Three Lies He Told Me

7 The Ceremony

Kael POV

My father attempts to hand me a tumbler of my favorite wolf bourbon but I refuse. I need to keep my wits about me. Goddess only knows if this woman is as bad as or worse than the b**ch I saw earlier hanging off Thomas Brody. Even if the Ashfords didn't care for her, she was still raised by them. I still can't believe Lydia had the audacity to show up to this f**king wedding with a date. Two days ago, she was my fiancé. Two weeks ago we were f**king all over my apartment.

"Kael, it's one drink to take the edge off. If I were you, I would need three after the sh*t show of the last two weeks," my father says.

"I still don't understand why the f**k you agreed to this. She is a f**king human. It was bad enough when the goddess saddled you with one of their kind as your fated mate, but now you're choosing it," Ronan says, irritation clear in his tone.

"Enough Ronan. Your brother is doing what is necessary for the good of the pack. The elders will not be happy if he has no Luna when he takes over. They weren't happy about his fated mate being a sh**ty human being when we explained the change in bride, but they will accept the sister as a replacement for now. This is not a permanent solution," my father says.

"Why not take a she-wolf if he needs a Luna," Ronan starts to say, but I cut him off with a growl.

"Ronan, as much as I love you and appreciate your anger towards the humans, this is not up for negotiation. Besides, in light of recent events, I won't be taking over the Alpha position anytime soon, if at all." My father says my name in warning, but we have already discussed this. For now, I need him to believe that I may not be fit to become the pack's next Alpha.

Something I can't clearly identify flickers in my brother's eyes, but it's gone as quickly as it came. I'm sure he is upset I'm shooting him down, but he needs to let me handle this. He has made it clear how he feels about the humans after our mother was killed by a group of hunters. He fails to understand that just as there are terrible humans who need to be put down like the animals they accuse us of being, there are werewolves that are just as evil. We cannot hate the collective for the actions of a few.

I shake the thought away as a knock interrupts my thoughts. Orion steps into the room smiling like a teenage girl with a secret. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I happened to hear your new bride throwing those a**holes out of the room she was using to get ready for the wedding. They stepped out of the room looking equally pissed and scared. I think she is going to be a spitfire. You might have dodged a bullet and got a far better mate," he says. I roll my eyes but make no comment. He knows damn well she will never be my mate.

"It's time to head to the alter. Orion, if you would."

"I can push you, brother. Just because I refuse to participate in this farse doesn't mean I won't help you," Ronan says.

"Come Ronan, we will take our seats. I think your brother needs a moment with his Beta," my father says. I'm grateful when they both step out of the room. I love my brother, but he is like a wolf on a bone when he feels strongly about something. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he was still making snide comments while Seraphina Ashford makes her way down the aisle.

"Your brother is a lot sometimes," he says.

"He means well. Did you hear anything back about the SUV?"

"I did and you were right. There was a slice in the brake line causing a slow leak and the steering was definitely f**ked with," he says. Atlas pushes to the surface and I fight him for control.

"Atlas, calm the f**k down. We still have to figure out who the hell is the culprit. Until we figure that out, you need to let me handle this. Once we have them, you can have your fun."

I'm grateful when he stops fighting me for control and recedes to the back of my mind. Orion grabs the handles of my wheelchair and pushes me through the hallway and into the large ballroom. I feel like I'm on f**king display, but I keep my eyes forward as we move down the aisle. Once we reach the altar, Orion positions my chair so I can see the moment Seraphina steps into the room.

Twenty-five minutes later, and I'm ready to tell the elders to f**k themselves. How f**king dare this woman not be here on time? Is she not coming? Does she think she can humiliate me like her f**king sister tried to do?

My eyes meet Lydia's for the first time and I wish they hadn't. The anger that was bubbling at the surface, threatens to spill over at the smug satisfaction on the stupid b**ch's face. Dominick and Clarice look like they are ready to be sick as they repeatedly turn to look at the door willing it to open.

I'm just about to tell Orion to get me the f**k out of here when the door to the room opens. Music starts to play and my body stiffens in anticipation for the woman to step into the room. Two seconds later, a beautiful woman in a lace, off-white dress that hugs every one of her curves steps into the room alone. The man that professes to be her father seated with his shoulders slumped next to his b**ch of a daughter instead of at her side.

I watch her walk toward me, her eyes focused on the wall behind me. She is quite beautiful. Atlas growls his agreement. No, she is just a tool. Once everything is settled, I'll divorce her. Give her a nice settlement and find a woman that actually deserves to be my mate, my Luna.

When she finally reaches me, I turn my chair to face her. Before the priest can even open his mouth to speak a comment from the first row has the room go completely quiet. "That dress is better suited to Sera. Don't you think mother? It looks like it's from a thrift store. Perfect bride for a broken groom," Lydia says.

"You aren't nice. Your mommy should spank you," a little voice says, causing the people around us to chuckle. I look at the little boy who looks a lot like his mother. His fists are balled on his lap and anger is shining in his eyes. I'm with you kid, I think to myself. I go to open my mouth to put her in her place but instead Seraphina speaks first.

Seraphina POV

How f**king dare she? Clarice and Dominick look ready to grab her and drag her from the room, but not before I say something. It's one thing to try to embarrass me, but to embarrass Kael after how she f**ked him over is absurd.

I turn to face the crowd of people I don't even know. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming today. Kael and I appreciate you being here. What we do not appreciate is the opinions of people that do not matter. We prefer if you have an opinion that you keep it to yourself because it isn't wanted and, since you are a guest, you can simply leave if you can't follow the rules."

My eyes meet Lydia's and I don't look away. "My dress may be from a thrift store sister, but I am still classier than you."

My mother gasps and my father's face turns a shade of red I've never seen as every eye turns toward them as they pull my sister out of the room. Once the door closes, I turn back toward the priest and nod, before I look at Kael again. His expression is unreadable, and I wonder if I'm already in sh*t for what he probably considers an embarrassing outburst. If he is anything like the people that just left he probably would have preferred I kept my mouth shut. I am not looking forward to the reception. Maybe I can fake an illness and make a run for it with Eli and Asya.