Chapter 2

Griffin's Pov

The soft music began, and everybody stood up to welcome the bride.  I smiled at the groom, who couldn't stop staring at his wife-to-be while every step she took was a knife deep into my heart.

She looked breathtaking. A vision in white and lace. Her usual mischievous smile was gone, but she kept her eyes on the man she was about to marry.

My brother.

Mark stood in the altar, glowing in happiness. He looked every inch of the successful and powerful man he was. A man who could give her the life that she deserved.

The man our parents favoured and the man Lila was going to marry.

He was a good man. The best man I've ever known. Loyal, kind, and oblivious. That's what made this agonizing. If he were a monster, then maybe I could justify my actions or hate him. But I loved him despite everything.

Lila's eyes flickered to mine for a split second. A moment of pure emotion passed between us.

Regret? Longing? Or maybe just the memory of last night's desperate passion. l couldn't tell, but I broke the eye contact between us before she could.

Her eyes lied just like she did. If I were to continue looking at her, then I would lie to myself and think that the vulnerability in them was a sign of her love for me, but now I know better.

She broke my heart for the very last time, which is why I'm subjecting myself to this pain so that I never forget this day. So that I never forget the pain of a bleeding heart.

My parents, on the other hand, couldn't stop beaming. They were getting what they wanted. Their arrangement was finally being finalised. BloodStone and Moonfall were finally joining together in holy matrimony.

This arrangement meant power to them and my brother's rule. They were the perfect match. At least on paper, because no one asked Lila what she wanted. Nobody asked me what I wanted or what my brother wanted, either.

I won't speak much on his behalf because ever since he got the news, he can barely keep the smile on his face when he talks about her, while my soul crumbles and crumbles.

I should have spoken sooner. I should have confessed my love for her and fought for her, but I was weak. I was terrified of disappointing my parents, just like I've been doing my whole life, or losing my brother's respect and love because he's been the only one on my corner ever since I was born.

I was satisfied with being the secret. I was satisfied with being the forbidden lie. We were playing a game of hide and seek, which caught up to us sooner than we realized.

Last night was the day I found my courage, and I asked her, in fact, I begged her to choose us. I begged her to run away with me. I promised her a life with love and protection. I promised her a life free from our parents' cage. A life where we could make our own choices. A life in which we wouldn't have to hide our love for each other.

She refused.

Told me I was being selfish. She reminded me of my parents' words on a daily basis.

She reminded me that I was worthless. She reminded me that I'm the one who can't do anything right.

I thought she was different. I thought she loved me, only to be told that I was just a distraction until she settled with the person that she was really meant to be with.

I'm used to it though so I know that tomorrow will be a new day.

I will stand by my brother's side tomorrow while my heart is sinking, but I will bury all those emotions because this is a product of my doing.

I zoned out until the final vows.

"l do." Mark said, his voice full of certainty and excitement about the life he is about to build with the love of my life.

"And do you, Lila, take Mark as your lawful wedded husband?" The priest asked.

I don't know why I keep torturing myself, but I waited. I prayed silently that the answer could be no. But she broke the last piece of hope I held deep in my soul.

"I do." She said. Her voice was barely a whisper, but in a room of werewolves, we could all hear her.

I held my breath through the rings and the kiss. Each was a brutal reminder of what I just lost. My fate was sealed.

Everyone was smiling and celebrating except me. I was drowning in a sea of pain with no way out.

The reception was hell, but I kept a smile on my face. For Mark. My brother, who didn't know of my betrayal.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked for the hundredth time, and I lied through my teeth.

"Of course I am. My brother is married and soon I'll be an uncle." I said, even though the words felt like fire down my throat.

He patted my back while staring at his bride like she was an angel, but descended from heaven, and in a way, she looked just like that.

"Mate." My wolf roared in pain, but I didn't lose the smile on my face in front of everybody. I ignored his cries and my bleeding soul as I went to congratulate her.

Her scent, which has always been my salvation, made me nauseous because when she and my brother mate, then I will have to smell it from him too.

"Welcome to the family, sister-in-law," I said without even stuttering. I won't let her destroy my mind just like she's destroyed everything else.

"Gr---" I didn't let her say anything else because I don't even trust anything she says anymore.

I kissed her hand and walked away. I'm certain that none of them will even notice my absence, so I took off into the woods.