✿ Ulyana's POV

My grandfather held out his hand and helped me step out of the car. Mara and Geneva were out of their car and waiting for me by the stairs. Mara handed me a small bouquet and Geneva lowered my veil to cover my face.

“The groom awaits!” Marioara chuckled excitedly and turned up the stairs.

Geneva followed. My grandfather nodded at me and led me after them. As we walked together up the stairs and down a halt, Geneva paused.

“You know, Ulyana,” she began, “Zoltan... he may not believe it but he's a good guy. A bit rough on the edges...”

A bit?

“Okay a lot” she chuckled. “But he's really lucky to have you to help him finally smoothen them out” She smiled and lightly touched my arm.

I politely smiled back. She smiled at my grandfather and stood behind Mara. The grand doors of the ancient-looking chapel opened and I heard music.

Marioara smiled and walked slowly down the aisle. Geneva waited for about ten seconds before following suit. From the corner of my eye, my grandfather was looking at me.

I tightened my hold around his arm and smiled at him.

“Let's go show that ruthless man that he messed with the wrong family” I whispered.

He smiled and nodded, patting my hand. A low rumble sounds and I discover the source to be the hundreds of people standing up.

God!

An attendant motioned for us to walk down the aisle that looked like a mile long. All eyes were on me and I tried not to give in to my dread. My throat was tight. I could hardly breathe.

This is my wedding.

As I walked down the aisle with my grandfather, I could feel all eyes on me. With one look at them, I could read the awes and a tinge of enviousness that hid within a few.  As soon as laid eyes on him, I felt my heart sink in.

This is really happening.

Zoltan stood, a master of the room, in the front of the chapel. It was just like this with Anton eight years ago. He was waiting for me. I got there and he told me I wasn't worth it. He rejected me in front of both our packs, then abandoned me... leaving my grandfather and Chole to pick up the pieces. 

Unknowingly, I clenched on a little tighter to grandfather's arm and only when I felt his warm hand on mine did I look at his side and realize what just happened. We were already at the altar. My grandfather took my hand off his arm and I hugged him.

“Give him hell,”  he said to me through the mind link.

I let out a relieved chuckle, surprising myself, and nodded as I pulled away from the hug. As he left me at the foot of alter, I followed his trail down to his seat where Chole could be seen. She flashed me a warm yet weak smile. From her slightly puffy eyes, I could tell she had been crying. My heart wept but I could do nothing.

Once my eyes fell back on Zoltan, he gave me a small smile and I couldn't frown back like I wanted to do.

Wow.

He had a surprisingly great smile; straight white teeth, and dimples on his sculpted cheeks. It lighted up his face... so genuine I almost believed it. He held out a hand to help me up the altar. I took it and he guided me to his side.

No going back now.

A priest stood above Zoltan on a small platform and nodded at us. Zoltan moved to face me and I stepped back a little. He furrowed his brows lightly. Mara and Geneva stepped on each side of me and removed the veil from my face. I smiled gratefully at them and they stepped back. Turning back to face Zoltan, his eyes were on my... chest?!

Why was he looking at my boobs?

Annoyed, I raised my bouquet to shield my chest from his eyes. His eyes snapped back to my face, all traces of the little goodness he could have, gone. I ignored his stare which had now turned cold and hard.

The priest raised his arms and recited blessings upon us. He looked behind Zoltan and nodded at someone. Then he looked behind me and did the same. Mara and Warren stepped in front of us. She took away my bouquet and passed it to Geneva. Then Zoltan held out his hand to me. I reluctantly took it and Mara and Warren tied our hands together with ribbons and flowers.

Anton and I didn't make it this far.

Mara pushed a white candle in between our tied hands and Warren lit up the candle.

“Time for the vows” I heard Warren whisper to Zoltan whose eyes were back on my chest.

I moved my free hand towards my chest just as the priest began to speak. Zoltan looked away from me.

“Do you, Zoltan James MacQuoid, Alpha of the Moonstone Pack, take Ulyana Barlowe, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to hold and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in times of war and peace...”

More war than peace.

