Chapter four

THE WEDDING.

RICO'S POV.

I lay on my bed, my arms wrapped around the pillow as I drifted off, my eyes closed, sinking deep into the realms beyond.

“Rico, it's a few minutes to your wedding, I guess you had a long day yesterday.” I struggled to raise my eyes to the door. That was my beta's voice, I thought, my mind racing with different scenarios.

“Wedding?” I quickly rose from the bed, shrugging off the fatigue. I felt a minor muscular fatigue around my shoulder.

“Lycan king, can I come in?” Elvis asked, knocking repeatedly on the door.

“I'm coming,” I replied, my voice still husky from sleep.  I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear the fog of disbelief and confusion that was overwhelming me.

Was I given a second chance to correct my wrongs? Is history repeating itself? Wait, my eyes widened in shock as I sprang out of the bed, rushing to the door. My hands tremble on the knob.

Was I reborn?

I stared at the mirror searching for signs of change. My eyes, my nose, my lips everything looks the same. Yet, something felt different, a sense of Deja Vu washed over me as if I had lived this moment before.

I turned away from the mirror and made my way towards the door. Another voice reached my ear as I approached closer.

“Elvis is the Lycan not coming out to address the people?” that was Freya's voice,  I hastily twisted the knob and opened the door, revealing Elvis' smiling face in the corridor.

I took a deep breath and stepped out into the corridor, my eyes scanning the area for a glimpse of Xenia. Freya's gaze met mine, and I could sense a hint of impatience.

"Who are you looking for, Lycan?" she asked, taking steps closer to me. Her eyes rolled seductively as she moved closer, and she placed her hands on my chest, sliding them into my black striped robe.

I brushed her hands away from my chest, grasping her wrist. My mind raced with possibilities of colliding with Xenia at the entrance, and making things right with her weighed heavily on my heart.

My curiosity was killing me until Elvis finally broke the silence. "Rico, my apologies for the statement I might be utterly hurtful," he said.

"You're acting weird," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"That's because I want my mate," I said.

"I just want to set my eyes on Xenia before the wedding commences," I added, sending everyone rearing backward.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little dolphin," Freya stuttered from behind me, clapping gently until she finally faced me. She furrowed her brows and folded her arms across her chest, then slanted her stance.

"I knew your weird behavior was because of Xenia," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Anyway, her arrival will be announced in the next fifteen minutes." With that, she turned to leave, swaying her hips to probably attract my attention, which she failed at.

All I could think about was just Xenia and seeing her.

I watched Freya leave, feeling a bit of emotion swirling inside of me. I was anxious to repair the bridges that were hindering my duo with Xenia in our first life.

Now that I was given a second chance to make things right, I needed to act fast, but would she reconsider? I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feelings.

Just then, a loud announcement boomed through the hall's speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, we proudly announce the arrival of the bride, Xenia Darkfire. Please join us in awaiting the arrival of Lycan, the King."

As the announcement echoed through the hall, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, and made my way back into my room, Elvis followed behind, and the door slammed shut immediately.

"Rico, you have five minutes to don your ceremonial attire,  your black tuxedo, silver vest, and the royal cloak adorned with the crest of your pack before the wedding ceremony begins,” Elvis reminded me, his hands moving urgently through the clothes in the wardrobe.

My mind flashed back to my past, the first time I wedded Xenia, and I smiled nostalgically as I stood beside the wardrobe, gazing at Elvis. This very outfit had been a symbol of our love and commitment back then, and now it was about to symbolize our forever bond.

             *************************

The sun had set out casting its glow over the gathering, the air was alive with the scent of earth, and the glamorous cheers from the people filled up.

I stood tall, my eyes gleaming with excitement, as I watched Xenia, standing at the other side of the circle formed by the pack members, their hands clamping each other's shoulders. “Thanks to the moon goddess for making this day an opportunity to make things right” I mumbled softly, sighing in and out repeatedly.

"The Lycan King will step forward for the bonding, reciting the ancient hymn of bonding as he enters the circle." The eldest among the fifteen elders endowed with red robes, reciting the hymns continuously, the pack members bowed their heads, their eyes closed in reverence, I stepped into the circle.

I need her by my side immediately, the thought of having her stand beside me to tie the knot sends a shiver down my spine. I feel the cold breeze caress my skin, a poignant reminder that I had a second chance to re-write a past wrong.

An improbable event that only existed in the annals of legendary Lycans, and yet, it's repeating itself in my lifetime.

As I stood there, my heart racing with anticipation, She appeared beside me, her eyes shining with a fierce light. Together, we faced the elders that had emerged from forward for the bonding, our bond wasn't as strong as before, something wasn't right, I could feel it. I turned to face her but she gazed sideways.

I can't pick up her scent, even with her closeness. “Xenia…” I tried to whisper, but her eyes flashed a warning, silencing me. What's going on, Is she now a different Xenia with a cold heart, was she also reborn?

My palm grew sweaty at the thought, as I hoped not.