ARGON
Night at the wedding venue, I stood upstairs, at the back of the the wide opened Hall, watching all the guests stepping in with their fancy attires.
From top business men, Alphas and their Lunas, to the nosy press. They all gathered inside the Hall, taking their seats, and patiently waiting for the wedding to begin.
We just had an hour to go before the ceremony begins, and neither Estelle nor Brielle was around.
“What is taking Estelle so long? ” I wondered, checking my watch. “And Brielle hasn’t shown up yet.” I pondered on that as well, feeling my forehead breaking with sweats.
I had to draw back from the banister, thinking of my throne and what Brielle has in store for me.
“I bet she’s with the councils, passing her judgements on me. Damn! Now I can’t concentrate any more. What am I going to do?” I panicked, pacing down to my dressing room.
Just when I stepped in…
“Alpha,” I heard Jerome’s voice from behind. I turned over to face my Beta, only to find the council members with him!
My heart flew in an instant, as I stared hard at the three old wolves who walked up to me and began to wish me well on my wedding.
“We wanted to see you before the wedding starts.”
“Since we’re the ones who’ll carry out the ceremony, we won’t be able to say anything else aside from the marriage rights and other marriage stuffs.”
“That’s why we’re here to see you, ” They said, smiling at me.
But I know that smile ain’t genuine. They are here to deliver the final judgement! I knew Brielle went over to see them.
I lowered my head down at the councils and said, “I am ready for the judgement. Just tell me what my future holds. ”
“Huh?”
“Who said we’re here to talk about that? Once your wedding is over, that’s when we’ll discuss that before everyone.”
“Wait, what? ” I was stunned, yet a bit relieved. I thought they were here to see me because of Brielle.
“What made you think we came all the way here to see you? We told you that Brielle would make that decision before everyone, once the wedding is over.”
So, if they are saying this, that means Brielle didn’t go to see them? But where is she? Where did she run off to in the morning?
“We just came by to remind you and not to pass our judgement without Brielle, No.”
“Just keep in mind that you’ll either get your throne back or step down from it permanently. So, don’t let all these jubilations get to you. Keep that in mind, ” They said, revealing their true reason for coming upstairs.
I nodded at the councils and even bowed at them to show my respect. They soon left me alone with my Beta, heading back to the party.
Jerome drew nearer and tried to calm my racing heart. “Everything will be fine, Alpha. You don’t have to be worried,” He said, sounding confident.
I was trying to be calm, but I couldn’t. “Brielle didn’t go to see the councils. Where did she head to then?” I asked my Beta, who just shrugged at me and said, ” Maybe she went out with one of her lovers. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
“Since morning? Jerome, I’ve called the mansion multiple times to know if she had returned. The maids kept saying No. I didn’t bother that much because I assumed she was with the councils, but it’s clear they haven’t seen her all day, ” I raised, getting restless.
Jerome got worried about my behavior and told me to stay calm. He got me sitting, advising me to take my mind off Brielle.
“You’re worried over a woman that doesn’t care about you. Just ignore her and focus on your wedding. Estelle will be here soon. I spoke with her father before the councils showed up,” He said, patting me.
I sighed out, taking my Beta’s words into heart. “He’s right. Brielle doesn’t care about me. She proved it herself last night. I shouldn’t stress about her any more,” I reasoned within, nodding my head.
Just then, we heard a knock on the door. That got me lifting my eyes to find Sir Derek standing there with a gift in his hold.
Happiness overwhelmed me in a flash, reducing my worry. He made it!
“I hope I’m not interrupting?” He asked, stepping into the room.
I got to my feet to receive my special guest, throwing in an embrace. “How can a father interrupt his own son when his presence means a lot to him? I am so happy to see you,” I expressed my gratitude.
Sir Derek chuckled, slowly releasing me from his grip. He then said, showing me the small gift he got, “I thought it’s best I give this to you personally. I can’t tell when I’d leave the party, so it’s best I let you know before I do so.”
“I understand you, Sir. I am just happy you took your time to show up.”
He smiled at me, giving Jerome my gift. But his eyes were hovering about like a lost man.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, finding his behavior off.
Sir Derek hummed at first, before asking, “Will Brielle be present? You know… She’s your Ex-wife and… And I was…”
“She’s coming. After all, she’s the one who organized this ceremony herself,” I responded, cutting him halfway.
