Chapter 1

Meeting my mate

“Why are you marrying him, Celine? He's not your fated mate!”

Those were the angry words of my best friend Slash Bridesmaid. I looked at her through our reflection in the mirror in front of us.

She's dressed in a yellow satin dress and has her hair cascaded to her shoulders.  

I'm dressed in a white gown, with my hair expertly and exquisitely packed in a bun and a tiara sitting on it.

It's like half an hour before I walk down the aisle and marry the love of my life, Ryder.

So does it make any sense that she's saying this now? Just when I'm about to walk down the aisle?

“Don't you have any doubts?” She continued. “Doesn't it feel wrong tying the knot with a man who isn't your fated mate? What if your fated mate shows up one day?”

“Then I'll bash his face in for taking too long.” I snapped, hating the route this conversation just took. I looked at her with a very serious expression. “I know you're worried, Ivy…”

“I'm not just worried. I'm scared. This whole thing feels like a big mistake.”

“Maybe because you don't know Ryder well enough. But I do. We've been together for five years. I know marrying him is the best thing that'll ever happen to me.”

“What if…what if…your fated mate shows up?”

I turned back to the mirror, taking a deep breath. “It won't change anything. I love Ryder. He's the man I wanna spend the rest of my life with…”

“Did someone say my name?” Ryder's voice resounded in the room. I turned excitedly and he was at the door, with the most mesmerizing smile I've ever seen. He was dressed in a black tux.

Ivy quickly stood in front of me, stretching out her hands to cover me from sight.

“With all due respect, Alpha Ryder. You're not supposed to be in here. You're not supposed to see the bride getting dressed. It's inauspicious.” Ivy said firmly, putting her hand up to stop him from getting any closer to me.

“Don't you think those superstitious beliefs have lost their relevance, huh, Ivy? I wanna see my bride. There's nothing inauspicious about it.”

He gently pushed her aside and came for me. I stood, jumping into his arms like a silly schoolgirl. He twirled me around while I laughed heartily.

“Are you ready, baby?” He asked, placing a bold kiss on my lips. “God, you look…amazing.”

“You look very dashing too,” I commended, admiring his stylishly designed tux. “And yes, I'm ready. I've been ready since the first day I saw you.”

The door slammed shut, and we both looked in its direction to see that Ivy just left.

“I might be her Alpha but I think she hates me,” Ryder pouted, his blonde hair letting go of a strand that fell to his face.

“Who? Ivy? No.” I laughed, cupping his face. “She doesn't hate you. She's just…” I stopped, wondering if I should tell him or not.

“What? Tell me.”

“She's worried, Ryder. She thinks we're both making a huge mistake. Since we're not fated mates.”

“So what if we're not fated mates? I love you. You're the love of my life and that's never gonna change. Even if my mate shows up tomorrow.”

Just what I thought. Ryder was the man for me. Even though we're not bound by the natural mate bond, our love was strong enough to hold us together. Forever.

“You're the love of my life too, Ryder. And even if I meet my mate today, or tomorrow, it's never gonna change anything. You're the man I wanna spend forever with.”

He smiled and kissed me again. “Good. So let's go get married. I can't wait to share a very erotic wedding night with you.” He winked.

“You're so naughty,” I giggled, while my cheeks burned red and my nub twitched in anticipation.

An hour later, I walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with the man I'll always love. Ryder.

The oldest elder of the Pack blessed our union and soon, it was reception time and we were all partying in the biggest hall in the Packhouse.

I was now wearing a short, backless white dress with a pearl necklace around my neck and white heels.

Ryder had ditched his jacket and folded up the sleeves of his shirt. We were both seated at our table, whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears.

Soon it was time for Ryder and I to dance. We swayed slowly to the music from the orchestra. His eyes radiated so much love for me and my heart swelled with happiness.

“You wanna know what I'm thinking?” He whispered.

“Sure. Tell me.” I grinned.

“I'm thinking of how to take off that dress in a few hours. Does it have a zipper or will I have to rip it apart just to get into you?”

“Gosh, Ryder…” I playfully swatted his arm and he laughed.

An hour and a few minutes later, Ryder was making an official, closing speech, thanking everyone for coming.

I was sitting, looking up at him. But then I felt a breezy effect and a flurry scent of lilies spiked with the sweet scent of chocolate invaded my nostrils.

My wolf became restless, tossing and squirming around the walls of my mind. Apologetically, I wasn't listening to Ryder anymore.

My gaze was running through the crowd and I was heaving. What was I looking for? Who was I looking for?

“Our mate, he's here.” My wolf replied, still creating mild chaos in my mind.

Our mate? No.  That's not…that's not possible. Not today of all days. But the scent got stronger and I was forced to stand abruptly and my seat toppled over.

Ryder looked at me with arched, creased brows. “Are you alright, Celine?”

“Yes…” but I wasn't looking at him anymore. I was looking at the man standing a few inches away from our table.

He was wearing a black suit, a little shorter in height than Ryder, and had brown hair.

We locked eyes and my wolf went hysterical, calling out to him.

“Celine,” Ryder's voice echoed but I wasn't listening. Everything else seemed to be fading into thin air.

My eyes were fixed on the man in front of me. He smiled and then his next words crashed my wedding party.

“Hello, mate.”