“... do you vow to be faithful to this woman, until death do you both apart?” the priest asked and waited for a reply from Zoltan.

Staring me down, he let out, “I do.”

My heart sank and I clenched tighter onto the candle in between our hands. The priest nodded happily and turned to me.

“Do you, Ulyana Barlowe, granddaughter of Eamonn Barlowe... Alpha of the Nightshade Pride Pack, take Zoltan James MacQuoid, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to hold and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer? Do you vow to be submissive and faithful to this man? Do you vow to support him in all his decisions as Alpha... as you rule by his side as Luna, until death do you both apart?”

My throat dried up. This man was going to be my husband in a few minutes. I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself because I knew I wasn't going to be able to do all this.

Be submissive? Support his unfair and ridiculous rules? Take up responsibility as Luna? Pretend to be the happy wife till death do us part? Me?

I can't do this!

All of a sudden, the sound of bullets penetrated the chapel and broke through. People began to panic and guards from both packs cocked their guns as some shifted, ready to respond to whoever it was.

“Step away from my sister!” a voice barked.

My head snapped towards the door and relief washed through me.

“Odin?” I whispered.

“Hello little sis” he smiled.

Immediately, I ripped the flowers and ribbons off my hand and turned away. Hitching my dress up, I began running as fast as I could, down the aisle, toward him. He wrapped his arms around me.

“Let her go! She's mine!” Zoltan growled.

My brother gently pushed me behind him, sheltering me from the danger like he'd done years ago.

“No.”

I smiled. Zoltan wasn't getting his way with the situation. Odin lifted his hand and aimed his gun at Zoltan. Three silver bullets through his head and heart each was all it took for hell to break loose.

I wasn't supposed to be happy but I was. Zoltan was dead! My smile broadened and I hugged my brother tightly.

“Thank you for saving me” I sighed happily.

“Tate!”

My eyes opened, pulling me out of the trance I was in.

Shit!

I blinked a few times to set my mind straight and then looked towards the doors that were heavily guarded.

This is real, isn't it?

“What are you doing?” I heard Mara whisper behind me.

I turned to look at Zoltan whose gaze was cold and inhumane. I lifted my free hand, flexed my fingers in the shape of a gun, and slowly poked at the side of his head.

No bullets.

He furrowed his brows at me and I heard chuckles ripple through the crowd. I brought my hand down and attempted to touch his chest even though I knew it was all in my imagination. But Zoltan caught my hand.

“What are you doing?” he muttered to me.

A light disappointed sigh eluded my lips.

“I saw you getting killed” I muttered back.

He narrowed his eyes at me and pushed my hand back to my side before letting go.

“Well too bad. Now answer the priest.”

I looked at the priest who smiled down at me.

“Do you take Zoltan as your husband, child?” he repeated less than what he had already said.

I looked at Zoltan.

I'm going to have to kill you myself.

“Yes. Yes, I do” I replied loud and bold.

Zoltan seemed a little stunned at my sudden confidence but he shook it off.

“Then please, light the candle” the priest instructed.

Zoltan guided our tied hands together and we lit the thicker candle in front of the altar with the candle in our hand. The priest recited a prayer as he lifted a golden goblet skywards. Then he handed Zoltan the goblet.

“Drink, that you may overcome your trials and not keep secrets from each other.”

Zoltan drank from it and the goblet was traded to my hands.

“Drink the rest of it,” he whispered.

If I knew we were going to be drinking stuff here, I would have taken Chole's offer to spice the drink and finally end this.

With no other choice, I took the goblet and drank from it. The sweet liquid trickled down my throat and the rich scent filled my nostrils as I tipped the cup and emptied it.

Definitely some kind of dessert wine.

I handed the goblet back to the priest who took it from me with a smile. He had kind eyes, his hair was cut short on his scalp, and he was wearing a gold-colored robe.

He raised his arms again and shouted something I'm another language at the crowd. Then he smiled down at the both of us and motioned for Warren to take the candle away from us. Two rings were presented to us afterward and with our hands still tied, Zoltan slipped off my first ring and slid down a small diamond-covered ring down my finger before adding the first ring.

