My armpits were sweating but I did not give it one mind. I dashed back towards the bridal suite, a pair of white pumps in my hand as I grabbed the door open. The pumps went flying over my head when someone stumbled towards me. Seemed like the person was leaning on the door.
I was able to grab the door frame in time to stopped the two of us from stumbling to the tiled floor. She's not exactly light. I think I've stretched my shoulder, damn it. I breathe a few times and the pain went dull. All thanks to their werewolf healing.
"I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself somewhere?" I assisted the girl back to her feet while I picked up the strewn shoes. I dusted it with my gown and looked at the girl properly.
It's Mia, one of the bridesmaids and Amalia's cousin, and Sally's close friend. The array of friends Sally gets everywhere astounds me most of the time. The good thing about it is that Sally picks them well.
"Oh no, don't even worry about it. It's my mistake for leaning at the wrong wall." Mia checks her gown, and I did check my own too. Sally would both kill us if she will even see a minute tear in our gowns. We both exhaled a sigh of relief when there's none. They need to remain calm today if they don't want a bridezilla for a bride.
"Are those the bridal shoes? Sally has been looking for them. You better give it to her, right now." the tilt in his smile told me that I would be in a Tiger's den really soon. I covered my mouth in horror. Mia nodded once, and together, we both enter the suit.
The sight of floating petals met our eyes. What the hell? I try to find the source and saw Sally rummaging a basket full of petals. It was the props for the flower girls later. "Where're my shoes!" she's mumbling as she went through the basket again, occasionally throwing the petals in the air. The place looks like a beautiful mess right now, the pink rose petals scattered everywhere.
I glanced at Mia, and she shook her head at me. She has tried but was unsuccessful. The hairstylist was sitting in the corner of the room, staring at the bride going crazy over her missing shoes.
"Sally, sit down." Slowly approaching the agitated woman. I grabbed her shoulder and spun her around to face me. Red-rimming her eyes and I hastily grabbed for the handkerchief on the vanity table.
"Oh no, you won't. You're not going to cry! You'll be ugly on your wedding day!" I beckoned for the make-up artist to come forward and do her job. They hailed from the next town, and they're here just for this occasion. The problem is, Sally's having the wedding jitters, and she has it bad. It is something weird for me to witness because Chris and Sally were like glued together. Also, they're mates. You can't be this agitated during your wedding day, can you?
"Mavvy, I don't know what I'm feeling right now," she mumbled, grabbing my arms. I facepalmed myself. Her eyes were dilated, and that pushed me to call for Chris and have him talk to her. Damn the traditions. It seems like Sally's in a euphoric state. It happens sometimes, it's the overwhelming happiness. The opposite of wedding jitters, but it's a tad stronger. And yes, she's about to cry.
The mindlink worked just fine, not a moment longer the people inside the bridal suite were jolted out of their seats when the door slammed against the wall. Chris's troubled face filled the doorway. The moment he saw the state Sally was in, he dashed right in, grabbing the girl into his arms.
I looked away. I don't really want to witness what I'll be missing if one doesn't have a mate. I heard the other maids murmured their concerns about meeting the bride before the wedding. The two lovebirds weren't having any of it. I think they need a little time for themselves.
"Let's give them a moment, please." I pulled Mia outside with me, eventually, the others followed.
'Chris just a few minutes, you've got a wedding to prepare.' it was a little hard to mind link Chris when he is preoccupied with Sally but I'm glad it went through.
It did take just a few minutes and Chris went out of the suite, smiling at me nervously. I was caught by surprised when he hugged me. "I'm so fucking excited." he beamed and I smiled back at him. Truly happy for the two. I tugged at his wayward hair and pushed him to the hallway, away from the suite.
"I know so get that hair of yours done. You'll get your bride later. I'll make sure she's not going to leave you at the altar." His eyes went round and gave me that knowing smirk. He adjusted the lapel of his suit, acting cool and I just rolled my eyes at him. This idiot just won't give his silliness a rest.
"She can stood me up but she'll never be able to escape me." I winced when he posed like Johnny Bravo. It's not even funny. He's a nut case, I'm telling you all. I looked at his eyes and shake my head when I saw the truth in his words, behind that silly grin. Poor Sally, she'll be stuck with this poor sod forever.
"Alright, just go ahead, you dumbass." I miffed at him and shut the door on his face. Smiling ludicrously, my attention went to Sally who's now sitting calmly on the vanity.
"I'm sorry you all. I was just so overwhelmed I made you wait." there's a tinge of tiredness in her voice and I took her in my arms. She needs it a lot.
"Sally it's fine. You're entitled to more of your episodes today. It's your wedding day after all." a tug on my bun got me squeaking in surprise. Sally was pouting at me, embarrassed.
We both bust out laughing and the rest of the team got working on her right away. I hand her the pumps and wore them, successfully boosting her short frame.
