Chapter Twenty-Five #2
We got into the Omega wing, and the other Omega, Leanne, pushed me to shower in her room.
She pushed me into her washroom and told me to strip.
“They will be pissed if they smell champagne on you.” I took off my mask, and her mouth dropped open.
“I knew it.” She whispered as she tossed me a towel.
“Well, hurry!” Her eyes danced down my neck.
“Your mate seems to be in a pickle, Alpha Amy.” I stripped and showered as fast as I could.
I got dressed as Leanne managed to throw my curling hair into a messy braid.
“That will have to do.” She looked at my face.
“I want to ask you how you have made it this far without someone noticing you, but I already know. None of the ranked wolves in this pack look at our faces. Not even when they use our bodies.” She glared over my shoulder.
Then, her eyes snapped to my face. “Except for you.”
“Leanne.” I raised a hand to her shoulder, and she tried not to flinch away. “Once this is all over, you will be free of this place. I promise you that.” She nodded once. Then she grabbed my mask and tied it behind my head.
“We have to go before Shannon starts to yell.” I nodded as we rushed out another door, skipping past the group of women, and straight back to the hall erected outside. The glass and everything was cleaned. Rowan was still glaring at Vince, who was still on the ground.
“My King.” Brandon stepped forward. “The Omegas have reset everything, and we are ready to proceed.” Rowan growled.
He turned on Brandon, but he caught my eye and seemed to stumble as he shifted.
Brandon and Vince glanced at each other, and Vince failed to hide his smirk.
“Please, my King. I apologize once again for stepping out of line.” Vince forced a fake tremble into his voice.
“I was excited for your appearance at my son’s mating ceremony, as I know this is far below your regular duties.
” Vince waved, gesturing for another drink.
Rowan shook his head as if to clear it, and the same Omega grabbed another glass of champagne and dumped more silver into it.
I walked close enough to see it at the last second and whispered the spell to neutralize the silver once again right before Rowan drank it.
He waved his hand as he plodded back to his seat.
“It’s fine.” Rowan slurred his words a tiny bit.
Then he turned to Verity. “I found my true mate, so any status you had before is null and void. Now leave me be. I came here to watch the mating ceremony because Brandon had a hand in giving me the best gift I have ever been given, and I wanted to thank you personally.” Brandon’s face shifted into confusion as he looked at Vince. But they both shrugged. Verity stood.
“You can’t do this to me!” She stomped her foot.
Rowan just glared at her. “I can. I have. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. The ONLY reason you were ever my fiancée was because the council forced me into it. We both know it. But even they can’t fight against the Goddess.
Now leave.” He turned to Brandon with a sloppy smile and a wave.
“Start your ceremony. I don’t have all day. ”
Brandon looked to his dad, who nodded and stood, dusting off his jacket. “Let’s begin.”
Leanne nodded and ran from the room to inform Shannon it was time.
She came back within a minute, nodding to someone else.
Music started, and then the girls started down the aisle.
It was this weird march I had seen a million times on T.V.
Human weddings were like this. It was weird for a wolf ceremony.
The song changed, and Luna, Brittany, and Shannon stepped to the end of the aisle. Their masks obscured their faces, but you could tell Brittney didn’t want to be there. And Shannon looked triumphant.
She’s still fucking dumb. Nix laughed. She looks as though she has won the prize.
And the only thing she won is a cheating mate who never wanted to mate her. Just wanted to use her and keep her in the background while he mated someone stronger.
Shannon walked past me, and her eyes connected with mine.
She seemed to stumble for a second, and her mouth opened.
I knew she was going to say my name. But Brittney tugged her along.
“Eyes up front. Unless you want to stop this?” Brittney’s words were a soft whisper, but it did the job.
Shannon looked back to the front, completely forgetting I was there, and focused on her soon to be mate.
Brandon looked at Shannon as if he was dying inside. His face, once smiling whenever he looked at her, was set in deep lines. There wasn’t even an ounce of love in his eyes. I watched him turn to Derek, and whisper loud enough for everyone to hear. “This is a mistake.”
The entire audience froze as his words echoed through the space.
Vince’s smile tightened as he looked around the room.
