Chapter 189: The Bright Side

Chapter 189: The Bright Side
Vida's POV

Days had passed since I left the pack infirmary, days since we arrived at the human territory. However, everything still felt like a dream. Sometimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night, my hand flying straight to my neck, touching the mark there, to make sure it was real, that it was still there, that the guardians hadn't come for me, that Meredith was still mine. We are finally going to have our Union.

Surviving death once was terrifying, but surviving it twice didn't feel real; it felt like I was walking through borrowed time, and yet life didn't stop; it kept going, fast, relentless, and now in just three days, I was getting married.

I stood in front of the mirror again, my fingers brushing lightly over my stomach, a small, soft smile formed on my lips, "I can't wait to meet you," I whispered, to the pup already growing inside me.

Everything seemed to be happening so fast, but somehow, everything was falling perfectly into place. The Guardian Goddess, who happened to be my grandmother, hadn't even tried to reach me after that day. Maybe this was for the best. Having aunt Rosa around was helpful, more than I expected, She filled a space in me, I didn't even realize had gone hollow since the moment she was confirmed in that hospital ward, the day, we arrived at the hospital, I wanted to asked her about my mother, but I didn't want to shattered the joy, I saw in her face when she saw me and Meredith's mother, Eleanor, she was something else, warm, strong and overwhelming loving. With the two of them around, I didn't have time to drown in my thoughts.

Linda and Akira were still at the pack, handling things but they had promised to return before the weekend, before the wedding. Everything was aligning, everything was falling into place, but why did it still feel like something could go wrong? "Vida!" Meredith's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned and faced him, giving him a lazy look. He was leaning against the doorframe, watching me with that satisfied grin. His eyes softened in admiration. "Are you ready?" He asked

I nodded, "yeah!"

He smiled, "Good, let's go before you change your mind."

I rolled my eyes slightly but walked over to him, slipping my hand into his. For the past few days, Meredith had been asking me to go out with him, and I would always decline, and even when I agreed at the very last minute, I would just cancel. "Where are we going?" I asked

"Movie," he said.

"A normal date," I asked, he chuckled, then nodded.

"If that is what you want, I will not book the entire cinema." I laughed softly, it seemed he understood what I meant by a normal date. By the time we got to the cinema, the place was crowded, lively, full of people laughing, talking, and living. For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in, no wolves, no power, no danger, just humans

"This feels weird," I admitted.

Meredith chuckled, "Good weird or bad weird?"

"Good," I said softly.

He squeezed my hand, "Then we are doing it right." We got our tickets, grabbed snacks, and found our seats. The lights dimmed slowly, as the movie started, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself relax. I leaned slightly into him, resting my head against his shoulders, feeling his warmth, his presence.

This was what I wanted, peace, me, him, and us. The movie was a romantic one; somehow, it felt like we were watching our story, from hate to love. I enjoyed every minute of it when the movies ended, Meredith asked that we go home.

"Where is the driver?" I asked when he pulled the door at the driver's side.

"I told him to go home, he can't wait." I look at him, "Hop in, have you forgotten I could drive?" He winked at me as I got into the passenger side, just when he was about to turn on the ignition, his phone rang. The sound was soft, but in the quiet car, it felt loud. Meredith frowns slightly, pulling it out of his pocket.

I glanced at the screen, "Who is it?"

He hesitated for a second, "Logan!"

My brows furrowed. Why would Logan be calling now? "What is going on?" I asked quietly.

He shook his head, "I don't know,"

I stared at him for a moment, "take it," he looked unsure, "it might be important," I added

After a brief pause, he nodded and answered, but instead of a voice call, it was a video call, the screen lit up and suddenly, two familiar faces appeared, it was Logan and Austin. My brows pulled together slightly, why were both of them there? Meredith straightened slightly, "What is going on with you two, missing me already?"

Meredith teased, but the joy in Logan's face didn't make him reply to that; he didn't waste time dropping the bomb, "The council has made a decision."

My stomach tightened at the word decision, and about who? "About Riley," Austin added like he had read my mind. The name alone made my chest feel heavy, although Riley had done a lot of things in the past but I had never held him accountable but that day, he had pushed Meredith towards the stairs, that day had been the worst thing, he had done, wanting to kill my mate was below the belt and I don't think I could forgive him but Meredith said he didn't want to punish him, so I just let it rest. I watch Meredith carefully, his expression didn't change much, but I could feel it through the bond, he was tense and uneasy.

"He is found guilty," Logan continued, "of handling illegal stuff, Wolfsbane to be specific." The car felt colder the outside world disappeared, "and according to the law," Logan went on, "a criminal cannot remain among the high-ranking wolves of a pack." My heart started beating faster and Logan added, "Riley has been stripped of the beta title, he is no longer a beta "

I glanced at Meredith, I was expecting him to be happy, to show some emotions, but I didn't see any of that, his expression was just blank, then Logan's tone changed slightly, "But that is not all," I held my breath, "The council wants to meet you."

Meredith blinked, and for the first time since the conversation started, he spoke, "What for?"

"They want to discuss your position."

The meaning was clear, too clear, for even an idiot to understand, they wanted him back, they wanted Meredith as the pack beta once more. Meredith didn't speak immediately. I could feel it: his mind racing, his emotions shifting, between confusion and hesitation, "I..." He started, then stopped. For once, Meredith had no words. He ran his hands around his temple. "I will think about it." He said finally, I let out a breath of relief, at least this time, he wasn't ruling it out completely.

Logan nodded, "I already told them you're in the human territory. And that you are preparing for your wedding."

My heart warmed slightly at that, "at least you remembered that," Meredith muttered lightly.

Logan smirked faintly, "Why would I forget when that is all I heard from my Luna's lips?" I let out a little laughter. "You can come after the wedding."

Meredith nodded slowly, then something seemed to hit him, "wait..." His brows furrowed, "Who took the matter to the council because I remembered I said I didn't want him punished?"

There was a brief pause, then Logan answered, "Alpha Ryan." The name hung in the air. I saw it: the flicker in Meredith's eyes, surprise, and gratitude. Even though he didn't want to punish Riley, he was grateful that Ryan was reaching out, and he was slowly gaining another friendship with Ryan.

Austin leaned closer to the screen, "Congrats, man, in advance," he said with a genuine grin, like he already knew the outcome of the meeting, "I can't wait to work with you again." Again, now these words felt like they were already decided, like Meredith was already going back to the life he knew, my chest filled with excitement for him, for my mate, and for my peace of mind.

Meredith parted his lips, but before he could reply, another voice cut in, "Logan," Akira called from somewhere off-screen. Logan turned slightly.

"What is it?"

"Someone is on the line."

Logan frowned, "Who?"

Akira hesitated for a second, then said, "he said his name is Keegan." The name hit like a spark, Keegan. I felt Meredith stiff beside me.

"Keegan," he repeated slowly, something in his voice had changed, I looked at him, really looked and for the first time since we stepped out of the cinema, that uneasy feeling in my chest came back, stronger, like the calm we had been living in was about to break, my fingers tightened around his, "Meredith.. " I whispered, but he wasn't looking at me anymore, his gaze was fixed on the screen, on Logan, on whatever Logan was going to get from the call. Logan's face dropped, "Do you think the wolves’ Hunter take her?"