Chapter 77
A part of me wanted to laugh at how different this was from the last time I’d been in a bridal suite. By comparison, preparing for Lucas had felt like walking into a trap, my heart warring with the unease of it. Back then, I’d just wanted to make my father happy at last, but I wasn’t sure if he was anything more than… relieved.
I pushed those thoughts away. “Did you manage to coax the ring bearer into his tiny tux?”
Helena laughed. “He was so eager to look just like his alpha His parents are over the moon.”
I chuckled. It was nice that Midnight didn’t have a shortage of volunteers and that Helena had offered up her daughter.
Lily turned me to the mirror. She tilted her head, studying me carefully. “You really don’t seem nervous. You’re taking this all in stride.”
I met her gaze in the mirror and offered a small smile. “Because I’ve been here before, just in a different way. This time, I know exactly what I’m walking into.”
Lily returned my smile, clearly unaware of the full weight of my words. Neither she nor Helena knew about the truth of my arrangement with Theodore. They saw this as a perfect match–strategic, sure, but with a foundation they both believed could grow into something real.
1 let them believe it. For their sake, and for mine. Whatever this union would bring, it was still better than the first.
Theodore
Tyron came in without announcing himself and dropped into a seat. He slid a small flask across the table toward me, the etched silver gleaming in the soft light of the groom’s lounge.
“Your actually brother looks like he’d rather eat nails, and my wife is curling your future wife’s hair. I’m here for customs.”
I arched a brow at him, but a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “Never thought we’d be here…”
“Be glad it’s just me and I left all my brothers at home.” He grimaced. “The flask would be a bottle, and the proof would be way too strong.”
My jaw dropped. “Were you drunk at temple?”
He beamed. “Very nearly.”
I snorted and picked up the flask, unscrewing the cap. The sharp scent of aged whiskey hit my nose, and I took a sip. It burned in the best way, warming my throat and settling in my chest. Then it started to really burn and I coughed.
“What the-‘
“Imported. The good stuff.” Tyron wiggled his eyebrows. “From across the border. It was the only way to compromise on a flash, not a bottle.”
I shook my head, “Right.”
I drank some more, feeling it start to warm me, stirring my magic. I set it down and offered it to him, he pull out his own flask with a grin.
“You didn’t think it was going to be that easy, did you?”
I scoffed at tha and picked it back up.
1/2
Chapter 77
+25 BONUS
“Perk up, you’re getting married to your mate.” He smirked.
I nodded. He frowned. “What is it?”
“She’s not the easiest person to figure out.” I set my jaw. he’s… digging her heels in more than I anticipated… I thought I was more convincing than this.”
He snorted. “There’s no coaxing healing.‘
I took another drink. Then, an alarm chimed. He screwed the cap on his flask and tucked it into his jacket. He took mine and tucked it into my breast pocket and took me by the shoulders.
“She is the moon to your earth,” he said and smiled. “You know this. She will know it soon enough.”
My heart trembled then he adjusted my tie and gestured to the door.
“Let’s go. Wouldn’t want to keep your bride waiting.”
The walk to the altar was a short one, but every step carried a weight I couldn’t quite shake. Thelate afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the gathered crowd through the floor–to–ceiling windows.
But as my eyes swept over the altar, something felt off. My gaze landed on the priest–a man I didn’t recognize. He wasn’t the one we’d agreed on, nor did he even seem to actually be a priest. There was something about the quality of his robes that gave me pause.
Then, I spotted Owen, his wife, and his mother. The overly pleased look on his face told me everything I needed to know.
He was up to something.
I stepped forward and held up a hand.
“Hold the ceremony.”
