AMY’S POV
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur.
I barely remembered saying my vows, barely remembered sliding the ring onto Richard’s finger, barely remembered him doing the same to mine.
I forced myself to forget Derek’s reaction to my wedding to Richard because it hurts every time that I had given two years of my life to such an uncultured man.
I focused on the feel of Richard’s hand in mine to distract myself, the warmth of his presence beside me, the way his green eyes never left my face.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Richard leaned in, his hand cupping my cheek, and pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was soft, tender, and completely unexpected.
I felt my knees go weak, my heart fluttering in my chest.
Lexie was purring and scratching to take over but I pushed her back.
She has been getting wild around Richard.
A single touch sent her in a frenzy and she wanted to jump his bones every time.
It didn’t help that Richard had made it his mission to tease me for the past two weeks, leaving me very horny and more desperate for him.
When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with something I couldn’t quite read.
“Welcome to the family, Mrs. Wellington.”
I smiled, my cheeks flushed.
“Thank you, Mr. Wellington.”
The crowd erupted into applause, and I was swept away into a whirlwind of congratulations and well-wishes.
I barely had time to breathe before we were being ushered to the reception hall.
*****************
The reception was nothing short of extravagant.
The venue was a massive ballroom, dripping with chandeliers and white flowers.
Tables draped in silk lined the walls, and a live orchestra played soft, romantic music.
Everywhere I looked, I saw powerful faces; Alphas from packs across New York City and beyond, business tycoons, politicians, celebrities.
The sheer magnitude of it was overwhelming.
Richard led me to the front of the hall, where a raised platform held two thrones.
Yes, thrones.
I blinked at them, momentarily stunned.
“Really?” I whispered to Richard.
He smirked.
“We’re an Alpha and Luna. We sit on thrones. It’s tradition.”
I swallowed hard and took my seat beside him, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.
Richard stood, raising his glass to the crowd.
“Tonight, I am proud to officially announce my wife, Amy Wellington, as the Luna of Darkwood Pack. Her word is my word. Her command is my command. She will be treated with the respect she deserves, and anyone who goes against her will answer to me.”
The room erupted into applause.
Then, one by one, the guests rose and bowed their heads in the traditional greeting reserved for Luna’s.
I felt tears prick at my eyes.
I could feel every eye in the room on me, judging me, assessing me.
Then Richard’s hand found my back, his fingers drawing small, soothing circles.
I felt my nerves steady, my racing heart slow.
“You’re doing fine,” he murmured, his lips close to my ear.
“Just breathe.”
I nodded, forcing a smile as the guests returned to their seats.
When it was time for the first dance, Richard led me onto the dance floor, his hand on my waist, his eyes locked on mine.
We swayed to the music, the world around us fading away.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said softly.
I blushed.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He chuckled, spinning me gently.
“I meant what I said up there. Your word is my word. You’re not just a figurehead, Amy. You’re my Luna. My partner for one year.”
His words felt so sincere at first, like he wanted something more with me but the last part quickly reminded me that it was just a contract that would last for a year.
It would be best for me to constantly keep that in mind to keep me in the right track.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He pulled me closer, and for a moment, I let myself forget everything; the contract, the revenge, the pain.
I let myself simply enjoy being in his arms.
After the dance, we returned to our seats.
Guests approached one by one, raising their glasses in toasts, offering congratulations.
Richard introduced me to each of them, his hand never leaving my lap.
“This is Alpha Marcus of the Stone Pack.
Marcus, this is my wife, Amy.”
“Lovely to meet you, Luna Amy.”
“Thank you, Alpha Marcus.”
And so it went on, name after name, face after face.
I smiled until my cheeks ached, nodded until my neck was stiff.
Then an elderly man approached.
He was tall and silver-haired, with sharp eyes and a knowing smile.
He carried himself with an air of authority, and something about the way he looked at me made my skin prickle.
“Alpha Richard,” the man said, his voice smooth and genial.
“And the new Luna. What a delightful surprise.”
I felt Richard stiffen beside me.
His hand on my lap went rigid and his jaw tightened.
“Elder Leo,” Richard said, his voice carefully controlled.
“I sent you an invitation out of formality. I expect you to actually come.”
The man chuckled.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Richard’s smile was thin.
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to show up..”
“My, my. You are quite young, aren’t you? And beautiful. You could almost pass for Richard’s daughter.”
I felt my face flush.
Richard’s hand tightened on my back.
“Elder Leo,” Richard said, his voice cold, “I would advise you to be careful with your words when speaking about my Luna.”
The man raised his hands in mock surrender.
“No offense intended, Alpha. I was simply making an observation. I suppose it makes sense, a man of your age would want a younger wife. Someone who can still bear healthy children.”
I looked down at my lap, my cheeks burning.
The comment was humiliating, but I knew this was something I would face throughout my marriage to Richard.
People would always see the age difference.
They would always assume I was nothing more than a broodmare.
Richard’s voice was ice.
“I didn’t marry Amy for children. I married her because I love her. Is that clear enough for you, Elder?”
The man’s smile faltered slightly.
“Of course, Alpha. Of course.” He raised his glass.
“To the happy couple.”
We toasted, and I forced myself to smile.
Then the man leaned closer to Richard, his voice dropping to a murmur.
“My daughter heard about the wedding. She sends her congratulations.”
Richard’s jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscles in his neck straining.
But he said nothing.
The man smiled, gave me one last appraising look, and walked away.
I turned to Richard, my mind racing.
“Who was that? What was that about?”
Richard’s expression was carefully blank.
“No one you need to worry about.”
“Richard—”
“Drop it, Amy. I already told you that you don’t need to know.”
His voice was sharp, final.
I felt my hackles rise, but something in his eyes made me pause.
There was pain there, buried deep beneath the cold exterior.
‘Who could that be?
His mere presence made Richard uncomfortable, ‘ I said to Lexie.
‘This is the first time I’m seeing him like this.
I wonder what kind of relationship they both have to make him react this way.’
‘Maybe someone who hurt him in the past.’ My wolf guessed.
‘Richard had a reaction at the mention of his daughter, ‘ she continued, ‘do you think she is his fated mate who rejected him?’
My eyes widened.
It made perfect sense.
The man’s knowing smile, his pointed comments, the way Richard had stiffened at the mention of his daughter.
Could that be really him?
Richard’s ex-mate’s father.