After the ceremony, everyone moves inside to the large tent set up for the reception. It comes equipped with a bar, tables, and a dancefloor for the guests to enjoy throughout the night.
It’s an odd sensation knowing most of the people here have fought one another in times past. I didn’t notice too much hostility during the ceremony, but that could be because I was so lost in my own issues.
Adrian was reluctant to hold my hand as we made our way to the reception. His calloused fingers wrapped around mine and the heat radiating from them was almost unbearable. His jaw was hardened the entire walk and he refused to look at me, his new wife.
It’s an odd feeling calling him my husband when things were like this between us. But in spite of that, my wolf is still jumping with joy knowing I’m married to my fated mate.
We sit in silence in the place of honor, watching as our packs enjoy the food and music.
My fingers are twitching in my lap as I decide whether or not to speak to Adrian. I hope he would respond to me—he can’t keep up the silent treatment forever—but I don’t know if my heart can handle being rejected by him again.
“How long are you going to ignore me for?” I finally say.
My voice comes out soft and timid, despite my effort to summon some courage. I’m feeling anything but confident at this moment.
Adrian’s jaw hardens again as his tongue flicks out of his mouth to lick his lips. He doesn’t speak, continuing the silent treatment.
“You can’t keep this up forever,” I sigh, frustration and anger building within me.
“Watch me,” Adrian answers through gritted teeth, making my eyes widen in shock.
Before I can say anything else, a group of women whom I don’t recognize walk toward the table with smiles on their faces. I push my frustration to the side and thank them for their good wishes for our marriage.
They must be from Adrian’s pack because his face softens a little as he quietly thanks them and tells them to have a great night. It warms my heart seeing him be kind toward these women, but then I remember how he treats me—and the shift in his demeanor that can happen in a split second.
I try to avoid eye contact with my mother and father, who sit to the left of our table. I know they’re worried about me and don’t want me to see the look of concern in their eyes.
My eyes scan the room and light on the couples on the dance floor, dancing to an upbeat song.
I swallow hard when I see the divide down the center of the makeshift wooden floor, a clear reminder that there is still tension between the Midnight and Greenwood packs. The subtle stares and dirty looks thrown across it don’t go unnoticed by me or anyone else in the tent. The tension is almost suffocating.
I turn to look up at Adrian to see if he’s watching these developments, too, but he simply sits with a bored and indifferent look on his face.
I spot Leila sitting at the same table as John, just a few feet away from us. Leila catches my eye and gives me a small wave.
It’s then I really look at John for the first time today. His lips are set into a straight line and his shoulders are taut like a spring ready to break loose.
I only now wonder how John must be feeling about me getting married to Adrian. He has always made it clear how much he likes me and thinks we should be together. I’m sure he feels hurt and confused by all of this.
It appears as if John is listening in on the conversation between a group of people behind him—who I don’t recognize, so they must be from Adrian’s pack. His jaw tenses, and his lips turn down in a frown.
The group bursts out laughing, and one of them high-fives a guy with short dark hair and a larger-than-life smile. John’s face twists in anger.
It isn’t until the young man gives John a dirty look does everything go from zero to one hundred.
My eyes widen in shock when I see John aggressively push himself out of the seat and march over toward the guy—whom I now recognize as Freki, the son of one of Adrian’s council members. John grabs him by the collar of his long-sleeved shirt.
I try to push myself out of my seat, but I stop when I feel a strong hand wrap around my stomach, forcing me to sit down.
My heart is in my throat as I turn to Adrian. However, he isn’t looking at me, but at the altercation happening before us.
“Leave it,” Adrian demands, his voice deep and low. It sends shock waves down my spine and into my heart.
Freki has a grin on his face, and it appears that he is taunting John about whatever is going on between them.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, man. I never said anything of the sort.”
John’s grip on Freki’s shirt tightens as anger spreads across his features. “Don’t spin that bullsh*t with me, punk. Just because you’re the son of a councilman, doesn’t mean I won’t kick your a*s.”
The people standing behind Freki take a step forward, ready to protect a member of their pack, but he holds out a hand to stop them.
“It’s okay, I got this. I’m not going to let this dirty wolf touch any of us.” A smile spreads across Freki’s face. “I never said a word about anyone in your precious pack. You must’ve misheard over the music. So, you better take your hands off me before you regret it.”
John’s face twists in anger. A gasp leaves my lips as he pulls his arm back with a clenched fist.
“Why you little—”
“Enough!” Adrian bellows from beside me as he slowly stands to his feet.
John releases the tight grip of Freki’s shirt and they both step away from each other. Freki lowers his eyes to the floor, unable to hold eye contact with Adrian.
I watch on in amazement at the way everyone in Adrian’s pack listens intently when he’s addressing them.
“Calm yourselves,” Adrian says, his eyes moving around the room as everyone watches him in silence. Even the DJ has stopped playing music. “I don’t want there to be any fighting tonight, got it? Enjoy the party.”
It isn’t until Adrian is sitting down and drinking out of his wine glass that the music starts up again and the guests return to what they were doing.
My heart is racing as I turn to look at Adrian, but he keeps his eyes focused forward.
“Thank you,” I breathe, not knowing what else to say.
Adrian swallows hard before turning his head to look at me. His eyes shimmer with emotion I can’t quite put my finger on before he turns away.
“I didn’t do it for you,” Adrian spits.
As it approaches midnight, the reception is starting to wind down.
Many people are stumbling out of the tent drunk as laughter fills the air. The DJ has already packed away his table and equipment and is out the door before anyone notices.
I’ve been nothing but miserable and sad the entire day. All I want to do is go home, crawl into my comfortable bed, and sleep my problems away.
“Alicia!” my mother calls out my name as she approaches me with open arms.
With furrowed brows, confused by her action, I let her embrace me.
Her sweet scent of strawberries and cream fill my senses and I relax under her warm touch. I inhale slowly, enjoying her comforting scent.
“We’ll see you soon, okay?” she mutters into my hair, hugging me tightly.
I stiffen at her words, wasting no time pulling away to look at her through furrowed brows. “What do you mean by that? Are you going somewhere with Father before we head home?”
As if he was listening in, my father ends a conversation with someone from our pack and then makes his way to us where we’re standing.
“Sweetie, you’ll be staying here. Did no one tell you?”
My mouth falls open in shock as my heart begins to race.
Right. I’m now a member of the Greenwood pack.