Dinner comes and goes, and another walk was in order. Laval asks me for a walk in the garden, where me and Lavertus had our secret talk.
"You ok?"
I had to have a strange look on my face for him to ask. I look down.
"It's tomorrow."
"The wedding? I thought you were happy about it."
"Well... I just kept thinking we are supposed to have kids afterwards and..."
"Hey, I'm not going THAT far after tomorrow. I was keeping that for when a heir was needed."
I sigh in relief. At least I'm not loosing my virginity too soon. But I can't help in wondering if he wants kids at all like me.
We talk some more, and he then tries to pick a rose, probably for me, and pricks his finger.
"Ow!"
He holds up his hand, and I see he's bleeding.
I hold his hand and look at the small drop of blood coming through his skin and fur.
But then, my eyes glow red, the blood drips down, and the puncture is healed.
"What the heck?"
"How?"
"I don't know how I did that."
We stare at each other and try to process this whole thing.
But we are soon called in for bed. We look to each other one more time, and Laval gives me a hug. A tight one.
When I'm in my room, I remember how tight his arms were around me. He must know how upset I am. The wedding.
He understands right? Right?

I wake to birds. That's when my eyes widen in fear. It's my wedding day.
This is it. I can turn back now, I don't think I can turn down the marriage, and I don't think Laval could either.
A knock on my door signifies that someone is there. I open it, to see Laval. he has a rough look on his face.
"I need to talk to you."
"Ok..."
I let him in and close the door behind him. I feel a cold feeling in my gut. It's not just the day I feared back home is
here, but that his highness has something to throw at me. He give my best look of being purely calm. He then turns to me.
"My uncle told me you were, unsettled with today."
I wince at the word used for my discomfort. But there wasn't any other word to not make me regret talking to Lavertus that night.
I'm about to open my mouth to let something out, but Laval holds his hand up to stop me.
"It's ok. To tell the truth, I'm not ready for marriage yet either." He says.
My eyes widen in surprise. He wasn't either?!
"B-But I-I-" I stutter in shock. It thought he was already!
"Hey, this didn't catch just you by surprise..."
"But I thought you were supposed to be ready."
"Well why do you think I'm holding off getting you knocked up? Lavertus doesn't want cubs from us running 'round yet. And I don't feel,-"
"Feel what?"
"Feel like you should be my wife."
What? I thought I was worthy if he picks me. Apparently not to him...
"I mean, to the Gorge with this tradition."
Welcome to my world.
"But I cant change it. It's been in the royals rules after my great 1,000 times over grandfather was a kid."
Darn, well that's cold.
"Lavertus, said something, about letting you in."
"I don't know what he means either. But I never understood him." Laval says with a chuckle.
"Well, best get ready." He says kissing my cheek.
After he leaves, I look to the window. He might just be more ready than he thinks. At least, more than me...

"Ok, your ready." My fitter says admiring me in my dress once more.
She leaves to get me a drink since she thinks I must be thirsty. I'm not, I'm accepting it any ways.
"Knock, knock."
I turn to see who's at the door. It's Lavertus again. He looks me up and down.
"She did a good job." He says walking to me. He's wearing a blue suit with sliver hemming's. I have to admit, he looks handsome.