Chapter 23: Chapter 23

BLAKE:

"We're here," the guard behind the wheels said as they entered the Fae lands. Blake looked through the window while his mother watched him.

"It looks beautiful, doesn't it?" She asked as she looked around.

Blake looked as well and saw that it had a beautiful view.

There were mountains in the distance that made the scenery look like a picture book. Flowers, green grass, trees, and other plants that he didn't recognize. There was a small river to the side, with a fountain in the middle of its course. In front of them was a castle.

The gate was opened and they drove in. The castle compound was another beautiful sight to behold. It was built on a hillside overlooking the river. Fields surrounded the castle, but there weren't any animals in sight.

"You see? They have beautiful landscapes. You made the right choice of coming to propose to the Fae princess," Blake's mother said as they stepped down from the car.

Blake simply nodded. He was not in the mood for words right now. As they climbed the stone staircase to the door, they looked up and saw that the Fae Queen and her daughter were already waiting for them at the door.

"Welcome. It is a pleasure to have you two here." The Fae Queen smiled.

"Thank you." Blake's mother smiled back.

The Fae Queen turned to her daughter. "Are you not going to welcome them, sweetie?" She asked.

"You're welcome," The Fae princess said in a reluctant tone, which Blake didn't fail to notice.

"Come on in," The Fae Queen said and led the way, which they followed.

They got to a place Blake perceived to be the meeting room and sat down.

The Fae Queen clapped and her servants came with drinks. Blake presented the gifts they had brought to the Fae princess. She scoffed quietly, but took the gift anyway.

"It is nice of you to show up here. You're welcome again." The Fae Queen smiled.

"It is our pleasure to be here. I must say, your kingdom is very beautiful and attractive." Blake's mother complimented.

Blake didn't find it that amazing. Besides, his pack was bigger than it.

"All thanks to nature," The Fae Queen said.

"Let's get to the reason we came." Blake spoke up. Obviously, he wanted to rush things and leave the Fae land immediately.

"Oh, right? This is my daughter, Arianna. Come on princess, stand up so he can see you," The Fae Queen said.

"Mother, he has eyes and can see me as I am sitting. I must not stand up for him to see me." Arianna whispered to her mother.

"Arianna, stand up now!" The Fae Queen whispered, and Arianna sighed before standing up.

"She is so beautiful!" Blake's mother exclaimed and when she saw no reaction from him, she hit him stylishly.

"Yes, she is beautiful." Blake forced a smile as he looked at his mother.

The Fae Princess sat down as they started talking about the marriage proposal. Blake's eyes were fixed on her the whole time as the discussion was taking place. He wanted to see her reaction, and it was a sad one. He figured she didn't want the union too.

Arianna played with the elm of the dress she was putting on. Every word they mentioned made her feel like her heart was shredding to pieces. Arianna admitted that the Alpha was good looking, but she didn't want to marry him. She loves someone else and her mother wouldn't allow that.

"Then, it is settled!"

Arianna gasped as she heard her mother's voice.

"Settled? Already?" She was shocked that she didn't know when the word slipped out of her mouth.

"Yes, we are done." Blake's mother answered and smiled at the Fae princess.

"Arianna dear, Alpha Blake of the Velvet moon pack will become your husband sooner than you think," The Fae Queen said and Arianna felt bad instantly.

Blake could see all that was going on. Maybe they have given her no choice as well.

"You don't have to leave immediately, Alpha Blake. Why don't you explore our lands more?" The Fae Queen suggested.

"I think that should be next time because it is already getting late." Blake answered.

"Nonsense!" His mother waved it off. "You can go and Arianna will guide you and show you places," Blake's mother said.

"Me?" Arianna asked.

"Yes, so go be his tour guide while I discuss something important with his mother." The Fae Queen smiled at her.

Blake stood up and so did Arianna.

"This way," she said as they walked out of the meeting room. When they were outside, she said, "You can go explore by yourself. I have things to take care of." With that said, she walked away, leaving him there.