Shannon, and this is the only time I would ever feel bad for her, stumbled another step and Brittney giggled next to her.
Brandon turned back to Shannon, realizing he wasn’t as quiet as he thought he was.
He had the decency to look a little embarrassed.
But he stepped forward and held out his hand for her, and she plastered a smile onto her face and stepped toward him.
Brandon wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled her to his side.
A quick whispered spell let me hear the rushed conversation.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean for everyone to hear that.
” He smiled down at her. “I’m just nervous.
” He lied straight through his teeth, but I could see that Shannon was eating it up.
“You know how I feel about you, right, baby?”
“It’s okay.” She trembled as she stepped closer to him. “I understand. Of course, I know how you feel about me. You picked me over Amy.” I watched his face tighten with her words, but she missed it. She batted her eyes up at him. “I can’t wait to be your mate.”
Rowan, the shit stirrer he is, leaned over to a wolf beside him.
“I thought Brandon was mating the Alpha female from this pack. Amy…” He furrowed his brows and turned back to the front, watching his comment hit home.
Brandon’s spine straightened as he turned to look at Rowan. And Shannon growled low in her throat.
“No, my King.” Shannon turned and fought her anger as she addressed him. “Brandon chose me.”
Rowan stood and walked over, sniffing as he went. He raised his eyebrow and turned back to his seat. “Brandon…I’m surprised. But true love conquers all, I guess.”
“What do you mean?” Brandon snapped his attention to the king. Even from back here, I could see him swallow his anger facing the bigger male.
Rowan smiled lazily. “I mean, come on…no offense to your chosen mate, but let’s be honest here.
” He turned to look Shannon up and down.
“You seem like a really nice girl.” He took a step and seemed like he lost his balance for a second.
He waved his arms in a circle trying to catch himself.
“But it’s Amy.” He said it so matter-of-factly, I had to turn my face away so no one could see my smile.
“What the hell does that mean?” Shannon turned to face the king.
Rowan lifted an eyebrow. “I mean no offense.” He raised his hands and smiled again.
Shannon’s eyes turned to slits. “Then explain what you meant.”
Rowan chuckled softly. “You are playing with fire, little girl.”
Brandon wrapped his arm around Shannon. “I would also like to know what you meant, my King.”
Rowan turned to the crowd and smiled a little too wide. “I apologize to everyone here. I’m not myself, as I am still riding high on my mating.” He turned back to the couple. “So please forgive me. I will keep my mouth shut.”
Shannon stepped out of Brandon’s arms. “Please. My King. Explain what you meant.” Shannon tried to grab him, but he let out a low rumble.
“Don’t touch me.” He growled out, and I saw his eyes flash. He stepped back and then shook his head again to clear it. “I’m sorry. My wolf doesn’t like it when another female gets too close. He likes space so that he doesn’t make our mate mad.” He shook his head again.
Brandon and Vince smiled at each other. “My King, are you okay?” Brandon reached out, but Rowan waved him off.
“I’m fine.” He smiled, and I had to cough to cover my laugh. His acting was surprisingly good.
You doubt me, mate? Rowan’s voice curled in my mind, and I nearly dropped my tray.
The fuck? I turned back to Rowan, who laughed out loud, adding to his confused act. How is this possible?
Our bond settled fully. Rowan tossed back at me like that was answer enough.
That explains nothing to me. I tossed back, and he laughed out loud again. Shannon walked closer and grabbed his arm.
“Maybe you should sit down, my King.” She smiled, and I nearly growled when I saw something metallic glint in her hand.
She has a knife! I screamed at him, and I watched his eyes turn predatory.
Shannon tried to wrap her other arm with the knife around his middle, and I watched as she tried to stab him. But he caught her hands and played dumb again. His growl ripped over the crowd. “I already told you, my wolf doesn’t like females touching me.” He squeezed her hand until she yelped.
“Sorry, my King.” She stepped back, hiding the knife in her skirt, but I watched as Rowan tracked her movements. “I just wanted to help you.”
He nodded once and then staggered back to his seat. “Well then. Let’s get this show on the road.” He clapped really loudly, almost as if he were drunk, making Vince grin again.
Shannon turned back to Brandon with a smile. She stepped up next to him. “Are you ready?”
