Mila's Heart

5. The Wedding

It was the most lavish wedding the pack house had ever seen. Mom hired a wedding planner and spared no expense. Just up from the ceremony site were tents with hundreds of seats for our family and friends. Caterers were scurrying back and forth tending to the food. A beautiful wolf couple ice sculpture sat prominently in the middle of the large buffet table.

A musician's stage with a floor for dancing was set up. Hundreds of flowers surrounded the entire area. The breeze was heavy with the scent.

My heart was racing as dad walked me down the aisle. My wedding gown was old fashioned with antique lace and seed pearls adorning the bodice and sleeves, while the train went on forever. Mikal stood next to the preacher under a trellis filled with white roses. Next to him stood his best man and his groomsmen. Across from them stood my maid of honor with my bridesmaids. Dad handed me off to Mikal, I saw the love shining in Mikal's eyes for me, but I couldn't help but notice how stiff he held himself. He appeared very uncomfortable and actually seemed to cringe slightly when Lily, a fellow pack warrior, began loudly crying in the audience. There were quite a few tears flowing, but I assumed they were tears for our happiness. I nervously glanced at Lily and back to Mikal, but he shook himself and pulled my hand to his lips for a kiss.  He continued to smile stiffly.

Wow, did Mikal look handsome? His long black hair was tied back with a cord. The tux he had on form fitting and accentuated his broad shoulders and chest. I was surely a lucky girl. I loved this man of mine. He was my chosen mate, but he treated me as if I was his fated; I never asked, and without my wolf, I didn't know for sure.

After dad placed my hand in Mikals. He smiled approvingly at me and kissed my cheek. He then went over and sat down next to Mom who was crying into a handkerchief. I turned to Mikal as the preacher began.

It truly was a magical ceremony, being held outside. The day had turned out sunny, clear and breathtaking. Mikal and I were facing each other.  The atmosphere had a dreamlike quality to it.  

"I do." I said smiling at Mikal when it came my time to speak.

"I do." Mikal smiled back at me.

Time felt like it slowed down and everyone started to move in slow motion.

I turned to look out at the wedding guests and to my horror, there sat Rafe. He smiled that crooked smile I always loved. Rafe? Why are you here now? I wanted to scream. I looked at Mikal who was smiling at me. He was oblivious to Rafe's presence. Don't you know who is here? I wanted to scream, but the pain of my heartbreak was so intense I felt like I was going to pass out. The hole in my chest was ripping open. Breathe! I commanded myself. Breathe!  

Time achingly stretched on to forever, but it was only a few minutes when the preacher said. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride." Mikal raised my veil and gave me a short, sweet kiss. "It is my pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. Mikal and Mila Bishop." The preacher continued as if nothing were wrong, as if my heart weren't ripping from my chest. Mikal pulled me down the aisle as our guests followed us to the banquet, set up in our honor. Rafe stood continuing to smile his crooked smile at me. Why are you here NOW?

Mikal and I somehow made it to the table with the cake. It really was a beautiful cake with five tiers, covered in white roses. Mikal cut the cake and fed me a piece. still smiling stiffly. I couldn't concentrate on what we were doing. Rafe was here. Why?  Where had he been?  Mikal pulled me over the table to eat. I am sure the food was marvelous, but what made it to my mouth was ash. Of course, Mikal was having the time of his life. We went through the toasting ceremony and soon the band began to play.  I felt I was being dragged from one thing to another.  Nothing made sense.

Mikal towed me to the dance floor, while I protested the entire time. "Mikal. No, I can't dance!" I began tripping over his feet and mine. He gathered me in his arms, ignoring my pleas and began to lead me in a slow dance. He twirled me while everyone gathered around the dance floor and began to laugh and point at the spectacle I was making. He continued to lead me through the torturous steps, smiling at me so sweetly. I tripped and fell. I looked up at Mikal with tears in my eyes, but it wasn't Mikal anymore, it was Rafe and he was laughing at me too.

Nothing was making sense any more. I jumped up and began to run toward the forest while the echo of their laughter followed me. My beautiful gown was being ripped to shreds by briars and branches that resembled animal claws. My sobs were growing louder as I broke through to a meadow. I looked around in confusion.  If you're reading this on teenfic site or similar ones, you're reading on a mirror site. To read this (and other stories) by the actual author FOR FREE, go to Wattpad/Mellie_readsnwrites.

It was there that I saw my beautiful Mikal in wolf skin standing in an attack stance facing Rafe in wolf skin. Rafe was crouched like a mountain lion ready to pounce. They began circling each other. Mikal would lunge forward and Rafe would easily dodge, always a step ahead. Their graceful and terrifying dance continued and gradually increased in tempo until they were both just a blur of teeth, claws, fur and fury.

"No." I tried to scream, but I couldn't make a sound. I couldn't run to them to stop the fight, as my legs refused to cooperate and my feet wouldn't move. I felt as though I was sinking in quicksand. "Please stop." I begged as I collapsed on the ground in tears. They ignored me and the fatal battle continued until suddenly it was over and Rafe's and Mikal's great wolves lay on the ground at my feet, dead.

"Mikal!" I screamed as I jumped up in bed. I was covered in sweat and my heart was racing. I couldn't breathe. "Mikal! Mikal!" I continued hysterically.

Mikal burst through the bedroom door. Ready to pounce, he quickly surveyed the room. Satisfied that no one was in the room, he ran to the bed beside me. "Mila, what's the matter? Are you hurt?"

I frantically wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into the bed as I began to sob. "Oh, Mikal, it was a horrible nightmare." I continued to cry uncontrollably as I patted his chest searching for wounds.  Mikal slid under the blanket and pulled me into his arms.

"Shush. It was only a nightmare. You are okay." He soothed as he stroked my hair. "Try to go back to sleep. I will stay here with you tonight."

Exhausted from the ordeal of the nightmare, my sobbing slowly subsided and I clung tightly to Mikal, glad he was safe. "Mikal?" I whispered sleepily.

"Yes?" He stifled a yawn, squeezing my body tightly to him.

"No big wedding, okay?" I mumbled as I drifted back off to sleep.

"That's fine with me, Mila." He chuckled as he lay back on the pillow contentedly, but I was already past hearing.