The two rings shimmered and seemed right in place. As much as I hated admitting it, they looked incredible together. Holding Zoltan's wedding band in my right hand, I took hold of his right hand in the left that was tied to his right hand. His hand was warm as I slid the ring onto the rightful finger.

The priest stepped down from his platform and sprinkled something onto our tied hands before he untied it.

“By the power vested in me from God, this pack, and the state, I now announce you husband and wife” the priest declared. “You may now kiss your bride, Alpha Zoltan.”

Kiss?

My eyes widened as I looked up at Zoltan... warning him with my eyes not to think about it. For a second I saw hesitation in his eyes. Then it disappeared and he stepped closer to me.

What?!

My heart hammered in my chest.

Is... was he really going to kiss me?!

Zoltan stopped once in front of me and stared down into my eyes. I tried, but I couldn't look away.

Please don't. Please don't. Please don't!

Regardless, Zoltan leaned closer and closer, so much so that my heart started to thunder faster within my chest. An inch closer away from my face, I shut my eyes tightly.

This isn't happening!

Holding my breath, I waited. But nothing happened. I opened one eye and Zoltan had moved away from me. He had a victorious smirk on his face.

“We'll hold that one off till we're alone,” he said out loud.

Alone?!

Chuckles rippled through the crowd again and I fixed my face. He was bluffing. He just wanted me to feel more uncomfortable than I already was. We were married. We were now husband and wife. It was finally over.

“I now present to you Alpha Zoltan and his wife!” the priest announced.

Tugging me to his side, I forced a smile on my face as the crowd broke out into applause.

“See?” Zoltan whispered to me. “That wasn't so hard, now was it?”

I looked up at him and smiled brightly.

“It's about to be.”

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

✿ Geneva's POV

We exited through grand doors and into the immense dining hall. There are tables and chairs set everywhere. At the front of the room was a long golden table that Zoltan led Ulyana to. I smiled, thankful nothing bad happened to disrupt the wedding.

“Geneva!”

I craned my neck behind me and smiled.

“Are you always that excited to see me, Eleanor?”

“Yes” she replied and I smiled.

“You've done an amazing job with the place... again.”

“Thank you. And you...” she stepped back a little to admire me, “... you look amazing!” she stretched.

She shrugged proudly. Eleanor smiled in the newlyweds' direction.

“I'm super happy for them,” she said.

I nodded.

“Me too” I added.

She was about to say something when we spotted Niall and Billy entering the hall.

“Is it wrong for me to want to disappear before Billy sees me?”

I laughed.

“If you didn't I'd think there was something wrong with you.”

She chuckled.

“Go” I whispered.

“I'll come find you later, okay?”

“Wherever the booze is” I winked and watched her slip through a small crowd behind me.

“Wow Gen!” Niall let out when he reached my side. “You look so beautiful.”

“So do you” I whispered to him.

He pouted and then chuckled. Billy, however, eyed me from top to bottom.

“People should get married often and make you bridesmaid.”

“And what's that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“That if you weren't my sister I would... you know...” he winked and clicked his tongue at me.

I scoffed.

“Please. You couldn't pick me up if your life depended on it” I rolled my eyes.

“Hey, hey, look” Niall whispered, ending our banter before it began.

We turned to the newlyweds.

“Zoltan's really in love huh?” he asked.

“Duh. Would he have married her if he wasn't?” Billy scoffed.

“Why would you even ask that, Al?” I asked.

“She's wearing the necklace,” he said to me. “Zoltan never lets anyone near it much less give it out.”

I smiled.

“Well, she's his wife now so I don't see anything wrong with it. Zoltan clearly trusts her so why not?” I shrugged.

“I guess” they both chorused.

I nodded at them and turned my attention to Zoltan and Ulyana. Earlier when I spoke to Zoltan, I knew he hadn't brought the necklace out to give it to Ulyana. He just wanted some form of comfort on a day like this. I wanted him to find that comfort in his fiancée. Their entire relationship was a bit hard to believe.

Telling everyone they met at the annual werewolf conference.

“Please” I scoffed inwardly.

