Chapter 21

Day of the Ceremony

Belene’s POV

My fingers anxiously trace the flowers embroidered into the bodice of my wedding gown it’s a delicate white contera weightless and ethereal I look more like a wood nymph than a bride

I remember the day we chose it, Bastien and ill was the first dress we found that did not completely overpower my w frame three years ago. We tried countless others first, but the moment i stepped into the gossamer fabric i wen tace said it all

ith u

‘s

This is the way of rejection ceremonies Marriages end as they begin

We will wear the same clothes, meet at the same moonlit altar with friends and family looking on, we’ll even play the samnem Vet instead of vows to love and keep each other we will vow to part. Instead of exchanging rings we’rarmore then, and instead of shifting to run together beneath the stars, we’ll divide, forging new paths in directions of our own choosing

Of course, Bastien and I never ran together in the first place. We walked through the forest hand in hand, a sweet concession for the loss of my wolf

Tonight I expect he will shift, and I have a fairly good idea where he’ll run rather to whom he’ll run.

I’ve replayed my conversation with Arabella over and over in my head. At first I thought I must have misheard her, after all Bacon himself told me Arabella was his mate. Yet the more I ponder our conversation the clearer it becomes Bastien is my mate, or the would have been if I still had Luna, It explains why I always felt connected to him, why he always made me feel safe

Those horrible women at Gabriel’s birthday were right, I am too broken to be anything but a burden. My one chance to be whole might have been finding the man the goddess chose for me, but fate had other plans.

My mate doesn’t want me without my wolf,

Who could?

pool on my lashes and I suck in a shaky breath, trying to tell myself that one day I might find a wolf who is able to look past my shortcomings.

of mascara, It doesn’t matter if I’m enough for someone else The only person I want is Bastien,

Bastien’s POV

to have nightmares about losing Selene, now those horrible dreams are becoming a reality. In less than an hour, we are going to formally

he is, but I have to do this for Selene. This is what

He replies grumpily. Do you

days. I haven’t been able to think about anything other than the fact that I will never get to hold my mate

that are truly important like Blaise’s hunt for Volana wolves or my Alpha training. I’ve been wallowing in grief

is sitting on my dresser, wrapped up in a velvet box and decorative paper. When 1 bought it I told myself it was merely a parting gift for

#Chapter 21 Rejection Day

chides, apparently feeling very vocal now that he’s finally speaking to me again. You think a pretty trinket is going to tell her

or say that will change things now. It’s too late. It was probably too late when we met. Selene’s heart belonged to another years and years before I came

accept it. I have to let

toss the gift box into

Gabriel’s POV

way, I’d remain in my wolf form day and night, but drafting laws and signing treaties is difficult without thumbs.

the path I hoped my son would walk. His marriage to Selene started on difficult footing, but the struggle was never between them. For all

her mate, and caring for Selene had softened Bastien in so many ways. Watching

isn’t Selene’s fault. In the end I suppose Garrick’s torture was too much to overcome. If anyone is to blame it’s him, or the Goddess herself. How could she allow one

my wolf’s attention. I drag my eyes from the document on my desk, eyeing the fluttering fabric curiously. The doors were closed when I entered my office,

haven’t heard a sound, but an unmistakable draft of cool air wafts through the room. My hackles raise as I scent a strange wolf, my mind racing to understand how anyone

in all black and exuding undisguised hostility. Green eyes glow in the darkness, but I can’t see anything more of his

he has, “only cowards hide

I can’t place it. “You mean you don’t recognize

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