Chapter 226

Chapter 226
WREN

The day of Sybil’s wedding dawned bright and golden, sunlight spilling through the wide glass windows of the estate like honey. The entire pack was alive with excitement. laughter echoing down the halls, the scent of flowers and fresh linen filling the air. It had been a while since we’d had something to celebrate, and Sybil deserved every bit of joy that came her way.

I sat in my wheelchair near the window while one of the girls adjusted the hem of my soft lavender dress. The fabric stretched comfortably over my rounded belly, and though my back ached constantly these days, and I was so tired I had to use the wheelchair from time to time. But I was determined to attend the ceremony.

Cassian stood beside me, his black suit sharp and elegant, though his face looked far too serious for a wedding day. His hand rested on the back of my chair as if afraid to let go.

“You look perfect,” he murmured quietly, leaning down so his lips brushed my ear.

I smiled up at him. “You say that like you’re surprised.”

His lips twitched in the faintest smile. “Never surprised. Just happy I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I reached for his hand, squeezing lightly. “Try to smile a little more today, Alpha. It’s your sister’s wedding, not a funeral.”

He sighed through his nose but kissed my forehead. “I’ll try. No promises.”

..............................

The ceremony took place in the courtyard inside the estate, an open field that had been transformed into something magical.

White and lilac roses climbed the archway at the altar, twinkling lights strung between the tall trees overhead. The air smelled of jasmine and cedarwood, and the faint hum of music drifted through the crowd.

Sybil looked radiant. Her ivory gown shimmered as she walked down the aisle, Cassian escorting her in their late father's stead. Her long curls were pinned up with pearls, and the joy in her face made my eyes sting.

As she reached her mate, the dapper looking Elias, the whole pack erupted in applause.

Cassian came back to stand behind me, one hand on my shoulder. I felt him exhale softly when Sybil and Eli exchanged vows.

“She looks so happy,” I whispered.

“She does,” he said, his voice low. “Elias is a good man. She deserves someone who treats her that way.”

“She deserves the world,” I added. “And so do you, Cassian.”

He looked down at me, eyes dark and unreadable. “My world’s right here,” he said simply.

My heart fluttered, but I tried to hide my smile as everyone cheered when Sybil and Eli sealed their vows with a kiss.

....................

The reception was like something out of a dream. Tables were arranged in long rows under the twinkling lights, covered in pale blue linens and wildflower arrangements. The pack feasted on roasted lamb, bread, and wine that flowed freely from crystal decanters.

I stayed near the edge of the crowd, watching as Sybil danced barefoot on the grass, laughing in Eli’s arms.

Cassian stood behind me again, silent, his hand still resting on my chair.

“Are you brooding again?” I teased softly. “You’ve been glaring at Reed for dancing with one of the bridesmaids.”

His lips curved. “I wasn’t glaring.”

“You were.” I grinned. “Come on, Cass. It’s a wedding. Try to enjoy yourself.”

He knelt beside me so we were eye level. “I am enjoying myself,” he said quietly. “You’re here. You’re smiling. That’s enough for me.”

I rolled my eyes but felt my chest tighten in the best way. “You really don’t know how to relax, do you?”

“I relax plenty,” he murmured. “Except you’re in my arms.”

I blushed, swatting his arm. “Cassian!”

He chuckled. an actual, honest laugh and I couldn’t help but smile wider. “There. That’s better,” I said softly. “You should laugh more often.”

He kissed my hand. “Only if you promise to stop making me.”

“Never.”

For a while, we just watched Sybil spin across the grass, her laughter like bells. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so light.

When the night wound down, torches flickering low and the stars high above, Sybil found me sitting by the garden fountain. She ran up, skirts lifted, eyes shining with tears.

“Don’t you dare start crying before me,” I said, trying to hold my own tears back.

Sybil laughed and hugged me carefully, mindful of my belly. “I don’t want to go yet,” she said against my shoulder. “I feel like I’ll miss everything.”

I smiled softly. “You’ll miss nothing, Sybil. The baby’s not coming for like two more weeks.”

“You promise?” she asked, eyes wide.

“I promise.”

She sniffed, brushing at her eyes. “You’ll call me the second anything happens?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t dare face your wrath otherwise.”

She laughed through her tears, pulling back to look at me. “You’re the sister I never got to have, Wren. Thank you… for being here.”

My chest tightened. “And you’re the best friend I didn’t know I needed.”

Cassian appeared behind me, placing a hand on Sybil’s shoulder. “You two will see each other again soon,” he said gently. “Go enjoy your honeymoon. That’s an order.”

Sybil smirked, wiping her tears. “Yes, Alpha.”

Her new husband, Eli, approached with a smile. “Ready, love?”

Sybil turned to me one last time. “Take care of her,” she said to Cassian.

“Always,” he promised.

The pack gathered at the gates to wave them off, cheering as the car pulled away into the night. Sybil leaned out the window, waving and laughing through her tears until she was gone from sight.

For a long time, I sat there with Cassian’s hand warm on my shoulder, watching the road until it disappeared into darkness.

Later that night, I managed to walk myself back into our room. Cassian had gone to check on a few things, leaving me to rest, though I couldn’t stop smiling.

The nursery next door smelled faintly of fresh paint and lavender oil. Cassian had built the crib himself, every curve sanded smooth, every detail perfect.

I wheeled over to the dresser, adjusting the tiny folded clothes, smoothing the pale pink blanket I’d knitted weeks ago. My body ached, and I was tired down to my bones, but seeing that little room filled me with a quiet sort of peace.

“She’s going to love it here,” I whispered, tracing the carved moon on the crib rail. “You’ll have the best papa in the world, little one.”

A sudden cramp made me pause. It wasn’t painful at first, just… pressure. I took a slow breath, rubbing my belly. I had been feeling those sort of cramps all day. “Easy, baby,” I murmured. “Not yet.”

But then another wave hit, sharp and unmistakable.

My heart stuttered.

I looked down, and the world seemed to tilt.

The blanket in my lap was damp.

“Oh… oh no.”

“Cassian!” I called, my voice trembling. “Cassian!”

The door burst open a second later, and he was there, eyes wide, taking in my soaked dress, the panic on my face.

His expression changed instantly. “Wren,” he breathed, already moving toward me. “Is it...”

“My water broke,” I said, my voice cracking.