Thank God. I think a second public event might be the thing that tips me completely over the edge. As it is, there’s a numbness in my chest as I follow Ollena. If it wasn’t for the pain, I’d worry about keeping my balance. But the pain keeps me sharp, focused on putting one foot in front of the other until I’m standing back where it all started, back in the circle, staring down the aisle at where the Cohens and I had our first, disastrous meeting.
They’re not here yet, but it doesn’t matter. My eyes are firmly focused on my family, and my throat burns as I force back tears. My eyes move over them, my mother and father, Jess, Elise.
They’re all here. All of them looking at me, horror on their faces. Even Elise.
Have I changed that much?
“I’m going to fucking kill them,” Jessalyn snarls, her voice ringing out across the hushed gathering. She jumps up, but mama grabs her arm, tugging her down and her lips moving frantically. I can see her wet cheeks, and my heart clenches.
I didn’t mean to put them through this. My eyes lock with my dad. He looks furious, but the lines on his face smooth as he catches my eye. He pats his chest and holds his hand out, a silent reminder of the promise he made.
I can’t look at him. My eyes move across the aisle, to where the Council members and people I’m assuming are related to my pack are sitting. I recognise the Council leader, Tristan’s father. His face is dark as he looks at me, an apology in his eyes. Next to him, Tristan’s mother is pale, her lips drawn in as her eyes skate down to land on my bruises.
Can’t look at them either. My eyes move to the end of the aisle, waiting for my alphas to appear. They should be here any second.
I wait.
And I wait.
Until the murmuring grows a little louder, worry and concern filling the air. Ollena moves over to me, her face tight. “Sienna. Are you – are you certain they’re coming?”
For the first time, fear enters my chest, my heartbeat starting to race. “They’re coming. They promised.”
My voice sounds desperate, and Ollena nods. “I see. Then we’ll wait.”
But the minutes tick on, and there’s no sign of them. I hold my breath until my chest burns, staring at the doors ahead of me.
When they creak open, my whole body relaxes. They’re here. They didn’t break their promise.
Except it’s not Tristan, Jax, Logan or Gray who steps out onto the aisle. Who walks towards me, a cruel smirk on that painted mouth.
Alicia Erikkson stalks towards me, her face set in false sympathy.
My muscles turn to stone. No.
They wouldn’t do this to me.
Theywouldn’t.
My conversation with Gray and Logan filters through the panic in my mind.
She wanted us to Deny you.
This isn’t happening. I watch in a daze as Jessalyn jumps back up from her seat, this time my mama right behind her as they head directly for Alicia. I watch the heated argument, Tristan’s father and Councilor Erikkson getting up from their seats, Ollena storming down to them, her face turning back around to mine. Paling.
I grip the skirt of the dress Logan had made for me, lifting it as I make my way with careful steps towards Alicia. My hand lands gently on my mother’s shoulder, moving her aside as she berates the beta who stands there with victory on her face.
I wet my lips. “Alicia.”
“Little omega,” she croons. “I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, darling. But Tristan asked me to give you this.”
She pulls an envelope from her bag and hands it to me. Everyone around us falls silent as I turn it over, the Cohen crest in crystal clarity holding the contents closed.
My fingers shake as I lift it, the wax cracking as it comes away from the paper.
The note is short, to the point. Clinical, even.
The Cohen pack declines to attend the Mating Ceremony.
