5
~Darlon's POV
Two Hours Ago….
The wind outside was cold when the jet landed. I stepped out, dragging my small black suitcase. It had been months since I last came home to Silvermoon Pack, and I could already smell the pine trees and damp soil in the air. My pack. My land. My cage.
David, my beta, was waiting near the car, his eyes wide when he saw me.
"Alpha?" he called out, hurrying toward me. "You're back already? We thought you'd stay in Westhill for another week."
I brushed past him, tossing my suitcase into the car. "Plans changed."
He blinked, confused, jogging to keep up as I opened the car door. "Okay… but what's going on? You didn't even call ahead."
I paused, resting my hand on the door. "Get ready," I said flatly. "The wedding is in two hours."
David stopped walking. "Wait…what? Wedding? Whose wedding?"
"Mine."
The word hung in the air like thunder. David's mouth opened, but no sound came out.
"You're… getting married?" he asked carefully. "Alpha, are you… okay? Forgive me for that…I mean…you've never mentioned…"
"Don't question me," I snapped, my voice sharp. "Just do as I say."
He instantly went quiet. His hands twitched nervously as he nodded. "Yes, Alpha."
"Good. Make sure everything's ready. And don't ask me again."
We drove in silence back to the pack mansion. My mind was loud, but my face stayed calm. I could feel David's eyes flicking toward me every few seconds in the rearview mirror, searching for an explanation I wasn't about to give.
When we reached the mansion, David was already running around, barking orders at the guards and maids. "The Alpha's wedding suit….bring it now! Hurry!"
I followed slowly, hands in my pockets, until I reached my room. David appeared a few minutes later, panting.
"They're bringing your suit, Alpha."
"No need," I said, walking toward the closet. "I already have one."
He blinked. "You… already bought it?"
"Yes." I pulled out the black suit hanging neatly, still in its bag. "I'm not wearing anything else."
David frowned but said nothing. He stood awkwardly by the door as I changed. When I stepped out of the closet, buttoning my shirt, he was still staring.
"Well?" I asked. "Do I look alright?"
"Uh…" He blinked, startled. "Yeah. You look… good, Alpha."
I turned to the mirror, adjusting my tie for the fifth time. "You're sure?"
"Yes, sir."
I tilted my head. My reflection stared back, tall, broad shoulders, sharp jaw, eyes dark and unreadable. But something felt off. "What about my wife?" I asked quietly, still looking at my reflection. "Do you think she'll like it?"
David froze. His mouth opened slightly, like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "Your… wife?"
I met his gaze through the mirror. "You heard me."
He stuttered. "I…uh…yes, Alpha. She'll like it. Definitely."
"Good," I muttered, brushing invisible dust off my sleeves. "We leave now."
David just nodded, though confusion still painted his face. He followed silently behind me, too scared to say more.
The drive to the Hall was quiet. My thoughts were loud, though, filled with the images of my wife, Elara.
"I can't wait to meet you again," I muttered.
When we got there, the priest was already waiting. The hall was small, decorated only with white flowers and pale candles. No guests except a few elders from my pack and Blueberries pack.
Perfect. I didn't want a spectacle.
"Alpha Darlon," the priest greeted, bowing. "Everything's ready."
"Good," I said shortly.
David leaned toward me. "Alpha, you sure about this? I mean….this is sudden. You're not the type to…."
"Enough," I said quietly. "Just stay where you are."
He shut up instantly.
Then the doors opened.
I turned.
And for a moment, I couldn't move.
She walked in slowly, the faint sound of her heels echoing against the marble. Her gown wasn't fancy, but it fit her perfectly. Simple, soft, glowing under the moonlight that filtered through the ceiling. Her hair framed her face in messy curls, and her eyes, damn her eyes, were wide and sad.
Finally, I met you again, Elara.
She looked scared, like she wanted to disappear.
I didn't expect that to bother me… but it did.
When she reached the altar, she didn't look at me. Not once. Her fingers trembled as she held the small bouquet.
The priest began the rite. "We gather here under the light of the Moon Goddess to unite Alpha Darlon of Silvermoon and Lady Elara from the Blueberries pack."
I barely heard him. I was too busy watching her. The way she bit her lip. The way her shoulders tensed when the priest mentioned "bond."
"Repeat after me," the priest said. "I, Darlon, accept Elara as my wife under the Moon Goddess's grace."
"I, Darlon," I repeated, voice calm, "accept Elara as my bonded mate under the Moon Goddess's grace."
Then the priest turned to her.
Her voice shook. "I, Elara…accept Darlon as my husband under the Moon Goddess's grace."
The sound of her saying my name did something strange to me. My chest tightened, like I'd been holding my breath too long.
Finally, the priest said, "Under the sacred moon, you may now seal your marriage with a kiss."
She froze.
Everyone turned to me.
I stepped closer. She looked up then, really looked, and I saw it, the fear hiding behind her lashes, the confusion swimming in her beautiful brown eyes. She looked so fragile, like one wrong move from me could break her.
I didn't want to scare her. Moon, that was the last thing I wanted. But my body moved on its own. I couldn't stop. Not when she was standing there, trembling, wearing a dress that made her look like something out of a dream I didn't know I had.
My hand lifted slowly. When my fingers touched her waist, I felt her flinch. Her breath hitched, shallow and quick. I leaned close, my voice low. "Relax," I whispered, though my own heart was pounding too fast.
Her eyes widened a little, her lips parting as though to protest, but I didn't give her the chance. I tilted my head down and caught her mouth with mine.
The world stopped.
It wasn't a polite kiss. It wasn't something meant just for the crowd to see or for the priest to approve of. It was deep… hungry. Possessive. Every inch of me screamed that she was mine, that no one else should ever touch her, that even the air between us belonged to us alone.
She gasped softly against me, her body tense at first, but I slid my hand up to her back, holding her gently, trying to tell her without words that she was safe. That I'd never hurt her.
The priest's voice faded. All I could feel was her. The taste of her lips. The warmth of her breath. The way she trembled, caught between fear and something else, something that made my chest ache.
When I finally pulled back, her lashes fluttered open, and I saw the tears shining in her eyes. Her lips were trembling, and she looked at me like she didn't know whether to run or stay.
My thumb brushed the corner of her mouth before I could stop myself. "You're safe," I said quietly, though inside, I wasn't sure if I was saying it for her or for me.
The priest smiled faintly. "The bond is sealed. May the Moon Goddess bless your union."
A few claps echoed. I didn't care. I just kept looking at her.