Page 29 of The Alpha Wolf's Bullied Bride

“You sound awfully happy, Miles,” I chuckle nervously, fixing the train behind me so that the dirt is undetectable.

“Why wouldn’t I be? My best friend is about to be my sister’s mate.” He turns to me and winks. “And you’ll connect to your wolf.”

I open my mouth to object, but the doors open up to reveal the hall and relief washes over me as if I’ve been saved by the bell. Miles has no idea that this whole thing is a sham and that his best friend couldn’t care less about me.

It’s better this way, I decide as I inhale languidly, setting my eyes on the rolled-out burgundy carpet that leads to the altar. I keep my gaze trained to the paisley patterns sprinkled out on the carpet as Miles leads me down the aisle. The empty hall is cold, the eerie silence sending a shiver down my spine.

It’s unsettling only because the emptiness foreshadows the trajectory of my life. After today, I’ll be bound to the Alpha of Blood Moon without any hope of him giving me what I need to reach my fullest potential. Alpha Flynn Lycoan will never be able to provide what I truly need. I have to settle for this facade and live under the same roof as the man I’ve come to hate.

Hate is a strong emotion, but it only stems from a feeling as powerful as love. A love that had quickly turned poisonous, thanks to his rejection. A poison so strong, it turned my heart to stone.

My shoulders slump as I keep my eyes down, but Miles nudges me as we continue forward, forcing me to look up.

As soon as I do, I meet Flynn’s eyes as he stands on the stage awaiting my arrival. The warm depths of gold hold a senseof anticipation in their bright twinkle, a feeling that flows over me and spurs each step I take closer.

The deafening silence around me isn’t so frightening anymore. Not with Flynn’s penetrating gaze fixed on me with such intensity. Instead, the silence is filled with the sweetness of chirping birds and slithering snails and the rustle of trees that sway with the wind outside. It all comes together in perfect harmony, shining a bright light of hope on the future that doesn’t seem dreadful anymore.

Lost in a daze, I walk up to the stage, where Miles leaves my hand in Flynn’s. The moment our hands make physical contact, an electric surge rushes through me.

I’m reminded of that day out by the dam, still images flashing through my mind as I stare deeply into Flynn’s eyes. His gaze is equally firm, forcing me to face the memory of his rejection. Except the ending isn’t as I remembered it, an image of his embrace flashes into my mind.

The past has somehow been altered in my recollection, even though the memory of the heartbreak remains. It’s almost as if I’m seeing things from a different lens, through Flynn’s eyes—as if I’m meant to let go of the past for the sake of moving ahead.

Surrender.

This is the epitome of what I felt earlier in the meadow, wanting to flow with the wind and see where it leads me. Prompted by what felt like the Moon Goddess’s intervention, I couldn't ignore Her despite my personal feelings.

Now, that flow has me navigating the ritual of marriage as we utter words of promise and drink the brew of natural herbs. It all goes by in a blur, the anticipation of the outcome plundering my heart into a speedy trot. Though the only werewolves presentare the Alpha’s immediate family as well as my brother and best friend, even their presence disappears, leaving me to focus solely on the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.

He hasn’t stopped staring into my eyes, his brows furrowed ever-so-slightly as if he’s confused about this whole thing. Even through my mesmerization and steady daze, I have no idea why I suddenly feel like I’m letting my guard down—those walls I built come crumbling down, exposing me to the feelings I once had for Flynn and to that deep pull I felt toward him when I called him my mate.

Flynn clears his throat, breaking the intense eye contact for a moment as his eyes flicker to his father. The old Alpha of the pack nods encouragingly, and Flynn turns back to me.

“I, Alpha Flynn Lycoan, take you, Omega Lila Hargis, as my mate and Luna of the Blood Moon Pack.”

His words impact the function of my brain, and I short-circuit for a moment as the weight of that vow washes over me. I gulp hard, feeling his thumbs press into my hands as if encouraging me.

“I-I,” I whisper timidly. “Omega Lila Hargis, take you, Alpha Flynn Lycoan as my mate.”

The moment of hesitation turns to confusion when I notice Flynn exhaling as if he’d been holding his breath. Why would he be feeling relieved? Did he sense that I didn’t want this, and was afraid I’d reject him?

It’s not as though the questions running in my mind matter right now. Not when he leans in to complete the ceremony. I can barely pay attention to the way my heart races in my chest, let alone any doubts in my mind.

Time stands still, his gaze condemning me to a lifetime of the unknown as he closes the distance between us with a slow intake of breath. When he breathes out, the warmth of his breath fans my lips and parts them instantaneously, causing the flutter of my eyelids before our worlds collide when he crushes his lips to mine.

Without thinking, I reach a hand up to cup his cheek, sliding my fingers over to his nape where his hair has already started to grow out. Like the gentle bristles of the finest paintbrush, they stroke against my palm as I sigh into his plump lips and lose my sense of self altogether. The minty taste of his essence is intoxicating, mingling with my breath as his tongue dives into the cavity of my mouth while his hands settle on my hips.

He pulls me toward him, the act so subtle but prevalent when I feel the bulge of his manhood press into my belly. He drinks the gasp that falls from my lips, his kiss turning passionate and unhinged when he tilts his head and deepens the dance of our tongues.

I’m on the verge of fainting from how perfect the kiss is, beyond anything I could have imagined, especially since I’d lost any hope of experiencing this very moment. Now, I lose myself in the moment made of dreams, his soft groans and heavy breathing filling my eardrums and setting my body alight. Every nerve ending in me has been ignited, pulsing with the energy constructed by our lips.

I’m about to melt into him, throwing away any awareness that we’re not alone in the hall, when he abruptly breaks the kiss and pulls away. He stares at me with the deepest of frowns, eyes turning cold with accusation as he takes a cautious step back.

“You should leave,” he says coldly under his breath, nostrils flaring as if he’s just become furious because I dared to kiss him.

The rollercoaster of emotions knocks into my gut, only permitting me to stare at him with kiss-swollen lips parted as my brows furrow.

“Return to the Lycoan house,” he instructs with a dismissive wave in the air. “I have things to take care of.”

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