Chapter 129 129

Chapter 129 129
LYKA

“What are you doing here?” I asked flatly.
Zuri shrugged casually.
“I came to wish you happiness,” she replied sweetly.
Then her smile widened cruelly.
“Although we both know that would be a lie.”
I sighed tiredly.
Honestly, I didn’t even have enough energy to argue with her today.
“Well,” I replied calmly, “too bad for you because I’m still going to have a happy marriage.”
I stepped forward intending to leave. But Zuri suddenly stopped me.
“You must be very happy right now,” she said quietly.
I forced another smile. “Of course I am,” I answered smoothly. “I’m marrying the man I love.”
I expected irritation.
Jealousy.
Anger.
Instead, Zuri simply smiled strangely.
That alone unsettled me immediately.
“You should enjoy it while it lasts,” she murmured softly.
My brows furrowed instantly.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked sharply. “Are you trying to curse me now?”
Zuri laughed quietly.
“Why would I curse you when reality will do the work itself?”
A strange chill crawled slowly through my body.
Her expression remained calm.
Too calm.
“Your life is going to become a disaster very soon,” she continued softly. “I’m only warning you so you can prepare yourself.”
My grip tightened instinctively around my dress.
Normally, I would’ve ignored her dramatic nonsense immediately.
But something about her tone today felt different. Serious. Almost confident. And that bothered me.
Still, I refused to show weakness before her.
“I’ve survived worse things already,” I replied firmly. “So whatever you’re hinting at doesn’t scare me.”
To my surprise, Zuri didn’t respond. She simply walked past me silently. That silence disturbed me more than any insult she could’ve thrown.
Something was definitely happening behind the scenes.
And somehow…
Zuri already knew about it.
“If she’s this confident,” I murmured quietly beneath my breath, “then something bigger is going on.”
One of the maids gently interrupted my thoughts afterward.
“My lady, we should hurry. The ceremony will begin soon.”
I nodded slowly before forcing myself forward again.
But after taking only a few steps...
I stopped abruptly.
Derrick appeared at the far end of the hallway.
Alexia immediately purred excitedly inside my head.
Mate looks incredible.
Honestly…
She wasn’t wrong.
Derrick looked devastatingly handsome dressed in his royal ceremonial attire. The dark fabric fit perfectly against his broad frame while silver detailing across his clothes emphasized his position beautifully.
His presence alone commanded attention effortlessly.
The closer he walked toward me, the faster my heartbeat became.
Under different circumstances, I probably would’ve been completely distracted by how attractive he looked.
But today…
My thoughts were too heavy for that.
The moment he reached me, I forced a small smile onto my face.
Apparently, Derrick noticed immediately.
“Don’t force yourself to smile,” he murmured softly while studying my expression carefully. “People will think I threatened you into this marriage.”
A weak laugh escaped me.
“It’s not fake,” I replied quietly. “I’m just nervous.”
My voice faltered halfway through the sentence.
Because nervousness still wasn’t the truth.
Derrick’s gaze softened slightly.
“You look worried,” he said gently before brushing his fingers against my cheek.
I lowered my eyes briefly.
Then suddenly, Derrick leaned closer toward me.
“If this is about Morgan,” he whispered quietly near my ear, “then stop worrying.”
My eyes widened instantly.
“She’s alive. Delinda saved her.”
For several seconds, I genuinely couldn’t process his words.
Then relief crashed into me violently.
“Really?” I breathed out shakily.
Derrick nodded immediately.
“Yes.”
Joy flickered through me so suddenly that I nearly felt dizzy.
“Then why isn’t she here?” I asked quickly.
Derrick sighed softly.
“Do you really think bringing Morgan back to the pack right now is a good idea?”
I paused. Then slowly shook my head. No.
That definitely sounded disastrous.
Morgan already caused enough trouble before everything happened.
Having her return immediately would only create more tension.
“You made the right decision,” I admitted quietly. “Maybe now we can finally focus on fixing everything together.”
Derrick blinked.
“Together?”
A faint smile spread across my lips despite everything weighing on me.
“Yes,” I replied before stretching my hand toward him playfully. “As a team.”
For a brief moment, Derrick simply stared at my hand.
Then slowly...
He placed his hand against mine.
Warmth spread through me instantly.
“Alright,” he said softly while smiling faintly. “Let’s work together, my Luna.”
My Luna.
The words alone made heat rush straight to my cheeks. I loved hearing him call me that.
For the first time in weeks, genuine happiness briefly bloomed inside my chest.
A fragile moment of peace. If only I had known disaster was already approaching us quietly...
I wouldn’t have felt so calm.