Chapter 1
DAMON’S POV
I stare at myself in front of the mirror, my gaze scrutinizing as I struggle to fix my tie. I know that I should be rushing, but maybe if my clothes would cooperate with me, then perhaps I wouldn’t be as late as I know I am going to be now.
A part of me knew this day was going to come, for a long time now, but somehow, I still can’t believe that it’s here. I’m getting ready for my Beta’s wedding.
With a quiet snort, I remember how defiant Jordan was when his parents told him that he had to get married. He was angry—angry that they were forcing him, but he had no choice but to agree. They didn’t lay any threats on him, but I knew Jordan. Making his parents angry was already enough of a punishment for him.
By chance, on one of our patrols late in the night, Jordan, who had been paying way more attention to our surroundings than I had been, noticed a girl limping her way to the river. I don’t remember too much of the encounter, but I do know that Jordan was head over heels for her from the beginning. The girl...not so much.
His mate’s name is Alice, a spitfire, bubbly girl who always did her best to get on my nerves. I don’t think she did it on purpose—it was just the way that she was in general. Jordan loved her, so, unfortunately, I now have to tolerate her for the rest of my fucking life.
To be honest, I didn’t really mind it, though. Sure, Alice did annoy the hell out of me, but most wolves complain about that, yet they still love their mates, no matter what.
Are you ready yet, Damon? Jordan’s somewhat panicked voice questions me through the mind link, hurried.
Almost, I reply. Why? What happened?
Nothing. I just need to make sure that my best man is ready for action today, Jordan says after a few beats of silence, his words a heated rush through the link.
I chuckle, raising my head up slightly to correct the tie so that it doesn’t press against my neck.
Jordan, relax, I command gently through the link. You’re getting married today! Enjoy it! This day will only come once.
True, true, I can hear the smile in Jordan’s voice. Gosh, how do you always know what to say, Damon? Even when I’m panicking like fuck, you know how to get me to stop going insane.
I laugh, bending my neck again and fixing my shoes.
Because I’m good? I ask. And I also plan. I have everything under control, Jordan. Chill.
I’ll try to—oh! Ruhi's coming with you, right?
Yeah, she is, I reply, feeling my neck flush with warmth.
Jordan's chuckle is loud and clear through the link. I can tell that you're blushing now, he teases. Just be careful, okay, Alpha? We don't need a baby on the way during my wedding, 'kay?
Got it, Jordan, I grumble, cutting off the link before I can hear him laugh at me again. It doesn't irk me, really. I just don't want to think about Ruhi and get aroused before the wedding, or else I'm pretty sure everyone will see me walking down the aisle with a boner.
"Damon?"
Fucking speak of the devil...
I turn, my eyes lighting up when I catch Ruhi standing in the doorway. It's almost like she knew I was thinking about her.
She's wearing a beautiful, blue maid of honor gown and has her dark black hair braided and pinned up on her head with a few jewels embedded into the hoops. Her shoes are flat and gentle, padding over the carpet. The sun makes her light brown skin glow, the rays caressing her brown eyes.
"Ruhi," I acknowledge, my stomach fluttering. She approaches me with a smile, and I return it. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," she says, her voice sweet, soft, and gentle. "I'm ready. Are you?"
"Of course," I reply without thinking, too busy staring at the way her dress clung to her wide hips. God, I should stop staring, but I can't help it. Knowing that she's my mate only makes things worse. Surely, she must feel the bond too? How has she been ignoring it this entire time?
"Great," she smiles, but it doesn't exactly meet her eyes. Her gaze is impassive, trailing over my suit and down to my legs. I flush again. Hopefully, I wasn't thinking too hard about Ruhi.
She smirks, a somewhat sinister gleam in her eye. Carefully, Ruhi steps towards me, running her hand up my chest and gripping the lapels of my suit.
"Um...Ruhi?" I ask, although I don't want her to stop.
"I've wanted this for a long time, Damon," she says softly, fingering my tie. I blush.
"What exactly do you want?" I question even though I know what she's asking for. I only want to hear her say it.
Ruhi pauses, her eyes searching mine, flashing a dark yellow for a moment, her wolf speaking. Odd. I don't remember Ruhi's wolf to be a yellow glow, but then again, I hardly spoke to Ruhi when she was shifted. I could have just missed the sign.
"You," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. I hear her, though, loud and clear, as though she's speaking through a microphone.
Smiling, I pick her up, wrapping her legs around my waist.
"We have a wedding to get to," I mumble, but I'm already kissing her, pressing my lips to hers in a passionate haste.
"I know," she gasps, grasping the roots of my hair. "But we have time, don't we?"
I smirk, pushing her back against my bed. I tug her out of her dress, unable to hide my grin at the way she gazes at me from underneath my towering frame, her innocent brown eyes wide and dialted.
"For you, I have all the time in the world, my mate."
3rd Person POV
Once Ruhi is sure that Damon has fallen asleep, his snores vibrating in her ear, she stands up, gently touching the crevice between her thighs. Grinning, she slips her clothes, on, pausing to turn back and glance at Damon.
She gazes at him for a moment, taking in his wavy blonde locks and large, muscular frame. She shakes her head, warning herself to stay focused as she strides out of the mansion. The wedding preparations are in full swing, and she knows that she has to leave quickly so that nobody sees her going.
A dark-haired girl passes by her, her eyes glued to her phone, and Ruhi breathes a sigh of relief when the girl doesn't notice her. In fact, she thinks that she doesn't breathe properly until she gets to the border of the pack.
Smirking, Ruhi snaps her fingers, a white light enveloping her. In her place, a ginger girl with malicious black eyes stands, her body glowing with power.
She squeezes her hand, absorbing the last of the strength she had managed to collect.
"Thanks for the powers, Damon," she cackles, turning back to take a quick glance at the real Ruhi, the blackette who had been on her phone, before she's gone, fading into the shadows behind her.
