Chapter 5 The Wedding Begins
584 Words
My parents used to praise me like this all the time. They always made me feel confident like I could shine in any room.
The wedding was simple, held on the beach in front of the villa. When I arrived, it was beautifully decorated—a modest altar draped with white gauze and adorned with white roses, with an assortment of desserts and food nearby.
There seemed to be a special witch's brew among the drinks.
I didn't like it—it was bitter and sour.
"We didn't prepare much; I hope you don't mind," Raymond said as he wheeled himself over to me.
"Not at all! It's already wonderful!" I smiled sincerely. "Since my parents passed away, no one has ever prepared something so thoughtful for me."
"Caitlyn!" Beth's sharp voice interrupted. I turned to see her walking towards us, hand in hand with Jason.
I suppressed my smile.
"Are you unhappy to see us?" Beth accused arrogantly. "Don't forget, it was my family that took you in. Otherwise, you would've ended up as some alpha's bed slave long ago."
Her eyes swept over me from head to toe, jealousy and resentment still flickering in her gaze—the same as always.
I still don't understand. Weren't we friends once?
She has everything she ever wanted now.
Why does she still treat me this way?
"My wife is not unhappy, and she welcomes your presence," Raymond said calmly, holding my hand as he addressed Beth.
I was taken aback and instinctively squeezed his warm hand in return.
But… Jason's expression seemed strange.
Raymond turned to me. "The wedding is about to start…"
"Caitlyn!" a voice, surprised and familiar, broke the tension.
It was Eileen!
"Eileen!"
We embraced tightly. Eileen was my best friend, and it had been such a long time since we'd seen each other because I hadn't been attending school.
Eileen was the daughter of the alpha of the Dogtooth Pack.
"Is this your fiancé?" Eileen asked, her eyes landing on Raymond, who sat quietly beside me.
"Yes, he is my husband, Raymond Anderson," I introduced.
Eileen pulled me aside and whispered, "Are Beth and her family forcing you to marry this… uh, rogue? He has no pack, no territory, and couldn't protect you if other werewolves attacked."
"Eileen, don't worry. I think Mr. Raymond is a good man," I reassured her.
Her expression twisted with disbelief as if she were silently screaming, Are you out of your mind?
"I'll explain later. A lot has happened recently," I said, trying to calm her down.
The wedding began shortly after.
Standing at the altar, I could feel all eyes on me. Among the crowd were people who used to be part of my pack, but they now pledged loyalty to Beth's father, Joseph.
Their gazes were filled with mockery and scorn as if laughing at the spectacle of me marrying someone like Raymond. Beth's eyes were full of smugness and provocation, daring me to break down in humiliation.
It was as if they had all decided my wedding was a farce.
Raymond leaned toward me and whispered, "Caitlyn, if you want to back out, now's your chance. You can still choose to leave."
Leave? And then what? Where could I possibly go?
I shook my head firmly and grasped his strong, steady hand. "No. I won't leave. You'll be my husband."
For a moment, I saw surprise flash in his deep emerald-green eyes.
Then, his lips curved into a gentle smile. "Alright."
- Writer
