts on one's life,so symbolically celebrated on a full moon day.

The cheerful atmosphere of my surroundings should have resonated in my mood, unfortunately it's not the case. Seb and I haven't spoken in two days. Neither of us even tried to. So it's only silence in the house and the vibrant nature of the whole pack couldn't quite reach it.

Not having any contact with my mate affected Rex equally as he howled in pain every now and then, begging me to go fix things with him. I ignored them just like I ignored my own urges to do the same.

Standing by the window, I look at the people slowly gathering in the venue. It's gonna take place in a open hall where usually the orientation ceremonies take place.

" Sir? "

I turn around to find a find a woman standing there. She's probably in her mid thirties and her posture very polite and professional. So I guess she's probably part of the council.

" Lydia." She extends her hand for a handshake.

" Leonard Agnes. " I take her hand to shake it gently.

" I am in charge of guiding you through your schedule today." She explains.

" Thank you Lydia. "

" If you are ready, we can get going." She says before going through my whole schedule by reading it loud and clarifying somethings in between.

" Now you should be at the venue to receive our guests today. " Her eyes searching for something before continuing. " Along with your mate. "

" He will be here soon. " I reply checking the watch. " Five minutes."

Thankfully, she doesn't question more and leaves me to carry on with her tasks.

I stand at the entrance helplessly pacing in the very small space available as I wait for my mate. Glen, who's busily rounding the place to arrange things, trying to make sure everything is perfect looks at me and waves. I wave back and he is soon making his way towards me.

" What's the matter?" He asks as he approaches me.

" Sebastian is not here yet."

" Is that why you look so tense. Calm down man. It's not like he's going to run away. " He jokes unknowingly voicing my biggest fear. " We still have time. " He adds checking the time.

I nod my head in response. Chuckling again he pats my shoulder before walking away. Taking his advice, I try to calm down. That's when an engine sound gains my attention.

I give it no special attention thinking it's another vehicle allotted for guests. Until Sebastian emerges from it.

There he is. In all his elegance.

He's wearing a navy tux similar to mine but it suited him better than it ever did on me. The blue colour making his brown eyes and wavy hair shimmer in glow. The freckles on his cheeks popping out to give his skin a golden glow. He looks lovely.

As I stare at him unaware of anything,I fail to noice he's actually walking towards me until he's only few steps away. After being ignored by him for the past few days, suddenly having him  striding, especially in the form of walking perfection is making me beyond nervous.

And he's smiling at me warmly as he did so. For a moment I felt like I am dreaming.

Soon he's wrapping his arms around my waist in a hug and my breath hitches. His scent engulfs me in a tight manner that had my wolf purring in pleasure and I am no different from him.

" Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long." He separates from the hug only enough to look into my eyes as he said those words and nothing matters to me anymore. Not my stupid inhibitions, not my confusion at the sudden change of his attitude,not the people around probably gawking at us, not my name or rank. Nothing, as I engulf him into a passionate hug.

" It's okay. It's okay." I keep murmuring unconsciously and he smiles into the hug.

After staying like that for a few minutes, he tries to separate from the hug but I didn't let him. Never.

He chuckles, letting me hug him some more until he parts from it before saying.

" You are being rude to the guests Leo." in a teasing manner.

It's only then I notice there are people standing behind him. Seb's mother and Roger are just a few feet away and observing us with a gentle smile plastered on their faces.

" Thanks for coming. " I say smiling at her awkwardly. Her grin widens and she gives me a affectionate hug.

" Good to see you again Leo."

I repeat the same with Roger. " Glad to be here." He replies, smirking at Seb. I turn around to find Seb going red in embarrassment.

I ask one of the coordinators to guide them to their respective seats and Seb stays back to accompany me while greeting others. It takes excruciatingly long time but it suddenly seems more easier with him beside me and we are taken away by the same lady from before, to the back stage.

" I want us to pretend that we're doing fine. " Seb says once we are alone, making me frown.

" What's that supposed to mean?" It takes some time to register his words.

" My mom doesn't know that we are... were fighting and I don't want everyone to know-- Yet. So please play along with whatever I do." He adds startling me.

So is that what it is. The hug, the apology, everything's a show he put up for everyone. The realisation plunges a dark hole in my freshly mended heart.

" Is that-" A loud noise from a microphone interrupts me from expressing it and soon we are being ushered on to the stage.

The guests along with my father were already seated in their positions and Seb and I are assigned the seats to the side. Cheers fill the place as our names are announced and we enter the grandstand.

