Chàpter 193: The wedding Pt 3

Chàpter 193: The wedding Pt 3
Vida's POV

"May I have this dance?"

My smile brightened as I placed my hand on his. "You may." He took my hands and led me gently onto the dance floor. The music wrapped around us like a soft promise, slow and steady, building every step we took together.

Meredith's hand tightened slightly around mine, as he drew me closer, his other arm secure around my waist, just as I had imagined it, I could feel the carefulness in his movements, the way he calculate each step, like he was afraid of getting it wrong, "bear with me," he muttered near my ear, his breath warm against the skin of my earlobe. "If I step on your feet a thousand times, I haven't danced in over a year."

I smiled, lifting my head to look at him, "I won't mind if I got bruised today..." His brows lifted slightly, "because this," I added softly, "is the first time, you are dancing with me." Something flickered in his eyes, soft and deeply emotional, and then he laughed, he let out a real laugh.

Before I could react, he spun me gently, the movement smooth despite his earlier worry of not dancing for over a year. My dress flared around me, and when he pulled me back against him, my heart skipped. "You know," he says softly, "when I first proposed to you, I kept wondering how awkward our wedding would be."

I tilted my head to him and frowned slightly, "Awkward?"

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips, "If I were told to kiss you, how would I do it? Will I be sitting in that ridiculous chair while you lean towards me?" He paused, "Then this part hit me, when they say dance with you, first dance as a couple, how could I do all that in a wheelchair?"

My laughter bubbled out before I could stop it, "Have you forgotten?" I tease gently, "I love sitting on your legs." He blinked, "I love the fact that I dance while you watch, remember that day at the hotel," I winked at him, as the memory of that night came flooding back, and I guess he remembers too, because his expression softened and his lips curved into a malicious grin. "I enjoyed that, I enjoyed being on your legs," I leaned in, "so that wouldn't have been a problem."

His expression softened completely, "Thank you," he said suddenly.

The words caught me off guard, "For what?"

"For being my legs," he replied quietly, "and for not giving up on me."

My chest tightened. Before I could respond, he spun me again, laughter escaping me as I landed back against him, "Why would I give up on you?" I asked, my voice softer, "When I was already falling badly for you?" He looked at me with a teasing expression, "to think," I added teasingly, "I wasn't even in love with you when you could walk back then."

His brows shot up, "So you felt pity for me and you..."

"No!" I shook my head quickly, cutting him off, "don't even go there," he searches my face, "I told you," I continued, my voice gentle but firm, "I always had a crush on you, I was just scared you wouldn't like me," his expression softened, but didn't take his eyes off me or even stop dancing for a second, "and Roe..." I hesitated slightly, "he was always kind to me..."

"Should I be mad at that?" Meredith asked, while my eyes suddenly tilted to the spot where Roe was sitting, but he wasn't there, then my ears picked up the sound of Summer giggles, my eyes darted towards Summer, and there, Roe was beside Nanny Clara. A small smile curved my lips. I had noticed that Roe was attentive to Clara since he arrived yesterday, but they all think he was always beside Clara because of his nephew and niece. After a brief stare, I let my gaze wander back to Meredith, then I shake my head again

"No," I whispered, "you should know, I only have eyes for you, only you..." I leaned in and kissed him softly, as if sealing the words. His hand tightened around my waist as he kissed me back, deeper this time, his lips lingering against mine. "I love the handsome Meredith Ramsey," I whispered against his lips.

"And I love the cutest Vida McCarthy," he murmured back before pulling me into another kiss, warm spread between us instantly. When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, his breath uneven, "We should be careful," he muttered, "before our arousals fill the entire room."

I burst into laughter, "So now you are worried about that?"

He smirked, "Very worried because I don't want Logan and Austin calling me a pervert for the rest of my life." I let out a pearl of laughter.

The music slowly came to an end, and we both stayed still, for a second, neither of us wanting to let go. We just stood there staring into each other's eyes, but eventually we did return to our seats.

