41.Alin #2
“I hired an event planner. What did you think, that I did the decorating?” Luca smirks smugly, and I kiss him quickly.
“I owe you so much,” I whisper against his lips.
“You’re mine, and today we’re going to make that official!” he declares confidently. Luca seems as determined as I am. It’s time to get started.
“Where are Pedro and my parents?” I ask as I check my phone. It’s been 20 minutes already.
“Don’t worry, they’re parking now. Pedro got stuck in traffic with all the rounds he made,” Mariano answers from the other side of the living room.
“Great,” I sigh in relief, but now the hardest part begins. “Let’s get me married!” I laugh nervously, but Luca only seems to get more tense.
“Married? What’s going on here?” Cora’s voice surprises all three of us, and we tense up. Our plan hasn’t even started, and here’s the first obstacle. Cora still has no idea what’s happening. Oh no, this is not the time.
Luca and Mariano turn their gazes to me, and Mariano sends us an apologetic look. Our reaction only makes Cora more agitated as she pushes past us and steps onto the large balcony.
“What’s all this? Am I no longer included in what happens in this house?” she shouts, and my face probably changes colors.
This isn’t the time for a heart-to-heart with Cora, and my family is supposed to walk in any moment. We can’t have the drama. My brain freezes, I hold my breath, and look at Mariano with a pleading expression.
Before he can respond, the apartment door opens, and Pedro enters with my family. No, no, no. This day started exactly as I wanted, and now is not the time for surprises. I feel dizzy.
“Cora, come with me,” Mariano commands sternly, not allowing any protest as he pulls her into Luca’s office and locks the door behind them. I breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of the lock clicking. I’m sorry, Cora. Please hold on a little longer for me.
Bay immediately runs into the apartment excitedly, “Alin! Is this where you lived all this time on land? I definitely understand why you didn’t come back!” she shouts without a filter, and Pedro, who follows her, smiles a million-dollar smile in response. Did I miss something?
I smile back at Bay and then quickly turn to my parents.
“Mom, Dad, as Bay mentioned, this is where I lived recently. The Spallo family hosted me here and didn’t let me lack for anything,” I say formally, introducing Luca.
My parents thank him politely, and Luca escorts them to the balcony, giving them a tour.
I can’t let them suspect my relationship with him, so I keep my distance.
I sit next to Pedro on the sofa, trying to gather information about their plan on land, but all I get from Pedro is, “Your job is just to get married, trust us.” The plan seems to be straying far from the original, and that doesn’t give me any sense of security.
I need to trust Luca; I’ll play their game. They’ve done an excellent job so far.
I smile at Pedro when Mariano emerges from the office with Cora, who looks pale and upset but remains silent. They approach us.
“Everything’s fine; you two can catch up later,” Mariano intervenes, creating a barrier between Cora and me before joining Luca.
Cora seems lost in her thoughts, hurt, and avoiding eye contact. But now isn’t the time to dwell on that.
We join Luca on the balcony where he explains the setup to my parents. The garden-like atmosphere, with elegant drapes of golden and red fabrics and a beautifully decorated table, impresses them. I notice my father’s approval, a reassuring sign.
Finally, everything feels aligned. I need to maintain appearances and stay composed. Mariano and Pedro’s confidence reassures me, while Luca’s determination grounds me.
I address Cora softly, “I know you’re hurt and angry, but trust me. I’ll tell you everything after this; I promise.” She withdraws her hand, leaving me concerned. I hope I can mend this rift.
“Alin, they’re downstairs,” Pedro announces Zale and his son’s arrival, increasing my tension as fear sets in.
The plan has to work, I remind myself and take a deep breath. I glance at Cora, and she reluctantly leaves the apartment.
My parents greet Zale and his son at the entrance. They’re wrapped in blankets Pedro gave them, and Mateo quickly departs. I inwardly chuckle realizing Luca chose not to give them clothes. Zale’s scarred face makes recognition difficult; his son appears frail and worn.
Feeling Luca’s intense gaze, I steel myself. Today, I must be strong for both of us and my pod’s future.
“Rumors of your beauty run through all the oceans. I see they’re all true, and I’m pleased with the decision of this union,” Zale greets me. “This is my son, Galen,” he pulls his feeble son forward, and he looks at me with a disgusted expression.
