Preparations

"Mai, did you check up with the cakes, guest list, and the gifts prepared for the families." Mei sighed pacing back and forth as she looked over the guest list.

Mai was giggling as she twirled around while holding onto her dress. Seeing the sight before her made Alyson break out into a smile. They really do make up for what the other lacks and it's really a sight to see.

"I actually did, but did you forget to get Franco a gift?" Mei eye rolled at this question as she always came prepared. Her sister knew this very well so this was a rhetorical question. Mai quirked an eyebrow at her and sighed.

Marriage was a huge step and it was obvious this tradition went far back. You get married to a family with power and create allies. It's very rare to be in love with the person your getting married to. In the palace she heard stories of her father. Her parents were the fortune ones to actually be in love. Everyone loved seeing them together because they just emanated this aura around them. One couldn't help but awe at how pure their love was. It's fortunate and unfortunate how one seemed to be going down that road and the other wasn't.

Franco was as ruthless as he looked and it's disgusting how he looked at her. She heard how he tried to pursue Michael to go for mei. Even trying to threaten him but her fiancé held his own. Mai was terrified that Michael would give in like most people do when up against people like Franco. Hiding behind the wall she had let her head fall down in defeat. Except Michael held a fierce tone when responding to Franco. He held his ground on marrying mai and lectured him. Then proclaimed his love for mai and walked off warning Franco that he was not someone to mess with.

Ever since then she's felt secured with Michael.

If she had the power to cancel mei's engagement she would. Sadly she can't call shots like that, otherwise Travis would be angered.

Mei could see the look on mai's face she shook her head. Her sister was mei's weak point and her heart softened up.

"I might be shy and timid, but make no mistake I'm not weak." Mai's face still looked as if she was in a dilemma within.

"Please, don't worry about me. You should focus on not scrunching you're face so much. You'll cause wrinkles to appear that way quicker." Mai's face broke out into a smile and then she finally relaxed.

The two sisters truly cared for each other.

Alyson smiled and felt her heart warming up. A pixi like dust was flowing off her palms and reached the crystal. This startled all three of them as the crystal began glowing a magma pink.

"The crystal!" Mai shouted as it began to glow magma pink and envelopes the room too. Shocked was an understatement as it rendered them speechless.

"It's true." Mei whispered lowly as the crystal faded back to its original color. The room went back to normal and Alyson stood up. Grabbing the jewel she felt a strong aura coming from it.

"After the wedding we'll convert it to a necklace for you."

"You guys head off to bed already. Tomorrow is gonna be crazy for us. Be prepared mai. We need to have everything ready before the wedding day." Mei shooed the girls out and quickly shut her window. Hopefully no one saw the glow of the window. It might of just made them a potential target. Knowing that someone in this room held strong powers. This can be considered being overly paranoid but it's just a precaution. During the wedding both Mei and Mai would be solely focused on the wedding. Deciding on not worrying about the subject for too long mei went to bed. Her lights went out and she made a mental note to have a back up plan. In case the worst thing happens and someone tries to attack.

Behind the trees a smile came to the person that was hiding.

"They were hiding something." This person chuckled as they ran into the forest.

-

Alyson awoke and knew today she had a solo training planned. Into the chapters she learned small basic spells and magic tricks. Basic needs that she can enhance, but now she's getting into the medical aspect. Being able to heal a wound is something she needs to get better at. Extracting poison and objects from the body have become a priority. In a book she read there was a part mentioning poisoning at a wedding. She can't imagine not being able to help the twins if any tragedy happens. This took a big priority if it means helping the people she's ever care for.

Walking out of her room she noticed a lot of people walking the corridors. As she stepped out a maid bumped into her. Alyson was about to apologize until another maid going the opposite way bumped into her. This time more force was put and she hit the corner of a portrait. She wasn't give time to recover as another maid pushed past her. Some grounds on watch saw what happened and snorted in laughter.

"Do us a favor and get out of our way you vile creature!" Alyson knew they weren't fond of her but this comment confused her. It seemed like they despised her with a burning passion. What was going on? Not that she's given them a reason to like her, but she hasn't given them a reason to hate her.

