Chapter 190: Rehearsal

Chapter 190: Rehearsal
Vida's POV

I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection in the mirror. It felt ridiculous, standing there in front of the long mirror, smoothing down a gown that wasn't even my wedding gown but I couldn't help it. My fingers trembled slightly as they traced the soft fabric, my heart beating faster than it should for something as simple as a rehearsal.

A wedding rehearsal was scheduled for today and tomorrow, which was the real wedding; I would become Meredith’s bride in the eyes of humans. My throat tightened at the thought. Twice, I was this close to getting married to Meredith. Twice this wedding has been cancelled. Twice I had stood on the edge of happiness only to have it ripped away. And now, standing here, breathing, alive, surrounded by people who loved me, it almost didn't feel real. But this time, it was happening, this time nothing would stop it.

I exhaled slowly and lifted my gaze from my reflection, turning toward the hall. The space was already filling, and my eyes immediately found Alonso, because, of course, he was standing beside our girl Catherine, the one who had gone through hard times, but still stood strong like nothing ever happened to her. My eyes didn't leave the two of them as they positioned themselves as my best man and chief bridesmaids. And as expected, they were already arguing. "I still don't understand why I have to stand beside you," Catherine snapped, crossing her arms, "out of everyone here, it has to be you"

Alonso placed a hand dramatically over his chest, "You sound mean, Cathy. Truly, I thought you would be honored to stand beside someone as handsome as me."

She scoffed, "Whatever mirror you've been using has been lying to you."

I bit back a laugh, Alonso gasped, "Ah! So that is it. You're intimidated. You are afraid I will take the spotlight."

"In your dreams." Catherine rolled her eyes, flipping her long hair behind. Their bickering grew louder, drawing attention from nearly everyone in the room.

"Cathy!" Meredith called softly and she turned to him.

"Yes,"

"I think Alonso might actually be your fated mate." Meredith's voice came up, and I turned just in time to see the teasing glint in Meredith's eyes.

Catherine didn’t even hesitate, "No!"

The word came out sharp, immediate, and he staggered back like he had been struck, clutching his chest, "My heart is shattered."

A deep chuckle echoes behind him as Alpha stepped forward, giving Alonso a firm hit on his shoulder, "Everyone knows you are a playboy. Leave the poor girl alone."

"Thank you Alpha Casper," Catherine said dramatically, "everyone kept wishing me ill-fated."

"Oh my poor heart, now everyone misunderstood you," Alonso muttered dramatically.

"Hopeless," Casper corrected

Logan leaned casually against a pillar, watching the exchange with amusement, "Catherine is stubborn," he said thoughtfully, "but I think they would make a good match."

Catherine’s head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing dangerously, "Don't even start."

"But I think alpha Logan is right," Linda said from beside me, her hands instinctively wrapped around her tummy, "you two look good together."

"Linda!" Catherine called in frustration.

"But it's true, you too are a good match, I wondered what your kids will look like?" Linda said.

"Eros and the moon goddess!" Austin added, and laughter broke out around the room.

"You all are mean." Catherine's fake sad facade.

"Hey, that's enough, stop teasing my bride," Alonso muttered. Catherine glared at him, and another round of laughter filled the air. I found myself smiling, really smiling, my chest warm in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. If this was what happiness looked like, I would give everything just to get it. Before I could savor it for too long, the doors opened again.

Alpha Marcus stepped in, his presence commanding as always, with his mate Naomi at his side and between them, the handsome little boy, "Alec!" The little boy didn't even glance at anyone, the moment he stepped inside, he broke free and ran straight across the room

"Careful," Naomi shouted behind.

"Where is he going?" Akira whisper

"To Summer, of course," I murmured, already knowing that the little boy's attention had always been taken by Summer even in the midst of a crowd.

Sure enough, he rushed to where baby Summer sat in her swing, completely ignoring every adult present. "Alec!" Alpha Marcus's voice cut through the room, firm but not harsh, "How many times had I told you to always acknowledge your elders before anything else?" The boy froze mid-step, slowly, very slowly, and he turned

With a small hiss, he mumbled, "I'm sorry, Uncle Logan, Alpha Casper..." He frowns slightly, I guess the young man's little brain is telling him that it would take too much time for him to take everyone's name, so he just ends it, "Sorry, everyone." Before anyone could even respond, he had already darted back to Summer's side, and Summer giggled when he brought out something from his pocket like a bracelet.

I laugh softly, while Naomi shook her head, "he is hopeless,"

Marcus looked like he wanted to scold him further, but then the doors opened again, Alpha Ryan walked in, with Elissa beside him, "Hey!" I called out instinctively, excitement bubbling over as I rushed forward, opening my arms. Elissa smiles, stepping into my embrace. We had a talk over the phone, but we haven't set eyes on each other.

Behind me, Catherine made a dramatic noise, "Wow, I didn't get that kind of greeting."