And the rituals start, despite being seated next to eachother, we both don't talk at all and I pretend to show great interest in whatever's going on.

" Now Alpha Leo will address the crowd." I get up moving towards the podium.

Adjusting the microphone, I take a deep breath scanning the crowd before starting my speech. I keep it simple and brisk not wanting to take up much time halting other activities. Once I finish it, some claps and cheers follow as I go back to my seat.

" You did well." Seb whispers in my ear looking genuinely proud.

I try to tell my stupid heart that it's just for the show but it goes on to skip it's beat and my face breaks into a bashful grin at his compliment.

This is hell

After two more rituals, Lydia signals to us that it's the time.

And the Panic hits me at once. I am about to get engaged. engaged. The word sounded so weird even now when I'm standing at the verge of the expanse of sincere commitment that I am about to dive into.

Standing in the middle of the grandstand, I zone out into my own personal chaos of indecisiveness. Even the blaring microphone noises came off as muffled ones I can't put together as meaningful words.

The announcer says ' Sebastian Cruz' and that's when my senses come back. I become aware of only him then as he shyly walks towards me upon hearing his name. His steps, slow and graceful. I offer my hand to him and he takes it without hesitation. The contact making the jitteriness in my stomach have a comeback.

Breathing in, I take a second to remind myself that I am about to get engaged to this gorgeous man infront of me.

Facing towards each other, I muster up all the courage that is there to look into his eyes.Into those lovely eyes that never failed to capture me and all my anxiousness subsides.

A man comes holding a large tray towards us,in the middle of the tray, two rings are in a velvety cushion. Both the rings are similar bands embedded with diamonds and a sapphire crystal in the middle representing our pack. I feel my chest fill with pride looking at them.

" Now the couple may exchange the rings. "

Stabilizing my shaking hand, I reach for the ring that is comparatively smaller to the other, making it obvious that it's made for his delicate fingers. As soon as I taking into my hands, the tray moves near him and he picks up the remaining one.

When a loud thud rings in my ears which isn't mine, it's his. I conclude he's also sharing my fear equally as we are now hyper aware of eachother, being this close.

I take his hand into mine and somehow it feels different from all the other times I have done it. The insane urge to make sure that he's okay with this even now takes over me and I look into his eyes silently hoping they convey my question.

Can I?

Thankfully it does and he gives his approval in the form of a subtle nod. Relief washes over me. I slip the ring across his ring finger, the band settling elegantly over his thin fingers.

And it's Sebastian's turn, Despite looking confident, I can tell he's feeling nervous as fuck. He struggles to keep his hands from shaking as he picks up the ring and guides it towards my hand. He grips my fingers before putting the ring onto the right finger as the cheers grow in the background. The entire celebratory atmosphere of the venue grows ten fold.

My vision blurs as tears well up in my eyes, making it hard to admire the ring on my hand. The overwhelming emotions surge in my head as I take in the moment. I look up to find Seb trying hard to blink away his tears and the image brings a smile to my face.

Getting down the stage, hand in hand we make our way towards our waiting parents. Dad comes forward first dragging both of us into a bone crushing hug.

He stops me when I try to move ahead with Seb. " I'm so happy for you,Son. You made the right decision." He says elatedly.

" I can't believe my baby boy is now engaged." Sebastian's mother coos engulfing him into a tear filled hug.

" Leo." A cheerful voice calls as small hands wrap around me.

It's Lyra, Sebastian's little sister. Smiling, I pick her up into my arms.

" Ssh, you should call him brother, not by his name." Their mom tries trying to correct her but the little girl looked like she couldn't care less. She totally is the opposite of her brother.

" Congratulations Leonard. " Roger enunciated, gaining my attention.

" Congratulations." His mate, followed.

"Congrats brother." Glen and the gang shouted in unison when I joined them.

Now with most of the people gone,it's only our close ones left. Under the influence of alcohol every one slurred as they spoke.

My eyes fall on Sebastian as he talked to the people who are helping in cleaning. His shirt buttons are now opened at the top and he removed the vest hanging it lazily on his arm. He looked positively enticing.

Not being able to control myself anymore. I approach him in a hurry.

Before I can stop myself I loop my hand around his waist. " Tired?" I ask him as he looks at me in astonishment.

" Mmh " He replies lazily after he recovers from the shock.

It was his plan to play along after all.

" C'mon, Let's go home." I insist genuinely wanting to get away from people and be alone with him.

He nods and I lead him towards our car.

And I notice we're still holding hands even after we got in. The bands on our fingers are clacking as they touch.

Neither of us wanted to let go of them.