What surprised me was when Zoltan let me walk away with it. And I knew he'd seen the necklace around her neck. Yet he hadn't ripped it off like he did to me when we were little and I innocently tried it on. Since that day, everyone knew to stay away from the things that belonged to Zoltan's mother.

“They look so good together it hurts” I heard a sigh and a sniff erupt beside me.

My brothers and I turned.

“Hey, are you seriously still doing this?” I chuckled.

“No” she let out, her lower lip slightly trembling.

“Mara” I called out to her.

She looked at me and blinked away the tears.

“These are happy tears, I swear” she whispered.

Sureeee.

I chuckled softly.

“Let's get you some water,” I said and she nodded and let me lead her away to a quiet corner.

My brothers followed us and tried to get Mara out of her sullen mood. She didn't even pretend to laugh when Billy told her the same lame joke for the umpteenth time. I shook my head at my brother.

“Could I get a tissue please?” Mara sniffed.

“I'll get it” I offered, itching to get away from them. Niall fell in step beside me.

“You're not leaving me alone with them” he stated before I asked.

I chuckled. We moved into one of the storage rooms and grabbed a box of tissues. As we walked out, I spotted Anton moving through the corridors. I frowned.

“Hey, Al?”

“Yeah?”

“What do you know about that Anton guy?”

“Aside from the fact that he has a history with Ulyana, nothing else.”

I made a face.

“A history? What history?” I asked.

He scoffed.

“Do you live under a rock, Eve?”

I gave him a look and he laughed.

“He was Ulyana's mate. But he rejected her at the alter on their wedding day.”

No wonder she was so nervous when she saw him at the engagement party.

“I just thought his problem was with her family. I didn't know they...” I clicked my tongue.

“Hm,” he shrugged. “I don't agree with Zoltan inviting him though. Why mix business and pleasure?”

“Because he's Zoltan” I chuckled.

“Well, I sure hope Ulyana is doing okay. It must be annoying to see him everywhere.”

I smiled.

“I'm sure she's fine, Al.”

“Do you think Anton is still in love with her?”

“Why are you asking me?” I laughed.

“Because I'd be mad if the person I was in love with was loving someone else.”

I scoffed and patted his back as we stepped back into the hall.

“I wouldn't be worried if it were me, little brother.”

“You wouldn't?”

“Never” I assured him.

He gave me an amused look.

“Because?”

“Because, Niall, if the person you love is meant for you, then they're meant for you. Nothing would ever come between you.”

“Really?”

I nodded.

“Absolutely.”

“Oh good you're back!” Mara chirped.

Niall and I exchanged looks.

“What did you do to her, dude?” Niall asked.

Billy shook his head.

“Nothing.”

“So why is she suddenly so cheery?” I asked, chuckling a little.

“Because of that!” Mara chirped again and pointed to the front.

I laughed at her excitement and followed her gaze, only for a pit to form in my stomach. I was expecting to see Ulyana and Zoltan slow-dancing or being romantic with each other. But instead, Warren was on one knee, slipping a ring on Claire's finger.

No!

She grinned and guided him up to his feet and what followed made me nauseous. It wouldn't have hurt as much if she moved in to kiss him... no. Claire was a slut. But Warren... he initiated the kiss. The tissue box fell from my hand as he did and the crowd whooped. I couldn't look away. That should've been me getting proposed to.

And they were already married. Why the hell was he proposing to her when he told me he was getting a divorce?

“Aww!” Mara's voice broke through my thoughts. “Don't you just love weddings? It brings everyone together.”

I sucked in my lower lip and reached down to pick up the tissue box.

“You okay, Gen?” Billy asked.

“Yeahh” I answered, surprised my voice held no trace of what I was feeling right now.

Claire and Warren's kiss ended and she grinned and threw her arms around him. The moment his eyes met mine, I felt like dying. I felt cold and hot at the same time, and I felt like my brain had been electrocuted. I inhaled deeply and nodded... my eyes not leaving his face for a second.

“Annndddd... that's my cue to get drunk” I announced and walked away.

Thank you for reading!
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Ciao
~the_atticwriter