2. Walking down the Aisle

The morning of Serena's and Damon's wedding dawned bright and clear, as Serena prepared to embark on the next chapter of her life.

Despite the festivities that awaited her, Serena felt uneasy as she sat in the opulent dressing room, her face pale, almost ruining her makeup.

As she stared into the mirror, Serena's thoughts drifted back to what she saw the previous night, the memory of seeing Damon and Kiera locked in a passionate kiss burning hot in her mind.

Anger and hurt bubbled inside of her, threatening to spill over as she struggled to come to terms with the harsh reality of her situation.

Lost in her thoughts, Serena barely heard the sound of the door opening, her attention snapping back to the present as Kiera stepped into the room.

The sight of her former best friend sent a surge of anger coursing through Serena's veins, her jaw clenched tight as she struggled to contain her emotions.

"Serena," Kiera said softly, her voice tinged with apprehension. "We need to talk."

Serena's eyes narrowed with anger as she turned to face Kiera, her words laced with bitterness. "I don't want to hear anything you have to say," she snapped. "Not after what you did."

Kiera flinched at Serena's harsh tone, her eyes brimming with regret as she took a step closer. "Serena, please," she pleaded. "I need you to understand..."

But Serena cut her off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Understand what?" she demanded. "That you betrayed me? That you stabbed me in the back? That you kissed my husband-to-be a day before my wedding? Make it, make sense."

Kiera's shoulders slumped in defeat, as she struggled to find the right words. "I never meant to hurt you, Serena," she murmured. "I was just..."

"Just what?" Serena interrupted with scorn. "Caught up in the moment with him? Is that supposed to make it okay?"

Kiera's eyes welled with tears as she reached out to touch Serena's arm, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I messed up, Serena," she said softly. "But please, I need you to forgive me, and hear me out."

But Serena recoiled at Kiera's touch, her anger flaring anew as she pushed her away. "Forgive you?" she spat. "After everything I've done for you? After all the times I've stood by your side? Despite being a lone wolf, I took you in to fit with other werewolves as a pack and this is how you want to repay me?"

Tears streamed down Kiera's cheeks as she watched Serena with a mixture of sadness and remorse. "I'm sorry, Serena," she whispered. "I truly am."

But Serena was beyond listening, her heart hardened against the pain of betrayal as she turned away from Kiera, her eyes burning with fury. "Get out," she said icily. "I don't want to see you here."

Kiera nodded silently, as she turned and made her way towards the door. With one last sorrowful glance at Serena, she slipped out of the room, leaving Serena alone with her thoughts.

With a deep breath, Serena rose to her feet and smoothed down her dress, her resolve hardening with each passing moment as she walked out of the dressing room.

When she made her way down the aisle with her father beside her, the eyes of both families and guests fixated on her. Serena held her head high, her expression stoic despite the turmoil raging within her.

At the altar stood Damon, his posture rigid and his gaze cold as he watched her approach. As Serena reached the front of the aisle, Damon offered her a tight-lipped smile that did little to ease the tension between them.

She returned the gesture with a forced smile of her own, her eyes flashing with hatred as she took her place beside him.

The officiant began the ceremony, his words falling on deaf ears as Serena's mind raced with questions and doubts.

When it was time to exchange vows, Serena's voice was rigid and emotionless. "I, Serena Sinclairs, take you, Damon Blackwood, to be my husband," she recited mechanically.

Damon's lips quirked into a smug smile as he repeated the words back to her with sarcasm. "I, Damon Blackwood, take you, Serena Sinclairs, to be my wife."

She stole a glance at Damon, his handsome features set in a mask of indifference as he recited his vows with mechanical precision as well.

The officiant pronounced the two of them as husband and wife, and then he faced them with a smile; "You both may now share a kiss."

Damon shot a quick glance at Kiera and hesitated for a second before he finally placed a quick kiss on Serena's lips, which made her almost throw up in contempt.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Serena and Damon took their seats at their reception hall, surrounded by their families and friends, who were busy enjoying the party.

Across the room, Kiera stood in a corner, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she watched the union of Serena and Damon.

She had known from the moment she saw them together that her feelings for Damon could never compare to the bond he now shares with Serena. But seeing them together now, only served to deepen the ache in her heart.

The room continued to buzz with conversation and laughter, but Serena's mind was elsewhere as she turned to Damon, her voice cold and accusatory.

"Why won't you explain what I saw last night?" she demanded, her eyes boring into his with an intensity that made him squirm uncomfortably.

Damon's expression remained unchanged as he met her gaze with a steely resolve. "What happened last night is none of your concern," he replied. "You have no right to pry into my personal life."

Serena bristled at his dismissive tone, her anger simmering even more. "None of my concern?" she repeated incredulously. "You passionately kissed my best friend, Damon. I think that gives me every right to know what's going on."

Damon's fists clenched with anger as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Your best friend made her own choices, Serena," he said tersely. "And so did I. So don't ask me questions!"

"I have all the right to pry into your personal life and ask questions because I'm now your wife, Damon!" Serena said, flashing their wedding ring band to his face.

"Only on paper, get that?" Damon angrily yelled back in a hushed tone. "I have someone else I love and it will never be you! If you will excuse me, I have important things to attend to."

With that, Damon rose from his seat and made his way out of the room, leaving Serena seething with rage. She watched him go, her face contoured with fury.

Immediately he left, Kiera also walked out of the reception hall unnoticed, her heart heavy with sorrow.

Kiera had hoped that she might find happiness with Damon, but now, she could only watch him from a distance as their relationship crumbled before her eyes. Not after all the promises they had made to each other.

Meanwhile, Serena remained rooted to her seat. She had never imagined that her wedding day would be tainted by a commoner she had helped.

"Hey, congratulations," a voice resonated from behind and Serena turned to see Lucas Blackwood, Damon's cousin. He stood behind her with a glass of wine in his hand.

"Thank you!" Serena replied, rolling her eyes in disdain.

Lucas didn't bother much about her attitude as he moved closer to where she sat. "Mind if I join you since your groom seems to be... missing?" He giggles.

"Suit yourself, Lucas!"

"Well," Lucas began while carefully looking around to see if anyone was listening to them. "How did you feel last night after seeing Damon and Kiera kiss? Let me guess... You felt betrayed, right?"

Immediately after his statement, Serena's whole body paused in shock as she continued to stare at Lucas in disbelief.

"How... how did you know?" She stuttered.

"Because that isn't the first time." He uttered, letting out a smirk. "I'm used to seeing them like that almost every night."

Lucas brought out his cell phone, played a video, and thrust it into Serena's face.

"What! I... I mean, why?" Serena was confused. "Why would my best friend do such a thing behind my back? Not her knowing everything that was going on between Damon and I."

Lucas scoffed, returning his phone to his suit jacket. "Not them doing it again... outside the hall."

"No, that's a lie! I don't believe you!"

"Then go out and see for yourself," Lucas replied as he stood up, strolling out of the hall. "It's a free world, honey!" He whispers.

Serena remained still, not knowing what to believe anymore. Lucas is a cunning guy, so that justifies why she's finding it hard to trust anything that comes out of his mouth.

On second thought after what she had seen those two did last night, she abruptly stood up, following Lucas's lead out of the hall. Serena kept wishing everything Lucas had told her, but it turned out to be a lie.

But as soon as they stepped out, they hadn't walked for more than five minutes when Serena suddenly froze. She saw Damon and Kiera inside a car, all lost in each other's embrace again...