Together, they all went inside the house and announced their decision to everyone present. While Kuro heaved a sigh of relief, Ed was still paranoid. Why had Adrianna buckled under his pressure? What reason could there be for her to agree to marry him? He wasn't convinced and wanted to ask Adrianna about her decision during the first opportunity he could get. He decided to wait for all of them to go so that he could take Adrianna back to the cottage and question her. For the moment, he chose to stay quiet and just watched her from a distance.
Also, it was painful to realize that his granddaughter would soon leave him for good…
They all sat down to have lunch at a large twelve-seat dining table, which was headed by Kuro. Dmitri sat next to Adrianna and away from Kuro while Kayla, Reinjie, and Sam sat next to Kuro. Ed was next to Nate and Liam. The siblings were watching the two of them with hatred. They wanted all of this to be over with as soon as possible.
Kuro thought of negotiating some terms with Dmitri, so when the lunch was served, he said, "I know that you are so keen on marrying Adrianna, but there are a few things I have to discuss with you before that happens."
Dmitri took a mouthful of beef and said, "What do you want to discuss?"
"Well, I suggest that you give us the territory of the Lake Moon Pack," said Kuro, leaning forward with interest. He thought that Dmitri would yield in to his request.
The lake moon pack's territory was in one of the most crucial places; it was situated less than a mile away from the largest reservoir lake in the jungle, and it was under Dmitri's control.
Adrianna, who was sitting next to Dmitri, was shocked, when she heard her father. How could he even think of negotiating? Wasn't he the one who had never wanted her in the first place? And now that she was getting married to the supreme alpha, he had the audacity to negotiate? She was ashamed of her family and especially , her father. She stopped eating and looked up at him in disbelief - an action, which did not go unnoticed by Dmitri.
Dmitri looked at Kuro contemptuously, and grunted out a, "No" before going on to serve some bread to Adrianna who wasn't eating properly. "You must eat properly Adri. I look forward to making noodles for you," added Dmitri seductively, making her blush faintly.
Then he looked at Kuro. Dmitri was emitting such coldness that Kuro didn't have the guts to say anything further. He just leaned back and focused on his plate of food.
After lunch was over, Dmitri had to go back even though he didn't want to. Adrianna and Ed left for the cottage with her pet following along.
Back in the cottage, Ed asked Adrianna about her decision to marry Dmitri.
"Why did you agree to him Adri? I told you to refuse him. Kuro would have been forced to give away his territory to Dmitri."
Adrianna lowered her head and pursed her lips. How could she say that she did that to save her friend Niiya? "I didn't want anymore bloodshed Grandfather… I am tired of all this… Let it be how it is…"
Saying that, she went to her room, leaving a melancholy Ed. He felt as though a part of his heart was leaving him. He followed her inside and said, "We need to practice your magic skills Adri… It is very important."
She nodded and said, "Okay Grandfather, we can do that today in the evening…"
Without speaking anymore Adrianna closed the door of her room and walked over to her bed as her pet followed her. She sat on her bed and started crying. It was more than crying. It was a kind of desolate sobbing that comes only when a person doesn't have any hope left. She curled her arms around her knees as her tears ran down her cheeks. Her pain flowed down her cheeks as her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. An hour later, her crouched figure remained unmoved. She felt tired and fell asleep. Her pet was dozing off on the rug beside her bed.
It was not long after when she heard someone knocking on her door softly. She got up with a startle and opened the door. Ed was standing there with her dinner. He said, "Eat it fast. We have to practice your magic today."
She nodded and took the plate he had offered. After having dinner, they went outside.
"What are the new things that you are experiencing Adri?" asked Ed.
Adrianna didn't say a word but she moved a little further away from him, closed her eyes, and drawing a thread of white light from her pool of energy, she brought it outside and threw it onto a tree that was standing tall within the dark of the night. Within seconds, it fell down as though it had been struck with lighting.