Chapter 107 - The Wedding Part 1

(Luca's perspective)

I stood at the end of the aisle, the weight of everything pressing on my chest like a boulder. My brothers, Marcus and Ethan, flanked me, their faces masks of forced neutrality. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that suffocates rather than excites. I couldn't shake the feeling that every single person in this room could sense the lie that was about to unfold. The lie I was about to swear myself to.

And then there was Quinn. Sitting right there in the front row, arm in arm with that smug bastard Cale. Her scent hit me the moment she walked in, a mixture of lavender and something uniquely her. It had always calmed me, but now it was a cruel reminder of what I couldn't have. She didn't look at me at first. Not really. Her head was high, her shoulders back, looking every bit the queen she truly was. But I could feel her. I could feel her nerves, the way her heartbeat quickened when she glanced my way.

"Quinn," I called to her through the connection that bound us. It was faint, like a whisper against the wind, but I knew she'd hear me. "Quinn, I know you can hear me. I'm sorry. He gave me an ultimatum. I had no choice."

Her glare hit me like a slap. Cold, hard, and devastating. "Yeah, you did," she snapped back, her voice sharp in my mind. "Stop talking to me."

My stomach churned as I watched her turn away, latching onto Cale's arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. But I knew it wasn't. The stiffness in her posture, the slight falter in her step—it screamed of the effort it took to act like she wasn't dying inside.

"I know this isn't an excuse," I said, desperate to explain myself. "But he said he would kill you. And the pack. I couldn't let that happen. We can still do what we planned."

Her steps faltered, just barely, but I noticed. Of course I did. She'd always had this subtle way of showing me she was listening, even when she pretended not to. Quinn's gaze shifted briefly to meet mine, and for a moment, the anger in her eyes gave way to understanding. She knew what kind of man Cale was. When he made a threat, he followed through. She'd experienced it firsthand.

"Exactly how we planned?" she asked, her voice quieter now, tinged with a hint of hope.

"Yes," I assured her. "Everything is still in motion."

A flicker of a smile crossed her lips. Small, fleeting, but it was enough to make my chest ache. She quickly hid it, though, turning her attention back to the bastard beside her. Kimmy and Derek walked close behind, both giving me subtle nods. They were in place, ready for what was to come. Marcus and Ethan exchanged a glance, their expressions grim but resolute. We all knew there was no turning back now.

As I headed inside, the bile rose in my throat at the thought of what awaited me. Casey. The very name made my skin crawl. She'd been trying to cling to me throughout the wedding preparations, batting her lashes and acting like we were some kind of fairytale couple. And now, knowing she'd been Cale's plaything—and worse, that she'd helped hurt my mate—made her presence unbearable. I'd never touch her. Not in this lifetime, or any other. The very idea of sharing a bed with her made me want to vomit.

Disgusting bitch.

The music started, and everyone settled into their seats. I stood stiffly at the altar, my jaw clenched so hard it ached. Of course, Cale was front and center, sitting right next to my father with that arrogant smirk plastered across his face. And Quinn, sitting so composed beside him, with her hands folded neatly in her lap. But I could feel her. I could feel the tension rolling off her in waves, the way her heart raced even as she kept that regal posture.

"You look incredible," I told her through the connection. "It should be you up here, marrying me."

Her eyes widened, just a fraction, but enough for me to notice. I cursed myself for letting it slip. "Careful," I added quickly. "Don't react like that. He's watching."

Her lips twitched, and I could tell she was fighting a smile. "You're an idiot," she muttered, but there was no heat in her words. I could feel her amusement, even as she tried to hide it.

"I want to bite his hand off for touching you," I joked, referring to the way Cale's hand rested possessively on her leg.

She brought a hand to her mouth, pretending to stifle a cough, but I knew she was covering a laugh. That small victory was enough to calm the storm in my chest. For now.

The doors opened, and Casey entered, dressed in white and dripping with faux innocence. The sight of her made my stomach churn. I forced myself to keep my expression neutral as she made her way down the aisle, but inside, I was screaming. Every step she took felt like a nail being driven into my coffin.

Quinn's voice broke through the chaos in my mind. "Luca, are you ready for this?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied. "Just remember, everything is still in motion. Stick to the plan."

She didn't respond, but I could feel her resolve harden. She believed in me, in us. It was the only thing keeping me from losing my mind.

Casey reached the altar, her smile as fake as the affection she pretended to feel for me. I barely heard the officiant's words as the ceremony began. My focus was on Quinn. Every now and then, I'd catch a glimpse of her in the corner of my eye. Her calm exterior betrayed nothing, but our bond told a different story. She was counting on me.

The tension in the room was palpable, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. And then, just as the officiant asked me to say my vows, it happened. A loud crash echoed through the hall, shattering the delicate façade of the ceremony. Gasps erupted from the guests as the doors were thrown open, revealing a figure cloaked in shadows.

Cale shot to his feet, his eyes narrowing as he took in the intruder. "What the hell is this?" he demanded, his voice laced with anger.

I turned to Marcus and Ethan, who were already moving to intercept. But my heart sank as I caught sight of the figure's face. It wasn't one of ours. It was someone… or something else entirely.

Quinn's voice echoed in my mind, sharp with fear. "Luca, what's going on?"

"Stick to the plan," I told her, even as my own panic began to rise. "No matter what happens, stick to the plan."