The Wedding

Ava

My parents gathered behind me, shielding me from Lucas's desperate attempts to reach me, I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me. My mother wrapped her arms around me, her presence a comforting anchor in the chaos.

"We've got you, Ava," she murmured, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. I let the tears stream down my face, the initial pain hurt like hell but now I felt nothing, numb, and I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

My father stood tall beside us, his gaze fixed on Lucas with a mixture of disdain and pity. "Let's go," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

With a final glance back at Lucas, who was still writhing on the ground in pain, we gathered our things and quickly left him behind, the sound of his anguished cries fading into the night.

As we hurried away, my mother reached out to the shaman through the mind link, informing him of my decision to participate in the blind marriages tonight. The shaman acknowledged her message, his response a reassuring presence in our minds as we made our way to the designated location.

The building loomed before us, its grandeur reminiscent of a church, adorned with decorations fit for a wedding. Inside, the shaman greeted us warmly, guiding me through the process with gentle reassurances.

"You'll be randomly assigned a number," he explained, his voice low and soothing. "Each number corresponds to a door, where you'll have the opportunity to speak to your potential husband briefly. If both of you find each other suitable, you'll be wed shortly after. If not, you'll have the chance to choose again."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation and uncertainty. My parents stood by my side, their unwavering support a source of strength as I prepared to take this next step.

After selecting my number, the shaman directed me to the corresponding door, my parents following closely behind. As I approached, I felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through me, mingled with a faint glimmer of hope for what the future might hold.

With a deep breath, I reached for the door handle, steeling myself for whatever lay on the other side. As it swung open, I stepped inside, my parents' voices echoing in my mind as they wished me luck on this new journey.

"Good luck, Ava," my mother's voice whispered. "We'll be right here waiting for you."

She couldn't see the man on the other side of the divider, but she could sense his presence. Taking a deep breath, she spoke first, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

"My name is Avalyn Grace Nkrumah," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the enclosed space. "You can call me Ava."

There was a moment of silence before a deep, calm voice responded from the other side. "I'm Calebius Thorne Blackwood. Caleb, for short. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ava."

Ava felt a strange sense of connection to the unseen man

"Why are you here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Social pressures," he replied simply, his tone guarded yet seemed honest.

I nodded in understanding, the weight of expectations pressing down on both of us.

"And you?" he asked in return, his voice gentle but probing.

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with the decision to reveal my truth. But ultimately, honesty prevailed.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself to speak the truth. "My life has been... complicated," I confessed. "But I'm hoping this can be a fresh start."

"My family," I confessed, my words tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "I want to be able to visit them. How far from here do you live?" I inquired before he could reply to my first statement, a note of apprehension creeping into my voice.

He paused for a moment before answering, his tone measured yet reassuring. "Not too far. It's manageable," he replied. "And if you'd like to visit your parents, that can be arranged."

Relief flooded through me at his response, the prospect of being separated from my family less daunting now.

As our conversation continued, we broached the topic of children, our voices faltering slightly with nervousness.

"How soon are we expected to bear a child?" I asked tentatively, my heart racing with anticipation.

"Ideally, as soon as possible," he admitted, his words laced with a hint of reluctance. "But between us, when you're ready, I won't force you, you have my word on that."

His reassurance brought a sense of comfort and I let a sigh of relief escape me, the knowledge that he respected my autonomy easing some of my fears. I knew that was part of the deal, but I at least wanted some time to get accustom to my new life first.

His sincerity touched me though, easing some of the apprehension that had settled in my chest.

"Can I hold your hand, Ava?"

I hesitated for only a moment before reaching out, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact. we both slightly jerked back our hands 

Must be the rugs, stupid static. 

But our time together was fleeting, the sound of the bell signaling the end of our conversation. He squeezed my hand gently before letting go and I heard his door open and close as he left.

As we emerged from the confessional-like room, we were met with the solemnity of the ceremony that awaited us. Veiled and masked, we stood side by side, our parents bearing witness to the union that had been forged in the darkness of the confessional booth.

As I affirmed my decision to the shaman, a palpable sense of relief washed over my parents, their sighs of relief echoing softly in the dimly lit room.

The shaman nodded in approval, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Congratulations, Ava," he said warmly, his voice filled with genuine happiness for her.

Before Ava could respond, another figure approached the shaman, whispering something urgently in his ear. The shaman's expression shifted slightly, a look of quiet satisfaction crossing his features.

"He has agreed as well," the shaman confirmed, his tone tinged with approval.

I stood before him, my features hidden beneath the veil that shrouded my face in darkness. Beside me, the man remained masked, his identity obscured from view.

The ceremony was brief yet solemn, our hands clasped together as we exchanged vows in the hushed confines of the ceremonial space.

"I promise to honor and cherish you, to stand by your side through all the trials and triumphs that lie ahead," I murmured, my voice trembling slightly with emotion.

"And I vow to protect and support you, to be your steadfast companion in this journey called life," he responded, his words steady and resolute.

As we spoke, a sense of solemnity settled over us, the weight of our vows binding us together in a bond forged in the darkness of uncertainty. We turned to face where my parents were standing and we jumped over the broom completing the ceremony.

With the ceremony concluded, I bid farewell to my parents, their faces etched with a mixture of pride and apprehension.

"Is there a mistake?" I questioned, my voice tinged with alarm as I approached the waiting luxury sedan and its driver.

But the assurance of the attendants dispelled my doubts, their words ringing with a note of finality.

"No mistake, ma'am," they replied calmly. "Everything is in order. Please, allow us to escort you to your new home with Alpha Caleb."

Wait.....what did he just say? I just blinked in shock. Alpha? I just married an Alpha?!

With a wary glance back at the ceremonial hall, I stepped into the waiting car, my heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. As the door closed behind me, I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead in this new chapter of my life, and who awaited me on the other side of the journey.

As I settled into the plush interior of the luxury sedan, my mind still spinning with uncertainty, my attention was drawn to a sleek phone nestled in the console. Before she could even begin to process its presence, the car lurched forward, the engine humming to life as it pulled away from the ceremony.

As the car gained speed, the phone suddenly rang, its shrill tone piercing the silence of the cabin. With trembling hands, Ava reached for the device, her heart pounding with trepidation as she answered the call.

"Hello?" she murmured tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.

To her astonishment, a familiar voice greeted her from the other end of the line, a voice tinged with warmth and familiarity.

"Hello, wife."

the voice said, its tone filled with a mixture of amusement and affection. Ava's breath caught in her throat as she processed the words, her mind reeling with disbelief. Could it be...? Could this voice belong to the man she had just married? Before I could form a coherent response, the voice continued, its words washing over me with a sense of reassurance.

"I know this must all seem overwhelming, but I promise you, everything will be okay. Trust me."

As the call ended, I was left with more questions than answers, my mind swirling with uncertainty. But amidst the chaos of my thoughts, one thing was clear – I rejected one Alpha and ended right back into the arms of another and now I'm the Luna of a pack! What have I gotten myself into?