25

Word Count: 3339

~Dove

I wince at Deven's vice grip on my arm as we walk up the stone path to Ciella's house.

It feels strange being here. I'm being struck by a disconcerting sense of déjà vu, although instead of Eden walking next to me, it's my friend.

All the flowers are in bloom, vivid colours sprouting out of vibrant green foliage that winds around the wooden archway that extends along the path. Petals crumple and bleed under foot, painting the pale stone in colour.

We've come here to group up before heading the wedding venue.

Which means I need to see Varian.

I told Dev everything about what happened with Matthias, Varian and Claude...well, mostly everything. He knows I'm avoiding Varian and that Claude is a wild card that can't be trusted.

He also knows about my mark. He knew I was marked, but never fathomed it belonged to Varian. Not when I would shoot down that query as soon as it came up.

"I think I might faint," Dev says as we start up the stairs toward the front door, his eyes drinking in the opulence of this estate.

"Please don't. I can barely drag myself up these stairs let alone your unconscious body," I grumble back, trying not to wobble precariously in my heels as we climb higher.

I'm painfully anxious. The queasy feeling isn't lifting as I get closer to seeing my sister for the first time in a year.

Any resentment for her deciding to stay in Varian's pack vanished long ago. Stubbornness is what has kept us apart now, and I'm ashamed it took her reaching out for me to come to my senses.

"This house is stunning. Absolutely perfect," he muses excitedly, helping me up the last few stairs until we stand before the massive entryway into her home.

"Ciella is kind of a genius on that front."

He leans close, his voice brushing against my ear. "I might marry her instead."

"Don't," I warn. "My sister keeps her nails sharp."

We stride inside, the scent of plant life and sandalwood greeting us. White and green seems to be the primary theme, thick fabrics artfully hung everywhere I look, with tiny glistening lights strung from them. Endless vases house bouquets that threaten to burst from their holds, pollen tickling my nose as we walk by.

Dev's eyes have never been wider. He doesn't come from wealth either, and while I find this confronting, he is truly enthralled.

He's even chosen his most expensive outfit, made from fabrics I pillaged from my wealthy clients who didn't want them any longer. He's smoothed his hair back, and shaved his stubble clean off.

He isn't messing around. He has come to make an impression.

He made me the dress I wear. It's a beautiful shade of deep blue with silken skirts and long sleeves, as per my request. He honours my preference for modesty in the outfits he creates, which pleases me greatly.

The distinctive sound of heels clicking against polished wood sounds as Alissia bounds down the hall toward us.

She hasn't changed. Her cheeks are still rosy and her hair is still the same shade of lavender, now far longer and styled into loose waves.

"Dove! I'm so glad you're here." She engulfs me on a hug, drenching in her pleasant caramel perfume.

"I couldn't miss it." I pull away, gesturing next to me. "This is Dev, a friend of mine, and Dev, this is Alissia, Eden and Ciella's friend."

Alissia generously examines Dev, tapping her full lips with a pale green painted fingernail. "Such a handsome man."

"Thank you-"

"Please keep the compliments to a minimum. His ego is inflated enough," I joke, smirking up at my best friend who scowls playfully down at me.

"Ouch."

Alissia laughs under her breath before laying a hand on my arm. "Go upstairs hon. Eden is preparing in the room in the far hall."

I suck in a breath, feeling my ribcage tighten. It's time to confront my sister after an entire year. It's time to put aside our past and celebrate this special day.

"Alright. Thanks, Alissia." I glance at Dev, raising a brow. I feel bad for leaving him alone the moment we arrived.

He just shoos me away. "Go. I'll wait for you."

He turns to Alissia and he immediately launches into complimenting her. I leave them to it, scaling up the stairs quickly. My heeled steps become muffled on carpet as I pass through the hallway and to a slightly ajar room where I can hear my sister singing softly.

I pause, my hand resting on the door. My heart is in my throat, beating so hard it feels unnatural.

This is my sister. This is Eden. I don't need to be afraid.