“Oh, I see,” He uttered, nodding his head while lingering his gaze about.
He may not say it, but his face shows it. Sir Derek still isn’t pleased with this wedding. He still feels uncomfortable.
He decided to change the topic by asking about Estelle.
And just when I was about to give an answer… “BABY!!!” Estelle’s voice came from outside the room.
The way she screamed made my heart skip. The bride herself came rushing into my room, approaching me with speed.
She almost knocked Sir Derek out of the way but froze when she saw him. She recognized him in an instant. “Oh, it’s you!” She grinned, bowing at Sir Derek.
“I’ve heart a lot about you from my husband. You’ve been so supportive and kind towards him.” She grinned.
“Thank you. I’m flattered,” He responded, glancing at me then at Estelle.
“My father is also a business man. I’m sure you’re going to find him interesting. He has so many business partners and an excellent skill,” Estelle shared, advertising her father to Sir Derek.
This got me feeling embarrassed. What is wrong with her?!
“Maybe another time. For now, I’ll just join the guests and wait for the wedding to begin. Do take care.” He waved, exiting the room.
Jerome followed from behind, offering to escort Sir Derek to his special seat. Once Estelle and I were alone… “Are you for real? ” I questioned, staring at her.
She looked at me with innocence, shrugging and asking, “What?”
“What do you mean by what? This is a wedding ground, not the company. Why would you bring up that matter?”
“Baby, you’re sounding like I’ve committed a crime or something. I was just talking about Dad to him. Geez! ” She rolled her eyes at me.
I found her attitude unacceptable. Just when I was about to warn her not to do such ever again, Alpha Deron stepped in.
“There you are. Quickly, go and get dressed. The wedding will be starting soon, ” He said to his daughter, sending her off.
Estelle agreed. She quickly pecked me on the cheek and said, “See you at the altar, my love. ” Then she rushed out of the room.
Look at the way she’s walking and rushing. If anyone sees this they’d doubt that she’s pregnant.
“Son, I have something for you, ” Alpha Deron said, pulling something from behind.
What I saw in his hand was a document. Why does he have that? And what’s it for?
To my surprise, Alpha Deron told me to sign it as a wedding gift. “Just in case that Brielle of a person, gets the council to kick you off your throne, you can still rule mine with me and when I’m gone,” He presented, smiling at me.
This stunned me! I didn’t want to accept his gift, but he insisted, persuading me to accept it as his apology gift for leaving me alone when I needed his help.
“Please, Argon, ” He pleaded.
“But what about your councils? They need to know…”
“They already know, son. I spoke with them. They really like you and wish for you to rule the pack in the future when I’ve gone to meet the goddess above. ” He chuckled.
Since he wouldn’t listen to me, I decided to accept it by signing the papers of power to Red Wood pack. Alpha Deron left the document in my hold, embracing me with all of his heart.
“Thank you, son. I am grateful.”
“Thank you too, ” I said, still feeling uncomfortable.
.
Finally, the wedding started. I was standing at the altar with the councils, watching Estelle walk down to the altar with Deron by her side.
It reminded me of my first wedding. When Brielle was walking down, my eyes where on Estelle, who was watching everything from a corner. And now that she’s the one approaching me, I found myself looking for Brielle.
Where is she?
“She’s not here?” I looked, hoping I’d spot her in the midst of the crowds. But nothing.
Estelle finally came before me on the altar, and the councils began the ceremony.
The moment they got to the part where they’d ask if anyone was against the union, I began scanning for Brielle.
Still no sign of her.
I wanted to see her rushing out from somewhere, screaming for the wedding to be stopped. But seeing no sign of her… “So, she really meant what she said?” I muttered almost inaudibly.
Estelle had heard what I said, because she signaled me with her eyes, mouthing in silence, ” What’s the problem?”
I didn’t say anything but bowed my head, waiting for the wedding to be over.
“By the power invested in us, and with the goddess as our witness. We now pronounce you…”
“STOP!!” A familiar voice screamed, causing my heart to skip.
I recognized who it was. It’s Brielle’s voice!
When I turned to look, I saw her running down to the altar, yelling at the councils to stop the wedding.
This stunned everyone!
“Brielle?” Estelle and I chorused her name out.
“Stop this wedding, immediately!” She ordered.