Chapter 55: The Marking Ceremony Day (1)

Days went by so fast. It was my marking ceremony day. Melanie still hadn’t found anything useful to locate Anna. I was worried if Father would hurt her, but I didn’t have any other option than to trust him. Because if something bad happened to Anna, I would leave the pack immediately. I didn’t think Father would take that risk.

I wasn’t excited about going to the Hurricane Dawn Pack because my mind kept thinking of Anna. Besides, she’s pregnant with my pup. I wondered if my pup was okay. But I couldn’t escape the marking ceremony. So I went to Lisa’s pack. Nate refused to come with me.

"Are you sure, Nate?" I asked him yesterday.

"Yeah, I can’t force myself to look happy or congratulate both of you, though I know it will be a pretense." He shrugged. "I will wait for her here. It’s the best for all."

"I’m sorry, Nate. I should think about your feelings. It’s just … well, it’s nothing more than a duty for me."

"I know. No need to apologize to me, Cam." Then he gave me a ring. "Can you do me a favor by putting the ring on Lisa’s finger?"

It was a beautiful blue diamond. I stared at Nate.

"It’s my mother’s. She gave me her ring for my mate a few weeks before her death." He shrugged again. "Maybe she knew her time wasn’t long anymore."

I patted his shoulder. "I will put the ring on Lisa’s finger. Don’t worry. She’s yours. I’m only the intermediary."

"Yeah."

After checked my clothes and hair, I walked to the parking lot. Nate was there waiting for me. His face was gloomy.

"You look great," he said.

"Thanks, man. Soon, she will be yours. I will bring her after the marking ceremony."

Nate nodded. I entered my car and retreated to exit the lot. Yet, I stopped when Nate knocked on the window. "What is it?"

"No matter what happens, I trust you. I won’t blame you."

"Hey, what’s wrong?"

"I don’t know, but I had a nightmare last night. I hope it was only because I’m nervous."

I smiled. "Don’t worry. Everything will go well as planned."

"Okay, go now and return home soon with my bride."

I winked at him and drove along with my father's, Jack’s, and several Elders’ cars to the Hurricane Dawn Pack. The guards opened the gate, and we parked our cars. They prepared the field already with the flowers, ribbon, and set of tables and chairs for lunch. My father smiled and beamed when he saw Alpha Fred greeted us.

"What a great day to have the marking ceremony," my father said.

"Indeed! Please sit with me." Then Alpha Fred shook hands with me and Jack. "Lisa is preparing herself. I’m sure you will be pleased with her."

I only smiled. While waiting, I looked around. Some people from the pack were seated already.

Jack whispered, "Is Nate okay?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Well, considering you will have his mate as yours today. It must be tough."

Then I just realized I told Jack nothing. So I opened the mind link. ‘It’s only a pretense, Jack. After the marking ceremony, Lisa will be my mate in name only. But she will be Nate’s mate for real.’

Jack’s eyes widened, but then he said through the mind link, ‘Did Father know?’

‘Of course not. If he knew, he would be angry. That’s why it’s a big secret. Did Melanie find something?’

‘Not yet, but I promise to accompany her to check some buildings tomorrow. She felt guilty because she hadn’t found Anna yet.’

‘Please tell her my gratitude when you meet her.’ Then I closed the mind link. "So, how is your relationship with Melanie?"

Jack grinned sheepishly. "We are closer now. I will ask her to be my girlfriend soon. I hope she will say yes."

"Aha! I know it! I will be happy for you if you can tie the knot with her. She is a good girl."

"I know. She has forgiven me too."

"Oh? For what?" I asked.

"For bullying her and Anna in the past. It’s a way for me to approach her, but I guess my way was too childish."

I frowned to hear that. "Why did you bully Anna too?"

"I didn’t mean to, but Anna was protective of her friend. So whenever I wanted to tease Melanie, Anna would come forward and shield her." Jack shrugged and touched his nape. "It’s not my fault, though I admit some of my pranks went too far and almost hurt Anna and Melanie. I’m sorry for that."

"Yeah, at least you realized it."

"Yeah."

Then a maid came and whispered in Alpha Fred’s ear. Alpha Fred smiled and talked to my father. "Lisa wanted to talk to you."

"With me?" My father raised his eyebrows. "Maybe she meant with Cameron?"

"No, Lisa wanted to talk with his father-in-law."

"Okay, then. I will meet her."

Then the maid glanced at me. She rushed to walk behind me and shook my hand. "Congratulations on your marking ceremony, Beta Cameron. Wishing you and Miss Lisa much happiness."

I nodded and smiled at her. "Thank you. What’s your name?"

"I’m Susanne Morrigan, Miss Lisa’s maid."

"Thank you, Susanne. Lisa is lucky to have a great maid like you."

Susanne bowed and looked at the ground. "I consider her my family, though she is my mistress. So her happiness is important to me." Then Susanne bent her head and whispered, "Please be careful." Then she left.

I was confused to hear that. But then I realized Susanne had shaken my hand to leave a note for me. I stole a glance at Alpha Fred and everyone. They were busy talking with other people. So, I opened a small paper that Susanne handed me. ‘Something happened to Miss Lisa. I wonder if someone drugged her again. Please be careful. You may want to notify Delta Nathanael too.’

I frowned and immediately inserted the note in my suit’s pocket. What did Susanne mean by that? Was Lisa’s mind messed up again?