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?

lashes and I suck in a shaky breath, trying to tell myself that one day I might find a wolf who is able to

gray rivulets of mascara, It doesn’t matter if I’m enough for someone else The only person I want is Bastien, and no matter what I do, or how long I live – he will never want

Bastien’s POV

becoming a reality. In less than an hour, we are going to formally

is, but I have to do this for Selene. This is what being an Alpha is all about, I rernind my stubborn wolf,

control. He replies grumpily. Do you feel

never get to hold my mate in my arms again. Not only that, I’m going to have to

than focusing on things that are truly important like Blaise’s hunt for Volana wolves

decorative paper. When 1 bought it I told myself it was merely a parting gift for Selene, a token of appreciation for our years together and good will for the future. But deep down I imagined it might convince her to give me another

#Chapter 21 Rejection Day

again. You think a pretty trinket is going to tell her something

things now. It’s too late. It was probably too late when we met.

time I accept it. I have to

I toss the

Gabriel’s POV

my way, I’d remain in my wolf form day and night, but drafting laws and signing treaties is difficult without thumbs. My fingers tug at the windsor knot choking off my air supply, fumbling with the annoying garment

the path I hoped my son would walk. His marriage to Selene started on difficult

her mate, and caring for Selene had softened Bastien in so many ways. Watching her heal and witnessing them grow together made Odette and I endlessly happy; we

be angry at the person responsible for his pain, but I know it isn’t Selene’s fault. In the end I suppose

eyes from the document on my desk, eyeing the fluttering fabric curiously. The

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 could have gotten past my heightened senses. My gaze jumps to the goblet of wine by

periphery, illuminated by the dim terrace lanterns. He’s tall and thin, dressed in all black and exuding undisguised hostility. Green eyes glow in the darkness, but I can’t

he has, “only cowards hide in the shadows. Be a man and show

His voice sounds familiar, yet I can’t place it. “You mean you don’t recognize

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