I WAS HIS ASSASSIN, NOW HIS OBSESSION

Chapter 13: planning the wedding

TYLER

Dave and I arrived back at the pack house by nightfall. He gives me a stiff smile. “About the witch—how will you smoke her out?”

I smirk. “You’ll see.”

As we walk further down the hallway, Dave suddenly halts at the sight of my mate—covered in a little mud and draped in a shawl. I still can’t help running my eyes over her exposed thighs. I clear my throat and meet her gaze. “Aurelia—”

“I… I went for a run.”

Dave is staring at the floor.

Good for him.

“It was so sudden, I didn’t prepare any clothes,” she continues, but she looks quite used to being seen this way. “I’ll be on my way then.” She offers a stiff smile and starts to walk away.

I don’t know what’s going on in my head, but I grab her wrist, making her halt. “Wait. We need to… uh… discuss the wedding.”

Shit.

‘The wedding? That’s all you could come up with?!’ Kyle’s irritated voice rings in my head. ‘It’s clear you just want to spend time with her.’

Not true.

Not true at all.

I shut Kyle out because he’s spouting nonsense. I need to discuss the wedding because the only reason she’s here is so I can get an heir. Nothing more.

Dave clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair. “I just remembered I have some things to attend to. I’ll see you later, Alpha Tyler.”

I don’t even respond as he walks off.

My focus is entirely on her.

She raises her brows. “The wedding?”

“Yes,” I say, releasing her wrist. “I know I only recently brought it up, but we can’t afford to waste time. Planning starts tomorrow. I’ll bring in a wedding planner. You can tell her exactly how you want it to turn out.”

“I don’t care how it turns out.”

I frown. She just shrugs. “It’s just a wedding,” she says dryly. “There’s nothing special about it. I’m good with anything.”

“I thought most women fantasize about their wedding day—about how perfect they want it to be.”

A small smile curves her lips. “I’m not most women.” As she adjusts the shawl, it slips up a bit, and I swallow hard. It must be Kyle driving me crazy.

‘No, man. It’s all you.’ He answers my unspoken thought.

“I don’t need a memorable wedding or a hall filled with beautiful colors or a perfect dress. This… it’s just a duty. It doesn’t have to be something important.” There’s so much pain in her eyes as she speaks. It’s like she stopped believing in fairy tales long ago—or stopped believing she could ever have something as simple as that—so she’s chosen to dismiss it entirely.

But I can give her something that simple.

I can’t give her my heart, but I can make sure she never forgets our wedding day.

It’s the least I can do, since she’s giving me an heir.

“The wedding planner will be here tomorrow.” She looks stunned at how firm my voice is. “Just plan it with her.”

She nods once and starts to walk away again.

~~~~

The next day arrives quickly. I’d already ordered a few trusted guards to secretly track Hasley’s only brother—a witch who was banished from the coven years ago. He’s her sore point, but she believes he hides himself well.

Not from someone like me.

I’m confident my men will sniff him out before the day is over.

I’d called the wedding planner last night. While she was stunned that her Alpha was actually planning a wedding, she’s even more shocked when she sees Aurelia.

“She’s your soon-to-be bride?” Her jaw practically hits the floor as she stares at Aurelia, who looks visibly uncomfortable under the scrutiny. “She’s… completely new.”

The wedding planner—Zara—adds, “I thought she’d be one of your exes.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Zara.”

“When did you even meet her? You’re already getting married?”

She’s lucky I see her as a little sister, or I’d have ripped her tongue out for firing so many questions in one breath.

“She’s my f*****g mate,” I growl. “Now do your job and stop getting on my nerves.”

She stiffens, then offers a quick, polite smile. “Yes, Alpha Tyler.”

Good.

“I’ll be heading to my study to handle some pack duties.” I stand, casting a quick glance at Aurelia. “If you need anything, come straight to me. Okay?”

“Okay.”

As I walk toward my study, I’m forced to stop because a certain someone—Zara—is following me.

“Shouldn’t you be planning a wedding with my mate?”

“You dote on her,” she says, a hint of awe in her voice. “You’ve never been this soft around anyone else.”

“Dote on her?” I let out a short laugh. “You saw us interact once, and you’re already sure I dote on her? There’s a difference between duty and want, Zara. I’m just being a good mate.”

“Then why did you tell me to go through so much hassle to find out exactly what she wants for the wedding?”

“Like I said—it’s my duty.” I run a hand through my hair. “You know how badly I’ve wanted an heir, Zara. The pack thinks I’m desperate for a mate, but you know the truth.”

She presses her lips into a thin line, then sighs. “That doesn’t mean you should rush this. What if… what if you’re making a mistake? I think you should get to know each other first.”

“And maybe you should learn to stay out of matters that have nothing to do with you.” My tone is clipped. “Thanks for the concern, but we’ll be fine.”