DO US PART

Molly

I walked down the aisle in a daze.

Henry looked at me and I know he was smiling inside, but his face showed nothing but remorse.

We felt the eyes of the oracles upon us and I couldn’t help but weep beneath my veil.

Taking my hands into his, he squeezed gently--almost oddly reassuring.

“Why is this happening?” I whispered, “Is this a cruel joke?”

Henry shook his head, “I had no part in this, but you know these aren’t my rules.”

“I can’t..”

“We have to.”

The priest stepped forward and began to chant the ancient ceremonial words that even I had trouble understanding.

My wolf wanted to flee, but I knew she’d never make it out alive..

Nor would I.

Henry

After the ceremony, I took her far away from the crowds, knowing she was stunned.

We were both shocked, but I had to let her know that I would care for her.

“I am your mate. I feel everything you do and I’m just as upset as you.”

She wouldn’t look at me, but I held her hand as our worlds came crashing down around us.

“Don’t hurt me, Henry.”

“I don’t plan on it.”

She stared up at me, knowing that the from now on we were one.... Even if we never consummated the affair.

“I’ll take you away. I have a cabin where just the two of us can be alone.”

She smiled faintly at me.

“We’d better not upset the gods then. ”

Molly

There was no pomp and circumstance for us.

Most people knew what had happened and were even more shocked that we were mates.

“You’ll be fine?”

My friend, Lori, asked me as if I had a choice.

“Tell me this is a nightmare.”

Lori sighed and hugged me, “I wish I could. I wish I could take this from you, but...”

We looked up to see Henry standing only a few feet away.

“I have to go..” I sobbed as a carriage pulled up to take us away to his cabin.

“How far are we going?”

I waved to my pack, my mother crying hard into my father’s chest.

“They love you...”

“Yes, they do ..”

Henry

I hadn’t thought about how this would look.

We hadn’t even shared a kiss.

I knew what was going on in her mind and even though I wanted her, I couldn’t take her against her will.

I’d use some coaxing,of course.

What would she do to me in my sleep if I hurt her?

I eyed her cautiously and concern overwhelmed me.

What if she did something to herself while I was asleep?

“I’m not suicidal.”

“You read my mind?”

“We’re mates, Henry. Turn it off if you don’t want me to know what you’re thinking.”

I was humbled.

Molly

We ended up at the cottage, just as Henry said.

It was nice and private...I was shocked that this was even a location that Henry owned.

“I’ll help get your things out,” Henry said to my surprise, “Randall, your assistance?”

The driver helped us unpack as Henry pulled me gently from the carriage and into his arms.

We stood there for a moment, both looking into each other’s eyes.

“I..”

“I know, you hate me.”

“I am trying to tell you that I don’t want you to hurt me.”

“I will never hurt you. Not like I did before.”

“You’re a bully. You became my bully.”

I saw his short-lived remorse before he pulled away from me and continued on into the cottage, leaving me standing there in the rain.