Third person pov
Arabella moved slowly through the space, as if afraid the moment might break if she rushed it. Soft lights hung from every corner, delicate strands glowing like captured stars. Little lamps lined the walkway, their warm light spilling onto the floor and casting gentle shadows that danced as she passed.
She touched the edge of a table, fingers brushing over flowers she had chosen herself, each one placed with care. The air smelled faintly of candles and fresh petals. Everywhere she looked was a piece of her, months of planning, quiet hopes, small compromises, all woven into one beautiful setting.
For a moment, she stopped in the center and simply breathed. Tomorrow, it will be filled with voices and music and eyes watching her.
She pictured Victor waiting for her at the altar as
She made her way to him. Her smile shone brighter than the lamps on the pathway. With reluctant steps, she made her way back to her room.
As she walked back home, she couldn't help the eerie feeling that settled deep in her stomach. She tried to dismiss it, but it kept growing, and soon she felt restless. She thought of mind linking Victor, but she chose not to, because it was widely known to be bad luck to contact the groom before the wedding. So she told herself.
When she got to her bedroom, she was stressed beyond words. A gnawing feeling kept eating her up, but she forced herself to sleep, dismissing it as nerves.
By morning, Arabella woke up with dark circles underneath her eyes because of lack of sleep, but her happiness soon pushed away her nerves. She went to her dressing room, and her stylist, who was also her best friend, Sophia, was already waiting for her. She helped her dress and also did her makeup. Sophia, not feeling enthusiastic about the wedding, could only concede and wish her best friend luck.
"Why are your eyes like this? Did you sleep at all?" Sophia asked.
She groaned, "I couldn't get enough sleep, my nerves were off the roof"
"I know you don't want to hear this, Bella, but are you sure?" she asked solemnly.
"Why would you ask this on my wedding day, Sophie?" Arabella asked. "We have talked about this several times. Victor is my chosen mate by the Moon Goddess. What could go wrong?" Arabella asked while smiling.
Everything could go wrong. Sophia tried to make her see reason, but Arabella was not having it, though Sophia still had to say what she had to say.
"The fact that he is a scumbag should be enough reason why everything could go wrong."
"Stop it, Sophie." Arabella couldn't take it anymore.
"Remember, he is your Alpha, and you would do well to show him some respect," Arabella reprimanded Sophia.
Sophia scoffed.
"Alright, I just hope you know what you are doing," Sophia raised her hands in submission.
"I do. Just trust me this once, okay?"
"Alright, let's go before I start crying my eyes out. I'm one proud Mama Bear. Seeing you get married really makes my heart swell," Sophia muttered amidst sobs.
"Come here, don't cry." Arabella hugged her. "And you are just three years older than me. How you became my mother still baffles me," Arabella said amidst laughter.
They were still hugging when a knock disrupted their little moment. Sophia went to open the door and was met with a cold stare from Arabella's stepmother, Lydia.
She looked at her in disgust as her eyes moved from Sophia to Anabella, she informed her that the Alpha was waiting for her at the altar. She turned on her heels after saying what she came to say.
Sophia was so pissed and almost lashed out, but Arabella held her hand and smiled, signaling her to let it go.
"Shall we?" Sophia asked, giving her, her hand to take. Arabella smiled and took her hand, and they both walked toward the hall that would be used for the wedding.
Her white gown flowed on the floor as she moved, her white veil covering her face. Sophia helped her with her dress, and when they got to the hall, the guards stationed there gave them weird looks but still opened the door for them.
When Arabella entered the hall, everyone present gasped in shock, and at the altar stood Victor with another lady in a white gown and a pack elder helping them recite their vows. Due to the loud gasp and hushed gossip from pack members, Victor had to turn and look toward the door where Arabella was standing.
"What is going on here?" Arabella asked after getting over the initial shock of seeing him with another female at the altar.
"My wedding, of course," Victor responded, smirking. "Do I need to take permission to marry?" Victor asked, his brow raising.
Arabella looked at her stepmother smirking at her. She wondered why she had come to call her if the Alpha was already getting married. Did she do it to embarrass her?
"What do you mean by this, Victor?" Sophia asked.
"Stay out of this, Sophia," Victor warned. Arabella held onto Sophia's hand tightly.
"I… I thought today was supposed to be our day?" Arabella managed to say.
"You thought what? That I would marry you? A female wolf with an F-class fertility rate? A wolf who can't give me an heir?" Victor intentionally raised his voice, and the whole hall gasped.
Everyone began gossiping loudly. They were all surprised. Females with F-class fertility usually ended up as breeders for their pack, with no wolf to claim them because they couldn't bear an heir. Most people never knew she was in the F-class category.
"But you told me it didn't matter, since we were mates," Arabella responded softly.
"And you believed it?" Victor asked.
Celine, already tired of the banter between Victor
and Arabella, rolled her eyes and stepped down from the altar. When Arabella saw her face, her heart shattered even more. "How come… it's you?" Arabella spoke through tears.
Celine ignored Arabella and went to Victor. She calmly held his hand and spoke. "Why is my sister here? I thought you already broke the news to her?" she asked.
"What news?"
"You are only qualified to be a breeder. Victor was just trying to be nice to you for your father's sake, and you dare show your face here."