Chapter 5 - Miles #2
“You are the most beautiful bride that ever existed,” I say quietly.
Her cheeks turn rose pink, and she smiles. While she looks happy, she hasn't spoken to me much. Maybe she’s shy or nervous, but I would never have labeled her as either of those things, given everything I know about her.
We dance for ages before she excuses herself to get something to drink.
“I’ll get you something,” I protest. But she shakes her head.
“No, thank you, I also want to get a little fresh air and take a moment just to breathe,” she says.
Sensing that she needs to be alone, I let her walk away from me, even though it is a challenge to let her go.
Deciding that I could also use a drink, I head over to the bar.
Lexus and Jeremy are sitting on white sofas just to the side of it, talking politics and pack business as usual.
Jeremy waves me over.
“My boy, your wedding is a great success,” he says proudly.
“Our wedding,” I correct him.
“What?” He asks, confused.
“You act as though this wedding in a solo event in just my honor. It takes two people to get married. I would appreciate it if you made a point of including my wife in your speeches and praises.”
Jeremy glares at me in surprise, and Lexus sits with his brows knotted.
“You are the Beta of this pack and…”
“And Kelsey is my wife now. She is my partner. She is my other half,” I demand. “This event is celebrating our union.”
Jeremy clears his throat and nods slowly. “Yes, ok, alright,” he says tightly, clearly not enjoying my tone.
“I trust that any future comments about the wedding won’t make it sound like I am the only one taking part in it?” I ask, making sure my point is as clear as possible.
Lexus and Jeremy both nod curtly.
“I appreciate that,” I smile, not wanting to leave the sitting area on a bad note. “It really is a great event. Thank you for doing most of the planning,” I add.
They didn’t. The pack did most of the work.
“We’re glad you are both enjoying yourselves,” Jeremy says with a smile. Good. He understands.
***
It’s well past midnight when Kelsey and I leave the venue, and there are still a number of people enjoying the party.
But I can’t wait anymore. I want to claim her. I want to take her to my bed and enjoy the most important part of our wedding night.
And I want to, finally, fully claim her as my own.
Kelsey is quiet on the very short drive back to my place. We could have walked, but I’m too impatient.
I parked outside my cottage, where the other Betas moved all of her belongings in this afternoon. She officially lives here now. My heart is beating faster by the second as I pull the car door open for her and take her hand to help her down from the Jeep.
With a smirk, I lifted her into my arms and cradled her to carry her over the threshold. She tenses and scrunches her nose, yelping in fright and then trying to wiggle free.
I laugh and hold her tighter.
“What are you doing?” She exclaims.
“Tradition. I am carrying you over the threshold of our new home together,” I explain.
She huffs and appears to suffer through the process as I kick the door open and walk into the entrance area of my cottage.
When I place her on her feet again, she immediately pulls away from my grasp.
“Miles, we need to get something straight right now,” she sighs.
“Ok?” I mutter, not liking the sound of this one bit. The happy, radiant bride who was on show for the pack all night is suddenly gone, and standing in front of me is Kelsey. The fighter. The stern, focused trainee. The defensive, walls-up woman I argued with outside this very cottage a week ago.
“Just because I have your last name doesn’t mean I actually belong to you.
The elders demanded the marriage take place, and you agreed to it, which means I didn’t really have much choice in the matter, but let me make it very clear to you right now…
You don’t own me. You don’t get to control me, my time, or my choices.
I am going to keep working at my job. I am going to stick to my routine and…
” she scrunches her nose and takes a breath, “my body is my own.”
My jaw drops open in shock. I was fine with everything up until she said that.
“You are my wife, Kelsey,” I snap, my ego bruised.
“For show,” she says, her voice clipped and cool.
I huff out a harsh breath of disbelief. “I see,” I say coldly. “Well, not to worry. I am a Beta. Women flock to be with me. The last thing I need is to beg my own wife to share my bed. I don’t need you for that, so… as you wish,” I snarl.
Kelsey’s eyes wander over me as though she is assessing me in great detail. Then she sucks her cheeks in, pouting slightly, and nods. “Good night, Miles,” she says politely, then spins on her heels and walks toward my spare bedroom.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Anger surges through me like a tidal wave, but I bite it back. Mudder is snarling and pacing and showing his disapproval of me allowing her to walk away like that.
Shaking my head, I push my hand through my hair and let out a heavy sigh.
“Whatever,” I huff.
Heading into my own room, I kick off my shoes and flop down onto the bed.
That didn’t go as planned at all.