*~Gabrielle's POV~*
I settled into the carriage the Alpha had sent for me, forcing my breath to steady as the door shut. The wheels lurched forward the moment I sat down. I leaned toward the small window, searching for Mother, but she was nowhere in sight. I was utterly alone in here.
"Are we going to the High House?" I asked the rider, my voice soft at first. No reply.
"Are you going to the High House?" I repeated louder. Still silence.
Rude. Though perhaps he simply could not hear..or would not.
The carriage rattled on until it finally stopped. I peeked out again and there it was: the High House, its dark walls blending with the silver moon. A chill slid down my spine as I stepped out, my heels stabbing pain through my feet, the gown cutting into my ribs like stone pressing against my back.
My sisters waited at the gate. Isabelle stepped forward and lowered a veil over my head, while Annabelle pressed a bouquet into my trembling hands.
"You will walk when they open the gates," Mother whispered in my ear. Her breath was cold, her tone sharp. I nodded quickly.
The gates creaked open, heavy and solemn. Levy appeared before us, My heart thundered in my ears as I stepped forward. Feeling like a bride which I am. It was only the second time I had walked into this place, yet the weight of every eye searing into me made it worse.
I dared not look up. Instead, I fixed my gaze on the bouquet—the wild bloom of colors was the only thing steadying me. But then I lifted my eyes, just once…
And I froze.
There, at the altar, stood the Gorgeous Monster. His smile was sharp, knowing, and it was aimed directly at me.
A startled gasp rippled through the guests as I halted. I blinked, once, twice, again—and his image melted away. Damien now stood there instead, smiling gently, waiting for me.
Relief washed through me… or was it disappointment? I could not tell. My stomach twisted into knots either way.
Step by step, I reached the altar. Damien extended his hand. I placed mine in his, and he kissed it softly. His lips lingered against my skin, sending heat racing to my cheeks. Those lips… soon I will finally taste them.
With his help, I climbed the altar stairs, the weight of the veil pressing heavily on me. We stood face to face, an old frail man between us, his hands trembling with the ceremonial book.
From the crowd, I caught Mother's eyes. She gave me a subtle nod, and I returned it, even as my heart screamed. Then she gestured—smile.
So I smiled. The fakest smile I could manage.
I did not want this wedding. Yet at the same time… Damien was perfect. Handsome, wealthy, powerful. Everything a woman could ever want in a man.
So why did this hollow dread refuse to leave me?
"Hm… hm…" The old man's cracked voice snapped me back to the present. He took the bouquet from my hands and handed me a paper covered in inked words.
"That's your wedding vows, my lady. You will speak them when I give the sign," he said. I nodded mutely.
He turned to the crowd, his thin frame suddenly filling the High House with a voice that rang like iron. "Greetings, people of the Riverdale Pack. Today, I welcome you to the wedding of our Alpha and our Pack Diamond—the White Wolf!"
Howls rose, echoing off the marble like ghosts.
"I, as priest, will join these two together today. Howls for the soon-to-be couple!" he cried, and the hall thundered again. Then his milky eyes found me.
"You may begin, my lady."
My throat tightened. "You shall read your vows to your husband," he added, gesturing me forward.
I moved slowly, the weight of the gown and the stab of my heels making every step a punishment. Finally, I stood before Damien, close enough to see the gentle curve of his smile as he nodded, reassuring me. Everything is fine, his eyes seemed to say.
I lowered my gaze to the paper and read, each word trembling but clear:
"I, Gabrielle Forbes, the White Wolf of her generation, vow to always stand by my husband, to become his pillar of strength, to continue his legacy, and to stay with him for better or worse."
When I finished, the room erupted in applause and howls.
The priest handed Damien his own sheet of vows, but Damien raised his hand, rejecting it.
"I don't need it," he said simply.
He stepped forward, closing the space between us—too close for wedding vows. He took both my hands and locked his bright yellow eyes on mine, swallowing me whole.
"I, Damien Moretti, Alpha of the entire Riverdale Pack, ruler of the lands of California, vow to love you with everything I own." His arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer.
I darted a glance at the crowd. Everyone was watching. No! Staring.
"I will stand by you every step…" He guided my hands to his shoulders. "I will be the husband of your dreams, make every moment of our marriage worth living, and make sure you feel loved until your last breath."
His fingers trailed my cheek. Oh no. Not only were his lips soft—his touch was too. A strange heat pooled low in my stomach.
"You are mine… from today to our last day," he finished.
Silence. The crowd stood stunned, as was I. Damien released me and stepped back.
"Well… that was certainly direct," the priest muttered, then clasped both our hands. "The vows have been spoken. With this flower"—he lifted the one he had taken from me. "we call for the Moon Goddess's blessing."
He shut his eyes and chanted. The flower ignited, burning to ash in his palms.
I jerked back in fright, but Damien caught me. "It's fine, dear. It's just the Goddess sending her blessing."
I nodded slowly..
"The Goddess has blessed this union," the priest announced. "We now present them as husband and wife—as soon as they share their first kiss."
First kiss? My heart lurched. Now? His soft lips on mine…
The priest beckoned Damien forward. His gaze dropped to my mouth as though he'd been starving for it.
He closed the distance. My heart pounded so hard I could hardly see. I shut my eyes, bracing for the first, best kiss of my life when—
"STOP THE WEDDING!"
A voice, familiar, thunderous—ripped me from my kissing fantasy. My eyes flew open.
The doors of the High House burst inward, splintering into shards across the marble. Gasps tore through the crowd as wolves shifted, taking defensive stances.
Through the chaos, a single figure walked in, golden eyes burning like molten suns. Time itself seemed to slow. He was the only one in motion.
Step by step he came closer. His face sharpened in my vision until I could barely breathe. Damien's hand slipped from mine. His eyes widened in shock.
Mother stumbled backward. And I gasped.
"Lucien…?"
"Gorgeous Monster…?"