Page 28 of Star-crossed Betas

“Fuck off,” I reply succinctly, and she just snorts.

“What are you working on?” Phoenix asks, nodding at the laptop in front of her.

“Sorting out the final seating plan for the wedding reception.”

“Sorry, we’ve contributed literally nothing to these wedding plans,” he says sheepishly.

“Planning this wedding is basically my redemption for, you know, ruining the last one.” Phoenix chokes on his coffee.

“Wow, you’re really blunt.” He laughs awkwardly, and she cackles like a cartoon witch.

“You two ready for the big day on Saturday?” she asks once she’s composed herself.

“Feels a bit redundant, given we’re already married,” I reply.

“I guess it’s probably not so much about us. It’ll be the first time a large number of both packs are in the same place and not at each other’s throats,” Phoenix says, ever the diplomat.

“That we hope,” I add darkly.

We’re at the venue for a rehearsal ahead of the wedding in two days. It’s part of a converted castle; the inside shows the exposed stone walls and beautiful wooden beams adorn the ceiling. It’s not the kind of venue my family could usually afford; however,Phoenix’s parents agreed to foot the bill, and I can’t deny the place is stunning.

I’m not entirely sure why I’m required to practise walking in a straight line and standing in one spot, but when I raised this point with Niamh, she smacked me upside the head.

“So, we need to decide who’s walking who and in what order,” Niamh announces.

“What do most people do?” I ask.

“I don’t know what it’s like in the Campbell pack, but in ours, each groom is usually walked down the aisle by their parents or, in your case—parent,” she replies.

“I thought maybe Connor and I could walk down the aisle together,” Phoenix suggests.

“Is that how your pack usually does it?” she asks him curiously. I hold my breath to fight the sting in my eyes.

“No, not traditionally. Just an idea. This way, neither of the Alphas can argue over who goes first, etcetera,” he says. That’s not the reason he suggested it, though it does make sense. He’s looking at me to confirm, but my voice will betray me, so I nod in agreement.

One summer a couple of years ago, we were at the top of Whernside, lying under the moon and stars. I asked Fee if he thought we’d ever be mated, and he told me he’d mate me and marry me in a heartbeat if I gave him the word. I couldn’t hide the smile on my face at the surety in his words. I never had to guess how Fee felt about things; you could just ask, and he’d spill everything as though it never even occurred to him to protect his heart or feelings from me.

“What do you think our weddin’ will be like?” I asked him.

“I think it will be small and intimate, and we’ll walk down the aisle together, starting our marriage as equals. Fuck tradition!”

“Wow, not that you’ve thought about it much or anythin’.”

“Not at all.” He smirked at me.

“I like that idea, not so much all the attention, but I don’t think it’d be so bad with you by my side.”

“Always,” he said, squeezing my hand in his.

The memory crushes my heart in a vice. He must read it on my face because he subtly shuffles closer and hooks his pinky through mine, giving it a small tug in solidarity. Before he can let go, and trying not to overthink it, I put my hand in his and interlace our fingers. He looks down at our joined hands with a sad smile on his face. It's like I can see the same memory running through his mind. Niamh looks over and notices, too, but I raise an eyebrow at her, daring her to bring it up. She smiles knowingly but continues.

“Great, I love that idea, and logistically, it’s easier. So, all the family members will already be sitting in the first few rows. Calvin will stand at the front, and then when the music starts, the two of you will walk in together.

“Phoenix, you’ll be on the left. Con, you’ll be on the right, all sound good?” she asks. We both grunt yes in agreement. “Perfect, at the end of the ceremony, you’ll walk back down the aisle together, and then both of you, plus immediate family, will head off for photographs, and the guests will make their way over to the reception, capiche?” I can’t help but think that I don’t particularly want photographic evidence of the day, but I’m pretty sure I’m just along for the ride at this point.

“Sure,” I agree, sounding defeated, and Fee nods.

“Okay, you’re both dismissed for the time being. Keep your phone close in case I think of anything else, though. Please, thank you and goodbye,” Niamh says, not waiting for us to reply before she’s skipped off to deal with the next item on her agenda.

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