Chapter 109: Chapter 109 – Instructions

Lex’s POV

I stood rigidly at the altar inside the old temple, forcing myself to breathe as guests arrived, each new face making my heart pound harder.

Goddess, why do I feel like this? The air was thick with expectation, but all I could think about was something going wrong.

“Why are you so bloody nervous?” Lotus mused, his voice echoing in my mind, trying to sound casual.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my throat tight. “I just—something feels off…”

“Take a deep breath,” Zack advised, stepping closer. He was already dressed in his suit and looked every bit the charming best man.

“It’s easy for you to say,” I muttered, glancing at him. “You’re not the one getting mated today.”

“True,” he replied, cool as ever. “But Adira and I have decided to make it official after her descent. I’m going to see her parents once everything’s settled.”

“That’s a great idea,” I said, trying to focus, to distract myself. “Sneaking around isn’t the best—”

“Mmm,” Zack hummed. “Hendrix and Danielle are going public too…”

“That’s good news. Maybe his parents could lift the spell—”

“Excuse me for a moment,” Zack suddenly cut in, his eyes snapping to the exit where Adira stood. His entire posture changed, tense and alert.

I frowned, following his gaze. Something about the way Adira’s eyes darted, the way Zack moved—something was wrong.

“Something happened,” Lotus whispered, anxiety tingling in my veins. “Adira seems anxious…”

Zack hurried back, trying to act normal, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, my voice tight.

“All fine,” Zack answered too quickly. “Just some minor issues with the bridesmaid dresses.”

I stared at him, searching his face. He avoided my gaze, shifting from foot to foot.

“Tell me the truth,” I ordered under my breath, nodding as guests entered. “If it’s about Lilly, just tell me. Don’t make me guess.”

Zack sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

“I hate that you can read me,” he muttered, jaw clenched.

I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because I can’t hide shit from you,” he snapped back, tension radiating from him.

I forced a small smile. “Stop being difficult. Tell me what’s going on before I lose my temper—”

He let out a shaky breath.

“Lilly is missing—”

“Wait, what!?” My voice exploded, echoing through the temple. Guests turned, murmurs crackling like static in the air.

Zack grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. “Adira said not to worry,” he whispered. “We should act normal. She’s working on it.”

I grabbed Zack by the collar, pulling him closer, my pulse roaring in my ears. “Where is she?” I snarled, barely keeping control.

“No one knows,” Zack said, his voice low. “Adira is trying to track her.”

He shrugged off my grip, straightening his jacket, trying to compose himself. “Let’s do as Adira says. We can’t panic.”

“Zack,” I growled, anger and dread churning inside me. “If anything happens to my mate, I’ll hold you responsible. Understand?”

He glared back, equally on edge. “I trust Adira. She knows what’s at stake—what Lilly means to you, to your parents, to all of us. She won’t let you down. She knows what losing her would do to you.”

I’d never seen Zack so rattled. One second he was snarling at me; the next he stormed off, jaw set.

“Is everything alright?” My mother’s voice chimed, startling me.

“Lilly’s missing,” I said, voice hollow, watching Zack vanish down the hallway.

“What do you mean, missing?” she demanded, alarm rising. “Wasn’t Ria with her?”

I shook my head and turned. My father was by my mother’s side, both dressed for the mating ceremony, but his eyes were clouded with worry.

“Ria must have left to get ready, and that’s when Lilly disappeared,” I answered, frustration biting at every word.

My father’s eyes glazed over as he mind-linked someone.

“Everyone is going out looking for her,” he reported a moment later.

“Should we cancel the ceremony?” my mother asked, her voice trembling.

“No,” I said, clinging to Adira’s instructions. “Adira said to go on as planned.”

My mother’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing. I could almost hear her thoughts spiraling.

“Mom?” I pressed, anxiety gnawing at me. “Do you know something?”

She shook her head. “But I suggest you listen to Adira. If we don’t follow her plan, whatever they are planning might not work.”

Was she serious? What if Lilly didn’t make it back? My heart hammered painfully in my chest.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” my father muttered, his anxiety mirroring my own.

“I do too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Let’s keep calm and do as Adira asked,” my mother repeated. “Adira’s clever—if she has a plan, we need to trust her.”

“I hope you’re right.” But doubt gnawed at me, sharp and merciless.

“In the meantime, I’ll get Luke to investigate,” my father said, already moving.

Mom nodded. “And make sure the rest of your guards are at the ceremony.”

“Alpha,” an unfamiliar voice called, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned, every muscle tense.

“Yes?” I answered, my tone sharper than I intended.

“Your bride is ready,” he said, gesturing down the hallway. “We can begin the ceremony.”

“My bride?” I echoed, startled.

He nodded. “She just arrived.”

“They found her?” my father said, but even he sounded unconvinced.

A cold knot twisted in my stomach, hope and suspicion warring inside me. Was it really Lilly—or was something else about to go down?