She is sitting at a vanity. She leans forward, patting the pad of her finger against her lip tenderly. Her hair is long and wavy down her back, the front of her blonde strands pulled back and fastened by a jewelled clip. Her eyelids are dusted with a glittery silver shadow, and her lips are painted a soft pink.

In one way she hasn't change at all. In another, it's as if I'm looking at another person entirely.

"Hey..." I breathe, wandering into the room.

She twists in her seat, grabbing the back of it. "Oh Dove, you came!"

Once she's jumped up, she nearly topples me over as she embraces me. I tentatively wrap my arms around her, feeling the silken fabric of her robe against my skin.

She smells different — like Ciella. But she feels the same in my arms. It's enough to almost bring me to tears as the weight of being apart for an entire year drapes over me.

"Of course I came," I murmur into her hair before pulling back to examine her. "You look incredible."

Her dress is slung up off the floor next to us. It's white and fluffy with a bodice adorned with precious gems. It suits her so well I almost laugh, remembering the way she would keep my up all night prattling on about the details of her future wedding.

"Like we always talked about right? Ugh, I'm so happy." She slides back into the seat at her vanity, pulling in a deep breath.

I meet her gaze in the reflection. "I can't believe you're getting married."

"The moment Ciella and I found out we were mates we decided to marry. I just couldn't believe it," she admits, using the tip of her finger to smooth back a few strands of errant hair at the crown of her head.

"I'm happy for you," I breathe earnestly.

She turns again, her warm brown eyes welling with emotion. I have similar feelings choking in my throat, wondering how an entire year could have possibly passed.

"I've really missed you."

"Me too." I scratch below my ear, knowing there is so much between us that has yet to be acknowledged. "It's just everything with Varian-"

"I know, it's my fault. I just couldn't imagine going back there. Not when I'm so in love with Ciella," she rushes to explain.

Exhaling slowly, I nod. I don't blame her for not wanting to return to Matthias' pack. Most days, I'm unsure if it's where I belong too, especially when I know what kind of man is in charge there.

But I know I can't belong in this pack, either. Not when Varian is the Alpha...

"I understand," I affirm.

"But I hurt you, I know that." Her lower lip trembles as she fights back tears. "You're fiercely loyal and were protecting father like I failed to do. I should have made more of an effort reaching out."

Protecting a father that has no interest in protecting us seems ridiculous now. He never needed us, and we never needed him.

"I shouldn't have shut you out for so long."

"Have you spoken to father?" She asks.

"Not for a year. After he handed me on a silver platter to Varian I realised I truly meant nothing to him. It took some thought but I cut all ties with him and Matthias and moved on," I explain.

Eden can hear all about my life over the past year later, when it isn't the day of her wedding. For now, I want nothing to spoil this day.

She watches me as I wander to the window, looking out at the small lake Ciella's house backs onto. "I'm sure he misses you."

"He shouldn't have chosen Matthias over his daughter," I mumble, watching the sun glisten off the water. Everything is so perfect, so peaceful.

Why would Eden ever want anything else?

"I agree. It's why I chose to have you here, not him." She stands, approaching the dress she has hung up. She admires it, trailing her fingers over the lacy sleeves.

"As if father could be in Varian's presence without there being problems," I bring up cautiously.

Knowing my father, had he been invited, he wouldn't have attended. Part of Eden knows that too. He wouldn't risk crossing the border, even for his daughter's wedding.

"That may still be the case now..." She mentions tightly, grimacing.

"I'll be good," I promise.

Being around Varian for the first time in a year will be hard, and even more so with the mark on my thigh. Either he will avoid me like I intend to avoid him, or he will believe the mark means he has a claim to me.

"No need. Just be yourself." She closes the gap between us, squeezing both my hands. "You're the most important person at this wedding. Other than my wife, of course."

I square my shoulders back, mustering a smile. "Varian and I are mere acquaintances. I can put the past behind me for today."

"Oh how wonderful." Eden bundles me into another hug, nearly compressing my ribs under the tightness of her grip. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"You must come visit as much as possible." She says as she pulls away. "I've been wary to return now that I'm so close to Varian. I also haven't seen father for over year, and most of his letters I ignore."