The rest of the day was thankfully smooth sailing. I got so busy with my duties and that I forgot to style my hair. My locks ended up loose behind my back. A simple pearl hairpin was clipped behind my left ear. Good thing was that Nora adjusted my gown to perfection. I can move in it without any problem. I almost panicked when I saw it a while ago but it was good.
I sighed in relief. I can finally relax a little. The newlyweds were now dancing to their heart's content. Among them were Alpha Cedric and Luna Eva. Followed by the rest of the pack members. My parents weren't able to attend the wedding. They've send their gifts instead. Also, I would love to dance myself but I'm drained.
The cushion feels heaven on my aching back when I took a seat. I've been standing the whole day and I'm wearing heels. It's killing my legs and my back at the same time. So imagine the cool softness of the chair comforting your sore muscles.
"Aren't you going to dance?" I was so out of it that I slid out of my seat in a flash. I looked at the person. I've told you all that the wedding was sailing smoothly. Yes, it was.
Almost.
In front of me was Luke's smiling face. His perfectly coiffed hair and dashing smile almost got me covering my eyes. He's just shiny.
He was invited by Chris. The two of them. According to Sally, they met through coincidence. Chris was frequently out of town last few weeks. Also busy with the wedding preparations. He was hands-on just like Sally. During one of those trips, his car broke down, got a flat tire and he forgot his tools. Atlas was luckily riding by and helped. They talked and the rest was history.
That must have been the reason why they were chatting days ago.
"As you can see, I'm exhausted. No, I'm not dancing." I deadpanned, taking my seat back and turn away from him. The frown on my forehead shows my displeasure. The day's almost over, why did Luke have to approach me?
A pull on my arm elicited a gasp from my muddled thoughts. I was ready to throw beef, face reddening, and looked back at the culprit. Again, it was Luke.
"What?" cheeks red in annoyance, I spat at him but it seems like he wasn't having any of it. Luke dragged me onto the dance floor and I planted my feet just to twist his attempt. But hey, I might be a werewolf but he easily took me with him. He placed my right hand on his shoulder and sway to the lively beat of the music. What the hell is he up to?
"Move your hips," he smiled at me and swayed around the floor. Rolling my eyes in earnest, I did. "I'm dead tired. I don't want this." I'm not a harsh person but I'm exhausted. I've been running all day and I just want the day to end.
"I know but you'll thank me for this." Luke speaking riddles is not my thing at all. He spun me around and let go of my hands. Since my legs were aching and my feet were not in it's best condition, I wobbled.
A series of tingles crawled in my arm and throughout my body as someone stops my impending fall.
Atlas.
Lines marring my head I looked back at Luke and find him dancing with one of the attendees. Why is he doing this? I can't even think of a reason. I thought we're going to fight for Atlas fair and square? Why is he helping me?
Tingles dances all over my body as Atlas pulled me close. If Luke's giving me this headstart then I'm going for it. The problem now is how am I going to talk with Atlas?
Awkwardly, looking at his buttons, I thought hard about what to ask. It took me a few uncomfortable minutes and I've asked him about something stupid.
"The ambiance is nice, isn't it?" I smiled at him, insides clenching in cringe. He only tightened his hold on me and my smile faltered. Right, let's just dance this one song.
"You look lovely in your dress, green suits you." he was looking over my head instead of answering my question. Those words got my weak heart dancing in robust. Even my ball of wolf swoons.
"You blend your makeup pretty well too," that got me tripping. He's also into make-up? I looked at his face and noticed the healthy dew of it. He's taking care of his skin well.
"Thank you," I muttered enough for him to hear. He spun me around and grabbed me back, unconsciously swaying to the music. To hell with my exhausted limbs.
A few moments of silence.
"Is this okay?" a looked around and I saw Luke still dancing. I looked back at Atlas, brows meeting in question. He looks down at me and I almost stop breathing. Perfection.
"What do you mean?" he queried while still paying attention to the music. He was making sure we are still in tune with the beat.
"Us, dancing together? You've told Luke about our situation. Won't he be uncomfortable with this?" he faltered. There was panic in his eyes. I bet my raven locks, he was panicking because I've found out about him telling Luke about our connection.
"Mavis, I can explain." the panic in his eyes manifested in his voice, I took pity and dragged him out of the dance floor. We've reached outside.
I walked a few steps ahead of him. Giving him a few moments to himself to come up with an explanation, though I already know.
Looking at him in distress might sound cruel but his composure really left him. I wonder if he was always this vulnerable Alpha to me or it's just his personality. Is he this soft or a total badass when facing his pack? Is he accepted by his pack despite his gender? I've got a lot of questions and I know they'll never be answered. It's sad.
I tapped his chest, bringing him out of his distress. Of course, I was not cruel enough to make it harder for him. I gave him my most charming smile and looked at the little lake in front of us.
"It's fine." the ever-reliable lie.