Marriage First, Mate Second

Chapter 2 : Say “Yes” at the wedding

In front of me, the doors leading to the great hall are closed. I feel gratitude for the darkness enfolding the scene, as it masks my uneasiness at what I am about to do. Sophie's whispers behind my back as I adjust the veil are all I can hear. I pray to the Goddess that I’m making the right decision about this.

“Are you sure about this?” my best friend asks. Her gaze is clouded with anxiety.

I nod trying to look as confident as possible. I am really nervous inside.

“I am,” I affirm, “It’s the right choice.”

At that moment, I can hear my father's hurried footsteps. His expression is concerned as he comes running to my side.

As the Alpha of the pack, he always looks serious. But he appears to be far more worried than usual.

“Amber, I heard everything,” he whispers, hurriedly, “What’s your plan?”

He sounds concerned, but I’m not sure how much of that is he being concerned about my marriage, and how much of that is concern about me making him look bad.

I have a feeling that regardless of how my wedding turns out, it won’t change how Dad treats Sabastian, who had earned his affection as well as everyone else's through his hard work to ascend to a higher position in the pack.

I know dad will always value the interest of the pack over my interest.

“I've got it all figured out,” I tell him firmly, “There is no need to worry about me.”

He looks at me and purses his lips. He puts his hand on my shoulder.

“Are you sure? You don't have to pretend in front of me,” he tells me, “You know we can cancel the wedding. You can't get married without a groom,”

Definitely not. I wouldn't cause that embarrassment to my pack and my father.

“No, dad. Trust me,” I tell him, determinedly,”The wedding will take place.”

He nods at me, taking my word, and doesn’t say anything else. Sophie then comes to me, after she finishes fixing my dress.

“Well, ready?” she asks. I nod.

She gives me one last smile.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” she says next to me. My father takes my hand. He rarely compliments me, but I can tell even he is very pleased with my appearance today.

“Yes, you do, Amber,” he tells me sincerely, “You are absolutely stunning. You have made me proud.”

“Thank you,” I say to both of them, grateful for their sincere affection.

The large doors then open and the light fills the room. I am blinded for a moment after which I notice that there is indeed no boyfriend at the end of the hall.

Sebastian is… of course not there.

“Are you really sure about this?” my father asks, worriedly, “You don’t have to do this. You can still walk away.” I squeeze his hand.

“Trust me,” I whisper, “I know what I’m doing.”

Slowly we begin to walk. As soon as we do I am aware of the murmurs around me.

“She was left at the altar!” laughs one of the girls present, having what was meant to be a silent conversation with two other girls.

“I know. She was never worthy of Sebastian,” says another, with a sneer, “ Never thinking of anyone but herself.”

“It's a good thing that for a change, someone is taking her down a peg or two," says a third one, laughing, “She’s finally getting what she deserves.”

Dad squeezes my hand to give me strength and keeps staring straight ahead. His expression is inscrutable, but I can see the doubt in his eyes.

“What do you plan to do when you get to the altar?” mutters someone to my right.

“She'll marry herself,” laughs a blonde girl. “She and her ego can get married and spend their lives together.”

I look nervously at the empty altar, no one is there waiting for me. Did I make a mistake? Did I fall for Levi’s lies?

“Shame on her! Who would want to marry her after this,” says another woman in the sea of whispers, “She will never live this down, no matter how much money her family has.”

I remind myself to keep calm. There are many who have come just to see me fail. Sebastian has a million admirers, after all. But I will not let them see me defeated.

A whisper of surprise fills the room then, and I see him. The burnt honey hair and the tattoos that run up his neck. I smile helplessly and he returns the gesture. Levi is radiant standing before the altar. He looks confident and powerful, as if nothing and no one can touch him.

“What is that guy doing here,” someone asks, chuckling, “Did he wander into the wrong wedding? Surely he can’t be the groom. Look at him!”

“I'm sure he's an actor she's hired so she won't look so pathetic. Poor thing!” that blonde girl from before says. “How low can she get?”

“No, wait,” someone else intervenes. “Isn't that Levi Grant?”

“Levi Grant?” begins to say those present, recognizing him immediately. “What's he doing here? He's the most desired bachelor, Prince Charming himself, but with tattoos!” whisper to the girls. “How the hell did Amber Collins get his heart?”

“I'm sure Sebastian dumped her. And you can bet that Levi will too,” I hear someone say.

This is definitely the wedding of rumors, I think. I am so nervous, but I keep my smile and try to avoid my dad’s eyes.

I manage to keep my cool, pretending it is all part of the plan. Dad is obviously surprised, but no doubt his questions would come later, when we were alone.

Still, I steel myself, and I try to ignore them. It is true that Levi Grant is the dream bachelor every girl longs for, but he is basically unattainable. As far as I know, his mate has never shown up and he has never had a girlfriend. No girl had ever managed to win his heart or earn a look of interest from him that lasted long.

