Chapter 186 Chapter 186
Violet
I took my position near the altar, standing beside Madison and Veronica as the ballroom filled with anticipation. The guests had finally settled into their seats, the earlier chaos of arrivals giving way to expectant silence broken only by the soft strains of classical music.
I let my eyes drift over the assembled crowd, over the flowers and candles and perfect decorations. And for just a moment, I allowed myself to imagine something different.
What if this was my wedding? What if Elijah was the one waiting for me at the altar instead of standing somewhere in the crowd?
I was so lost in the daydream that I didn't notice Nate had taken his position at the altar until he was standing directly in my line of sight. He caught my eye and smiled at me.
My own smile vanished instantly. I looked away quickly, focusing instead on some point past his shoulder, anywhere but at his face. I couldn't stand to look at him, couldn't pretend even for the sake of appearances that I felt anything but revulsion.
I hurried to take my place beside Veronica and Madison, putting distance between myself and Nate.
Madison was whispering urgently to Veronica, not bothering to lower her voice much. "I mean, that dress is at least three seasons old. How embarrassing."
"At least she tried," Veronica whispered back. "Did you see Mrs. Henderson? That hair? I'm pretty sure she's using the same style from her own wedding thirty years ago."
They continued gossiping and I shook my head, tuning them out, my attention drawn to the entrance as a hush fell over the ballroom.
Then Alpha Alaric and Lady Aurelia appeared at the entrance.
The entire room rose as one, heads bowing respectfully as the Alpha and his partner made their way down the aisle.
My hands curled into fists as I looked at Alaric, who had beaten his son with a poisoned belt yesterday and beside him, his wife, who had applied salve to Elijah's wounds with trembling hands while telling me love wasn't enough.
Now they walked like royalty, accepting the bows and respect of their pack like they were loving parents excited for this wedding instead of the broken, toxic people they really were.
They took their seats in the front row, and everyone else sat as well.
Nicole appeared at the entrance wearing a custom designed bridal dress with a full skirt and the train that was at least ten feet long.
She should have been looking at Nate, at her groom waiting for her at the altar and looked nervously excited about the ceremony and the marriage she was about to enter.
But she wasn't.
Her eyes were scanning the crowd, searching for something or someone. Her expression, visible through the sheer veil, was tense rather than joyful. Her hands gripped her bouquet so tightly I could see her knuckles whitening from where I stood.
She was probably looking for her friends, I thought. Or checking to make sure all the important guests had arrived. Nicole always cared so much about appearances, about who was watching and what they thought.
Then movement near the side of the ballroom caught my attention.
Elijah emerged from behind one of the curtains where the groomsmen had been waiting. He was supposed to have been with the other groomsmen, but apparently he'd slipped away for some reason.
Our eyes met across the distance, and he smiled at me.
But something was off about that smile. It didn't reach his eyes. There was tension in it, something that looked almost like... apprehension?
A flicker of unease went through me, but I pushed it aside.
He was probably just worried about being in the same room as his father and just as eager as I was for this ceremony to be over so we could leave.
He made his way to the front row and took the seat beside his parents. Lady Aurelia glanced at him, and I saw her lips move in what might have been a question. Elijah shook his head slightly, and she turned her attention back to the aisle.
Nicole had begun her procession, walking slowly to the music, her train being carefully managed by two young flower girls who struggled with its weight.
But I noticed her eyes kept drifting to the front row.
Nicole finally reached the raised dais where Nate stood waiting. He extended his hand to help her up the two steps, a gesture that should have been romantic.
But Nicole hesitated just for a second, so briefly most people probably missed it. Her eyes went to the front row one more time before she placed her hand in Nate's and allowed him to help her up.
Madison and Veronica rushed forward to arrange Nicole's train, spreading it out artfully behind her and adjusting her veil. I watched them fuss, my role as maid of honor apparently forgotten, not that I cared.
But that's when I caught her stealing another glance towards the front row.
My gaze drifted to Elijah and his parents as well.
I looked at Elijah too, unable to help myself. He was staring straight ahead, his expression carefully neutral. When he noticed me looking, he gave me another smile.
But before I could analyze it further, the officiant stepped forward. He was an elderly wolf, probably one of the pack elders, dressed in formal robes. He raised his hands, and the music faded to silence.
"Dearly beloved," he began, his voice carrying clearly through the ballroom. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Nicole Marie Clarke and Nate James Cross in the sacred bonds of marriage."
The traditional words washed over me as I stood there trying to ignore the growing knot of anxiety in my stomach.
Something felt wrong like the air before a storm, charged with electricity and the promise of violence but I couldn’t tell what or why.
"Marriage is not to be entered into lightly," the officiant said and I saw Nicole's shoulders tense beneath her veil.
"If anyone present knows of any reason why these two should not be joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace."
This was the traditional pause where no one ever actually spoke during this part.
When nobody spoke, he added,
“Groom, if you would present the ring."
Nate reached into his jacket pocket with a confident smile. Then his expression shifted to confusion as his smile became sheepish and embarrassed.
"I had it right here," he said with a laugh that sounded forced. "I know I had it."
He patted his pockets again, more frantically this time. The guests began to murmur, whispers spreading through the crowd.
"Elijah," Nate called out, turning to face the front row. "Could you help me find it? Maybe I dropped it?"
I saw Elijah's jaw tighten. Saw the reluctance in every line of his body as he stood but he got up nonetheless.
I could feel something was about to go horribly wrong but didn't know what or why.