Chapter 16

As we stepped inside, a man moved forward to greet us. The moment my gaze landed on him, my eyes widened—it was the Beta. His expression shifted almost imperceptibly. I saw the way his eyes searched my face, the flicker of recognition sparking before he quickly masked it. He said nothing, though, simply turning to address Osborne. “Welcome, Alpha Osborne. Please, allow me to escort you to the seat that’s been prepared for you. The Luna and Alpha will join you shortly.” Osborne gave a polite nod. “Thank you, Beta Luke.” We followed him as he led us to our places, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on me. When I glanced up, I caught him watching me again, obviously he knows I am the one whom his son rejected. We settled into our seats as a steady stream of people came to greet Osborne. The attention he commanded was striking—one might have thought he was already Alpha with the way they approached him with smiles, bows, and respectful murmurs. Then, without warning, the hall fell silent. The hush was so complete that I felt it in my chest. My gaze instinctively shifted toward the entrance. There they were—the Alpha and Luna—stepping inside with a grace that made every eye follow them. “Baby, stand up,” Osborne murmured, his voice quiet but firm. I obeyed, rising to my feet, and in unison the entire room followed suit. They moved forward, escorted to the front with slow, deliberate steps. Now that I could see him clearly, the Alpha’s resemblance to Osborne was undeniable—the same strong jawline, the same sharp eyes. Only the fine lines at the corners of his face and the faint silver threading through his hair marked the years between them. He carried himself like a man who knew his power and never needed to raise his voice to prove it. Beside him, the Luna was every bit the picture of poise and refinement—tall, slender, with an elegance that belonged on magazine covers. Her beauty was the kind that age only deepens, and not a soul here could have guessed she’d given birth to a son nearly grown. I could already imagine my mother shrinking in her presence, unable to hold her gaze. As they approached, both their eyes fell on me, still standing with Osborne’s hand clasped firmly in mine. The Alpha’s gaze was sharp and assessing, sweeping over me from head to toe as though measuring my worth without a single word. I bowed my head respectfully under the weight of it. When I straightened, I found the Luna watching me—not with scrutiny, but with a small, warm smile. I returned it, a little startled by the gentleness in her expression. We all sat, and the room seemed to breathe again, settling into quiet anticipation for the bride and groom’s arrival. It wasn’t long before the groom appeared, striding toward the altar with the confidence of a man stepping into the most important day of his life. The ceremonial lighting caught the edges of his suit, and for a moment, he almost looked unreal—like a figure carved out of something finer than flesh. My gaze lingered on him longer than I intended. If he hadn’t rejected me, I would have been the one standing beside him today, smiling for the crowd, pretending not to notice the weight of every staring eye. But instead, here I was… and strangely, I felt no envy. If anything, I was grateful. Because while he had turned me away, someone else had claimed me—not out of duty or convenience, but because he wanted me. Whether Alex knew about it yet, I wasn’t certain. As Alex’s eyes moved to where the Alpha and Luna sat, he offered a polite bow. Then his gaze slid to us. He bowed again, but when his eyes lifted and met mine, something in his expression cracked. I glanced at Osborne—his face was unreadable, carved into a perfect mask of indifference. When I turned back, Alex was still staring at me. The smile he’d worn only moments ago had vanished entirely, replaced by something raw and unguarded, like a man caught between disbelief and something heavier. His breath seemed to falter, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if he could feel his own heartbeat slamming against his ribs. “The bride shall enter,” a voice announced. Everyone rose. Wedding bells chimed in slow, melodic waves as Miranda stepped into view. She looked radiant—her gown a waterfall of silk and lace, her face framed by a veil that caught the light with every step. The smile she wore was one of elegance and composure, but as she drew closer to Alex, her expression wavered. She’d noticed it too—his barely-contained turmoil. Still, she moved forward, pausing before the Alpha and Luna to bow. Then, turning to where Osborne and I stood, she bent gracefully in our direction. When her head lifted, her eyes met mine… and the transformation was instant masking Alex's own. Every trace of her poised elegance froze in place. Her eyes widened slightly, though her lips remained fixed in their ceremonial smile. I answered with a small, deliberate smile of my own—nothing challenging, nothing sweet, just… enough. She was the first to break the gaze, almost too quickly, looking away as she went to stand beside Alex. They exchanged brief, tense glances—both of them confused. As we sat back down and the officiating priest began the ceremony, I felt Osborne’s gaze on me. I glanced at him, catching an expression different from earlier — softer, more intent — as if we were in our own little world. “May the groom mark his mate in front of the crowd to seal their fate,” the priest announced. Osborne and I watched from our seats as Alex lifted Miranda’s veil. His teeth elongated, and he bit into her neck, earning a round of applause from the crowd. The priest then gave the same command to the bride, and Miranda bit Alex in return, sealing their bond until death parted them. The cheers rose around us, and in the midst of it, Osborne leaned close to whisper in my ear, “This will be us soon.” My cheeks warmed, and I gave him a quick kiss.