Chapter 18

I waited, but in the end, Noah just sighed. “Never mind.”

Swallowing my disappointment, I nodded and didn’t press. He gave me another quick hug and left.

With a sigh, I turned back for the jewelry store, continuing my act. I even stopped by a few other stores and bought armloads of crap just to keep up appearances. The moment I got back, Mason’s eyes were on me, so I threw myself into wedding preparations.

“Oh look, I thought these could be favors for the wedding party,” I gushed, showing him the trinkets I bought.

He just kissed the top of my head. “Whatever you want, love.”

There were flowers to arrange, table designs to preview, and menus to discuss. I finalized it all, trying not to feel bitter. Only days ago, I was excited, happy about this wedding.

Now it was more like planning an escape. I moved a few sculptures to create blind spots from the main table where I could talk to Alphas and Lunas out of sight. I made sure to seat Mason’s allies away from the ones I wanted to speak to. And I did it all without no one noticing.

“I love the plan you made for the celebration, dear,” Vera, Mason’s mother, said approvingly, looking over the plans herself.

Mason beamed proudly. “I told you she’d do an amazing job, Mom.”

“Don’t be boastful, it’s unattractive in a leader,” she said absently. His jaw clenched and I moved automatically to take his hand and soothe him.

“He’s proud of me, just like I’m proud of him,” I said happily, kissing him on the cheek. “I can’t wait for the wedding!”

I can do this all day, I thought, realizing I was actually excited. Not to marry this creep though – for my shot at freedom.

Next I called the Alphas and Lunas I thought were a good bet. I wanted to start a repour and confirm they were coming.

“Hello, Alpha Glenn of the Red Moon Pack?” My voice was as sunny as it had ever been. Rumor had it the Red Moon’s even had witches that might be able to break the blood curse.

The next day was the rehearsal, and my happy fiancé mask was up in full force. I greeted guests with a beaming smile. No one would be able to say they suspected something before I slipped away.

“Harper!” Avery strode up to me like she was on her own personal runway and pulled me into a hug. “Oh sweetie, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize this was a casual thing,” she said, looking between our outfits.

I was in a literal gown, a simplified version of my actual dress. She was in a bright red sheath toned down only by the tailored black blazer she wore over it. Next to her, I did look underdressed.

But I just smiled brighter. “Avery, I’m glad you came. Where’s Levi?”

“Oh he couldn’t come,” she said with a little smile. I tried not to feel disappointed – and failed. “But don’t worry, I’m here to help my future foster stepdaughter.” She laughed. “Wow, that’s a mouthful, isn’t it?”

I just gritted my teeth and showed her inside. Immediately she stopped, grabbing my arm.

“Oh no, please don’t tell me these are the flowers for the ceremony?” she tsked, batting at the arrangement I’d chosen by hand. “Oh no, they’re so ugly. And they smell so strong, none of your guests have allergies?”

And that was just the beginning.

Apparently everything was wrong. From the flowers to the fabrics to the music to the seating. I did my best to grin and bear it all for Levi’s sake. I already knew she hated me, but I refused to let her report back that I was rude in any way.

“Speak up, dear,” she called from the side as I practiced my vows, “and stand up straight! Levi said you were a tomboy, but I didn’t realize…”

“Thanks Avery,” I called for the umpteenth time, shutting her up. Until we moved to the dinner.

Tsk, Tsk. Tsk. She shook her head at the table. “The cutlery is placed all wrong, Harper. And you do know a traditional processional isn’t quite like that, right?”

Silently, I fumed. Actually she was wrong. I trained in etiquette my entire childhood as an alpha’s daughter, I knew what I was doing. The forks did go there, and processional was perfect. Even the people around us were starting to look uncomfortable, but Avery spoke over everyone.

Finally, when she interrupted the opening waltz three times to correct my posture, I snapped.

“Avery.” My voice came out louder than I meant it, but I stood my ground. “I appreciate all your help, but I’ve got it from here, okay?”

She gave me a snake’s smile. “Harper, don’t be so sensitive, I was only –”

“Helping,” I cut her off, a plastic smile on my face. “I know. You can stop now. I appreciate it, but the wedding is planned already. We can’t keep making changes. In fact, I won’t be making any changes.”

Avery spluttered in pretend outrage, but I just kept smiling. In the end, she sneered. “I don’t even care anymore. Fine.”

With a smile as fake as my own, she gave me a hug for appearances sake and left. Good fucking riddance. One upside to leaving my life behind – I wouldn’t have to deal with her.

…

The next morning dawned bright and sunny. Wedding day.

Escape day.

I played my part perfectly. Pack tradition put the Greeting and the Reading of the Gifts before the ceremony, so I had a few hours of acting to do before I could begin making my move.

Mason stood beside me on the dais as we greeted our guests. I tried not to look for him, but I noticed immediately when Levi arrived. His storm grey eyes found mine and for a moment, I couldn’t move.

And then Avery stepped to his side, the perfect match to his mature elegance in a deep gray, sparkling gown that drew every eye around them. They looked like a perfect match.

I tore my eyes away as Joshua stepped up beside us to start the Reading. “From the White Fang Pack and their alpha – a set of crystal goblets, a sapphire tiara and matching jewelry set, a pair of racing horses –”

My eyes snapped to him. Horses? Levi had given me a wave of gifts already. It was tradition to gift at the wedding too, but this was outrageous. And the list kept on.

Levi bought me a car.

A boat.

A set of diamond encrusted watches.

“An apartment building,” Joshua read off, “So you will always have an income, no matter what you do or where you go.” My heart squeezed with warmth – and he wasn’t even done.

Whispers started in the back, but before long I could make them out up here. And they made my blood run cold.

That’s a lot, even for his daughter.

You sure it’s just a father daughter thing?

She’s adopted though, right?

Do you think it could be something else between them?

Something …wrong?