I ignore the sharp ache that settles in my stomach. Of course he's reached out to Eden without bothering to contact me. He knows he's destroyed our relationship — he probably believes I'm a traitor.

"That's smart of you not to trust what Matthias would do to a close confidant of Varian's." I fold my arms across my chest.

"Never mind all that." She waves her hand dismissively. "First we complete the boring ceremony stuff, then we'll have a glorious dinner and party all night."

I nod, letting the tension melt from my shoulders. She's right, today isn't about father or Matthias. It's about celebrating her love with her mate, and I'm anxious to get lost in the celebrations.

Regardless of who is going to be in attendance...

"It sounds perfect."

"Then when night draws on, we'll all go skinny dipping in the lake down there," she says casually, motioning out the window.

I pause. "Huh?"

"It's Ciella's idea. Don't ask me why." She giggles, shaking her head. "Probably some weird pack tradition."

That doesn't surprise me at all. It seems I'm always learning new, strange traditions from this pack that make almost no sense to me.

I rub my arm warily. "Do I have to?"

"Absolutely. Everyone will do it," she insists, taking a moment to spray some perfume onto her skin.

"Great," I grumble, thinking about the many people that will be at the party tonight that I have no interest in having see me naked.

"Alright I'm going to finish up and go downstairs." She unhooks her dress, holding it carefully so the hem doesn't drag against the floor. "The transports will be pulling up soon."

"I'll see you down there?"

She grins, her eyes flashing. "Looking forward to it."

My steps feel lighter as I walk down the hallway, a weight having lifted from me. My sister and I are on good terms again, and I'm about to witness her getting married.

I find Dev in the same place I left him. Alissia pulls away from him as I start down the stairs, noticing a member of staff holding a bouquet of flowers pass her by that clearly aren't arranged properly.

Just as I reach my friend, I feel a strange sensation on the back of my neck, tiny bumps scattering across my skin.

I know exactly who is behind me down the hallway. I can feel the blood pulsing against my mark. I don't turn around, though, focusing on a flushed face Deven who stares up at a massive portrait on the wall.

"They have art that's centuries old." He grabs my shoulders, giving them a little shake. "Centuries!"

"Relax before you go into heart failure," I mutter, brushing him off.

The temptation to turn is so overwhelming it almost hurts to resist. Varian's power thrums through the room, and the weight of his stare is suffocating. He's an Alpha — nature dictates that us common folk are drawn to him.

Dev looks over my shoulder, smoothing an errant hair back off his forehead. "And Varian's here, by the way."

"Of course he is. He's a close friend of Ciella's." I rub my damp palms together, trying not to right my dress under his scrutiny.

"I honestly thought there was no chance I would be in an Alpha's presence today, but it turns out you weren't exaggerating." He adjusts the lapels of his jacket incessantly. "He's so attractive. Tall too."

"Quiet please. He can probably hear you." I keep my voice low, feeling his proximity not far behind me.

More people have gathered in the entry hall, awaiting the transports to take us to the ceremony grounds. They pay us no mind, all watching Varian is rapt attention. I note the glazed eyes and slack jawed smiles as they take him in.

Dev continues to stare. "The muscle...not offensive by any means. It's a refined kind of look, but you know he could throw ten of you across a crowded room with no trouble-"

"Deven!"

His eyes widen in alarm. "Oh shit he's approaching."

I barely have time to steel myself before I can feel his presence wash over me. It feels heavy and familiar, weakening my knees until I'm linking elbows with Dev for support, turning just in time to watch Varian approach.

The world seems to still before vanishing into an unfocused mist around me. The blood pulsing in my ears is so loud I can't hear the chatter around me. It takes me a moment to realise the beautiful man before me is someone I can't stand.

"Hello Dove," he greets smoothly, the corners of his lips rising gracefully into a smile that would melt my resolve if I didn't remember what happened a year ago.

