CHAPTER 3 Wedding Day
~Sophia~
I sigh and smooth down the skirt of my dress again, trying to come to terms with my future. The dress is cute, though I wouldn't say that it's my style. It's what you would call a princess dress: a full skirt made of tulle that swooshes along the floor when I walk. The hem has gems sewn on, the same that are sewn onto the top part of my dress made out of lace. It has long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The dress is a silvery white color. It's a beautiful dress, but it doesn't feel like me at all. I just need to get through the next few hours, but then, what hell will await me?
My phone rings, causing me to reach over and grab it off the dresser. I connect the call, and my heart soars at the voice. "Hey, Soph, baby. I miss you."
"Momma." I exhale her name and close my eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. I don't want to mess anything up. "How are you feeling?"
"Ah, baby, I'm feeling really good right now. This treatment is really working wonders."
"I'm glad to hear that. I can't wait to see you up and about." Mom sighs on the line, and I look down at my dress. "You sound tired."
"I guess I am, but I'm so tired of sleeping." Her chuckle is light, and I imagine myself sitting next to her and watching her laugh.
"You might be tired of it, but you need it to get better. Promise me that you will rest as much as you need to."
"Of course, I will, Soph, but you have to come see me soon. I don't like you at the pack without me. I know you are visiting your dad, but still." Yes, I'm a coward. I didn't want to tell Mom about the arrangement because I didn't want to hurt her. She's always talked about fated mates, even though she never met hers. She wouldn't want me to throw my future away over money, even though she's the actual reason.
"I have to go, Mom. I promise that I will be okay. I'll talk to you soon."
"Ok, Soph. Please take care of yourself." I prepare to end the call, but her voice catches me at the last minute. "Oh, Soph, Happy Birthday. I love you."
"I love you too." Through all of the mess, I forgot that today was my birthday. My wolf, Mia, has been quiet since I agreed to this marriage. Needless to say, she'd rather wait for our fated mate, but she also wants to save Mom. We're in a no-win situation.
The door opens, and my stomach drops as I watch Chloe sashay into the room. She's my step-sister, Catherine's firstborn. We are only six months apart, but that doesn't mean that we are close. As a matter of fact, she hates me and makes it no secret. I don't particularly care for her either, but I have enough sense to keep my opinions to myself. "Well, well, well. You don't look as trashy as I expected you to." I keep my composure and try my hardest to ignore her. She is always looking for a fight, and I refuse to give her that today. "You almost look happy for the ceremony. I guess it makes sense; I mean, who in their right mind would want to marry you?" I swallow the words that are fighting to leave my lips and keep my focus on the mirror.
My make-up is minimal and natural in tone. I didn't want anything too flashy because I just wanted to be comfortable. My hair is done in an updo with a few patches out and curled. It's a different look for me, but it isn't bad. Thankfully, I won't always have to look like this.
Chloe walks up to me, leering at the side of my face. I swear I want to rip her head off, but I refrain from responding to her silent taunts. "I should thank you, you know. I was the one who was supposed to marry Nathaniel and I wasn't looking forward to that. He's an abusive manwhore, and I'd rather wait for love. Of course, Daddy loves me more than you, so he made you the one to say, 'I do.' That's always been Chloe's problem; she's always wanted to be me. I don't know where her dad is, and I don't really care. She's always tried to get my dad to love her more, and I guess he has, to a degree. He's been there for her in ways he never was for me.
I turn my body to face Chloe. "What do you want? Why are you here?" Chloe smirks with her hands on her hips.
"I just wanted to wish you luck. Good luck in your fucked up life." Chloe throws her head back and laughs as she walks out of the room. I feel the tears building, but I refuse to let them go. I have to remember why I did this: my mom needed me to do this for her. She needed the money for her treatments, and I'd do anything for her.
The door opens again, and I look into the mirror to see my father's face looking back at me. "Oh my Goddess, you look incredible, Soph." Soph, a simple name that he hasn't called me in a long time. I used to hold on to the feeling that I got when he called me that. I used to silently beg for it. Now, I'm numb to it. It doesn't carry the same weight that it used to. I guess that's what happens when a rift occurs between people.
"Thank you. Is it time?" I don't miss the sudden dullness in his eyes, the slight slump of his shoulders. He seems disappointed, but that can't be. He hasn't spent much time acting as if he cared over the years, so I can't imagine anything has changed.
He nods and holds his arm out for me. I take it and allow him to lead me out. The closer we get to the ceremony, the more my nerves start to affect me. I'm nervous as shit, and if it weren't for the hold my father has on me, I think I'd become a puddle of human goo.
We stop in front of double doors, and I can barely breathe. Just beyond those doors is the carpeted aisle that will lead me to my future. It will lead me to a man I've never met and a future that's uncertain. I don't know if I'm ready for the unknown, but I can't turn back now. I have to do this for the health of my mother. I take a deep breath as the doors open, and I'm staring at a sea of people. I swear I don't know anyone here. I let the breath out, and the scent of freshly cut grass hits me out of nowhere. Holy shit, I think my mate's in there.