Chapter 79
Chapter 79
The easiest thing to do would be to stall.
“I didn’t expect you all to come…” I said, addressing Owen and his little family. “Don’t you think you should be sitting in my family section?”
The air in the garden shifted, thick with tension. Everyone seemed tense. My eyes stayed locked on Owen. He looked deeply uncomfortable. Then I glanced at the man in robes standing at the altar. He carried himself well enough to fool most but not me. Something about film rang false. He wasn’t a real priest–of that much, I was
certain.
“And you aren’t the priest I asked for. Is he running late?”
“I provided for this priest,” Owen said. “And I’m a very busy man, so let’s continue on with the ceremony as planned. I have things to do.”
Owen’s command rang out, overruling the pause I’d requested. People murmured about it. My fists tightened at
my
sides. His eyes were laughing. He was enjoying this–forcing control of my pack’s moment and turning it into a power play. I could call him out, but that would definitely make this more about him and our issues rather than about me and Violet, and that’s not something I wanted to do. The crowd stirred. Lily darted through the crowd towards the band and whispered to the conductor. They exchanged words before the conductor nodded and stuck up a song. It wasn’t the bridal procession but the temple chant. Owen’s smug smile faltered. He frowned.
There wasn’t enough time to figure out what else I could do without causing more trouble or drawing attention to the obvious tension between us. I didn’t need to fuel any more rumors about my relationship with Owen…
Then, the doors opened.
I couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath as I turned to look, but it wasn’t Violet I saw first, not even Kincaid.
I didn’t recognize either of them. The man was older, with stark white hair, robes that radiated a quiet but commanding power, and a walking staff carved with intricate symbols. At his side was a woman dressed differently but no less impressively. Her robes were crimson and gold, intricate patterns running down the sleeves and hem. It made me think of a gown my mother owned and hid in the back of her closet.
She had to be from beyond the border, but why was she here? How did she know to come? Was this Violet’s doing? The murmurs started almost immediately, the audience unsure whether to bow or ask questions. I stayed rooted to the spot, watching Owen and Lucas from the corner of my eye. Both of them had gone pale, their smugness replaced by barely masked rage.
I looked at Dahlia who smiled and leaned close.
“That’s the High Priest,” she murmured, her tone laced with awe.
“The High Priest?” I repeated under my breath. That explained the man, but my gaze flicked to the woman. “And her?”
Dalia shook her head. “I don’t know, but judging by the robes, she’s from a temple too. Higher–ranking, maybe.”
The High Priest turned to me, his eyes piercing but kind. “Alpha Theodore, shall we begin?”
For a second, I couldn’t respond, too caught between awe and disbelief. But then my instincts kicked in, and I nodded.
“Yes, of course. Let’s begin.”
Soon, the music changed, and Charlotte came up the aisle, dutifully throwing flowers over the walkway with her
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 79
partner, carrying the ring on a small satin pillow.
The two parted to either side of the altar. The little boy offered the little pillow to the High Priest who took it with a paternal smile and placed it on the altar. The little boy walked toward his parents who lifted him up into his father’s lap and squeezed him close.
Then, the music changed again.
Violet stepped through, commanding every gaze in the room. Her gown shimmered in the sunlight, the delicate silver embroidery catching the light with every movement. Her head was high, her expression one of cool authority, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. Kincaid and Lily trailed behind her. Kincaid, his eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. His face was stern as they walked.
When they reached the altar, the High Priest placed a hand on my shoulder, his calm gaze sweeping the gathered crowd.
“This ceremony shall proceed,” he said, his voice carrying a weight that silenced everyone instantly. “Properly and without interference.”
