"Now, why is a girl as lovely as you are crying?" A deep male voice said.
Rosalie hiccupped in surprise and quickly wiped her face, trying to locate the speaker.
He was standing in the doorway in a white tee and jeans. A black leather jacket adorned his broad frame. He was tall and incredibly masculine, well-built, and powerful looking. He had thick black hair. Dark, expressive eyebrows sat atop deep-set, steel-grey eyes. His jaw and chin were broad and hard. To Rosalie, he looked dangerously handsome and familiar. Chris was handsome, like a pretty boy, but this man was all hard muscles, and he oozed power.
"I'm so sorry, sir; I was just... preparing the rooms for the guests. I did not know you would be here so early," she stammered. He slowly stepped closer to her, and Rosalie began feeling incredibly tiny compared to him.
"It's no problem, Rosalie," he said. His steely eyes seemed to see right through her, and she looked at him in surprise.
"How do you know my name?" she stammered.
His lips curled into a smile. "We have met. I never forget a face. Especially someone so pretty and mischievous."
Suddenly, she remembered him.
"Alex Greyson... I mean Alpha Alex!" she whispered.
"Finally, you remember me," he smiled. "I was starting to think you had forgotten all about me," he teased. Rosalie blushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment.
"I apologise for disturbing you, sir. I will leave."
"You're not going anywhere," he interrupted. Rosalie's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
He smiled and removed his jacket.
"I said you were not going anywhere. You are going to tell me what made a beautiful girl cry. And I am going to do whatever I can to help," he whispered. Rosalie shook her head.
"That is very kind of you, but I have to finish a lot of work," Rosalie answered.
"Stay ! Just for a few minutes, Rosalie. Why were you crying?" Alex asked.
She wondered what to say. She could not talk about her love. It would be like betraying the Alpha.
"It's nothing. My mum was mad at me because I didn't wear the dress she bought for me. We fought, and I was feeling guilty over it." She lied, making up an imaginary story.
"There there, sweetheart. That's nothing to cry over." He said, tenderly stroking her back.
"Thank you, sir. I am feeling much better now." Rosalie said, coiling away from him. His touch made her feel weird. Her wolf had stopped mourning for their mate, and she was suddenly alert, observing the new man curiously.
"That's good," he said, eyeing her for a few seconds. "You have grown well, Miss Rosalie."
She looked up and could not help blushing at his compliment.
"It has been years since we met," Alex continued, his voice holding an aura of confidence.
She could not help but note how those few years had changed him. He looked very handsome and strong. His body rippled with enough masculinity that it made him look manly yet youthful. He did not look like those strangely overmuscled, But he was strong and intimidating to others who would dare challenge him.
"How have you been, Alex?" she finally asked.
"Well, as ever," he answered. "But you look stunning, Rosalie." She blushed again.
"Perhaps we shall talk again tonight at the Union," he said. "Catch up on old and new things, eh?" He grinned.
She seemed to have lost her voice, so she just nodded.
"See you later, Rosalie," he nodded.
"See you, Alpha Alex." She smiled back at him and left the guest room. She walked away in a daze.
As she made her way down the hallway, she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that lingered from their brief encounter. The thought of meeting him again later that evening at the Union filled her with anticipation.
'What the hell just happened?' she thought. She had never felt like that since she had first imprinted on Chris.
'It's nothing! He would never like a girl like me. I am too plain,' she thought.
****************
As the day progressed, it was packed with feasts, fun, and frolic. The wolves ran around their pack land and the forests, socialising and feasting with the guests. Rosalie, however, kept herself busy with her packing duties to keep her mind off the impending wedding. Her wolf was restless, though not for Chris. It was like she had come to the understanding that their mate was gone.
'I am sorry, we can't have our mate,' Rosalie soothed her restless wolf.
'It's all right; we don't need him anymore,' her wolf replied, surprising Rosalie. Though her heart still hurt, it wasn't breaking apart like before. She realised that she was strong enough to move on.
"Rosalie, please take these dress robes to the Alpha," her dad called her, holding a tray of a neatly folded shimmering golden robe. Her heart lurched.
"Me?" she squeaked.
"I don't see anyone else around." Scott smiled and said, "Now be a good girl and take it to the Alpha. The ceremony will start soon. I have to attend to other arrangements." Her dad thrust the tray into her hand and walked away.
Rosalie sighed. Why me? She had been carefully avoiding Chris. But now she had no choice but to face him. The rich gold robe mocked her misfortune. With a heavy heart, she walked towards his chamber. She bumped into him just at the door. He stopped in his tracks and stared at her. His face was expressionless. It was hard to pinpoint if he was sad, happy, or looking forward to his mating.
"I've got your wedding robes, Chris," Rosalie said curtly, and she walked inside. She put the tray on the table. She turned to leave, only to be stopped by an enormous mass of muscles. She looked up at Chris and bit her lip.
"Are you ok, Rosalie?" he asked.
She realised he did not call her by his favourite pet's name anymore.
"I am fine, Chris. You and Grace would make a wonderful couple."
He looked down for a moment, as if itching to say something. Finally, he spoke softly, "Thank you, Rosalie. I appreciate your support." Rosalie nodded.
He didn't move, and Rosalie looked at him. He seemed to be struggling with his words, but finally he said them.
"You are looking beautiful, Rosalie," he whispered.
Indeed, she was looking pretty. Her mum had gone all out in dressing up her daughter. Her red dress contrasted with her green eyes. Her waist-length auburn hair was arranged in a chic hairdo. Rosalie was curvy, with all the curves in the right places. Red painted lips complemented her peach skin.
"Thank you. You look nice as well, Chris." She replied stiffly.
"I really didn't want this, but please trust me. I will fix everything," he blurted.
Rosalie forced a smile, feeling uncomfortable with the words. She looked at him accusingly and faked a bright smile.
"Don't trouble yourself, Chris. I am fine. You must be excited about the union tonight. I do not want to waste any more of your time. Goodbye, Chris." She moved away from him, her heels clicking on the marble floor as she made a swift exit.
Chris watched her leave, feeling a pang of regret. He gave her a last look and watched her retreating figure.