Chapter 3
Merrick's POV
I can't believe I am doing this.
I find myself walking in the empty cathedral just a few days before my wedding. I take a seat on one of the pews that had just been decorated with lilies and gold. As I look around I see the vision that Alliyah had imagined. The moon lilies were always her favorite and they only grew here in Dashpointe. I planned everything the way she had talked about it just a few years ago. She was the love of my life and here I was 2 days away from betraying that love. I felt disgusted with myself. I really wish you were here Alli, You belong here! Not some princess who I've never met.
My head bent as tears escaped from my eyes. Almost 2 years to the date I lost her. The Spears had found her alone while she was away from my protection and injected her with silver, enough to kill 3 Lycans over and she was a lowly Werewolf. She didn't stand a chance and the silver overtook her quickly. She died a few moments after I arrived, in my arms. For months every time I closed my eyes she was all I saw. Her long blonde hair in the breeze and her skin smelled of sunshine.
My father had chosen for me, to marry another, as his last act before he succumbed to cancer that grew in him. Now as Duke I could unmake it, but Duke of Lumanaris begged me not to overturn the decision. He had made a good point about strengthening the ties that hold our kingdom together. Honestly, I was content with being alone, but if it help secure the kingdom and protected the pack and clans I was willing to do whatever it took. The kingdom is my duty and I could not let my family down.
I felt raindrops hit my face when Joseph pulled at my shoulder. "Come on Merrick, are you really going to be late for your wedding?"
I look back at him and then at my watch. I finish the last bit of Dalmore in my glass. Maybe if I drank it would not feel like such a betrayal to my true mate. Joseph took the glass out of my hand and propped me up against the building. "I know things are rough man, but you should really be sober" he scoffs and rolls his eyes at me.
I had known Joseph all my life and we grew up together. My father and his worked together so naturally, we saw each other all the time. He was now Joseph Nicolette, Marquis of Ruedon, a neighboring region to Dashpointe. He and his wife helped me get through the death of Alliyah.
I made it to the altar just in time to see everyone standing as my new bride cascaded her way there. "She looks almost as unhappy as you", Joseph poked.
I just rolled my eyes, neither of us wanted to be here. Abigail, Joseph's wife gave me a half-hearted smile and she grabbed Joseph's hand and told him it was time to be seated. She stopped before she went to take her seat, her hand on my shoulder, " You deserve to be happy Merrick, Alliyah would have wanted that. Just give her a chance."
Her sweet smile faded as she walked away. My bride takes the first few steps up the altar I say to myself, Time to get this show on the road.
The ceremony was a fog for me...as if I wasn't there. I vaguely remember the vow and thanks to the Dalmore, I remember even less what I promised my new wife. I remember saying Alliyah's name, seeing her in front of me, and with an eyeful of tears, she was gone replaced by the other creature. My first impressions of Eleonore were not terrible. I mean she was not bad to look at...Her curls bounced as she nodded and her breast were supple.
Not bad to look at, eh? My inner Lycan gave her a good once over. She smells like lavender and vanilla. I gave the air around me a good sniff. She must have thought I was crying as she handed me a tissue. As I bring the tissue to my face her scent envelopes me, the first time I had smelt anything remotely good in a while. Since... Alliyah.
After the ceremony, everyone of importance congratulated me on my new bride. To my surprise, my aunt had shown up. I could tell by the way she looked at my new bride she did not approve. I felt anger boiling up inside me as she made some unsavory remarks at Elenore, but she just smiled and kissed her hand. Which made me smile, she at least knew her way around the delicate whims of the upper class. Surprisingly she wrapped her arms around me and asked to leave without actually saying those words. Very clever, I thought to myself walking to the Limo that awaited us.
Once inside I searched for the right words to say to my new bride sitting across from me. I tried to apologize but I couldn't bring up Alliyah again. The ride was about 45 mins and we sat in silence for most of it. I tried to make small talk but in the end just took out my flask, trying to drink myself into a coma.
Offer her some you idiot, my Lycan pushed. Extending the flask she took a few drinks, I chuckled to myself at the expressions she made trying to down as much as she could. Ask her about her Lycan...Until the mark is made, he won't be able to mind link with her. My Lycan had a mind of his own. He never wanted to be alone and after losing my true mate he was sure I'd be alone, but Lycans are not lone beings. The alpha that runs in my blood would have made me take a chosen mate sooner or later. Better to serve two purposes than spend the rest of my life alone.
When we arrive at the reception I am surprised to find we are not the first ones there. I slid out of the seat to step out of the car. Offer her your hand, you idiot my wolf growled. I look back inside to find my bride asleep against the window. Well, what do I do now? I ask my lycan. I feel a rough hand grab my arm and look up the see my father-in-law.
"Is everything ok, Dashpointe?" his eyes wondered where he might find his daughter. I motioned to the back of the car and the sleeping bride. He smiles then gives me a stern look. " She is the most precious thing own, and she is now yours. You must promise me that you will look after her better than your last mate."
Fury rages from the inside of my chest as I slam the door shut.
"How dare you! You know nothing of my true mate!" I feel my fist ball up my claws extending ready to attack.
"Be careful there son, I didn't mean any offense. I just mean that Ella is special and she can't be put in harm's way. Promise me that you will watch over her." I feel my blood boil, what makes her so special??
"Take her home, best not to wake her up. She can be a handful" he smiled as he walked away.
Pissed off I thought of going after him but decided to fight that fight another day. Settling back into the car, I see that my bride was still asleep even after the events that happened moments ago. I dig into the fridge and pull out one of the bottles that had been placed for the occasion. Taking a few swigs of the bubbly champagne, and instruct my guard to head home. Tomorrow we will have our honeymoon, tonight it's time to take the Duchess home to Greenvine Manor.