Chapter 15 CHAPTER 15

Chapter 15 CHAPTER 15
Bronte's POV

I walk back to the pack house and find Irina coming down the stairs with a box of candles.

"Irina, I need to talk to you."

She looks at my face and sets the box down. "What happened?"

"Not here."

She follows me to the storage room and closes the door behind us.

"Serena knows," I say.

"Knows what?"

"That I went to see Sebastian this morning. She saw me in the east wing."

"Shit."

"She threatened me, told me to be more careful, said people talk."

"Of course she did." Irina leans against the shelves. "What exactly did she say?"

"That she saw me visiting the warriors' quarters, that I was there for a while, that I should be more careful or people will start talking."

"People are already talking."

"What do you mean?"

"I heard two pack members this morning whispering about how you watch Sebastian during training. They said you look at him differently than you look at Alexander."

My stomach drops. "Who said that?"

"Does it matter? The point is, you're not as subtle as you think you are."

"I'm not doing anything."

"Bronte, you went to his room this morning."

"To check on his injuries."

"And stayed for how long?"

I don't answer.

"Exactly." She crosses her arms. "You need to be more careful. If I saw you, if Serena saw you, if pack members are noticing, how long until Alexander notices?"

"He won't."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because he's too focused on the ceremony."

"For now, but what happens after? When you're Luna and living here permanently and Sebastian is still around and you keep—"

Someone knocks on the door.

We both freeze.

"Bronte?" A young woman's voice. "Alpha Alexander is looking for you."

I open the door.

"The ceremony coordinator is here for the rehearsal," she says. "Everyone's gathering at the venue now. Alpha wants you there in ten minutes."

"Tell him I'm coming."

She nods and leaves.

Irina looks at me. "You ready for this?"

"No."

"Good, at least you're honest about something."

We walk back through the pack house and I hear voices everywhere.

"Did you see the flowers? They're perfect."

"I heard her parents are arriving tomorrow morning."

"Poor thing, she looks terrified."

"Would you be terrified marrying Alexander? He's perfect."

"I don't know, did you see how she looked at his brother during training?"

I walk faster.

Outside, the clearing is filling with pack members. The coordinator stands at the altar checking her tablet while Alexander directs people to their seats.

Sebastian is there with a group of warriors. He sees me and looks away immediately.

"There you are." Alexander appears at my side. "Ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"It'll be quick, just a run-through so everyone knows where to stand."

The coordinator claps her hands. "Alright everyone, let's get started! Pack members, please take your seats. Wedding party, with me."

We follow her to the front. She positions Alexander and Sebastian at the altar.

"Best man here," she says, placing Sebastian to Alexander's right.

Sebastian moves into position without a word.

"And Maid of Honor?"

"That's me," Irina says.

"Perfect. And you are?" The coordinator looks at Serena.

"Serena, I'm helping coordinate everything."

"Oh wonderful, can you stand with the family section then? Just so we know where everyone goes."

Serena's smile tightens. "Of course."

The coordinator turns to me. "Now, we'll have the bride enter from the pack house. For the rehearsal, just walk from where you're standing."

I move back to the starting position.

"And walk!"

I walk down the makeshift aisle. Pack members watch from their seats. I keep my eyes on Alexander.

I reach the altar and the coordinator positions me in front of him.

"Perfect. Now, the officiant will say the vows, you'll exchange them, and then..." She checks her notes. "Oh, there's a tradition. The best man kisses the bride for good luck before the groom does."

"What?" I ask.

"It's a Blue Moon Pack tradition," she explains. "The best man kisses the bride first to show the pack's approval and blessing."

Alexander looks at Sebastian. "You ready for that, brother?"

Sebastian doesn't move.

"Bas?"

"No."

"No?"

"I'm not kissing your fiancée."

One of the pack members whispers, "Did he just refuse?"

Another responds, "I've never seen anyone refuse Alexander."

The coordinator shifts uncomfortably. "It's, um, tradition."

"Find a new tradition," Sebastian says.

"It's just a kiss," Alexander says, his voice still light but with an edge now.

"Then you do it."

"I will, after you."

"No."

"Is there a problem, Sebastian?"

"No problem. I'm just not doing it."

"Why not?"

"Because she's your fiancée, not mine."

Serena steps forward. "Maybe we should just skip that part."

"We don't skip traditions," Alexander says, not looking at her.

"It's optional though, right?" Irina asks the coordinator.

"Well, yes, some packs do it, some don't—"

"We do it," Alexander says firmly.

"Not this time," Sebastian says, and turns to walk away.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm done with the rehearsal."

"We're not finished."

"I am."

Alexander takes a step forward. "Sebastian."

"Alex, let him go," Serena says, touching his arm. "He's probably just tired from training."

"He's being disrespectful."

"He's being honest," Sebastian says, turning back. "You want me to kiss her? In front of everyone? The day before your wedding?"

"It's tradition."

"It's fucked up."

Pack members gasp.

Alexander's face darkens. "Watch your mouth."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll remind you who the Alpha is."

"I don't need reminding, brother, I live with it every day."

They stare at each other and the whole clearing holds its breath.

"Fine," Alexander says finally. "Leave. We'll finish without you."

Sebastian looks at me for exactly one second, then walks away.

The coordinator clears her throat. "Let's, um, continue from the vows then."

"Yes," Serena says brightly. "Let's continue. This is such a happy day."

Alexander takes my hands but he's not smiling anymore.

"From the vows," the coordinator repeats.

And the rehearsal continues.