Chapter 5 - Flora #2
Embarrassment colored Flora’s cheeks, knowing that Camden was covering the cost, but even if she wanted to protest, she couldn’t. She had no money to pay Millicent for the clothes.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
***
A few days later, Camden caught Flora outside in the backyard of the pack house where she was watching Sofia play. The day was bright and sunny, and the breeze was fresh and cool, but when she heard Camden’s words, the air seemed to become oppressive.
“I’ve set a date for our wedding,” he said. “With the short notice, it was tricky to find a place that would be suitable, but I hope you’ll be pleased with the arrangements I’ve made.”
Flora’s stomach twisted up in a knot of worry. “Short notice? Why? When is it?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Absolutely not,” Flora said, crossing her arms. “That’s far too soon. I couldn’t possibly be ready by then.”
“You don’t have to lift a finger,” Camden assured her. “Everything has been taken care of.”
This was all happening too fast. She thought she would have more time to escape from Silverrose, enough time to save up money that would get her and Sofia far away from her past. A wedding tomorrow didn’t leave her much time to find a way out of her promise.
Flora opened her mouth to argue again, but Camden cut her short.
“Flora, just stop,” he insisted, moving closer to her.
Their faces were mere inches apart, and he spoke in a low voice that only she could hear.
“I know that I’m not your first choice, but I’m not marrying you out of some sick or twisted desire.
I’m doing this to help you. You need to be mated with someone before Alpha Sier finds out where you are and forces you back there.
I don’t want you to end up at his mercy, or back with Ben and Stella Jones.
This is what needs to happen to keep you safe, okay? So please, stop fighting me.”
He lifted his hand and stroked her briefly on the cheek. The movement was so tender that Flora was frozen in place. She didn’t know how to respond to his monologue. She had never considered that his insistence on their marriage was for her own protection.
“I just wanted to tell you what was happening,” he said, taking a step backward and returning to a more formal cadence. “I’ll make sure you and Sofia’s dresses are set out for you in the morning.”
***
The next morning dawned, and Flora felt even more nervous than before. She dressed in the gown that had been laid out for her while Sofia chattered away.
“You’re beautiful, Mommy,” Sofia said. “Like a queen, and I’m the princess. Are we going to a party?”
“Sort of. Remember when I was engaged to get married to Alpha Sier?” she asked, unsure of how to explain the situation to her daughter. “Well, I’m not going to marry him anymore because he wasn’t going to be good to us. Instead, I’m marrying Camden. The wedding is today.”
“Okay,” Sofia said as she twirled in her light pink dress.
Flora had worried that her daughter was too young to understand, but in some ways, that would be a blessing. Sofia didn’t have to worry about what the future held for them. She could relax and enjoy her childhood. It was Flora who had to carry the weight of what was coming.
The pack house was decorated with beautiful flowers when they descended the stairs.
Every available surface was overflowing with petals in pink and white, and white carpets had been laid across each threshold.
They walked toward the formal dining room, where the ceremony would be held, and saw a crowd of people already gathered.
“Flora,” Camden said, relief coloring his voice. “Right on time. Are you ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied.
He handed her a bouquet and nodded at her. “For the flower girl,” he said, giving Sofia a smaller, identical bunch of flowers.
Sofia’s face lit up, and Flora felt tears welling up in her eyes. She hadn’t expected Camden to include her daughter in the day. He didn’t know she was his own daughter, believing her to be someone else’s. Still, he was making her feel like she was a part of it.
“Thank you,” she told him softly.
“Camden!” It was his uncle, Alpha Hughes. He clapped a hand on his back genially. “Congratulations, boy. It’s a big day for you!”
He completely ignored Flora and Sofia as they stood awkwardly next to Camden.
Flora had hoped things would have improved in the pack while she was gone, but clearly that wasn’t the case.
They had always focused on the accomplishments of the men, proud of them for finding a mate or starting a family.
A woman’s contributions were rarely acknowledged.
For all Flora knew, the alpha didn’t even know her name.
“Uncle, this is my mate, Flora, and her daughter, Sofia,” Camden said, gesturing to them.
Flora was surprised by the introduction. Maybe Camden was different after all. But Alpha Hughes didn’t respond. He gave them a cursory glance and mumbled something unintelligible before walking away to greet more of the wedding guests.
“Sorry about him,” Camden said with an apologetic look. “Stuck in the past. Anyway, I should get up there. Just wait here, and the music will cue you.”
He made his way to the front and stood alone as the guests were seated. The music began, and a hush fell over the crowd. She nudged Sofia forward, and her daughter walked to the front to stand by Camden. A moment later, Flora followed.
The walk down the aisle felt like it lasted an eternity.
Her palms were sweaty as she worried about what was about to happen.
She and Camden were about to get married, and then—goddess help her—they were going to have to kiss.
She dreaded the moment. The last time they had kissed had been the night Sofia was conceived. The night Camden had rejected her.
Camden gave her a smile when she reached him and took her hand in his.
“Thank you for being here to celebrate my marriage to my mate, Flora Jones,” he began. “With you as our witnesses, we will vow to protect, love, and care for one another for the rest of our lives.”
He turned to Flora, who handed her bouquet off to Sofia. Her daughter was beaming, and Flora took a deep breath to steady her nerves.
For Sofia, she thought. I’m doing this for my daughter.
“I, Camden Hughes, take you, Flora Jones, to be my mate. In sickness and health, for better or worse, until death,” he intoned.
“I, Flora Jones, take you, Camden Hughes, to be my mate,” Flora repeated. “In sickness and health, for better or worse, until death.”
Her last word trailed off. She had said the words, committing herself to Camden.
When a wolf took a mate, that bond was solidified by the marriage vows.
In humans, they were just words, easily broken.
She had no idea if being mated to a wolf would carry the same weight for her as it did for their people.
If she went back on them, would she be doomed to live a life of turmoil?
She didn’t have time to think about that now. The ceremony was over, and only one thing remained.
Camden cupped her cheek in his hand, drawing nearer.
She could feel her heart thundering in her chest as she closed her eyes and allowed him to pull her in.
His lips were soft but urgent as they claimed hers.
It was a chaste kiss, quick and uncomplicated, but something in her reacted when their lips touched.
A fire burned in her abdomen, aching to rage and consume her.
But then the kiss was over, and Camden was pulling away. She turned to face the cheering crowd and gave a weak smile, doing everything she could to ignore whatever had just awakened inside her.