Phoenix

Chapter 6

Keiran

She is floating away, towards the white light. If she reaches it, she will be gone forever. I get up utilizing every ounce of my power and race towards her.

I feel strangely light. I look back and see my wolf form lying there on the forest floor as my father shouts orders to those accompanying him, to mount me on the horse's back behind him. He is looking relieved, having prevented such a diplomatic disaster. The state doesn't interfere with packs' decisions and they certainly don't go dueling a whole pack for someone who is already mated.

Did I die, too? I think for a second. But I don't have time. I run behind her and finally catch her dress in my mouth. She looks back almost surprised.

" Don't go," I plead. "Stay with me." There is a hint of recognition on her face. She opens her mouth to say something, but suddenly the light disappears.

Her beautiful face contorts with rage at that moment. She forgets me and starts walking back. I want to keep her with me, but she's not willing to stay. She pulls herself free. I call to let her know I will always be there, I will always be waiting for her. But I don't think she hears me as she walks back.

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I wake up in the car, next to my father.

I have been nodding off, with my head kneeling on the window of our car.

" Oh good, you are awake," He states. "We are about to reach. Now remember, I would like you to especially talk to the Alpha of..."

I keep nodding respectfully but I have tuned him out.

My mind is racing. Where am I? I think.

The last thing I remember is him shooting me with Somnolar darts, and that weird dream.

My heart starts beating fast. I scan his face but his face doesn't betray anger or anything of the sort to indicate the events of last night.

And Isabelle.... my heart starts beating fast at the thought of her.

Where is she? Surprisingly, I don't feel the pain and emptiness I felt then, when I felt her die.

But I start sweating within my expensive tuxedo, just thinking about her.

Where is she? Is she alright?

My wolf growls, uneasily.

Our car reaches a grand white mansion and there is a wedding arch and wooden chairs laid out in the large grounds. Ours are huge and prominent in the center, with plush velvet cushions.

A wedding, I think, momentarily distracted.

It seemed strange to think that my father decided to postpone his punishment for my insolence, for a pack wedding.

My mind is a jumble of questions but I keep my face a mask, devoid of expressions.

I get off the car after my father and meet an old Alpha, in his early fifties, with a stern face and gruff voice. Even though, he can't be called old but there is a certain frailness to him which he is trying his best to hide. He bows before my father and me, and thanks us for coming to his daughter's wedding. I have seen him somewhere but I can't remember and don't care enough to think about it too much. But at that moment, he is introduced to us as the Alpha of the White Moon pack.

What the hell? Didn't he die? I think surprised. Also there is no longer a White Moon Pack, it merged with Blue Stone pack and is now called Blue Moon Pack.

If he is somehow here, does that mean that the wedding I am attending is Isabelle's?

My gut twists painfully at this.

The only thing I want right now is to go find Isabelle.

We are greeted by other prominent pack members and finally the groom's family.

The groom's father is a tall dark haired man in his forties with slightly greying hair and a tanned face, accompanied by his Luna who just bows and stands silently beside him like a spectator. He can be called handsome even, but there is something in his face and demeanor which makes him seem cunning, and I dislike him immediately.

The bride's father was direct but this man starts dripping out praises, his voice sweeter than honey, and he has no plans to shut his mouth until we are directed to our seats overlooking the whole ceremony.

I am agitated. I have got to find her and stop her.

And then what?

I look around. I didn't attend this wedding in the past, but somehow I ended up here, today. The beginning of it all.

I remember the dream. I tried to stop Isabelle and get her to stay with me, but she wanted nothing more than revenge.

I realize it was her mate who ended her life.

But why am I accompanying her in the past?

Do I save her? Or should I help her?

I am confused. I know I cant act foolishly at this point and I have a feeling that Isabelle won't co-operate as well.

The music starts playing to announce the entry of the bride, and I look up surprised out of my thoughts. It is at that moment, when she comes holding her father's arm and I stop breathing.

She is a vision of poise and beauty. Her face radiating light and happiness. The sun is at her back and she seems enveloped in a white golden light as she glides across the walkway.

She is grace. She is beauty. She is everything and in that moment I realize I am irrevocably and completely in love with her.

My wolf is also stupefied.

Her step falters for a beat and she looks to the front. I follow her eyes, she's looking at Matt. I just notice him now. He wasn't there when his father met me.

I can hear her wolf call Matt her mate, and a fire starts burning in my gut.

My hand tightening around the glass I am holding.

Why? Why am I seeing this? I think.

She is looking at him like I am looking at her, and I feel like dying at this moment.

She goes to him and the wedding ceremony starts.

I am about to jump up and snatch her. I don't care about anyone at this moment.

I can't let her walk to her death again, and I can't see her with anyone else.

But I realise in horror, that I can't move. No matter how hard I try, I cant even move a muscle.

I give up trying to get up and my body relaxes immediately.

I open my mouth again and start to call out to her. To tell her to stop, to warn her. But my tongue feels like lead and my throat clams up. No voice escapes my lips.

I move my eyes to my right. My father who is sitting beside me, seems oblivious to my struggle.

As soon as I give up, everything goes back to normal.

My wolf whimpers, uneasily.

I am starting to get the rules of it all.

I can't do anything to change the past events.

A mirthless smile spreads across my lips.

Then, why am I here? I silently ask to whoever is listening. To see my mate, the love of my life, love someone else and eventually be killed, again.

In front of me, that prick is bending her down and leaning in to kiss her.

Their lips meet and her delicate hand reaches up, and touches his cheek.

I can gladly rather die a most painful death than witness this, but I stare on helplessly, as their kiss deepens becoming more intense. Her hands are in his hair and ..... he is biting her...

I snap. The glass breaks in my hands.

Everyone starts looking at me. Someone rushes to clear up the shattered glass. There is a small cut in my hand, which is already healing.

My father looks at me in surprise and annoyance.

But I am only looking at her.

She looks distracted at first, but as she looks back at me, her surprise quickly turns to recognition. I see realization dawn on her face.

Finally, I think.

That prick marks her and everyone cheers. I have to endure seeing it, and it hurts less to see her looking back at her so-called mate with the fire of revenge burning in her eyes, now.

I will be there to help you in whatever you plan, I promise her silently. And then I will make you mine.