"You may exchange rings as a symbol of your unity and your promise to one another," the Elder says.
Zedkiel takes the double banded ring that is set with tiny red jewels and one large one and holds his other hand out to me. I place my hand in his, hearing Sinclair mutter my name, but I don't look, not right now.
This is my moment, the moment I will give myself wholeheartedly to this deal, to my freedom. From today, Evangeline Rose, the omega, is gone. From today, Evangeline Vilkas, Luna to Alpha Zedkiel Vilkas, is born, and the key to my freedom will be almost within my grasp.
He slides the ring onto my finger, my heart racing as I stare down at it. A perfect fit.“Luna Evangeline, your turn.”
I place my bouquet down and reach over, taking the ring from the box. He holds his hand out, his eyes boring into mine. My heart thunders as I remember it all… the way he found me… the way he protected me… the nightmares… him drinking my blood… that he had hurt me… The good and the bad…
Confusion and turmoil fill me until I push it all away, sliding the ring onto his finger. His fingers curl around mine, and he raises my hand to his lips, kissing it. My eyes widen as I blush.
"I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Zedkiel grips my waist, pulling me close. Our eyes meet, and there's no emotion in them, but when he leans down, kissing my lips so softly, it's a stark difference compared to how hard his eyes were. I can feel this. It makes every pore on my body tingle. He moves back as everyone claps.
The truth settles in, and we both turn to the guests. My heart is racing, and I take a shuddering breath, realising I am now officially Zedkiel's wife.
-----
Over an hour has passed. After our wedding, Ragnar took his wife and I was initiated into the pack. Then we had dinner, and I now excuse myself so I can go to the bathroom. I just needed a moment to breathe. I had acted gracefully over dinner, and now we are walking around the small hall. I felt Grandmother Philomena watching me several times, but I refused to acknowledge her – until now. Zedkiel is talking to some other alphas, and Grandmother Philomena approaches me.
"To think that you would go from an omega slave to Luna." She smiles slightly, but it doesn't reach her eyes.
"Yes, it seems so," I reply, sipping my wine.
"Hmm," she says, her lips pursed.
"Excuse me," I say, not wanting to talk to her any longer. Not waiting for a reply, I leave the hall.
I can't even explain my own emotions. I have never behaved so coldly, and for the first time, I don't feel guilty, and I don't worry about pleasing her. Sighing, I let my shoulders slump and head to the bathroom.
Looking at my reflection, I feel as if I don't recognise the woman looking back at me. I fix my makeup, topping up my lipstick and taking a moment to breathe before I step out into the hall. I am halfway back to the hall when suddenly, someone grabs my arm, yanking me behind a pillar. A scream almost leaves my lips, but a hand over my mouth cuts me off.
I glare at my captor, only to see Sinclair looking down at me, standing far too close than is appropriate. I push him back, my heart thundering. If Zedkiel finds out, he will lose it!
"What do you want?" I hiss, looking down the hallway.
My curt voice takes him by surprise, and he frowns, raising a hand to my cheek. I instantly smack it away before he can touch me. "Today is my wedding day, Sinclair. Do not overstep your boundaries," my voice is cold, and his frown only deepens.
"Angel, I told you I will save you. I know you're feeling upset, but I texted and called so many times. Did you even turn the-"
"Stop it." I glance down the hall once again before looking back at him. He'll never understand me. I had seen the mark on Celia's neck, he had already chosen his Luna and marked her, too.
"Look, Sinclair, I don't need saving. I'm happy as Zedkiel's Luna. He treats me well."
He scoffs in disbelief. "You're delusional, Angel-"
"Do not call me that. It's unfair not only to me and Zedkiel but also to your Luna," I state, walking out from behind the pillar.
"Angel! Listen to me, you're mine, and I told you I'll take you away-"
"To what, Sinclair? A life as your side piece? A side piece with Celia as your mate? The one who treated me the worst at school," I say bitterly.
"I never knew that."
"Maybe, but this is a sign. We were never meant to be, Sinclair, and you are not the one I needed to save me. I don't need saving." I gather my skirts, ready to return to the hall when Sinclair grabs my upper arm tightly. The pain of his rough pull makes me whimper as I feel it in my shoulder.
"Don't be jealous, you know I want-"
"No. I don't care what you want. I'm married, and you will do well to respect that. This is goodbye, Sinclair!" I hiss, pulling free from his hold and heading back to the hall. I all but run, not wanting anything to do with him anymore.
Celia… that disgusted me.
Re-entering the hall, I see Zedkiel's gaze fall on me. My heart skips a beat, but it isn't because of his gaze but the anger that I can see in those eyes. He walks towards me, taking hold of my chin in a painful hold as he leans closer. His thumb brushes the side of my lip, and I realise my lipstick was smudged, his warm breath fanning my ear. "I can smell him."
Fear envelops me as I turn my head, wanting to clarify that nothing happened, but before I can speak, his grip tightens on my chin, but it's the words that leave his lips that truly hurt. "You disgust me."