Chapter 8
The wedding day came faster than I expected.
One second, I was rolling my eyes at Zachary’s insistence on a grand event. The next, I was standing in the venue, wrapped in a wedding gown that probably cost more than my entire life’s savings.
My wolf, usually a ball of snarky commentary, was uncharacteristically quiet. But I could feel her satisfaction humming beneath my skin. This is right, she whispered.
Then, from behind me, came a voice I knew all too well.
Panicked. Shaky. Unbelieving.
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“Rowena? I thought you were on a business trip! Why are you in a wedding dress?”
Before I could even turn around, I felt a familiar presence at my side–Alpha Zachary. His aura rolled over me like a protective blanket, steady and unbothered.
“Isn’t that the guy from the hospital?” he mused, tone casual but with a glint of something dangerous in his eyes. “Should I go have a little chat with him?”
His version of a “chat” probably involved a broken nose or a missing limb. Knowing his sharp instincts, he’d already pieced together the history between me and Beta Malcolm.
I sighed, casting him a sidelong glance. “If you came here for a show, you’re about to get your money’s worth.”
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Malcolm stormed up to me, his face red with fury, his beta wolf radiating frustration and confusion. His scent–once familiar, once comforting–was now just a bitter reminder of wasted years.
“Rowena, I know it’s you! Don’t pretend you don’t know me!” he yelled, jabbing a finger toward me. “What the hell is this? You were stringing me along as my girlfriend while secretly marrying another man? Did I mean nothing to you? Was I ever your destined mate?”
I stared at him, cold and unmoved.
Once upon a time, I would have crumbled. I would have ripped off my veil, thrown myself into his arms, and begged for answers I already knew.
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Not anymore.
Now, I was terrifyingly composed.
“Stringing you along?” I echoed, tilting my head. “Malcolm, you’ve really got the nerve to say that?”
His lips parted like he had more to say, but I didn’t give him the chance.
“I gave you seven chances.” My voice was eerily calm. “If you had held onto just one of them, would I be standing here today, marrying someone else?”
His wolf shifted under his skin, restless.
“Every time we were supposed to register our marriage, you ran off to play house with your precious childhood sweetheart.”
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I took a step closer, my wolf brushing
against his through the pack bond–one final, silent goodbye.
“So I’m giving her to you–forever. You’ll have all the time in the world with her now.”
His breathing hitched, but I didn’t stop.
“And no, I’m not pretending I don’t know you. I genuinely don’t want to know you anymore.”
The weight of seven years settled between us. Seven years of loyalty, devotion, patience. Seven years of waiting for him to choose me, while he kept me as a safety net.
Malcolm opened his mouth, but before he could stammer out another excuse, security -courtesy of Zachary–descended upon
him.
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His voice rose in a desperate shout as they dragged him away. “Rowena! This isn’t over! I will marry you!”
Zachary clicked his tongue.
“Didn’t expect you to be so fierce. Just a few words and your ex was speechless.”
I shot him a cold look, still rattled. “Anyone else mentions me and Malcolm in the same sentence, and I’m ripping their tongue out.”
“Noted.” He smirked, clearly entertained.
With the drama over, the wedding resumed.
Grandpa couldn’t attend due to his health, but Yvonne–my best friend, lifesaver, and all–around tech genius–set up a high–res video call.
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He watched everything. The dress, the vows, the moment I smiled just for him.
But his strength was fading.
The call ended abruptly.
And then the hospital called.
The only reason Grandpa had held on this long was to see my wedding. Now that wish had been fulfilled, he had nothing left to fight with.
I didn’t even change out of my gown.
I ran.
Still in my dress, I sprinted through the hospital’s automatic doors, my heart pounding, my wolf howling in distress.
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And then-
A hand grabbed my wrist.
Beta Malcolm.
Eyes red, desperation thick in his scent.
“Rowena, you can’t marry that man. He’s no good, I can feel it.” His fingers dug into my skin. “I’m the one who truly loves you. we’re fate mate,After all we’ve been through, you must feel something too!”
I bared my teeth. My wolf surged forward, my canines elongating slightly as a warning.
“Let go,” I snarled. “I don’t have time for this. Whatever we had, we’ll talk later.”
I tried to shake him off, hard–but he only clung tighter, spouting the same pleading
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nonsense, begging me.to forgive him.
I was seconds away from shifting and shredding him when-
Zachary.
He materialized beside me, moving faster than any human eye could follow.
One moment, Malcolm was in my face. The next, he was airborne, hitting the wall with a dull thud.
Zachary flexed his fingers, looking far too pleased with himself.
“I was patient the first time,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with an Alpha’s command. “This time? I’m feeling a little less generous.”
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Yvonne, who had been holding the elevator, waved frantically. “Row! Get in, now!”
I ran.
The doors slid shut just as Zachary turned to deal with Malcolm.
I made it to the third floor.
But I was still too late.
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