Chapter 2

Lila's face fell instantly, her wolf ears twitching in anger.

I grabbed her hand before she could slap him.

She turned to me, her eyes redder than mine, her voice shaking with rage.

"That bitch did it on purpose! I told all the bridesmaids that the bouquet was meant for you..."

"Lila," I interrupted gently, squeezing her wrist. "The wedding isn't over yet. Don't ruin the mood."

The crowd's attention had already shifted from Caleb and me.

Following the bouquet, everyone was staring at Serena's delicate face.

She held the flowers, looking up timidly, stealing a quick glance at Caleb before lowering her head.

Caleb had already retreated to the edge of the crowd, as if the public humiliation he had just dealt me was nothing but a trivial matter.

The priest, Elder Marcus of the Silvermoon Pack, was experienced.

With a few witty blessings, he got the crowd cheering again.

Lila gave a bitter glare, took her groom Ethan's arm, and finished the ceremony.

During the reception, I sat at the head table, enduring sympathetic and curious stares from all directions.

Caleb was at another table, laughing and drinking with his Grayfang Pack brothers.

Serena sat right next to him, her shoulder practically glued to his arm. That was way too close for a secretary.

She wasn't even supposed to be a bridesmaid.

Caleb had claimed they needed an extra bridesmaid at the last minute and put her in.

He often took her to pack events, saying she was a capable Omega who helped with pack business.

He even brought her to Lila's wedding.

When Lila and her groom came to our table to greet us, she hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear, "That Omega has been throwing herself at Caleb for six months. I had her investigated—she plays dirty. Caleb is..."

"Lila," I patted her back, my fingers brushing the pearls on her wedding dress. "You're the most beautiful bride today. Don't let bad vibes ruin it."

She snorted but dropped it.

When the party ended and guests started to leave, Caleb walked over. "Ready to go?"

He naturally took my purse, his other hand reaching to drape over my shoulder in a comforting gesture.

I slipped away slightly, avoiding his touch.

"You've been drinking. I called a pack driver."

He didn't mind and nodded. "Fair enough."

The car drove into the night.

My face was blurred in the window—makeup flawless, but unable to hide the deep exhaustion in my eyes.

"Serena reached for the bouquet first tonight. She's a young Omega, and it's her first time at a major pack wedding. It's normal she wanted some good luck," he said casually. "I was just returning it to the rightful person. Don't take it to heart."

I didn't reply, just watched the forest road lamps flash by.

After a moment, he looked up from his phone. "Are you mad?"

He leaned closer, his fingers running through my hair, gently rubbing the back of my neck like soothing a grumpy pup.

"Didn't we agree? Once we secure the northern mining territory, we'll have our wedding. I'll invite the entire pack to witness it, okay?"

A wave of bitterness washed over me.

It was always like this.

Using a gentle tone to make a vague promise of "next time."

And then expecting me to just let it go.

"Caleb," I said, looking at his reflection in the window.

"Yeah?"

"There's something I need to talk to you about."

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