6
~Darlon's POV
The moment the priest said the final blessing, I turned to look at her, my wife.
Elara.
The name already sounded like it belonged to me.
She stood beside me, small and quiet, her hands pressed together, her eyes cast down like she was afraid to even breathe. The white gown hugged her body perfectly, even though she tried to hide it. There was something about her stillness that pulled me in. She didn't try to be noticed, yet she was impossible to ignore.
I took a slow breath and forced my voice to sound calm. "Welcome to Silvermoon Pack," I said softly.
She just nodded, not looking at me. Her lips trembled a little, and I could tell she was nervous.
I leaned closer. "You don't have to be scared," I whispered.
Her eyes flicked up to mine for a second, then dropped again. "Yes, Alpha," she said quietly.
That made me smile a little. "You can call me Darlon," I told her. "At least when we're alone."
Before she could reply, the Alpha and Luna of Blueberry Pack approached us. Her guardians, if I could even call them that. I could already feel the fake warmth rolling off them from miles away.
"Alpha Darlon," Luna Elena said, bowing so low her necklace nearly brushed the floor. Her husband followed quickly, his movements stiff and cautious.
"It's… an honor to finally meet you," she added, her voice trembling slightly despite her forced smile.
I said nothing. The silence stretched long enough for her to start fidgeting with her fingers before I finally gave a curt nod.
"Rise."
They obeyed instantly.
Her eyes moved up, scanning me from head to toe, and I could see the exact moment her confidence faltered. "Well," she said with a nervous laugh, "this is… unexpected."
I didn't blink. "Is it?"
She swallowed hard. "We were told you were much older. I…I mean, you're not what we expected, Alpha."
Her husband tried to laugh along, but his voice cracked. "Yes, the rumors said you were an old man."
I tilted my head slightly, my expression unreadable. "People who talk too much often find themselves regretting it."
The air went cold. Rowan's laugh died instantly. Elena's lips pressed together as she nodded quickly, eyes dropping to the floor.
"Yes, of course," Rowan stammered. "Mystery… yes, that's good for business."
I didn't respond. My silence was answer enough.
Then I noticed it, the way their gazes shifted toward Elara. Cold. Judging. Like she wasn't even worth standing beside me.
My jaw tightened.
Elena forced another fragile smile. She said softly. "You know how she can be. If she gives you any trouble, let us know. We'll deal with her ourselves."
That was the last straw.
I turned slowly , deliberately, until my full attention was on her. When I spoke, my tone was calm, but the room seemed to freeze.
"You'll never deal with her again."
Elena's face paled.
"She's my wife now," I continued, voice like ice. "Which means she belongs to my pack. She answers to me. Not you. Not anyone else. And if I ever hear her name leave your mouth again…" I took a single step forward, and both of them instinctively stepped back. "You'll regret it."
Rowan raised his hands slightly, trying to calm the tension. "Alpha Darlon, please….we meant no disrespect."
I cut him off with a glance sharp enough to make him stop breathing for a moment.
"I don't take kindly to lies," I said evenly. "Or to people pretending they're equals when they're not."
He swallowed hard, nodding. "Understood."
"Good."
He tried again, his voice low. "Perhaps we can… continue with the business arrangements?"
"After the wedding," I replied. "I'll send word when I'm ready. Until then, you'll wait."
His jaw clenched, but he nodded quickly. "Of course, Alpha."
"Good," I said, glancing at Elara briefly before turning back. "Now, if you'll excuse us."
I didn't wait for their reply. I placed a hand on Elara's back, guiding her gently away from the crowd.
She was quiet the whole time, her steps small, her eyes cast down.
I was about to say something, maybe just a small word to ease her nerves, when it happened.
A lady walked past too fast, holding a glass of red wine. The liquid splashed, spilling all over Elara's white dress.
Elara gasped softly, looking down in shock. "What…."
The lady's lips curved into a faint, smug smile. "Oh no… I'm so sorry. My hand slipped."
Then Elara's voice, trembling but loud enough. "Lira."
The lady, Lira, smiled wider. "You still remember me? How sweet."
My eyes moved from Elara's face to Lira's. The resemblance to the Blueberry Pack's Luna was there, same arrogance, same ice.
Elara took a step forward, her voice small but shaking. "Why did you do that?"
Lira's tone turned mocking. "It was an accident. Don't raise your voice, Elara. It doesn't look good on you."
I could feel Elara shrinking back. That was enough.
"Come," I said, my voice steady. "Let me take you to get cleaned up."
But Lira stepped between us, smiling falsely. "Oh, no need for that. She can go on her own. It's just a stain. Nothing serious."
Elara hesitated, her fingers brushing the ruined fabric of her dress. "It's fine," she murmured. "You don't have to follow me."
I frowned. "Are you sure?"
She nodded quickly, eyes avoiding mine. "Yes."
"Alright," I said slowly. "Be careful."
She gave a faint nod and walked off toward the hallway. I watched her go until she disappeared from sight.
Then I turned to leave, but Lira moved in front of me again.
"Your Majesty," she said, tilting her head, her smile fake and sweet. "I wanted to apologize."
I stared at her. "Then apologize to my wife. Not me."
Her face changed, her smile gone. She scoffed softly. "You can't be serious. That maid? Your wife?"
My jaw tightened. "Watch your mouth."
Lira laughed quietly, crossing her arms. "Your Majesty, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into. She's not even supposed to be your bride. I was."
"Yes, me," she said proudly, stepping closer. "The true daughter of the Alpha and Luna of Blueberry Pack. The one meant for you, not that ugly, plump girl who only knows how to cry."
My gaze darkened. "Lira."
But she wasn't done. She moved closer until I could smell her perfume, too sweet and heavy. Her hand reached up, tracing the edge of my suit jacket. "You deserve someone like me, not her. You think she can handle a man like you?"
I didn't move. I didn't speak. I just watched her, coldly, quietly, until her hand froze mid-air.
The look in my eyes must have said everything, because her smile faltered.
"Lira," I said slowly, my tone calm but cutting. "You should be grateful I'm in a good mood today. If not, you'd already be dead for speaking that way about my wife."
She swallowed hard, but still tried to recover her arrogance. "You don't know who she is, Your Majesty," she said quickly. "You think she's innocent? She's not. She's been lying to everyone."
I sighed, patience thinning. "You're wasting my time."
Lira smirked, pulling her phone from her clutch. "Oh, really? Then look at this."
She tapped the screen and held it up.
A picture, Elara with a man. The man kissed her cheek.
It was that bastard!
"His name's Ronan," Lira said softly. "Her boyfriend. Before she tricked her way into this marriage."
I looked at the photo for only a second, then took the phone from her hand.
Lira gasped. "What are you doing…"
I smashed the phone on the floor. It shattered into pieces.
"Get out of my way," I said quietly.
She blinked fast. "You….you broke my phone!"
I stepped forward, close enough that she had to tilt her head to meet my eyes. "And next time, I won't stop at your phone."
Her breath hitched, her confidence slipping, but still, she didn't move.
I ignored her, walking past.
But then she tried to grab my arm. "You're making a mistake!" she yelled, pulling at my sleeve.
"Listen to me, she's not…."
She didn't finish. Her heel twisted on the marble floor.
There was a small gasp, and then she fell.