Novel & Cerita The Groomer

Zor says to save face and I catch a look of pure rage in her big eyes. I immediately stare her down as she takes Garlof's arm. Something is off with the female. Something that goes beyond being disappointed or embarrassed. "May I present this Harvest's first couple," the Kea says trying to sound excited for them. The crowd cheers, but not as loudly as past tournaments and I begin to feel bad for the Big Cok. He won the brawl and proved that he could at least handle himself against Burk, but Zor still wasn't satisfied. He is going to have a life filled with feelings of falling short if she does choose to mate him.

Even at the wedding, she invited only business partners—none of our relatives or friends. At the time, she said we were living in another city. Even if we announced the wedding, most people wouldn't be able to come, and it might look like we were angling for wedding gifts. She said it would be better to keep it low-key and celebrate with everyone another time when we returned to our hometown. Back then, I didn't think much of it. Looking back now, though, the whole arrangement felt like a roundabout way of making room for Zachary to play the groom.

After removing the veil from the bride's head and handing it to my husband, Ethan Stewart, I ignored the strange expressions on his and everyone else's faces. I, Nora Letterman, turned around and walked straight out of the wedding venue. Even after I left the venue, Ethan still didn't come after me. Behind me, there was thunderous applause. He and Mia Jenner were surrounded by the crowd as they walked onto the stage. I knew Ethan had already figured out that everything was Mia's doing. He just chose to let her have her way.

The contrast between a man who cared and one who didn't couldn't have been starker. By the time I emerged in my wedding dress, guests had filled the restored venue. Julian's people had worked quickly; no trace remained of this morning's destruction. Cole's eyes widened as I appeared. For an instant, something like wonder flickered there—before he looked away, jaw set. "Don't think just because Grandpa's got me cornered, I'll marry you willingly." I clutched my bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley, my voice serene. "When did I say you were the groom?"

"How about this? You hold the wedding with Fiona first, then go register again later. Let the two of you live your lives peacefully. Wouldn’t that be better?" Iris’s face went pale, but I gave her a reassuring smile. Then I turned back and shook my head at the three of them. "I didn’t want things to get this ugly. But since you insist on causing trouble at my wedding, don’t blame me for being rude." I signaled to my friends, who immediately understood. One of them escorted Grandma upstairs to rest. Another plugged the USB drive we’d prepared earlier into the computer. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us bear witness together."

In the mirror, the words "Used Stud" were plastered across my face in bold letters. The crowd around me jeered. "Look at that, a used stud. Fits him perfectly." "I heard he's a 30-year-old virgin. Total freak." "Seriously, the nerve of this guy to even throw a wedding. Talk about shamelessness." Just then, the door swung open, and my fiancee, Ariel Booker, walked in in her wedding dress. My friend, Patrick Morris, sauntered over with a smirk. "Ms. Booker, your dress is a bit messed up."

The nurses must have thought I was still unconscious, because they made no effort to keep their voices down. "He's that famous guy, isn't he? The groom whose wedding got postponed nine times?" "That's him. It was all over the news. I don't know what he's holding on for. The bride obviously doesn't love him." "They traded sighs for a moment, and then one of them suddenly pointed across the hall, her voice rising with excitement. "Look over there. That's the Prescott heiress with some guy at the pharmacy counter, and she's fussing over him like he's made of glass."

"Yes. According to the local time there, they should be welcoming the guests right about now." With that, he switched on the projector and played a real-time broadcast of the wedding. Cameron, clad in a bespoke suit, stood beside Rachel with a smile as they welcomed their guests. From the way he carried himself, it was clear he already thought of himself as the official groom. Beside them was Benjamin, looking obedient and adorable with a sweet smile on his face. Everything was proceeding as planned. Marcus personally handed Rachel over to Cameron, and with the guests there as their witnesses, the couple embraced each other and kissed passionately.

And Adrian— Adrian stood near the far wall. Not in his suit. In a tuxedo. Black jacket, sharply tailored. Crisp white shirt. Silk lapels that caught the light when he moved. A stylist stood close, adjusting his cuffs, straightening his collar. He stared past her shoulder, jaw tight, posture rigid. This wasn’t the composed executive. This wasn’t the man who controlled rooms with silence. This was a groom. The realization hit me with such force I had to steady my breathing. He didn’t look at me at first.

It shouldn't affect me, but it did. When he stepped closed, I mewled at him, letting him nose along my thick fur, rubbing his whole body against me. Grooming. The Alpha was trying to groom me. They say it's an act of affection, mostly performed in between mates and also newly mothers groom their pups. Why was his wolf so affectionate? Almost opposite of him. He rounded me multiple times until I could smell nothing but his thick scent sticking to my fur. Another way of showing his claim over me. Whatever it was, I was delighted in the feeling of being owned, being claimed by the Alpha.