Chapter 9 — The Empty Place Beside Her
509 Words
The day arrived wrapped in light.
Morning sunlight spilled over the venue, catching on soft fabrics and delicate flowers Ariella had chosen with such care. Every corner reflected her—quiet elegance, warmth, hope. The air hummed with anticipation, laughter floating freely, music testing its first notes.
Guests arrived one by one.
Her colleagues came first, dressed beautifully, smiling brightly, congratulating her with genuine happiness. Friends followed—some from work, some from the fragile new life she had built—bringing warmth, teasing her gently, telling her how radiant she looked.
Then came the pack.
Members she barely knew but had respected her father as Alpha for years. Neighbours from the pack territory, elders, families—wolves of every rank filled the space, murmuring in surprise, curiosity, admiration.
Ariella stood among them all, dressed in white, calm and glowing.
She belonged.
Whispers spread when her family arrived.
Her father walked in with the authority of an Alpha, expression unreadable. Her mother followed, chin lifted, eyes assessing the venue. And Seraphine—perfectly dressed, perfectly composed—took in everything with sharp, calculating eyes.
Jealousy flickered again.
This celebration was too beautiful.
Too grand.
Too hers.
Ariella noticed them—and simply nodded in greeting.
No anger.
No fear.
No need.
Time passed.
Guests settled into their seats. The music softened. Smiles turned expectant. Heads turned toward the entrance again and again.
But one place remained empty.
The place beside her.
Ariella’s fingers tightened slightly around her bouquet.
Minutes stretched.
Whispers shifted in tone.
“Isn’t the groom supposed to be here by now?”
“Maybe he’s late?”
“Something feels wrong…”
Her mother leaned toward her father. Seraphine’s lips curved faintly, something like satisfaction glinting in her eyes.
Ariella looked toward the entrance once more.
Nothing.
Her heart began to pound—not with panic at first, but with confusion. Kael had been there through everything. Steady. Certain. He would never—
He wouldn’t leave.
Would he?
A thousand thoughts crashed into her mind. Old voices tried to return.
Of course he left.
Why would anyone stay?
This is what always happens.
She inhaled slowly, forcing her shoulders back.
No.
She would not break here.
Not today.
Not in front of everyone.
The Alpha’s voice cut through the murmurs. “Where is the groom?”
Silence followed.
All eyes turned to Ariella.
She stood alone at the altar, dressed as a bride, surrounded by people—yet suddenly feeling the echo of an old loneliness pressing in.
Still, she did not cry.
Her chin lifted.
“If something has happened,” she said calmly, voice steady despite the storm inside her, “we will wait.”
Seraphine watched closely, waiting for cracks. Waiting for Ariella to fall apart.
But Ariella didn’t.
She stood there—strong, dignified, unshaken.
Because even if the world had taught her abandonment once…
She had learned something stronger now—
She could survive it.
And somewhere, unseen, unseen yet undeniable—
The truth of Kael’s absence waited to be revealed.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD