Chapter 185
Ellie POV
The first time I laughed, it surprised me.
It slipped out before I could stop it.
Bright.
Uncontrolled.
Real.
For a second, I almost didn't recognize the sound.
It felt strange coming from me, like my body had forgotten how to laugh without immediately preparing for something to go wrong afterward.
I waited for it.
For the shift.
For the moment, everything turned sharp again.
Vivian's voice cut through the room.
For a glass breaking.
For a whisper becoming a weapon.
But nothing happened.
The chandeliers continued glowing above us.
The music continued drifting through the hall in soft waves.
The guests continued smiling.
Dancing.
Living.
And somehow...
So was I.
The reception hall felt like an entirely different world from the ceremony.
The chapel had been all sacred silence, heavy vows, and unbearable expectations.
This was warmth.
Gold.
Candlelight.
The sweet scent of honeyed wine mixed with crushed flowers scattered across the tables.
The food was incredible.
Moon sigils hung from the rafters, crafted from silver and pearl, swaying gently as they caught the light.
Everything was beautiful.
Almost too beautiful.
I kept waiting for something to ruin it.
Because that was what I had learned to expect.
Ever since leaving the chapel, I had been on edge.
My skin felt too tight.
My eyes kept moving around the room, searching corners and doorways, waiting for disaster before it could find me.
I expected Vivian to appear.
I expected that perfect smile.
That carefully controlled sweetness.
That way, she had turned every happy moment into something poisoned.
I expected her to find a way to remind me that happiness was temporary.
Something borrowed.
Something I would eventually have to return.
But she never came.
She left.
My mother left with her.
Neither of them attended the reception.
And strangely...
I didn't feel the satisfaction I thought I would.
I told myself I didn't care.
That it didn't matter.
Instead, I let Sarah drag me into the crowd.
I let people congratulate me.
I let myself smile.
I even laughed.
Until my cheeks started hurting.
For once, I allowed myself to exist without waiting for the next disaster.
And then I saw him.
Lucas.
Standing near the far wall.
Half-hidden in shadow.
He wasn't drinking.
Wasn't laughing.
Wasn't pretending to enjoy himself.
Which was strange.
Lucas was known for his smile.
The kind of person who could walk into any room and somehow make it lighter.
But tonight...
He looked different.
The light caught his profile, leaving the rest of him in darkness.
Like a painting someone had forgotten to finish.
He was too still.
Too quiet.
His attention wasn't on the celebration.
It was on me.
Something uncomfortable settled in my stomach.
Of course he was here.
An Alpha's wedding wasn't a small event.
Every important wolf within reach would be expected to attend.
Power attracted attention.
Like moths to a flame, they convinced themselves wouldn't burn them.
I could have ignored him.
Pretended I hadn't noticed.
Turned away and stayed with Sarah.
But I couldn't.
Lucas had been part of my life.
A real part.
I couldn't erase that just because I was standing here wearing a crown of flowers and a title that still felt too heavy on my shoulders.
Besides...
What was I even looking for?
Closure?
No.
That wasn't me.
I wasn't Vivian.
I didn't need some perfect ending tied neatly with a ribbon.
Still...
I slipped away from Sarah's hold and crossed the room.
As I approached, Lucas's eyes moved over me.
The dress.
The veil pushed back.
The flowers were carefully arranged over the fabric.
The same fabric hides the blood beneath.
His mouth twitched.
But it wasn't a smile.
"Well," he said quietly, making sure no one else could hear.
"Here she is."
His eyes met mine.
"The woman of the hour."
A pause.
"Look at you."
His voice softened slightly.
"Married now."
I stopped an arm's length away.
The word still felt strange.
Married.
Like it belonged to someone else.
"You're supposed to congratulate me," I said.
My tone was lighter than I expected.
"Are you not?"
Lucas tilted his head.
"Well..."
His gaze drifted briefly toward the dance floor.
"That doesn't exactly fit the mood, does it?"
My body tensed slightly.
Not because of his words.
Because I knew Lucas well enough to hear what he wasn't saying.
His eyes moved past me.
Toward Dominic.
My mate.
My husband.
He stood nearby, speaking with two elders.
Calm.
Collected.
But even from across the room, I could see it.
The way his attention always shifted back toward me.
Always aware.
Always watching.
"You should probably keep your distance," Lucas said dryly.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
His lips curved faintly.
"Wouldn't want the Alpha to tear my throat out for standing too close."
A small laugh escaped me.
Because it sounded like a joke.
But his eyes didn't match his tone.
"I didn't come over here for trouble."
My voice surprised me.
It was steady.
Calm.
"I just..."
I hesitated.
Then continued.
"Wanted to thank you."
That got his full attention.
"For what?"
He asked the question.
But I could tell he already knew.
I looked down briefly.
Gratitude was never something that came easily to me.
I wasn't good at saying things like this.
But he deserved to hear it.
"For looking out for me."
The words felt awkward.
But honest.
"For being kind when you didn't have to be."
I met his eyes.
"For offering to help when I admitted I needed it."
A small pause.
"You've been a good friend."
The word felt important.
Because that's what he had been.
A friend.
"And a good person."
I swallowed.
"I want you to know that it meant something to me."
A quiet moment passed between us.
"So..."
I gave him a small smile.
"Thank you."