Riley stepped out of the car, his gaze shifting to the massive church in front of him. Its towering structure loomed over him, with its pristine exterior giving it a suffocatingly grand appearance. There was no one outside. Of course, they'd taken the back entrance. He was the bride—he wasn't supposed to be seen before the ceremony.
Inside the church, Glenn was waiting. His sharp suit and smug expression made Riley's stomach churn.
"It's time," Glenn said, his tone cold.
Riley didn't respond, his expression blank as he moved closer.
As they reached the doors leading to the hall, Glenn leaned in. "Don't even think about trying anything. No stunts, no running, no sudden decisions. If you mess this up, I'll make sure you regret it."
Why would he when his signature was already locked in the legal contract? Any reckless move would have torn his one last chance at freedom into shreds. Yes, he had plans.
Riley turned to him, a sarcastic smile tugging at his lips. "Relax, Glenn. I wouldn't dare ruin your perfect image." he said, putting emphasis on 'perfect image'.
Glenn's jaw tightened, but he said nothing as he grabbed Riley's wrist, gripping it tightly before leading him forward.
As the doors opened, Riley's eyes widened. The hall was packed with people—politicians, business moguls, and the wealthiest of the wealthy. All of them were seated, watching the aisle with anticipation.
They weren't here for him. They were here to see who was bold—or stupid—enough to marry Caspian Nightingale. Riley could feel their stares—some were pitying, some surprised, others blank and indifferent.
Who would want to marry a mentally unstable person or to put it bluntly, a fool? And not just that, an Alpha that was feared even despite his condition.
His heart skipped a beat, palms growing clammy as his eyes locked onto Caspian. Standing at the altar, his posture was calm, but the twitch in his jaw and the way he played with his fingers gave him away. Something about him screamed unrest, like a man trying to hold himself together but barely succeeding.
Caspian hadn't noticed the entrance yet—or maybe he had and didn't care. But when their eyes finally met, Riley's heart did a backflip, his breath catching.
Caspian he smiled at him and continued to play with his fingers. His eyes hold what Riley couldn't decipher.
He's just an inch away from him but Riley could feel the intensity of those eyes that seemed to wander from people to people as if he was unaware of the world around him.
For a moment, Riley stared at him as though he wanted to see through his dark brown eyes that seemed as if wars were waging inside them.
When he finally gets to the altar, Riley's breath hitches, his heart racing as he stares at the man before him. Caspian being close like this is even more endearing.
Wait…what the hell is wrong with him? Why did he suddenly want to get more close to this man?
He shouldn't be concerned about this marriage, but why couldn't he take his eyes off Caspian's face, who is now laughing as if he sees something funny?
The priest cleared his throat, breaking the tension that lingered in the air. 'We are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls bound by love and commitment."
Love and commitment my foot! Riley wanted to scoff, but he held it in. He won't have his rigid plans.
"Do you, Riley Moreno, take Caspian Nightingale to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
The priest's voice jolt Riley out of his thoughts. He didn't know he was that lost. He looked around, beholding guests' gaze. Their eyes were fixed on him, right on his lips, toas if they were competing for who would hear his response first.
He clenched and unclenched his fist, as his gaze dropped on Glenn, who was sitting on the left row silently giving him a silent warning not to mess things up.
As he was tear his gaze off Glenn, his eyes drifted to the left front row. Then he saw her, dressed in an all black clothens is Caspian's mother, she seat with the typical luxury.
She dressed as if she was here for a funeral, her gazed uninteresting set on him. Riley couldn't help the chill that ran down his veins as he held her gaze for a moment.
"Do you, Riley Moreno, take Caspian Nightingale to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
The priest repeated again, his uneasiness almost noticeable.
"I do." He was not in his right senses. Yeah, he's sure. He must be mad to think his escaping would be easy. Riley could already feel the unknown tension that settled on him.
The priest nodded and turned to Caspian, who was now staring at him with a wide-eyed look of confusion. His fingers fiddled nervously with the hem of his jacket, his lips twitching as if he was unsure whether to smile or frown.
"Do you, Caspian Nightingale, take Riley Moreno to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Caspian blinked at the priest, his brows furrowing. He looked at Riley, then back at the priest, his mouth opening and closing like he wanted to say something but didn't know what. He tilted his head, his confusion apparent. "What do I say?" he whispered, leaning closer to Riley, his voice carrying a mix of innocence and panic.
Riley stiffened at the unexpected question, his own nerves fraying as the room seemed to hold its collective breath. Without thinking, he leaned slightly toward Caspian, his voice low but firm. "You just have to say, 'I do,' Caspian."
Caspian's eyes lit up with sudden understanding, a smile spreading across his face. "Oh! Like in the movies!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying a childlike excitement. He turned to the priest, his posture straightening as if preparing for a grand performance.
"I do!" he declared, his tone cheerful and loud, drawing a few murmurs and chuckles from the guests. Then, as if remembering something important, he added, "I've seen this in a movie before! They always say 'I do,' right?"
Riley closed his eyes briefly, trying to rein in the rising heat in his face as the crowd's chuckles turned into full-blown laughter. When he looked back at Caspian, the man was grinning proudly, as though he had just passed some great test.
The priest, clearly caught off guard by the exchange, cleared his throat and nodded. "Well… yes, that's correct," he said, trying to maintain his composure. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you partners for life. You may now seal your vows with a kiss."
Caspian's smile faltered, his brow furrowing again. "A kiss?" he asked, looking at Riley with wide, questioning eyes. "Do we have to?"
Riley, trying to ignore the burning stares of the audience, leaned in just enough for his voice to reach Caspian's ears. "Yes, Caspian. Just a small kiss."
Caspian nodded eagerly, his face lighting up again. "Okay! Like in the movies too, right?" Without waiting for a response, he leaned forward and pressed a quick, clumsy kiss to Riley's lips.
"There! I did it!" Caspian said brightly, looking around the room as if awaiting applause.
The room erupted into polite claps, though Riley felt the weight of their amusement pressing down on him. Caspian, on the other hand, seemed utterly unbothered, waving to a few guests with his free hand as he gripped Riley's tightly with the other.
As they walked down the aisle together, Caspian leaned closer, his voice soft and filled with childlike wonder. "Did I do it right, Riley? Was it like the movies?"
Riley clenched his jaw, refusing to meet Caspian's gaze. "Yeah," he muttered, his voice tight. "Just like the movies."
But as he glanced at Caspian's bright, innocent smile, something inside him twisted painfully. This wasn't like the movies—it was chaos. And yet, despite the absurdity of it all,
Riley couldn't stop the faint tug in his chest, the inexplicable pull toward the man he'd just vowed to live with... at least until his plan was complete. After that, they'd go their separate ways, and Riley would finally be free of this sham of a marriage.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud, snide voice from the crowd. "Well, isn't this just precious?" A sharp laugh followed, biting and cruel, cutting through the polite applause.
Riley stiffened, his grip on Caspian's hand tightening involuntarily. He didn't have to look to know who it was. He recognized that voice—the mocking tone belonged to someone who thrived on humiliation.
Caspian, oblivious to the tension, tilted his head curiously, his wide eyes searching for the source of the voice. "Are they talking to us, Riley?" he asked innocently, his voice carrying a hint of confusion.