Chapter 7: The change

The wedding preparations buzzed with a joyful energy that filled every corner of the house. Scarlett wasn't expecting the day to be that bright, all thanks to her friend, Elora, who was moving from one corner to another, making sure everything was perfect and in order. The floral scent of freshly delivered bouquets wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen and a symphony of chaos and excitement. Dresses hung like ethereal clouds on wardrobe doors, while trays of makeup and hairpins sprawled across the countertops, ready to work their transformative magic.

While getting things ready, Elora's gaze fell on the bride, seated on a high-backed chair in her ivory lace gown, which draped carefully across her lap with the stylist behind her. Elora dropped the veil in her hand and walked up to her; she smiled and bent to her level, holding her hand and whispering words of calm.

Elora, dressed in a simple yet elegant bridesmaid dress, she exudes a quiet strength, her steady presence grounding the bride amidst the whirlwind. She reached out for a glass cup of water and passed it to her, watching her gulp it down while she gently brushed a stray tear from the bride's cheek.

"You've got this," she said softly, her voice a balm against the rising tide of jitters. "Everything is perfect, and so are you."

Scarlett dropped the cup from her lips and smiled as she passed it back to her friend. They stared at each other's eyes, her words caused Scarlett to smile, a genuine, radiant smile that banished her earlier doubt.

And together, they began to laugh at the minor mishaps—a missing shoe, a flower girl's tantrum—turning potential disasters into cherished memories. The room pulsed with love and camaraderie, a testament to the unshakable bond between the bride and her steadfast best friend. With Elora by her side, Scarlett got through the day of a rollercoaster of emotions, trying her best not to let the nonchalance of her father throughout the wedding process bother her even though she hoped it'd be different. She's used to him not wanting her around, blaming her for taking his wife ( her mother) away but she was wishing for some fatherly love still.

Elora was the only one Scarlett was able to look at with a smile as she walked down the aisle finally. Every time she looked at her father, her heart broke; even though she was the happiest in the hall, it felt like a fiery dream when they were finally tied together, and the person who caught the flower was Elora.

" I'm going to miss you", Scarlett said as she hugged Elora at the end of the wedding.

She chuckled, "Are you planning to never see me again just because you're now married?",

" I dare not",

" Better, you still have my wedding to prepare ",

" Yes, ma'am. "

The two of them laughed before entangling from each other.

" Congratulations Scarlett ".

They both turned to Misha and saw Karine and Cynthia beside her. Scarlett felt awkward as she stared at them but she wore a smile,

" Thanks so much for attending, I appreciate",

" You're welcome", Karine replied, " even though it was unbelievable, guess the goddess loves you", she eyed,

" I can't imagine you'll be mating with the alpha this night; so lovely," Cynthia's statement made Scarlett blush.

" Ohh . someone is blushing", Elora immediately took the opportunity to tease her.

Karine eyed her in disgust.

" I'm not blushing," she tried to conceal, looking away, " where's mum?" she asked, referring to Dora.

" Oh, she left early, she had some business to attend but not without dropping her gift and the congratulatory message",

" Aww, so sweet of her, I'll call and thank her myself",

" Sure",

" Ma'am", a man in a suit walked into the room just then, he said after calling, "It's time to leave ",

" We're leaving now?",

" Yes, my master is waiting for you outside".

Master? That's probably her husband. They guessed.

They hugged her before sending her off to her husband whom she walked out of the hall with, hand in hand, smiling sweetly at each other. He looked at her with so much love and admiration that filled her up and brightened her day even more.

The way he held her hand, she felt seen and not lonely like she would normally feel. The two of them approached the waiting Lamborghini outside the hall, and after waving at their guests, they hopped in and left.

" I'm jealous of her," Cynthia pouted, " they look so beautiful together",

" Yeah," Elora said with a smile as she watched the car vanish out of sight.

Scarlett curled her fingers into a ball, her heart racing in nervousness and uncomfortable with the unsettling silence between them in the car. She doesn't know what to say or what to do, and his silence is troubling her.

" Umm," she muttered under her breath, gathering her energy to break the unsettling silence, " you look good today."

She bit her lips immediately when she said that.

Damien smiled before turning to her, " I have to. For my beautiful bride".

She blushed, " thanks",

" And the wedding dress is stunning",

" Re.really? It was Elora that picked it for me".

Damien swallowed, " she has beautiful eyes",

" Yes she does", she replied proudly, " I'm going to miss her",

" Don't worry about that, she can visit the house anytime she wants and you can go visit her too",

" I can?",

" Sure, why not? "

Scarlett beamed.

" You're my woman, and I will do anything to make you happy. "

She looked into his eyes with so much love and happiness, her heart melted with gratitude, and her eyes got teary as he took her hands into his till they got to his mansion.

Scarlett strolled in behind him, and they were both welcomed by the blonde lady who, again, was wearing a scornful expression.

Before Scarlett wonders who she is so much, Damien introduces,

" Scarlett, this is my sister, Moraine and this man is my assistant, Luke ",

" Hi", Scarlett said awkwardly with a bow,

" You're welcome, Mrs. Scarlett, "Luke welcomed.

Mrs Scarlett, that sounds so new and a reminder that she's married.

" Thank you ", she replied.

Without saying any other thing, Damien walked off. Not knowing what to do or say, she went after him and together they entered a bright room full of his scent.

Her eyes scanned around the simple cream-colored room; a little sculpture of a wolf was the only art sitting in the room. Her mind anticipated him introducing the room as theirs, but he loosened his tie, pulled off his shirt, and grabbed his face towel before striding into the bathroom.

Scarlett stood in the middle of the room, once again, not knowing what to do. She could see the day getting dark from the window and her ears heard the shower running next.

" He's taking a shower", she mumbled, " is it that ..", she touched her chest and felt her heart racing so fast, her cheeks were flushed as she thought of them mating. Her heart nearly stopped when she heard the shower stopped.

" I'll also go and take a shower", she said nervously as soon as he came out of the bathroom wrapped in a white robe.

Before she could walk past him, his statement made her steps halt.

" You do not have manners",

" Eh?", She turned back at him,

" I hate sharing rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms",

" Oh, I'm sorry",

" Which is why I'm going to set some rules",

" Rules?",

" Are you deaf?".

His harshness and cold tone took Scarlett by surprise; it was like there was a change of personality from the bathroom.

" Don't eat at the same table with me, don't step into my room, don't enter the study room without my permission, make yourself invisible, especially when I'm around; failure to do so, you'll end up in the basement. It's as simple as that".

Scarlett's heart felt so heavy hearing his rules, " did I do something?", she stammered, " I'm so sorry if I did ",

" Stop apologizing, it's irritating",

" What then should I do? I don't know what I do wrong ",

" Stop questioning me and get out!", he fired,

" I should leave? I thought we were going to..mate..".

Damien scoffed, looking back at her, "Mate? With you? What makes you think I'll ever mate with you? ".

" Hm?",

" I would never imagine myself mating with you, not with fungi who shouldn't be born. Now get out!".

Scarlett's mouth hung open with thousands of needles stabbing her chest as he looked at her like she was some insignificant object.