Instead he was here, now, and he was watching me as if I was the best thing that could happen to him. His hand reaches out and takes mine when I reach the altar. Dad gives me a kiss on the cheek and hands me to him, staring into Levi's gray eyes. He probably isn't too sure about all this, but he will do anything to see me happy.

Levi and I look at each other, and he gently squeezes my hands. At that moment, my heart skipped a beat. I felt hurt and confused about everything that had happened with Sebastian, but at the same time, Levi's presence made me feel strangely comforted. As if nothing bad could happen to me as long as I am by his side.

“May I?” he then says in his low, slow, deep voice.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box. Whispers run loudly as he opens the small black box, revealing a beautiful ring with a huge diamond in its center.

“Oh, Levi... It's beautiful,” I affirm.

He takes my hand proudly, removes the ring that Sebastian had put, and places the new diamond ring on my finger. As I look at it in detail I can see the bramble design on it. As if it is woven grass, and not pure gold.

The design is quite special and piques my curiosity, but I know this probably isn’t the best time to ask him about it..

The priest's voice comes to me then, snapping me out of my reverie.

“Amber Collins, do you take Levi Grant to be your husband?”

“I do,” I say, feeling a strange thrill inside my chest.

Levi leans toward me. He places his hand on my face and lifts my chin gently. I think for a moment he is about to say something, but he just stares at me and I feel strange. Why is this so different? He is my enemy, he is just doing this to unify our packs. I close my eyes and to the incredulous and envious gaze of those present, I join my lips with his.

His kiss, strangely, lacks rudeness. His arms are strong and determined, but also sweet and patient. The kiss lasts seconds longer than it should, and I don’t want it to end at all. What is happening to me?

As we part, the crowd erupts in applause. We are officially husband and wife, but we can’t seem to mind. I am so enraptured by his gaze, it’s as if we belong together.

What am I saying? This is not me. Is it?

...

“Come with me,” Levi asks, taking my hand and leading me to the center of the dance floor.

“What are you doing?” I ask laughing, as his hand rests on the small of my back.

He begins to lead me slowly in circles, as we have our first dance.

I can't help but gawk at him. I am totally in awe of him. This is not the ferocious, dangerous, untamed Alpha of the enemy pack. He is so caring and so gentle with me. It almost feels unreal.

“Why did you do all this?” I ask, meeting his intense gaze, “You could have anyone here. Why me?”

All eyes are on us. The astonished gaze of dozens of girls are fixed on him, as if they still don't believe he is my husband.

“It is best for everyone,” Levi rules in a calm voice. “Our packs have been at war for a long time. I think this is the best way to bring peace, don't you?”

I nod, knowing he is probably right about this. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that he is holding some other reason. Should I ask him?.

My eyes begin to wander around the room. And then I see him: Sebastian is standing in front of the door, in the doorway. His mouth is wide open, and his eyes rake over my body with hatred.

“I'll be right back,” I say to Levi as soon as the piece is over. Everyone burst into applause, but I step away heading to the bathroom, wanting to avoid Sebastian.

I didn’t see him, but he grabs my arm and pulls me into a corner. The gesture is brutal and painful. I rub my arm where I can feel a bruise already forming. It has nothing to do with the man I knew.

“What the f*ck did I just see?” he almost roars. I am lucky the music is so loud, or else it would attract everyone's attention.

“Sebastian, please lower your voice,” I ask him, trying to be reasonable, “Can’t we discuss this like adults?”

“No, I won't!” he roars. “How f*****g dare you, did you marry that bastard Levi Grant?”

His anger is overwhelming,and a little frightening to me. I have never seen this side of him before, and it’s ugly. But I try to keep calm.

“Yes, I have,” I answer defiantly, “I didn’t think it mattered to you anyway. You just left me at the altar.”

“How could you do that to me after I left to help Rose? This is ridiculous! This was MY wedding!” His hand closes around my arm tighter.

“Stop! You're hurting me!” I beg him, “What is WRONG with you?”

“The groom should have been me! I was your boyfriend, not him!” Sebastian bursts out. “Were you cheating on me with that bastard Levi Grant?"

“Of course I wasn't!” I snap at him. “How do you think I could do something like that?”

“What the f**k are you doing marrying him then?” Sebastian claims angrily.

Before I have time to answer anything, Levi stands between us. His hand closes around Sebastian's shoulder as he pulls him away from me.

“Take your hands off my wife!” Levi shouts and his voice does things to me. It makes me want to follow every word he says.

His fist impacts Sebastian's face as he tries to retort and knocks him down. Silence falls in the room except for the music.

My gaze remains lost between the man I love, or used to love, and my husband, as the confrontation breaks out between the two of them.