“Another royal merbitch with powers who thinks she’s better than everyone else. Her beauty doesn’t impress me,” he says disdainfully, and I notice everyone’s eyes in the room turning angrily toward him.
Luca’s breaths behind me grow heavy; I need to act now before the plan unfolds prematurely.
“Galen, my future husband, I don’t think I’m better than you.
I’m certain of it. But this is what our parents want, and we respect their wishes.
Do you wish to defy your father?” I reply with feigned confidence, my body on the verge of collapsing from fear of Zale.
But it works; he steps back and falls silent. Great.
In a long silence, Galen and I move to the balcony while our parents discuss post-wedding plans behind us. Luca stands inside, watching the balcony like a hawk.
As sunset approaches, my parents and Zale take their seats around the table, and Galen and I sit in the two chairs placed between them, so I’m next to Zale, and Galen is next to my father. Bay sits in the chairs set aside, not joining the ceremony itself.
Luca made sure to place pitchers of water on the table so we could transform back. He thought of everything. I smile to myself and pour water on my legs first. They follow suit immediately, and now our tails exposed, sinks to the ground from the soft chair seats.
“You’ve done so much for us. We’d be honored if you’d be part of the ceremony,” my parents suddenly turn to the brothers, and my heart sinks. I can’t risk them.
It seems this day is so joyful for them that they’re willing to invite complete strangers to sit at the table. Even Bay didn’t dare sit here.
Mariano and Pedro look hesitant. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation and unspoken tension, but we’re all here, and the plan is in motion.
I glance at Luca, who gives me a reassuring nod. We’ve made it this far, and now it’s time to see this through to the end.
I pray that everything will end successfully, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Mom, it’s okay, let’s start the ceremony and get it over with. We all know this isn’t a joyful event but a symbolic one,” I reply impatiently. If the brothers sit at the table and I poison Zale, they might think the brothers were involved. I can’t take that risk.
“Nonsense, come on over here,” my father answers instead of my mother, and the brothers immediately sit around the table with their cold poker faces.
Great, this just keeps getting better. I force a smile at my parents.
Someone, please save me. It seems they’re satisfied now because they take out the ceremonial shells, ready to begin the blessings.
My mother pours the fresh sweet water she brought into the shells, and Zale is the first to stand and give his blessing, as is customary. They don’t waste more time on land than necessary.
“After years of territorial wars, casualties on both sides, and prolonged hatred, we unite today through the marriage of my first and only son, Galen of the lineage of Al-Ar, to Alianna of the royal house of Mal-El. I am not only happy for my son, but I am also pleased with the peace that will prevail between our pods and the new home we will build in the ocean. I am already looking forward to a little heir,” he ends his speech with a wink in my direction.
I muster a diplomatic smile, raising my shell along with everyone else as we toast his blessing and take our first sips.
My parents need to give their blessing now, and I must act swiftly. I discreetly reach under the table, feeling for the sea wasp venom in Luca’s bag left at the balcony entrance. Keeping my gaze fixed on Zale, I force another smile, hoping not to arouse suspicion.
Suddenly, a crashing sound shatters the moment, and we all turn to see my parents collapsed on the ground. The brothers swiftly draw their weapons, aiming at Zale’s head.
Unlike them, I’m slower to react, struggling to grasp what’s happening. What did I miss?
I look at my parents’ faces, which appear lifeless on the balcony floor.
Panic grips me as I transform my legs back and rush to their side.
“Dad? Mom?” I cry out, shaking them desperately, but there’s no response, their faces frozen and still.
Tears well up, and I check for a pulse. Nothing.
How is this possible? Zale was beside me; he couldn’t have done this. What’s going on? It must be Zale!
“Bring them back now!” I scream at Zale, my voice cracking with anguish, but he remains fixated on the brothers who haven’t lowered their weapons.
“Release them! You’ve violated our traditions! If you don’t bring them back, you’re starting a war!” I threaten through clenched teeth, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.
“I didn’t break any tradition. This is your tradition, not ours,” Zale retorts smugly, unafraid, facing down the brothers’ guns with defiance. I rise to my feet, feeling exposed but far from defenseless. He will not take my parents from me—not today, not ever!