Hate Vows

Freezing My Butt Off At My Own Wedding (Livona)

Picture of the ceremony gown on side - - - - - - >

Riley has been completely AWOL since our argument. I didn't see him the rest of that day or at all the next day. It was a little nerve-wracking considering the mate ceremony was tonight. Whenever someone asked where he was, I just shrugged or someone else would answer. The common answer was in the gym, out for a run, or on a patrol. Apparently this was the norm because no one seemed concerned. And the only reason I cared was because I forgot to yell at him. He invaded my space and it was like I lost all logical thought. When I put my hands on his chest, I'd been intending to push him away, but I was mesmerised by how tingles has begun to shoot through my body. And I was left speechless when his wolf made an appearance. The golden in his eyes was rich and possessive while the primitive quality of his voice sent shivers down my spine. I don't think it was fear, but when he told me to leave, I was more than willing. I'd been playing it over in my head, trying to figure it out so much that when I glanced at my phone, I noticed I had five missed calls from Kalden. It sent a wave of heat to my chest and yet I still didn't want to talk to him. Sighing, I tossed the phone beside me on the bed and curled my knees into my chest. As soon as the moon rose, the ceremony would commence and my heart was pounding. Would Riley be there? Did I want him to be? Spinning my body to stare out my window, I watched the sun just beginning to tuck itself into the disappearing horizon. A knock sounded from the door and I gasped as my chest rose and fell rapidly. My knees were too weak to stand steadily, I croaked to my visitor.

"Come in." Promptly, Mother, Leah, and Lissette scurried in. Smiling weakly, I focused on Lissette. The one person who knew how vulnerable I really am.

"That time already?" Mother smiled softly and moved to sit beside me. Delicately, she cradled my face in her soft palms before brushing my wild hair back.

"You'll be a wonderful queen, my child." Tears began to threaten to fall, but it wasn't from my mother's flowery words. Lip trembling, I studied the women before me. Lissette made sure to stay turned away as she gathered my dress and adornments, but I could see her shoulders shudder with a shaky breath. Leah stood silent and proud as all Lunas did. She smiled at me with understanding and admiration. Finally my tearful gaze fell on Mother and I choked on my confession.

"I'm scared Mom." Her own eyes glistened with unshed tears and she pressed her lips together tightly before she pulled me against her in a hug. Wrapping my arms around her, I clung to her desperately with clamped eyes. Leah's soft voice pried my eyes open, but I refused to release my mother just yet.

"Riley really will make a great mate dear. He's pretty serious, especially about bis responsibilities, but he's sweet and fun too. I know it's scary right now, but you two have something. I can feel it and I'm never wrong." Ignoring the urge to scoff, I was surprised when I managed to smile instead. I don't think I'd ever stop hating him. Slowly recoiling from my mother, I stood to encase Leah 's warm hand in my two, cold palms.

"Thank you Leah. I'm just nervous I suppose." There was no way she'd understand my real feelings. Gently, Leah smiled wider and placed a brief kiss on my forehead.

"You're welcome." Mother rose from my bed and clapped once, her voice cheery.

"Okay, let's get ready for the ceremony!" Releasing Leah's hand, I nodded solemnly and thought of the positive. For the next year, I was allowed to make Riley's life a living hell if I wanted to.

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A breeze picked up and blew up the sheer, white gown. Quickly I shoved it back down. Since Riley was becoming the Alpha wolf, we were having a traditional werewolf ceremony, but I still couldn't understand why I had to wear this skimpy thing. The silky gown barely made it to my mid-thigh and the neckline was lower than I'd ever worn. Thankfully though, it had long sleeves and they let me wear fuzzy slippers since the ceremony was outside, and in the woods. Riley, Tammi, and all the other men were waiting in a small clearing near the castle, but as the three women flanked me, I just felt like I was going to bed instead of a mating. Jealously, I coveted the long, warm cloaks that were traditionally worn by the mothers. Even Lissette was wearing a long-sleeved, green dress that flowed to her ankles. Luckys. The only thing that kept me from chattering my teeth and shivering was the warm, fuzzy thought that Riley was probably freezing too. Since he had to summon the change, he was dressed in a pair of shorts only. Groaning to myself, my stomach twisted as Dad, Reed, Connor, Tammi, Malcolm, and Riley's scents invaded my nose. Lifting my head as our slow progress continued, I gawked at the luminescent full moon. Its light surrounded us generously and covered me in a surprising comfort, as if telling me everything would turn out well. Closing my eyes and relishing in the feeling, I listened to the sounds around me. Our feet softly shifted against the soil and fallen pine needles as an owl hooted nearby. Besides us, the night only smelled of fresh rain and earth. Someone cleared their throat and my eyes shot open to the scene before me. There was a small wooden arch where Riley stood erect and blinking at me, almost in surprise. We came to a halt at the edge of the clearing and I let my gaze wander in curiosity. Malcolm and Connor were dressed in jeans and button ups, Dad and Reed in slacks and button ups, and Tammi wore a gown styled similarly to Lissette 's but in a pale pink shade. My barrier of women had dispersed to stand alongside everyone else on the sidelines, but my feet were frozen as my heart thundered. My breath hitched and I was compelled to run, but everyone's eyes nailed my slippers to the earth that seemed to be shaking beneath my soles. Something began to draw my eyes until they hovered over Riley who was in the same position. He seemed calm and somehow it helped me too. His eyes lazily drifted over my body and I wasn't ashamed to repeat the action. The shorts hung low on his narrow hips and brushed just above his kneecaps. I almost giggled at how boyish his mussed hair looked when the rest of his appearance was anything but boyish. His jaw was set in concentration. The toned muscles in his biceps shifted as his hands came together just below his chiseled abs. A faint amount of chest hair peppered his torso and I knew without a doubt, he had no soft spots. Had I known I'd put my hands on that chest, I probably would've drooled a little. Lastly, my eyes scanned his long, lean legs and I found it funny when I pondered how they'd look of we were to be running. Snapping out of it, I returned my attention to his fac. Naturally he was smirking and internally I rolled my eyes. Finally, Dad stepped forward, holing out a lone palm for mine. Shifting into Princess mode, I regally and delicately lowered my faintly trembling hand into dad's awaiting hand. The familiarity calmed me a little more as he tucked my hand into his side and began to walk me towards the suddenly dooming arch and a smiling Riley. Noting that his smile obviously didn't reach his eyes, I ignored the pang of hurt that attacked my side. We both were being forced into this, but we only had to make it seem legitimate for a year. Then I was free and Riley could rule with his true mate while I went to find mine. The long grass or the clearing tickled against my pale legs. It was soft and almost as if rushing me forward. Exasperation curled around my exhaled breath as we hindered only a foot from Riley. Tenderly, Riley removed my hand from dad's and guided me to stand mere inches in front of him. Clutching both of my hands, Riley's lips swept to nudge my earlobe behind my tousled locks.