Chapter 4: Chapter 4

~Maya’s POV~

“This is all your fault,” his voice boomed, echoing through the room.

I already knew it was coming. Things had not gone as planned for Daniel Stone, he needed someone to blame and I was the available scapegoat.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his accusation. “I-I’m sorry, Father. I didn’t mean for things to go the way they did.”

Deep down, I wondered what the apology was for. There had been no offense on my part.

“Sorry? Sorry won’t fix this mess!” His face contorted with anger. “I brought you back into our fold, and what do I get? Shame and embarrassment!”

“I know, Father. I didn’t want—”

“You didn’t want? What about what I want?” He slammed his fist on the table, making me flinch. “I wanted a peaceful dinner, a smooth merger, and you ruined it all. You escalated things when you went ahead and married that bastard.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Silence!” His sharp command cut through my feeble attempts to explain. “You’ve always been trouble. A disgrace to our family name!”

I bit my lip, struggling to hold back tears. “I-I’ll make it right, Father. I promise.”

“Promises! You think promises erase your incompetence?” He leaned in closer, his eyes ablaze with fury. “I should have known better than to rely on you. You’re nothing but a burden! You’re lucky I didn’t cast you out for good!”

“I-I’ll fix it, I swear,” I pleaded, feeling smaller with every word.

“You’re lucky I need you for the merger,” he spat, his voice cold and cutting. “Don’t think for a moment you’re indispensable. You’re replaceable.”

“I understand, Father. I’ll do better,” I murmured, my resolve crumbling under his harsh words.

“Now I have to fix the mess you have made.” Without another word, he swiftly retrieved his phone, his fingers tapping away at the screen, and dialed a number. As he spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes, I dared to hope for a moment of escape.

“That was Ivan. The wedding has been moved,” he announced with a finality that sent shivers down my spine.

A brief breath of relief escaped me, only to be snatched away almost instantly.

“You are getting married in three days.”

The conversation played out in my head as I stood in the large hall, every word still making me wonder what exactly I had done wrong that night.

The beautiful white dress, almost suffocating. I stood amidst the crowd, feeling a profound sense of detachment, surrounded by a sea of strangers. My gaze inadvertently fell on Ivan, the man I was about to bind myself to.

He had an easy smile on his face like he had waited for this moment and it was finally here— he looked like a man in love, somehow that only made me even more sick to my stomach.

Before I could collect my thoughts, he approached, his demeanor surprisingly gentle. “Maya, are you okay? If there’s anything bothering you, you can talk to me.” His eyes twinkled with mischief, “I need to know if you are going to run away before we say our vow.”

It was undeniable, the man was beautiful.

My heart raced, torn between the impulse to confide and the fear of the impending union. “I-I don’t want to be claimed just yet, Ivan. I need some time,” I stammered, my voice barely audible amidst the bustling hall.

“I understand.”

“You do? I thought.. My father—“

“Look, Maya. I know getting married wasn’t on your to do list but we are here now and I am really looking forward to getting to know you, you don’t have to be scared of me.”

My eyes traveled to his beautiful eyes and I couldn’t help the smile rising to my cheeks, “Okay… All these.. It’s just—“

“Too much?” He completed for me.

“Yeah.”

“Honestly.. I don’t even know half of the people here. Most of them are just here to witness the union of two great packs and all I want to do is stuff my face with food.”

The laughter escaped my lips before I could help it, causing the grin on his face to grow, “I finally got a laugh. You should do it more often, you look even more beautiful.”

The puddles were already forming within me, it wouldn’t take much more for me to melt.

“We will hold on the claiming,” he continued, “until you are ready. I am a very patient man.”

“Thank you.”

His eyes sparkled as he leaned in, “So let’s go get married.” His voice dropped to a whisper making my insides swirl. He brushed his lips against my ear with a fleeting touch, “I have been dying to kiss you.”

The puddles formed fully and I melted.

He guided me gently towards the front, his hand a steady anchor amidst the scattered emotions. We stood facing each other, my heart pounding so loud, I could almost hear it.

I glanced at my father, his narrowed eyes boring into me, a silent command to proceed.

Ivan began, his voice steady as he recited his vows, “I promise to be your constant support, your unwavering pillar in the storms of life. To hold you close in times of joy, to celebrate every triumph by your side. And in moments of darkness, I pledge to be your guiding light, illuminating the path to our shared happiness.”

With a playful glint in his eye and a boyish grin, he added, “I also vow to try not to hog the blanket too much on cold nights.”

His light-heartedness eased the tension, eliciting a small chuckle from me. Gathering myself, I continued, my voice still tinged with uncertainty but softened by a fleeting smile, “I promise to stand beside you, to cherish the beauty of our moments together, whether in laughter or in tears. To be your sanctuary in times of chaos and your partner in creating a life filled with love and—“

As I was about to speak the last word, a faint ticking sound disrupted the air. I paused, about to question it when suddenly, chaos erupted.

A sudden explosion tore through the room, its deafening roar drowning everything else. Screams pierced the air, their source indistinguishable in the chaos. Before I could comprehend, my body was sent flying, crashing into a wall, the impact sending shockwaves through me.

I tried to get up but all I felt was pain coursing through my body and then my entire world went black.