Chapter 47

ELEANOR

As I walked out of the bathroom, I saw a bag on the edge of the bed.

I opened it and took out a floor-length, flowy dress in a pastel pink color.

The dress was simple yet elegant.

After quickly putting it on, I did some light makeup and a simple hairdo and walked downstairs with my clutch and heels.

“You look so beautiful, darling,” Xavier complimented.

I blushed.

“Thank you. Aren’t you going to get ready?” I asked him.

“I have a meeting with one of the head warriors from our neighboring pack, so I’ll arrive a little later,” he told me.

I nodded my head, walked down the last few stairs, and came to stand next to him.

“Don’t be late,” I told him.

He wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

“Okay,” he said and slowly moved closer to me while I closed my eyes.

A few seconds later, our lips touched, igniting the dormant sparks within me.

The kiss was brief, and Xavier pulled back, looking me deep in the eyes.

“You look fabulous. Make sure no one trips looking at your beauty,” he joked.

“Bye,” I said, and after one last kiss, I walked out of the house.

A driver was already waiting for me in the driveway, so I quickly got in and left for the venue.

By the time I arrived, the ceremony was already over, and people had begun congratulating the newly mated couple.

“Congratulations!” I greeted the couple.

“Why didn’t you come for the ceremony?” Rebecca asked me with a pout.

“I’m so sorry I missed it. I wasn’t feeling well this morning, Becca,” I said, and her eyes slightly widened in concern.

“Oh my! Are you feeling all right now? What happened?”

“I think my stomach didn’t like the food I ate yesterday. I vomited pretty much all morning.”

“Did you see the pack doctor?” Ivan asked me.

“No, but I’m feeling much better. So don’t worry about me. Anyway, how did you two like the decorations?” I asked them both as I looked around the venue.

Even I was momentarily mesmerized by the sheer beauty of how everything turned out.

Pink, purple, white, and light blue flowers and crystal beads were used to decorate the venue.

“I never imagined it would be this beautiful, Ellie. It was just truly magical. There was only one thing missing,” Rebecca said, and this made my heart flutter with nervousness.

I thought I had gotten everything on their wish list. I discreetly looked around to see if I had missed anything or if something was wrong.

“Did I forget a particular flower you wanted?” I asked her.

“Yes, the significant flower that should’ve been here from the very beginning.”

She was talking in a cryptic tone, and it confused me to no end.

“I don’t understand.”

“You! I thought you would be here when I walked down the aisle. I thought maybe you could have represented my side of the family. But I know you were sick,” she said. I saw her eyes cloud with tears, and it broke my heart.

My throat tightened and burned while tears gathered in my eyes as well.

I abruptly pulled her into a hug, and she wrapped her arms around me.

“I’m sorry, Rebecca. I should have been here,” I whispered in her ear.

“That’s all right. I’m happy that you’re here now,” she said as we pulled apart.

“Okay, I don’t want to make you cry and ruin your makeup. Enjoy your day,” I said, and she nodded her head. I walked down the stage and made my way to the buffet table. My keen eyes scanned the table when it landed on Mrs. Tanner’s apple pie.

It didn’t look like her signature apple pie. It was a three-tier apple pie cake with the bride and groom’s name written on the top.

“How does it look?” I turned to my side to face Mrs. Tanner.

“It looks beautiful, Mrs. Tanner.”

“Thank you, dear. I was worried it wouldn’t turn out.”

“Mrs. Tanner?” we heard someone call.

“I’ll see you around, Eleanor,” she said and walked away to speak to someone.

Then I spotted Jade.

~Why did Ivan even invite her?~

“How are you enjoying the party, Miss Amato?” Jade asked me with a fake smile plastered on her face. She was wearing a bright red sequined dress, completely violating the color code for the wedding.

“Very well. It’s a surprise to see you here.”

“Ivan said the same thing, but Mrs. Tanner didn’t have the heart to leave me off the guest list since she and my mother were quite close,” she answered.

Well, I’m at least happy that it wasn’t Ivan who invited her.

“So, how is your pathetic life going?”

“Better than yours.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, Eleanor. This life you have a dream. Enjoy it while it lasts.” With those words, she walked away while I bubbled with anger.

For some reason, I had a feeling she was up to something—and whatever it was, it didn’t sit right with me.