Chapter 2 TWO
2.
Sophie's POV.
#Seven Years Ago.#
"You look like the morning sunshine itself, Sophie," Mark said, eyeing me in the purple bridesmaid dress.
I gave him a smile that didn't quite reached my eyes. "Thsre id nothing sweet about dressing up like a painted doll ahd bring so out of p I ace," I tried fir a tone of light curiosity, but it occurs as kicking laughter instead.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but the voice of Elder Derek came on, cutting off any speech.
"Dear pack members of Night Crawlers pack, I present to you Alpha Richard. And our beloved new Luna, Luna Vivian!" The Elder yelled, his voice rising above the noise.
My eyes drifted to where Vivian, my mother, stood beside her third husband, Alpha Richard. I shook my head, regret washing over me.
Alpha Richard looked in my direction, a smile gracing his lips. A smile I knew was reserved for only me. I swallowed thickly, shifting from foot to foot.
I glanced around, trying to ignore the man's eyes, feeling guilty on behalf of my mother.
They fell on the iron gates that stood open, draped in silky silk and the rear fluttered in the night breeze like ghosts.
Silver lanterns lined the gravel drive, their light casting the long, shimmering paths that guided guests toward the courtyard.
The courtyard itself had been reimagined as a ceremonial sanctuary. A wide aisle of pale marble cut through the space, dusted with crushed golden petals. At its end stood the altar where my mother, Vivian, stood with her new husband, Alpha Richard.
Vivian looked in my direction and gave me a sweet smile. I rolled my eyes at her purposely scripted performance.
There was no love lost or found between the two of us. If people weren't clamoring around, I could as well be dead to her. She muttered something to her new husband and began walking in my direction. I turned, ready to run away.
I stood transfixed to a spot. My mouth watered as my eyes rested on Dominic Steele.
Tall, handsome, broad in the shoulder, muscular, thoroughly tanned. He was the kind of man that would make anyone weak in the knees. Anyone, including myself.
After Vivian got e tangled with Alpha Richard, the only light in the darkness was Dominic, my stepbrother. I could still remember the first time we met, after Vivian forced me for the 'family meet and greet'. By the moon goddess, I wanted to rip his shirt off and have my wicked ways with him. It was hard to restrain myself, but I had to.
"Earth to Sophie." A deep, abrupt voice, right in my ear, yanked me from the darkness.
I jumped back, startled out of my wit. I looked up and found myself staring directly into Dominic’s blue eyes.
"You're hot!" I let out without thinking.
"Do i?" He asked in a dulcet tone.
Fuck!
I smiled through gritted teeth. "I mean... you don't look so bad. All the women think so too." It makes all the weak and woe-begone sir pathetic, embarrassing me even more.
Dominic casted a disbelieving gaze at me, his left brow cocked in amusement.
Desperation clung to me. I needed to diffuse the moment - to ease my embarrassment - with outrageous humor. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but no word escaped.
"My dearest chikdren!" Richard's voice traveled to where I stood, still contemplating how to die from the mortifying mess I drew myself into. Footsteps quickened in our direction.
"Dad," Dominic called, his voice stoic. He was back to being the usual cold Dominic.
"Sophie, are you giving your brother a hard time again?" Vivian asked, eyeing me with contempt for a few seconds before she remembered to remain in character. She smiled coldly, her hands draping around my shoulder. Her nails dug into my skin, inflicting pain. I shivered and stepped away from her.
"I wasn't," I said in a low voice.
"You should," Alpha Richard countered. "If my daughter, Eva, was still alive, I can bet with you that she would give Dominic such a hard time, he will almost feel like killing her." The man have a short but sad laughter. "So, you have to give him a hard time."
"Shall we proceed to the grand hall? For the feast?" Vivian asked, cutting off the small talks.
I led the way, glad to be away from the awkward situation.
The grand hall was draped in layers of silk and velvet in shades of ivory, deep wine, and midnight blue. Long banquet tables gleamed with silverware, crystal goblets, and centerpieces of white florals. Crystal chandeliers hung from soaring ceilings, casting warm light over marble floors and towering floral arrangements in shades of white and gold.
I sat at the edge of the table. Dominic sat opposite me. The smile at the corner of my lips disappeared when Camille, his fiancée, plopped down beside him.
I grabbed a glass of wine from the waiter and downed the contents. The alcohol in it burned my throat but I paid no heed. My eyes drifted back to Dominic who was pointedly ignoring me. I grabbed another glass of alcohol and gulped it down in one drink.
My head felt light, but I knew I wasn't drunk. Not yet.
I stabbed my fork and knife against the steak on my plate, anger burning through me.
What the hell was I thinking?
That just because Dominic and I share a chemistry, he would be mine? Heck, the man was now my brother. Feeling anything for him was forbidden.
I felt eyes on me and looked up, only to find Dominic staring directly at me. His gaze didn't waver. Not caring who saw him. Heat pooled between my thighs, my heart racing again. I gulped, my throat suddenly dry. I took another glass of wine and quickly sip from it to quench my thirst of lust.
"Dkminic," Camille called in a light tone, but still sturdy enough to grab my attention. Dominic paid her no heed, his eyes still transfixed on me. When I tire my gaze away from him to stare at Camille, her eyes were filled with venom for me.
I cleared my throat and quickly stood up. No one questioned my movement and I was grateful for that. I took slow but deliberate steps to the garden.
The full moon hung directly overhead, drenching the entire place with its warm light. I sat on a stone and simply stared at the moon, backing on its beauty. My wolf purred within me, contended. The urge to change and run under the full moon was draining but I shook the feeling off.
It was a full moon, the only time for an Alpha to be wedded to his Luna and be blessed by the moon goddess.
"You shouldn't be here alone."
I turned sharply, relaxing visibly when Dominic stepped out of the darkness.