Chapter 63 Elijah, I need you now

Chapter 63 Elijah, I need you now
Lara

It seemed like a déjà vu as I stared back at my reflection. Once again, I was in a wedding dress but unlike the simple one I had first this one was sophisticated. It was a body-hugging lace wedding dress that closely followed my shape. The fabric was covered in detailed floral lace, fitted through the waist and hips, with a smooth, structured silhouette that moved easily as I walked. I had on the perfect dress. My hair was styled to perfection. Even my makeup was done this time. 

Yet…

Yet I felt empty. The hollow feeling in my chest refused to go away. Unlike the first time when I felt nervous, now I feel sad. I looked at the guards staring inside my room and sighed.

“You can leave now. The ceremony will start soon.” I told them. They had been standing inside my room the whole time.

“Prince Jacob said…”

“Leave,” I said. I noticed the hesitation before they left. Jacob has been extra since the wedding drew closer. He was paranoid since the way the last one turned out. I heard footsteps approach my room and I groaned.

“I thought I said you should..”

My words caught in my throat as I watched Elijah enter my room. My lips trembled as I looked at him. He made no move to come towards me.

“Elijah..”

My legs carry me to him and I fall into his arms. He squeezed me tight but it was as if it wasn’t tight enough. I inhaled his scent and warmth filled my body. This was what I needed to fill the emptiness in me.

“Come with me,” Elijah whispered into my hair as he gave it small kisses. I shook my head but he held on to me. “Let’s leave here Lara.”

“I..I can’t.” I choked back tears. Elijah pulled away slightly and his eyes bore into mine.

“You don’t want to be here.” He stated.

I stepped away from him. My body shook as I contemplated it. “Elijah, following you is betraying my pack.”

“Lara..”

“I can’t do that Elijah.” A single tear fell down my cheek as I saw the hurt in his eyes.

“I’ll be around Lara. If you change your mind, run to me.” He raised my hand to his mouth and kissed it. I realized I was still wearing the jade ring. My wedding ring.

He quickly left the room and it took everything in me not to call him back. I am doing the right thing, I assured myself but at the back of my mind, everything felt off. It felt wrong.

“Luna, it’s time.” I heard a maid call from outside. I took a deep breath and dabbed my face with a bit of powder. I was doing the right thing.

I stepped out of the room and saw an empty house. Everyone must be at the venue now. Suddenly the memory of the pack house in Moonlight pack flashed through my mind. I couldn’t believe the place I once thought was noisy was what I missed now. How the kitchen and living room would be filled with pack members having breakfast. It was just empty here. 

The twins.. I wondered what they were doing now. Did they ask about me? 

The carriage took me to the venue and I looked out the window and saw the villagers standing by the side with smiles on their faces. Instead of boosting my confidence, it made me feel worse.

I heard soft music playing and the carriage came to a stop. The doors opened and a guard held out his hand to me. I took it and came down. I was met with hundreds of eyes staring at me. The place was quiet now except for the music playing. Jacob was on the other end of the aisle with the priest and the Alpha was seated up in front.

Vera rushed towards me and handed me a bouquet and covered my head with a veil. I looked around nervously for Papa but I couldn’t find him.

“He said he will be late,” Vera said quickly when she noticed I was looking for him. Papa was going to be late? I just had a feeling he didn’t want to be here.

Me neither.

Vera patted my back, urging me to go forward. I took slow steps towards Jacob. He was beaming at me which was unlike his character. He looked like the perfect Alpha, like he was meant to be here. Unlike me.

“Remember, do not let anybody force you to do what you don’t want to do. If the energy is bad, run.”

Papa’s words flashed through my mind. Was this what he meant? I looked around and noticed all eyes were on me and I had stopped walking. The same people who concluded I was cursed were gathered once again with fake smiles on their faces.

“Lara?” Jacob called softly. He tried to walk towards me but I stepped backwards. Confusion was etched all over his face and I slowly shook my head.

I can’t do this.

I took more steps back. “If you change your mind, run to me.”

“Elijah, I need you now,” I said through the mindlink.

“Right behind you.” He replied immediately.

I turned around and ran out of the venue. I heard murmurs erupt behind me but I didn’t look back. I saw Elijah on his horse holding his hand out and I didn’t think twice before taking it. The Royal guards rushed towards us but Elijah had his own guards in place surrounding us. 

“Hey M’lady.” Ron grinned from his own horse and my heart warmed. How did I believe I could leave all of them behind and start a new life?

Elijah adjusted me on his horse and cued it to move with his leg.

“Let’s go home.”

I looked back at the home I was leaving behind and felt nothing. It was probably because I don’t consider it my home anymore. My home was with the Moonlight pack.