Naomi nodded in agreement, "Neither did I."

I pulled back, laughing, "I have seen you both so many times. This is my first time seeing her." Yes, I wasn't lying when I said so, then I turned back to Elissa, taking her in fully. She was stunning, radiant, with a quiet kind of beauty that drew attention even without trying. "You're really beautiful," I said honestly, "no wonder Alpha Ryan can't take his eyes off you."

"I'm handsome too." Alpha Ryan argued, and I shook my head.

"Not as cute as Elissa, she is a queen."

Ryan stiffened slightly, while Akira's voice cut in, teasing, "Are you turning lesbian? The way you are admiring her, Ryan should be worried someone is about to snatch his mate."

"Hey!" Ryan protested at the same time Meredith did.

"No," Meredith added quickly, stepping closer to me, his arm slipping around my waist possessively.

I laughed, tilting my head to look up at him, "Relax, I only have eyes for you." His expression softened instantly, and his lips brushed mine, and yet again the door opened.

Roe walked in, "I hope I am not getting lured into       a kissing booth." Roe's voice pulled us apart from each other.

"Hey, brother!" Akira squealed, running to him, and they both hugged each other.

"Yet another favoritism." Austin tease.

"Stop that, I missed my brother." Akira pouted.

"With the way you are missing me, is that young man not treating you well?" Roe asked pecking her forehead.

"He is trying, but it's different with you."

"Oh my poor heart," it was Logan's turn to be dramatic.

"Stop that." Akira pouted.

"You know, I'm just kidding?" Logan whispered as he clapped his hands against Roe, "Welcome, man!"

"Thanks!" Roe said before he turned to me, "Aren't you excited to see me?" And just like that, I throw my hands around him, and I hug him, "I almost thought Meredith asked you not to talk to me again."

Meredith choked at his words, "No heart feelings, you are blood." Just like that, Meredith pulled him into a hug after he freed me. A few days ago, Roe and I had a really heart-to-heart conversation, even Meredith apologized to him, and Roe, being Roe, just waved the matter away, saying if I am happy with Meredith, then he is happy for me.

"Hey man," Roe tapped Meredith's shoulder slowly, stop hugging me before you let my crush think I'm into men." Everyone burst into laughter, then he turned to everyone, "What the hell is going on? Why is everyone with a partner except me?"

"That's because your bride is not here for the rehearsal." Akira teases and his brows furrow.

"Bride? Is that what they call it now?" He asked dramatically.

"Maybe, that name is reserved specially for you." Austin tease

"Are you kidding me?" Roe faked anger, "She better be fine, or she will be spanked."

"Dirty mind!" Meredith winked at him.

"No!" He tried to explain himself, but they were already teasing him. And just like that, the teasing faded into something quieter, one by one, everyone took their places.

Couples stood together, since Roe's partner did not show up, Roe joined Akira and Logan. Laughter settled into murmurs, and the atmosphere shifted. In no time, the rehearsal began. We were guided into position, the coordinator walking us through every detail, "Alright, let's start with the procession," she said, "We will go in order."

Music played softly in the background just a preview of what tomorrow would sound like. I stood at the back, my heart pounding as I watched everyone line up. Catherine and Alonso were still muttering to each other under their breath, "If you step on my dress tomorrow..."

"I won't," Alonso cut in, "unless you trip first."

"Keep dreaming." I shook my head, smiling, these two are something else. I had muttered inwardly as the rehearsal went on, my chest tightened. Because no matter how many times we practice this, tomorrow will always feel different. I watched everyone of them take their spot in front of me, and when it was finally my turn, I hesitated, fear almost crippled me before I finally took a step forward. The music wrapped around me, soft and emotional, and I walked slowly down the aisle. At the end of it, stood Meredith waiting for me.

My breath caught because of the way he was looking at me. Even in something as simple as this, he still looked at me like I was already his world, like I was the best thing that had happened to him today, but when I reached him, my hands were already trembling. He took them gently, his touch warm, grounding, then he whispered, "Are you okay, love?" I smiled giving him a nod, because I couldn’t find my voice. Excitement, fear, and uncertainty had made me dumbstruck.

"From here," the coordinator continued, "we will go to your vows, just positioning for now." But I barely heard her, all I could focus on was him, Meredith, the one man who had stolen my heart and had made my heart race uncontrollably. The one man who gave me butterflies in my stomach and goosebumps on my skin. A small smile spread across my face when I remembered everything that we had been through, the pain, the fear, the lies, the secrets, but we are still here, still standing, still choosing each other. I couldn't help but feel grateful.

The rehearsal moved on, time for vows, exchange of rings, positioning, timing, but everything blurred altogether, and all I could see was tomorrow, walking towards him, saying the words that I had always said in secret in the presence of many. My head rests on Meredith's chest, "We made it, love."

Meredith smiled and kissed my forehead, "Yes, baby, and this time it's for real."