Chapter 191 The Wedding
ROWAN
I fixed my suit, one that I’ve worn plenty of times. It was champagne, but not sparkly. Beige, is that it<b>? </b>Francis told me to buy a new one, but I couldn’t be bothered.
Clothes were never something I cared about–not unless they were functional. The idea of spending hours trying on fabric that clung too tight or too loose made me want to crawl back into bed.
Speaking of Francis….
“Ready?” he asked, peeking his head inside my new room.
I nced around the space. The house had been finished a few days ago with the exception of the office, so` I’d started transferring my things here slowly. Right now, it looked bare and uninviting. But I liked it that way. Four walls, a roof, a bed, maybe a TV–what else did I need? Silence was enough.
I adjusted my cufflinks again and ignored the wrinkle forming across my trousers.
Francis cursed. “Damn, man. You didn’t even try hard but you’re still handsome as hell. Are you single?” he asked with a wink
I sighed and shook my head slowly. He grinned, leaning against the doorframe.
“Want me to tell Emma?” I asked, arching a brow, deliberately throwing his mate’s name into the conversation.
His expression faltered instantly. Both his hands shot up in surrender. “Sorry. Don’t tell her. She’s waiting in the car.”
I shook my head. “Unbelievable.”
Still, a ghost of a smirk tugged at my lips as I followed him out, steps echoing against the polished floor. Outside, the car door was already open.
Emma greeted me warmly. She didn’t seem to mind that I was in the back seat. I slipped into my ce behind them, the eternal third wheel. They kissed once, twice, softughter filling the air, and I cleared my throat pointedly.
Francis turned back to me with a grin. “Pray for this man. Maybe he’ll meet someer at the party and get lucky.”
I merely shook my head, eyes drawn instead to the blur of scenery as we left the South. His words lingered though, irritatingly so. Meet someone? For what? Love? Companionship?
The road stretched ahead, leading us to the mid–territory. It was strange how quickly the country could change.
A year ago, this clearing between borders had been empty. Now, it was transformed into neutral ground. A ce where factions could meet without bloodshed, spar for fun, and even hold events like this one.
It was Cade’s idea, which was expected.
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Chapter 191 The Wedding:
That bastard always knew what to do. He had the kind of vision that people didn’t <b>question </b><b>and </b><b>only </b>followed.
The car slowed, gravel crunching beneath the tires. Ahead, the decorations came into view<b>–</b>arches of white roses, banners embroidered with intertwined crests,nterns strung like constetions overhead<b>. </b>Music floated in the distance, cheerful and light andughter carried across the field..
Their grand wedding was here. Finally.
The only fault was that it hadn’t happened sooner. Arden and Cade were far too in love, and eternity <b>was </b>already certain for them. The way they looked at each other made the rest of us irrelevant. They were their own universe, and no one else could fit inside.
I should’ve felt happy for them. I did, in a way. But as I watched the preparations unfold, something <b>dark </b>pressed against my chest.
Because I couldn’t imagine that for me.
The thought came uninvited. The image refused to settle in my mind. I couldn’t picture standing at an altar and waiting for someone at the end of an aisle if it wasn’t her.
I shook my head, snapping out of it. Why the hell would I be thinking about that?
The car stopped. Francis and Emma were already stepping out, hand in hand. I followed, slower, grounding myself with each step until my shoes hit the earth.
Whispers rose like smoke the moment we stepped out of the car.
“Oh, the Alpha of the South is so handsome.”
“He’s not the Alpha yet! Just the Alpha heir.”
“Yes, but he’s so handsome. So yummy.”
I shook my head at their ridiculous statements, already tuning out their voices.
The ceremony hadn’t started just yet. The ce was buzzing with chatter,ughter, and the clinking of sses as wolves from every territory mingled.
The mid–territory looked like it had been pulled straight out of a dream. The ground was covered in carpets of petals, not one corner left bare. Cade had spared no detail; it was everything a wedding should <ol><li>be. </li></ol>
I adjusted the cuff of my suit again, tugging at the sleeve.
And then, without warning, an arm slid around mine.
“Rowan.”
Her voice had that sing–song sweetness I had grown familiar with over the years. I turned, and there was Zaria, dressed in a gown that was impossible to miss. It was gold–blindingly so–hugging every line of her body. She looked like a stack of coins polished to shine brighter than the sun. Her lips curved into a smile.
“We should havee here together,” she chimed softly.
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Chapter 191 The Wedding
“How do you like my dress<b>?</b>” she then asked, her eyes glinting with pride.
I pulled my arm free and stepped aside, keeping my tone t. “As long as you like it. Zaria.”
Her smile faltered. Then, before she could continue to talk to me, the masters of ceremony raised his voice, asking the crowd to settle down and take their seats. Relief washed over me. Timing was on <b>my </b><b>site </b>for once.
I moved quickly, choosing a seat at the very end of a long row where no one had imed yet. Perfect People began to shuffle in around me,ughter dimming as the rows filled, voices falling to soft murmurs. I exhaled slowly, ready to sink into my solitude and get through this without drawing attention<b>. </b>
However, just then, a scent filled my senses.
Not just any scent–an irresistible pull, sharp and overwhelming, wafting through the air like it was meant only for me. My chest tightened. My heart mmed hard against my ribs, an unfamiliar rhythm hammering into me with no mercy.
I snapped my gaze to the direction it came from, my instincts taking control before reason could intervene.
And there-
There I saw what made my heart beat for what felt like the first time.