Chapter 3- A thousand lanterns

Asher 

The ballroom was alive with anticipation, every corner was adorned with flowers and delicate decorations in preparation for the wedding. The air was thick with the sweet scent of blooming roses, and the hall echoed with laughter and sounds of joyous conversation. 

The sudden gasps from everyone in the hall were enough to bring me straight out of my clouded thoughts. I opened my eyes and they fell on Kayla as she walked down the aisle all dressed up in a white lacy silhouette-adorned ball wedding gown. The dress was a masterpiece, an intricate design of lace and silk that made her look like a fairy tale princess. The lace was flowing gracefully down the length of the dress, trailing behind in a gentle cascading train. There were delicate flowers and small gems studded on the front that caught the light and glimmered like a thousand twinkling stars. Her transparent veil also had the same flowers and gems running down its length. It cascaded like a waterfall of tulle.

 Her long curly black hair was braided with flowers and jewels in it, left to flow gracefully down her slender back. Soft hues of rose and gold adored her eyes, making them shine with a luminous depth. Her lips were a shade of scarlet red, and her cheeks had a natural flush, making her look like the very essence of beauty. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my heart beginning to race. This was a marvel, and she was just for me. In a few moments, she would be officially married to me. The thoughts alone made butterflies erupt in my stomach and I felt my skin tingle as a nervous shiver went down my spine. My wolf roared in my head, feeling exhilarated to see her all dolled up for me… for us.

The huge ballroom suddenly felt too small and all the air in the world did not seem enough to fill my lungs. My heartbeat was roaring in my ears as I took in her beauty that shone radiantly, nothing short of a thousand lanterns. She looked like an angel. A Goddess. 

For a minute, I simply stood up, drinking her features. How could she be blissfully ignorant of what she was doing to me? I couldn't help it as I felt a rush of emotion swirl straight in my head. I tried to mask any trace of emotion from my face as she walked closer to me. I could see the nervousness in her body language. Her hands on the bouquet were shaking and her eyes were on the ground most of the time. Not once did she look at me and I was grateful for that. Those alluring eyes of hers have a way of messing with my body in a way. A feeling that I’d rather not put myself through right now.

She came and stood opposite me. I looked down at the crowd of people in the hall and my eyes immediately took notice of Kayla’s family. Their gaze was fixed on me, flashing with murderous rage and filled with bitter hatred. They all looked ready to snap any second and murder me. But the only person I wanted to know about was Kayla. I couldn't figure out what she felt, there wasn't any single emotion embedded in her gaze. I couldn't tell if she wanted this wedding as much as I did. 

Her feelings shouldn't be none of my business. I tried so hard to remind myself that the wedding was just a farce with no feelings involved. But could it be… My gaze flicked outside through the huge window. I was not even aware that it had already begun to grow dark. The faint outline of the moon was peeking out from the clouds and I offered a silent prayer to the Goddess, who I know observed us from her throne up in the sky. I took a deep breath as the painful memory of that day easily stabbed the wound left on my mind and my heart. I had to fight my past memories from resurfacing. I had thought remarrying someone would be difficult but it felt entirely different like a greater part of me was elated.

“ Please, hold each other,” the wedding officiant declared. An elderly wolf, accompanied by a few other unfamiliar faces, moved closer to us.

Kayla’s hands were shaking and all sweaty as she brought them forward, I reached for it and held it gently. And when I did, a new surge of electricity rippled through me. I tried my best to focus on the woman before me but it bothered me that even up until now she wasn't looking at me directly. It seemed like she was avoiding my eyes for some reason. Maybe she was scared of me, I needed to stop her discomfort and fear and make her comfortable around me. 

I shouldn't care, I shouldn't be worried about what she thinks about me. But somehow the other side of my emotions kept dominating. I noticed the way her face flickered with several emotions when we were asked to exchange the rings. I felt the warmth oozing out of her skin and penetrating mine when I took her hand in mine to slip a ring into her finger. I felt a greater part of me come alive. I couldn't focus on the rest of the events, I also did not remember much of what the wedding officiant said or what holy text he read to announce us as husband and wife. 

“ I hereby now pronounce the two of you, husband and wife..  Now you may kiss the bride.” 

Immediately my body tensed and I felt a thousand emotions surge through me. My heart plummeted as if the world had suddenly stopped turning. I hadn't thought a day would come when a simple kiss would make me all sweaty and nervous. My eyes fell on her plump red lips and I had to stop the groan that wanted to escape from my mouth.What have I done? What have I gotten myself into? She hasn't done anything yet but the walls around my heart have begun crumbling.