CHAPTER 3 : THE FEELING'S FOR ROSEMARY

“You are my only mate, Ariana.” His words were smooth—but his eyes remained locked on the direction Rosemary had walked away in, as if part of him wasn’t convinced.

A FEW HOURS EARLIER

Back at Rosemary’s father’s house. The night was quiet. The wind whispered through the trees, and the moonlight bathed her room in pale silver.

She sat in front of her mirror, pulling up her sleeve to examine the reddish mark left on her arm when Austin had dragged her earlier.

It had stung then, but now the pain was fading.

She reached for a cotton swab and a bottle of ointment, ready to clean the wound—but just as she touched her skin, she froze.

The mark… was healing.

Rapidly.

Right in front of her eyes.

Within seconds, the redness was gone. Her skin looked untouched—smooth, pale, and perfect.

Rosemary blinked, shocked. “Here it comes again,” she whispered to herself. “Always healing so fast… never had a cut last longer than a night.”

She stared at her reflection, her thoughts spiraling. “Eighteen years of this... I guess that’s a good thing, right?”

But there was doubt in her voice.

BACK TO PRESENT

Now in the guest room of the Vinci mansion, Rosemary sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall.

She couldn’t get Austin’s strange behavior out of her mind. The way he stared at her. The way he yanked her collar like he was searching for something.

She muttered, “What was he even looking for?”

Before she could dwell on it, her phone vibrated on the side table. She reached for it, half hoping it was someone calling to cancel this ridiculous arrangement.

But it wasn’t.

Wedding Reminder – Tomorrow, 10:00 AM.

Location: Vinci Mansion – The Dawn Ceremony.

Rosemary stared at the screen for a long time, then whispered to herself, “Oh right… The dawn wedding’s tomorrow.”

The grand Vinci mansion was filled with whispers and tension as the wedding ceremony began under the golden morning sun. Guests sat in neat rows, the elite of werewolf society watching with curious eyes as the human girl walked slowly down the aisle.

Rosemary’s steps were steady, but her heart thudded with doubt. Dressed in a pale cream gown that shimmered with moon-thread, she looked every bit the Luna they expected. But inside, she felt like a stranger walking into a storm.

Austin stood at the altar, tall and unreadable in his tailored black suit. His expression didn’t flicker as she approached. He didn’t offer his arm. He didn’t smile.

He didn’t even look at her.

The priest cleared his throat, lifting the sacred book in his hands. His voice echoed in the silent hall.

“Alpha Austin, do you take Miss Rosemary to be your lawfully wedded wife…”

As the priest spoke, Austin leaned toward Rosemary, his voice barely above a whisper. Cold. Sharp.

“Let me be clear. This is an arranged marriage. I already have a mate,” he said. “So do yourself a favor and stay in your place, human.”

“…to have and to honor, to lead and protect,” the priest continued.

“Yes. I do,” Austin said without hesitation, but his jaw tightened as if the words tasted bitter.

The priest turned to her. “Miss Rosemary, do you take Alpha Austin to be…”

Rosemary leaned in too, keeping her voice steady despite the anger bubbling in her chest.

“You don’t like this marriage?” she whispered. “Well, finally something we agree on. Trust me, you’re the worst possible pick for a woman’s ‘lawful husband.’”

“…to take and to hold?” the priest finished.

“Yes,” Rosemary said firmly.

There was a ripple of murmurs across the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, with the power vested in me,” the priest announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Alpha Austin, you may kiss your bride.”

Austin leaned in, planning to only graze her cheek and play his part. But the moment their lips touched, something shifted.

The kiss was supposed to be empty.

But it wasn’t.

It deepened for a second longer than it should have. Just a second.

Enough to shake them both.

When Austin finally pulled away, they were staring into each other’s eyes—confused, breathless.

What was that? Rosemary thought, her heart pounding. I must be out of my mind.

The priest smiled. “You may now crown the Luna.”

Austin stepped back sharply. “She doesn’t need that. The wedding is over.”

The crowd stirred again. Confused whispers buzzed.

Before anyone could ask questions, Ariana suddenly appeared beside Austin, sliding her hand into his. She smiled sweetly at the crowd like she’d won.

Again.

Later That Evening…

Rosemary sat in front of a mirror in her guest room, the wedding dress now replaced with a simple robe. She stared at her reflection, touching her lips without thinking.

Why did he kiss me like that? What did it mean?

Then she shook her head.

“Get it together,” she said to herself. “He’s nothing more than an arrogant jerk. That kiss meant nothing.”

A knock came at her door, followed by a cheerful voice. “Nice move at the wedding. You scared the hell out of your groom.”

Rosemary turned to see a girl walking in with two drinks in hand. She had a playful smile and eyes that sparkled with curiosity.

“I’m Maya,” she said, handing over a glass. “Austin’s sister. We’re gonna be besties in this pack, like it or not. Come on, don’t give me that look.”

Rosemary hesitated, then accepted the drink. “Sorry, it’s just… you don’t seem like your brother.”

Maya laughed. “Yeah, he can be a real pain sometimes. But he’s not that bad. He just needs time.”

Rosemary sipped and replied, “It’s fine. I don’t really care. I have more important things to worry about.” She paused. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Anything.”

“Have you ever heard of a couple nearby who lost a child… about 18 years ago?”

Maya’s face changed slightly. Her voice lowered. “Is this about your birth parents?”

Rosemary nodded. “Yes.”

“I heard that Lucy’s family treated you really poorly. I’m sorry for that,” Maya said softly. “But I’ll help you. We’ll find your real parents, I promise.”

Just then, Maya’s phone rang. She smiled and held up a finger. “Give me a sec, I need to take this.” She stepped out.

The room fell quiet.

Until the door creaked open again.

It wasn’t Maya this time.