THREE

_AVA_

My handmaid, Jenna, came to get me just as Hayes left, in time for the ceremony. She was dressed already and I walked behind her, letting her lead the way downstairs, my footsteps poised and soft. 

I was wearing an off-shoulder Princess long a-line tulle ball dress, in the colour coral!

The corset of the dress hugged tightly to my body, and not to brag, but I look breathtaking in it!

Light shimmered off its soft pink sequined bodice, creating little rainbows across the room as the light reflected on it. The dress was truly flawless, and I loved it. It very much resembled a quince dress, only that it wasn't as puffy as a ball gown.

I had no expression on my face as I walked down the stairs, but inside I was dying. Meeting Hayes wasn't what I had thought it would be; he was totally different from what I had imagined he'd be.

The idea I had developed of him from reading his words on text was a lie and it felt like he wasn't even the one who had been writing back to me all these years.

He wasn't sweet and kind, and nice, and funny, like he seemed during the times we had exchanged letters. He seemed like a totally different person.

Asides the mate bond, I had felt absolutely nothing for him. I didn't get the feeling of familiarity that was supposed to hang in the air above us when we met.

The feeling of the intimacy we had shared on different topics before, the feeling that we knew each other and we'd have enough things to talk about when we met.

Instead of all that, what I felt in his presence was fear. I was genuinely intimidated by him, and it didn't help to see that he wasn't pleased about us being mates.

Which begs the question...

Was he truly the one I had exchanged letters with for over three years? His words were heavy, and it stung, unlike how soft they were on text.

If he was really the one I had exchanged letters with for years, why did he seem so angry on finding out I am his destined mate? 

Shouldn't he have been excited like I initially was, before he killed that excitement with his heavy words that stung, about us being mates?

Finding out your arranged groom with whom you are in love with is actually your destined mate was a rarity.

It was hard to find such a match, and we were blessed with that, but from how he had reacted, there was a bad feeling that settled within me that I just couldn't get rid of.

"Miss,"

I broke off my train of thoughts on hearing Jenna's voice and finally coming back to reality, I stood where Jenna gestured for me to stand.

I looked up, only realising now that I had reached the foot of the stairs where my father was waiting for me, his arm outstretched for me to hold onto.

He smiled at me, whispering something inaudibly. But I could tell what it was he said because I've watched his lips move everytime he called me that.

"My little pony. You're so beautiful."

I smiled, forcing back the tears that threatened to drop down my cheeks because I knew I wouldn't get to hear those words as much anymore.

I held onto his arm as he walked me down the aisle, the walk never seemed to end.

We got to the center at long last and Hayes walked towards me, closing the space between us.

My father looked at him stoically and a moment passed between them, like they were communicating with their eyes, before my Dad placed my hand in his.

Hayes nodded at my Dad, and my Dad gently patted him on the shoulder in approval before walking off to sit with the rest of the guests.

My gaze shifted to him and I noticed he was already staring at me.

"Shall we?" He asked and I nodded, swallowing, taking steps after him.

My eyes were glued to the floor and I felt nerve wracked. Hayes' eyes were on me, and I could feel it from how heated and jumpy my wolf was within me.

I looked at him, wanting to behold that god-like facial structure of his once again, but I could only maintain eye contact for a few seconds before looking away.

His sea green eyes were so beautiful, but intimidating.

"Do you Hayes Reid, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, take Ava Chester, daughter of Alpha Chester of the Silvermoon Pack as your Mate? To lead beside you as Luna of Nightshade Pack?" He was asked.

My breath hitched as I anticipated his reply. Was he going to accept or reject me? 

"I, Hayes Reid, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, take Ava Chester, daughter of Alpha Chester of the Silvermoon Pack as my Mate; To lead by my side as Luna of Nightshade Pack." He replied.

I released the breath I was holding and squealed within.

He didn't reject me!

"Do you Ava Chester, daughter of Alpha Chester of the Silvermoon Pack take Hayes Reid, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack as your Mate? To lead beside him as Luna of Nightshade Pack?" 

I parted my lips to speak, but I paused.

Was I sure I wanted to do this?

I turned towards the direction of my Dad. His forehead was creased with wrinkles, and I could tell he was worried.

This was what he wanted, right? 

It's what I've wanted for so long too.

Was I brave enough to throw everything to the wind when it was already within my grasp because of one encounter that hadn't gone as I had expected it to?

I don't think I am...

I turned to Hayes, holding his gaze in mine as I took my vows.

"I, Ava Chester, daughter of Alpha Chester of the Silvermoon Pack take Hayes Reid, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack as my Mate; To lead by his side as Luna of Nightshade Pack." I pledged.

"I join you two henceforth and deem this union legitimate, using the presence of all present here as justifiable witnesses." The elder continued, "You may now kiss your bride."

Hayes wasted no time, not even letting me prepare myself mentally, before holding me close to him and closing the gap between our lips with his.

I felt hunger in the way he kissed me; it was like he desired me unlike what his actions earlier had screamed, and I closed my eyes to enjoy it. My wolf purred, satisfactorily.

He is my first kiss, and in this moment it feels like I can forgive him for even the gravest of sins