Brandon’s eyes flicked to Vince, and then Garith stood. I watched him pale, and then he worked a smile onto his face. “Of course I am. I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Let’s get mated.”
He took her hand, and together they turned to the priestess.
She waved them closer and smiled. “Come closer. The moon is already in the sky, and the Goddess herself is staring down on us.” Shannon and Brandon both stepped up in front of the priestess, and then she waved her hand down to the pillows. “Kneel.”
Shannon dropped to her knees first. Her one hand still in Brandon’s hands.
She tugged him down. “Come on, babe.” She smiled up at him, and everyone could see his hesitation.
Brandon looked back to the crowd. I watched as his eyes connected with Garith.
He paled further when he saw Garith playing with a tiny ball of light.
He did it in such a way that no one else noticed except me.
The threat was there. Garith was showing off his magic.
Which was something I wasn’t sure he had until the very moment.
I focused on Rowan. Garith is on the back pew by himself, in the mask with gold details around the eyes.
I watched Rowan start to turn. Don’t look back, you fool.
I shook my head. I’m telling you this because he has magic. So tread very carefully.
I watched as he nodded slightly, and I felt my stomach settle a little.
His voice whispered in my mind. You don’t have to yell at me, my love.
I can hear you just fine. His lips curled at the edge, and I wanted to crawl into his lap.
I must have projected my thoughts because he laughed loudly.
Everyone in the room turned to look at him, and murmurs started across the people gathered.
“Is he really drunk off the two or three glasses of champagne?” One of the smallest females there leaned closer to her friend. “I can drink more than that.”
Her friend laughed quietly. “Maybe he doesn’t drink and is a total lightweight.”
A man turned around. “I’ve been to parties in the capital. He drinks…this is weird. I’ve seen him drink bottles and walk straight. Maybe Vince gave him the good stuff?”
The first girl shrugged. “Probably. We aren’t good enough for the good stuff though?
” She scoffed. “A little elitist.” The other two nodded.
Shannon’s face pinched as she looked back with a glare.
“Shush. She’s looking back.” They straightened and turned back to the front.
Shannon glared back at them for another second before turning back to the priestess and Brandon.
She looked up at Brandon and tugged his arm once again. Rowan groaned. “Either shit or get off the pot.”
Everyone’s face frowned in confusion. Brandon turned to look at my mate. “What does that mean?”
Rowan groaned again and huffed out a long breath.
“It’s a human saying for either do what you came to do or call it off.
” He crossed his arms. “At this point, we have been waiting for almost an hour.” He lowered his voice, or pretended to, and whisper-yelled.
“At least it feels like it’s been an hour.
” He earned a few chuckles before he coughed and raised his voice back up.
“Are we watching you, mate, or are we here to watch you decide if you want to mate…because at this point I’m confused. ” He paused for a second. “And hungry.”
He earned a few more chuckles, and Shannon’s face burned red. She tugged at Brandon’s sleeve. “Get down.” She whispered, but I read her lips.
Brandon tried to pull his hand free, and I knew he was going to turn away, but then a deep voice rang out from the very back. “You are wasting our time. Decide.”
Brandon froze and then dropped to his knees. Garith’s voice was enough to make the decision for him. “I apologize.” Brandon turned to Shannon and smiled. “It was a bet between Derek and me. He wanted me to make it seem like I was confused. But you know how much you mean to me.”
Derek smiled, but I could see the confusion behind his eyes. He hadn’t done any of that, but Brandon was his best friend. He wouldn’t out his lie, Derek laughed “Sorry Shan. I had to mess with you one last time for old times’ sake.” He would just go along with it.
Shannon was smart enough to catch the lie they were feeding everyone. She pointed at Derek and growled. “This is my mating ceremony.”
He raised his hands and chuckled. “I’m sorry. I forfeit the bet.”
Brandon and Shannon both nodded and turned back to the priestess. Brandon smiled. “We are ready.”
She stared at him for a second, then nodded. “Then let’s begin.” She stepped back, and behind her the moon had risen higher into the sky, and the sun was setting. I pulled out my phone and sent another quick text.
Amy- They are just starting now. Everything is in place. It’s a go.