It's a shame Deven is right about him, though. He looks as close to perfection as I have ever seen today. He wears a black fitted suit with a white button up and a dark green tie. His hair is effortlessly styled, and his eyes are even closer to obsidian than I remember.

"Hi," I respond coolly, looking past him, although my vision is unfocused.

His brows rise a touch. "Hi?"

I shrug. "It's a common greeting."

I'm surprised Dev has contained himself for so long. He is too busy watching what is unfolding in front of him to intervene.

Varian takes matters into his own hands. He holds his out for Deven to shake, my friend stiffening next to me before taking his offer.

"I'm Varian."

"Deven." His name comes out distorted and croaky. He quickly clears his throat, dipping his head. "Nice suit."

I grimace internally. This may be the most painful interaction I have had to endure in quite some time.

Varian looks between us curiously. "Friends?"

I go to agree, but something catches my words before they can rise in my throat. Varian looks too pretty and too confident right now, and I don't want to give him anymore satisfaction.

So, I gaze up at my friend, pressing closer against him as my hand slides into his. "We've been seeing each other for about six months now, right?"

I expect Dev to falter and stumble, but he doesn't even miss a beat.

"Seven in a week." He slips out of my grasp, opting instead to drape his arm over my shoulders.

Varian doesn't miss the proprietary move. His eyes darken, the amusement draining from his eyes so quickly it sends the temperature in the room plummeting.

"Ah, I see." His jaw tightens before he looks over me. "Your dress is beautiful."

"I made it. Can you believe it?" Dev announces animatedly.

I clear my throat. "Dev..."

"You're very skilled. It looks incredible on her," Varian compliments, never removing that intense stare from me. I forgot how uneasy it makes me, as if he can see every element of my façade slipping.

Dev follows his gaze. "Right? Man...I might just rip it off her right now - ow."

I jab him in the side with my elbow, my smile wavering only a touch.

"If you would excuse us-"

Varian steps in front of me before I can drag Dev away from his scrutiny. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

My heart stumbles, my face inches from his chest. I look up at him, slipping from Dev's grasp so I can face him fully. I'm not going to let him intimidate me. Not on such an important day.

"No, thanks." I flash him a sardonic smile. "Let's just avoid conversing today and concentrate on celebrating Eden and Ciella."

He lifts one shoulder, unbothered. "I think I can manage both."

"They deserve to have us keep things civil, so please try to avoid me today," I half plead.

I can feel my body calling him, wanting to rid of this awkward and uncomfortable tension between us. Unfortunately, my body is traitorous, and I need to remember how he kidnapped my father and I, and marked me.

A guard approaches, his hands tucked behind his back. "The transports are waiting, sir."

Varian flashes him a sharp look, clearly irritated at the intrusion.

Dev takes the opportunity to close in next to me again, gripping my hand so tightly my knuckles clash together.

"Alright then my lovey Dovey snuggly bear, let's go."

Varian watches us, an indecipherable storm crawling across his eyes. I ignore the chill skittering down my back, hoping my impulsive lie hasn't put my friend in any sudden danger .

"See you at the venue," he muses, sliding his hands into his pockets.

Dev steers me away and toward the door. I wait until we are scaling down the steps before I yank my hand from his, pinning him with a look.

"Lovey Dovey snuggly bear? Have you lost your mind!"

"Let's not pass blame here. You forced me into a last minute, nay, last second fake dating plot," he reminds me.

By the smug expression taking over his features, he's not bothered in the slightest about this. In fact, he appears to be enjoying the ruse.

"You're a performer. You're used to acting on the fly."

"Okay fine the nickname just came out," he tells me. "I get stressed lying to people in extreme positions of power. An Alpha, no less!"

I sigh roughly. "Not your Alpha, mind you."

"Still," he grumbles.

We weave through the garden, leaving Varian to trail behind with the rest of his party. Dev and I slide into the nearest transport, and I don't release a breath until it's moving.

This isn't going to be an easy night.

🤍••🤍

As always, you can read this book 16 chapters ahead on Inkitt and 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

Your support means a lot to me!

~Midika 🐈‍⬛💜