I Will Always Love You, Alpha Derek

Aurelia Sanchez - POV

“Kate, you can’t do this,” I scolded her as she held my hands, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I… I can’t accept him, Lia. I have always seen him as nothing more than a friend,” Kate whispered, shaking her head.

“Then just go and say it out loud!” I yelled at her. She took a few steps back and finally sat at the edge of the bed. My eyes drifted to the glass wall in front of me, where the sky had turned a beautiful orangish-red color. In a few minutes, the moon would rise, and the mating ceremony would begin.

“I tried, Lia. I told Mom and Dad last night that I can’t marry Samuel. But they threatened to kill Liam if I don’t oblige.” Her voice broke at the end as she began to sob while I stood there like a statue, not knowing what to do.

“Go,” I finally said, breaking the silence as she looked up at me.

“Are you sure?” she asked, and I nodded. This was one of the most anticipated mating ceremonies of the century. The Full Moon Pack was the largest and most powerful wolf pack to ever exist, bringing every alpha and Luna of all the packs to celebrate with us.

“Where is the potion?” I asked her, and a smile appeared on her face. She walked to her dressing table and pulled out a small vial containing a black liquid.

“The witch told me that the potion would only last for a few hours,” Kate explained, and I nodded. She handed me her wedding dress, and I quickly changed my clothes. Standing in front of the floor-length mirror, I drank the bitter potion.

Nothing happened for a few seconds, but then I gradually saw my appearance change. My dark brown hair turned jet black, my moss green eyes shifted to hazel brown, and my sweetheart face morphed into an oval shape.

Since Kate and I were the same height and had similar body structures, I didn’t change much when I finally stood in front of the mirror as Kate. “Thank you so much, Lia,” Kate said, pulling me into a hug. I hugged her back one last time before she left the room.

I let out a sigh, did a light makeup, and arranged the veil over my head while I sat on the bed and waited. An hour later, I heard a light knock on the door, and soon Aunt Rachel stepped inside with a huge smile on her face.

“You look like a goddess, Katherine,” she said, pulling me into a hug. For a few seconds, I was stunned by her affection—something I hadn’t received in years.

“Thank you, au… Mom,” I stammered when she finally pulled back. Her makeup was flawless, making her hazel eyes shine, while her jet black hair was styled in a French braid.

“Let’s go. Alpha Derek is already here,” she told me, and I nodded as we walked out of the room. We walked down the stairs, and as we reached the foyer, I saw Uncle Henry walking towards us.

“I cannot believe my daughter is getting married,” he exclaimed, a nervous smile appearing on my face.

“Where is Aurelia?” Uncle Henry questioned, and I felt my heart stop. I was about to answer when Aunt Rachel spoke for me.

“She must be in the backyard, Henry. Let’s go. The guests are waiting.”

“You’re right,” he said as we walked out of the pack house. The mating ceremony was taking place in the forest, and I saw a jeep waiting to take us there. After helping me get inside, Aunt Rachel and Uncle Henry got in as well, and we were off.

It was a short five-minute drive, and when we arrived, Aunt Rachel helped me out. My heart pounded in my chest. The training ground had been transformed into a wedding venue, with a makeshift stage at the end of the aisle shaped like a dome and adorned with flowers.

A pink carpet stretched from one end to the stage, and on either side, there were guests seated. From my guess, there were at least two hundred people there. The place was lit up by soft yellow lanterns as Uncle Mark led me to the start of the pink carpet, with Aunt Rachel standing a few inches behind me, arranging my dress.

The guests quickly rose to their feet, and I saw Beta Costa and his wife standing near the front rows, beaming at me, while Gamma Dante stood next to Alpha Derek with Beta Costa’s son.

Soon, the music changed, and we began walking down the aisle. With each step toward Samuel, guilt weighed me down. Uncle Mark placed my hand in Samuel's, and he helped me onto the stage.

A frown appeared on his face as he rubbed small circles on the back of my palm when I quickly pulled my hand away. “You feel different,” he whispered, stepping closer, causing my breath to hitch.

“It must be the wedding jitters, Sam,” I retorted, but he shook his head. Before he could say another word, the priest began the ceremony.

“Do you, Alpha Samuel Derek, take Katherine Snow to be your wife, mate, and Luna of the Full Moon Pack?”

“I do.” He didn’t hesitate, and the guilt was consuming me. He must have started loving Kate, and I might ruin everything for him in a few minutes.

“Do you, Katherine Snow, take Alpha Samuel as your husband, mate, and Alpha of the Full Moon Pack?”

I knew I should just run and tell everyone the truth, but my heart couldn’t let him go. I had never shared this with anyone, but Samuel was not only my best friend; he was also the man I had fallen in love with. As selfish as it was, I accepted this marriage. “I do.” That was it—I was now his wife.

“You can now mark your bride, Alpha Derek,” the priest said. Samuel stepped forward, gently lifting my veil. His eyes still held confusion as he moved closer, wrapping his hands around my waist. He pressed his lips to the spot where I would bear his mark.

Before I could react, I felt his canine scrape my skin and then sink in, sealing the bond forever.