At first she wanted to yell at him but stopped herself from doing so because she found out he was on the same page as her. Also, the way he looked at her showed that he wasn't interested at all, and she thanked the moon goddess that she didn't like him.

Blake stood there with his hands tucked into his pocket. He had no idea where to go from there. If she was not interested, she should have just said it during the meeting, so everything would end, but she's mean to him instead.

Blake sighed and decided to go wherever his legs would take him. Blake got to a part of the Fae lands that looked entirely different. It was like a city on its own, but what amazed him was that the place was hotter than where he had come from.

Blake touched his forehead and saw that he was already sweating.

"What is this place?" He asked himself.

"Demacia." Someone answered and Blake turned to see a very cute guy with messy but neat black hair, a black outfit and sneakers.

"Who are you, and what is this place?" Blake asked.

"My name is Like and you're in Demacia, city of the dragons." The guy answered.

"Dragons?" Blake asked surprisingly. Not that he was scared, but he was trying to reason what dragons would do in Fae land.

"Yes. You're welcome, Alpha Blake. We have heard a lot about you." Like smiled.

"That's good. So, you're a dragon?" Blake asked.

"Yes, I am. Permit me to show you round," Like said.

"That'd be great." Blake smiled and followed the guy who led the way.

IVY:

"I prefer fish to meat, though," Ivy said and Neil laughed.

They looked ahead and saw Meredith running toward them.

"Is she getting chased by a monster?" Neil asked teasingly.

"I think she is looking for us." Ivy answered and braced herself for Meredith's nagging.

"You guys sure know how to patrol the pack. Where have you been? I've been looking for you for an hour now."Meredith scolded as she approached them.

"Me or her?" Neil asked, and Meredith poked his forehead.

"I have no business with you," she said, and faced Ivy again.

"I'm sorry. I just got bored and spent time with Neil." Ivy laughed.

"You should have called me. Are you trying to make him take my place?" Meredith asked, and they burst into laughter.

"It's not like you're her husband, though." Neil rolled his eyes.

"I'll poke your forehead again," Meredith warned and they laughed again. "So, what were you guys talking about?" Meredith asked.

"Well, Ivy saw a woman eating fish, so she said that she prefers meat to fish and I laughed." Neil explained.

"I love meat more, too." Meredith smiled.

"You see? That's why we're soul sisters," Ivy said and Neil laughed.

"Soul sisters?" He asked.

"Yes!" The girls nodded.

"Well..." He trailed off and looked at them. They were already glaring at him. "Forget about it." He smiled.

"Good. Any news about the Bake family? I haven't heard from them in a while," Ivy said.

"Oh, the Baker family. Well, after the festival, I think they've gotten what they wanted and are happy now," Meredith said.

Ivy concurred with what Meredith said because she could remember when Pike was arguing with his mother and also some things he had shown her concerning the sacrificial rites before his death. At least they had done what he wanted.

"Yes, I can remember the pain they went through after the death of their son Pike. The festival has become the dawn of a new era for them." Neil added.

"Yes, I also thought of the same thing. I hope they will be able to live happily from now on," Ivy said.

"Of course they will. They became quite popular after the festival because of the ritual rites they chose. Don't you know that was a bold step they took?" Meredith asked rhetorically.

"Nelly is right, Ivy. Some people dread the Dixon rite but for a family as the Baker's to take it, we should applaud them. The elders are treating them right this time around," Neil said, and Ivy couldn't help but smile.

That was what Pike wanted. She was glad his wish came true, but was sad he didn't get the chance to experience it. Who was she to judge, anyway? The moon goddess knows best.

"I'll leave you two here. I have to go now. I've got a case to handle with Ian." Neil said and stood up.

"The case of the Omega?" Meredith asked.

"Yes. See you two later." Neil smiled and left.

"Your brother is fun to be with," Ivy said.

"Yes, but he gets on my nerves sometimes." Meredith huffed.

"Look at you acting like the older one." Ivy teased and they laughed.