Just then a guard yanked her by the hair and dragged her out. Into the garden he threw her by the pile of dirt.

"Dog are meant to be outside." What? Why did he just say that?

"Why are you saying those words?" His words must of meant something, but what?

The maids were outside and held pipping hot water. Thinking quickly Alyson chanted lowly to make the water warm at least. Long distance chants haven't been something she's worked on.

The water splashed on her was warm but she wasn't expecting them to throw the buckets at her. The sounds of her head taking the hits were loud. She was left in a daze and was left unconscious in the pile of soil. The same guard gave her a kick and with this she spit out blood that splashed on his hand.

"Filthy women, being married to a wolf is the possibly worst choice ever." He spit at her unconscious and walked off.

-

As night came Alyson awoke with a pain on her abdomen. By her side she noticed a plant sprouted by her except a piece was cut off. She felt so weak and had no memory of anything after getting hit. The dried blood on her hand had her eyes widened. Her hand reached up as she felt around her lips. There was a cut and it burned to touch it.

All she felt was dizzy and it wasn't going away anytime soon. Alyson held a fever that surpassed the normal temperature. A normal person would die from this, but the fever wasn't what was causing her symptoms.

"She's been poisoned? But how?" By the time Alyson came back to consciousness she was in bed surrounded. Mei, Mai, Michael, and Julia were around tending to her. She was poisoned? How?

"The plant she was by is a deadly plant that sprouts by my region. It was used against enemies, yet it seems she must of indulged it." Alyson did feel her teeth clenched but everything gets foggy.

"There must be a way to get the venom out-" the door slammed open.

"Out." The words being said made everyone leave. Julia knew why her son wanted them out and she gave him a tight hug.

"Please be careful." Travis have a court nod and waited to hear the door close.

-

Alyson groaned as she felt the breeze of the cold air. But in an instant she felt a piercing sharp pain on her lip. She gasped as her palms tried to push him off. Travis was stradding her weak frame holding her down.

He began sucking off the poison and spit it on a bowl. It kept going until he felt all of it had been extracted.

"T-travis." Alyson moaned.

Her throat felt raspy and she tried to reach for the water. Although the poison had been extracted she was still pretty weak. The water spilled all over her in result. Her teeth chattered as the ice laid over her. Travis helped sit her up and removed his shirt . Seeing her drenched, he helped undress her. The attraction towards her made it harder to control his urge. By accident he had drank a bit of blood from her. It was true ecstasy in him mouth and he needed to stop himself.

Alyson felt her body growing hot, seeing him like this. Her mind was not in the right place and was clouded. The poison was gone but she was still in a half conscious mode.

"Alyson I..." Their eyes both locked and neither of them could turn away. Travis swallowed hard as Alyson placed her hand on his face. A drop of blood from where he bit her fell. His usual composed manner was losing the internal battle. Seeing Alyson like this made him angry with himself. As he purposely was avoiding her, but hearing how his workers treated her made it a problem. Somehow everyone knew that Alyson was married. Not to just some random person... No it was to Wes the Alpha. A ware wolf, the most hated one.

This created a problem since now she had enemies within the palace. He could just invoke fear and place an order. But then Alyson would still continue to be looked down at. Something about her made him want to protect her, as if he's seen her before.

"Travis." Her hands touched his toned up abs and this made him groan.

"Do I need to remind you last time what I said." He warned.

"I remember, but.... I feel warm when your around." This surprised him a lot, no one ever feels like that about him. It wouldn't mean anything though if it was just anyone, but it's Alyson.

"Alyson you're still recovering. Rest up and I'll come see you after you get ready for the wedding."

"Where do I go? I'm not familiar with the venue or anything." Alyson shyly commented.

"Silly, you're my escort for my sisters wedding."

Not understanding she smiled at him and gives him a hug.

"Please don't ignore me anymore." With those words she felt sleep overtake her. Travis slowly put her down and tucked her in bed. As he went to grab the bowl of poison he was surprised to see it empty. The crystal was slightly fading a vivid purple.