Three Lies He Told Me

8 The Reception

Seraphina POV

As soon as the priest starts to talk, my body feels like it goes numb. This is really happening. I'm marrying a man I don't even know, let alone love. The vows taste bitter on my tongue as I repeat them. When the priest finally asks us to say our I Do's, my throat feels like it's going to close around the words. He asks Kael first, who doesn't even look at me when he responds. I close my eyes and picture Eli as the priest starts to speak again.

"Seraphina Ashford, do you take Kael Draven as your husband?" My eyes open, and I round my shoulders before meeting Kael's gaze as he studies me.

"I do."

A handsome man steps forward handing each of us a ring. His smile seems genuine when he whispers his congratulations. We quickly slide the ring on the other's finger. The priest finally announces us to the guests, who all clap enthusiastically. I move intending to wheel Kael back down the aisle when he grips my wrist to stop me.

"I don't need your help. Orion will push me," he says.

The man who gave us the rings moves to stand behind Kael's chair and shoots me a look of sympathy before he offers me his arm. I smile and loop mine through his. Kael mumbles something, but I can't make it out. We start down the aisle. Eli is practically vibrating out of his seat as we pass him.

"Mommy, you look even more beautiful in that dress." he says.

I smile and blow him a kiss. I saw the dress in the thrift store a week ago. It is vintage, but I knew it would fit me perfectly. I was just thankful it was still there. The woman was also thrilled when I told her she could have the ruined dress. If she can fix it, she will make a pretty penny.

A few minutes later we are standing in a different ballroom. I'm on my own waiting for the doors to open while Kael speaks in hushed tones to Orion, a man that is an older version of him, and one that is clearly his brother. It doesn't take long for the men to walk toward me. The older man extends his hand to me.

"Seraphina, my name is Callen. I am Kael's father and your father-in-law. It is very nice to meet you. This is my other son, Ronan, and that is Orion, Kael's best friend," he says. I take his hand, shaking it firmly. I then offer my hand to Ronan, who looks at it like it's a snake that might bite him. Kael says his name in warning, but I'm already starting to drop my hand to my side. Before I can, Orion grabs it, lifting it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to the back.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Seraphina. The dress is beautiful, by the way," he says. I smile my first genuine smile of the day.

"It's nice to meet you too, Orion."

"Enough flirting with my wife, Orion. This is supposed to look real. It's time to let the guests in," Kael says.

Despite knowing this marriage is a farce, his words sting more than I care to admit. I push the feeling down and focus on the door as the room starts to fill. I smile when I finally see Eli and Asya. Eli runs toward me and I scoop him up into my arms.

My smile fades when I notice Lydia, Thomas, and the Ashfords practically slink into the room. I had hoped after her outburst during the ceremony, Dominick and Clarice would try to save face and leave, but I guess not. Asya moves to stand by my side the moment they start to approach me. The minute they finally reach us, Clarice's voice drops to a whisper.

"What the hell were you thinking about wearing that dress to the ceremony and then announcing it was from a thrift store? Are you trying to make us a laughingstock," she says.

"You should have just worn the dress your sister chose. We could have told people you are a klutz. At least they wouldn't be talking about the entire family," Dominick says.

"Did you people get high before you came back from your little powwow with princess b**ch over there," Asya asks and I can't stop the giggle that escapes me.

"This has nothing to do with you. This is a family matter. Sister, how does it feel to know you are nothing but a replacement," Lydia asks.

I'm just about to open my mouth when a deep voice interrupts. Kael moves to the opposite side of me and takes my free hand. My first instinct is to pull it away, but I don't. I will not give Lydia the satisfaction.

"I think Seraphina's dress is beautiful. From what I understand, the first dress was too gaudy and pretentious. It seems the person who picked it had sh**ty taste. I also understand that Lydia is the one that spilled the wine on Seraphina's dress. Let me make this perfectly clear. Seraphina is my wife now. I will not tolerate anyone disrespecting her and that includes the three of you. As far as her being a replacement. I would call her a savior because otherwise I would have been stuck with you, Lydia. Come Seraphina, it is almost time for dinner," he says before releasing my hand.

That may have been for his own benefit, but it still felt good.

Unknown POV

"I thought the point of the accident was for Kael to die. Why the hell are we backing off now that he is weak? It is the perfect time to end him. The perfect time to push our agenda against the mating of humans to wolves," one of my men standing next to me says.

I lean against the far wall of the ballroom watching Kael speak to Orion. He hadn't spoken a full sentence to the woman he just married since the reception started. My eyes take him in. Even now sitting in that f**king chair, he carries himself like the alpha he was born to be. Had he not f**ked over his own kind by siding with the humans, none of this would have happened. He could have become the leader he was born to be, instead I will happily stand by and watch everything important to him slip through his fingers.

"That was the plan, but fate seems to have different plans. Instead, we will stand back and enjoy watching him lose everything. He has lost his fated mate. He is being forced by the elders to take a weak, worthless human mate with a ba**ard son and he will never be alpha. It is better than death, it is suffering. Besides, death is too easy. Watching him live with the knowledge he is almost as pathetic as the humans he has defended is a far worse punishment."

"What if Callen convinces him he can still become alpha? You know how he feels about Kael?"

"Then we make sure he breathes his last. As far as tonight goes. I think we should have a little fun with his new bride. Go find one of the waiters."