CHAPTER 39- New Beginning

***Varick’s POV***

The atmosphere was electric as we walked in, the whispers and side glances of the crowd turning into a low hum. I could hear them, their voices carried on the air like whispers in a secret garden. 

"Oh my goodness! He is so charming." One of the women whispered, glancing at me from across the room. The looks on their faces spoke volumes, and I knew that Star’s decision to marry me had certainly raised some eyebrows. The men she’d rejected over the years were no ordinary suitors. Wealthy, influential, and from prestigious families—yet none of them had caught her attention. They were all rich, powerful, and respected. But none of them were me. Star had always been obsessed with good-looking men, and to her, that meant a different standard altogether.

"But don’t you think the young man is acting strangely?" another woman added, narrowing her eyes at me. "He’s here alone. No family, no entourage. He came to marry Star all by himself. This has never happened before."

The question hung in the air, and the second woman, clearly unsure, asked, "What do you mean?"

"Isn’t it strange? The usual tradition is that the man comes to the woman’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. But this... this is the opposite. Star and her family seem to be the ones doing the marrying, not him." The first woman continued, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"You're right. It does seem odd. I mean, look at him. He hasn’t even smiled since he arrived. Do you think maybe Star and her father are controlling him somehow? Her father is a healer after all. Maybe he’s used some of his abilities to... influence this?" the second woman speculated.

The more they spoke, the more curious I became about how they viewed this moment. They didn't know me. They had no idea who I was, or what had led me here today.

"His face is oddly familiar," the first woman murmured, her brows furrowed in concentration. "I’ve seen him somewhere before. But where?"

"You know everyone, don’t be ridiculous," the second woman dismissed her friend’s thoughts.

"No, this is different. I swear I’ve seen him before, but I can’t remember where. It’s frustrating!" the first woman insisted.

"Shh! She’s looking at us," the second woman hissed as Star turned toward them with a sharp look.

The ceremony was about to begin in earnest, and I had to focus. The clamor around me faded as I entered a zone of heightened awareness. The performances and festivities, the wrestling matches and displays of strength, almost made me lose track of my purpose. But I kept my head steady, knowing that the real action was yet to come. The distractions only served to remind me of that bitter day when my crown had been stolen away from me and handed to Kyrous, my stepbrother. 

My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for any signs of the rogue forces that had been planning to disrupt the ceremony. It had been over an hour now, and still, no sign of them. My pulse quickened as the moment for our vows approached. My thoughts raced, and I desperately wanted to speak to Lulu, my trusted ally. But he was nowhere in sight.

It felt like an eternity before Lulu finally appeared at my side, slipping in quietly. He leaned in, his voice barely a whisper.

“We had a bit of a situation," he said quickly, his face tense. "But they’ll be here any moment.”

As he spoke, Star noticed him and immediately called him over to her.

"Hey! What are you doing over there, and why are you talking to him?" Star barked, her voice sharp and irritated. It was her usual tone—brash, controlling—but this time, there was something more in it. She didn’t want anyone near me. She didn’t want anyone to see the cracks in the facade she had so carefully built around this arranged marriage.

"Oh, no. I was just cleaning off a stain on his collar," Lulu responded smoothly, his voice laced with false innocence. "You know, you’ll be taking your vows soon, and your groom’s shirt needs to be perfect, right?"

Star eyed him suspiciously for a moment but then seemed to accept his explanation. She didn’t give it a second thought. But I knew better.

Finally, the moment came. They called us up to take our vows. Star’s hand was on my arm as we made our way toward the altar. My heart pounded in my chest. I was waiting for a signal—something, anything that would tell me when to act. But it didn’t come. I stood there, in front of the priest, watching as Star’s face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with joy.

And then—gunshots. The first round of fire echoed through the air, sending a jolt through my body. The sound wasn’t from a standard firearm. It was the harsh, mechanical roar of an automatic weapon—an unmistakable call for war.

The chaos erupted in an instant. The rogues swarmed the venue, flooding the place like ants. The guests scattered in every direction, and panic spread like wildfire. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Lulu had pulled it off. His plan had worked. Star, ever the survivor, didn’t hesitate. She whipped a gun from her wedding gown and began firing back with practiced precision. Her father and brother followed suit, but we were outnumbered, outgunned.

I didn’t want to fight—not yet. I wasn’t interested in showing off my skills in the middle of this chaos. Instead, I grabbed Lulu by the arm and pulled him away from the fray.

But then, Star’s brother spotted us trying to escape. He rushed toward me, his hands gripping my shirt tightly as he tried to drag me back. He was convinced that I was still under the influence of the sedatives his sister had given me. He thought I would follow his commands without question, but he was wrong.

I ripped his hand off my chest and, without thinking, threw a punch. His surprise was evident as he stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock.

"I knew it!" he hissed. "I knew you were pretending!"

He clenched his fists, ready to retaliate. But I was faster. Years of training in Drakonia had sharpened my instincts. I could move faster than most, and no man, let alone Star’s weak brother, could keep up with me. I took him down with ease and, without a second glance, ran off with Lulu.

I could hear Star’s voice above the chaos, calling out for her groom, but I didn’t look back. Not for a moment.

Lulu and I reached the car in record time, and I floored the gas pedal without a second thought. The engine roared to life, and we sped away into the night.

For the first few moments, the car was filled with nothing but the sound of the engine and my own thoughts. I kept glancing at the rearview mirror, trying to make sure we weren’t being followed. It wasn’t long before I noticed a truck full of rogues trailing us.

"Shit! They’re following us!" I yelled.

But Lulu, ever calm, leaned forward with a grin on his face. "Don’t worry, they’re with us!"

I shot him a confused look, but he continued with enthusiasm. "They’re my friends, man. They’re making sure we get to the border safely."

Relief flooded through me as I realized he had everything planned out. The car had a full tank of gas, and Lulu had managed to procure weapons with the money from the sale of what I gave him. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. Lulu had done more than I could have hoped for.

As we neared the border, the road became smoother, and the shaking of the car began to subside. I pressed the gas pedal harder, and we hit the expressway. The rogues stopped at the entrance, their pursuit momentarily halted.

I paused, glancing in the rearview mirror. There was nothing but open road behind us now. I waited for a moment longer, letting the tension seep out of my shoulders.

Then, as if on cue, Lulu and I let out a victorious shout in unison. We were free. This was our new beginning. The road ahead stretched endlessly, and I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: hope.