And the hall began to buzz with chatter and laughter, everyone caught up in their own little conversation, as they enjoyed the food and drink. My eyes wandered across the room, taking everything in, Logan arguing with Akira over something I am sure was trivial because those two are always like that. At the other side, Casper was speaking quietly with Marcus, while Naomi adjusting little Alec's collar while he tried to squirm away, and then, there is Alonso, he was unusually quiet, he wasn't bantering Catherine, that alone was enough to catch my attention, his gaze kept shifting, subtle, but noticeable toward Butler Williamson's daughter, Jasmine. The young lady had been introduced to us a few days ago, and she was part of the entourage; she happened to be Roe's partner. "Here, have some juice, beautiful." A young man approached her, holding out a glass. She smiled politely, reaching to take it when a low growl cut through the air. I stiffened; that growl had come from Alonso. Alpha Casper immediately hit his shoulders lightly, "Control yourself." Alonso hissed under his breath, his jaw tightening, before he abruptly stood and walked away. The tension eased slightly, and conversation resumed

But something felt off, and then the door of the hall burst open, my head snapped towards the entrance, a young man stood there, tall, handsome, Dangerous in a way that made the air shift, not just dangerous in his aura, but he was dangerously handsome.

A Playboy? That was the first word that came to mind, then Catherine stood instantly, my stomach dropped, he is the one Catherine kept talking about, and the one Logan hated with everything within him. I shook my head, "Oh no, this is not going to end well," I muttered under my breath

Logan was already on his feet. Akira reached for him, trying to stop him, but he swatted her hand away. "Who invited you?" Logan barked, his voice sharp and dangerous.

The entire hall fell silent, Catherine stepped forward, "I did." I saw the expression on the young man's face, showing that Catherine didn't invite him.

Logan turned slowly, his eyes darkening, "You're still communicating with him? After everything?" She parted her lips to say something, "don't," but Logan cut her off coldly, then he turned back to the young man, "get out." The command echoed, I could feel the anger in Logan's voice and reaction.

"Logan you are embarrassing me," Catherine snapped.

"Embarrassing you?" Logan laughed bitterly, "You think this is embarrassing?" He asked Catherine coldly, "nah!" He points to the young man, "I'm being civil." His voice dropped, turning lethal, "because if I wasn't, I would have done worse than the things he and his family did to you." Catherine gasped, her eyes bulging, while Logan grinned wickedly, "Yes, I would have let my wolf tear him apart. Or maybe tie him to a bed and drain his blood for experiments."

A chill ran down my spine, as Logan tilted his head side by side, his neck's veins popped up, I could see he was trying to control himself not to shift into his wolf, "Logan no..." Catherine stood in front of him.

"Get off my face," he shoved Catherine aside slightly. I saw the young man instinctively reach for Catherine, but before he could hold Catherine, Austin already pulled her. "Seized him," Logan ordered. Everything happened too fast. Logan's fist was already connected with the man's face, and gasps filled the room.

Catherine cried out, fighting her way off Austin's grip while she rushed forward, "Meredith!" She shouted in desperation, knowing Meredith was the only one who could save the young man at this point.

Meredith stood instantly beside me, "Logan," he called firmly, "let him go, you will not punish the young man for a sin he didn't commit."

Logan's brows furrowed, anger rose in his chest, and his nose, "It all started because of him."

"C'mon, the guests are staring."

Meredith muttered, but Logan didn't move, "I will let him go, only on one condition." Catherine's eyes bulge, while Logan said coldly, "If he vows to stay away from Catherine." The young man shook his head, "You will not?" The young man parted his lips to say something but Meredith beat him to it.

"Yes, he will." Leaving the young man no room to argue.

"Good, throw him out," Logan added.

Catherine shoved Logan hard, "You have no right over my life!"

"I do when you are being reckless!" Logan snapped, "And for goddess sake, you are too young to have a boyfriend."

And that did it, Catherine flared, "I'm not a child," she shot back, "and your mate Akira, is barely older than me"

But Logan didn't listen to any of her ranting, "Take her away," he ordered the guards. My chest tightened. I understood that, although Logan might look harsh, he was only protecting his little sister. Meredith and I's wedding had been called off the second time because of Catherine. I would have loved to tell everyone the story, but it wasn't my story to tell. And I won't blame Logan for reacting like this; he wasn't just angry, he was mad at himself for not being able to protect his little sister for the second time. She was in danger. "I apologized for the little outburst."

Logan apologized, but the tension lingered even after the young man was dragged out, slowly, chatter resumed, the ceremony continued, but the air had changed, especially for those non-shifters in the party. I could see my Aunt's expression and even that of Aunt Amelia and Uncle Ross. They were filled with many questions.

And just when I thought everything was settling, a sharp voice cut through everything, "My water just broke!" Linda's voice erupted as my eyes fell on her gown, which was dripping wet." I think the baby is coming.



Author’s note

Just a few more chapters to wrap things up. While you are waiting, I would love to hear your thoughts on which characters you would like to see featured next. In these chapters, we've introduced three potential main storylines: Catherine and her mate, Roe and his mate, and Alonso and his mate.