Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Marissa POV

When I pulled up to the venue in my car, with Kacy chattering excitedly beside me, I was immediately struck by the sheer number of trucks parked outside. The place was packed, and my stomach sank. Theo Black had promised me a small, secret ceremony. Clearly, he'd lied. It was more of a concert; Theo couldn't help but invite half the continent.

"This was supposed to be a secret?" I muttered, gripping the steering wheel tighter. 

Kacy, oblivious to my growing unease, was practically bouncing in her seat. "Marissa, this is so exciting! Finally, you're getting married! I can't believe it!" 

I shot her a look, but she was too busy scrolling on her phone to notice. "Kacy, this isn't exactly how I imagined my wedding day." 

"Who cares?" she said, waving a hand dismissively. "You look stunning, and that's all that matters. Even if the man you are going to marry is…well, he is not that bad. Now, let's go!" 

I sighed, turning off the engine and stepping out of the car. Kacy followed, her orange dress swishing around her knees. I was dressed in a simple white dress, nothing too flashy or fluttery. It was casual, but Kacy had worked her magic on my hair and makeup, and I had to admit, I looked different. Too good, maybe, for a wedding I didn't want. 

As we approached the entrance, a man stepped forward to greet us. It was Alpha Jared; the leader of the pack I'd grown up in. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a kind face and a warm smile. 

"Marissa," he said, pulling me into a hug. "You look beautiful." 

I hugged him back, feeling a pang of gratitude. Alpha Jared had always been good to me. He wasn't there when the other alphas had delivered their judgment, and I trusted him more than anyone else in the pack. Of all the werewolves I knew, he was the smartest one.

"Thank you," I said, pulling away. 

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll be handing you over today. Since I'm your alpha and all, I thought it was only right." 

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I appreciate it." 

He offered me his arm, and I took it, letting him lead me down the aisle. Kacy followed behind, her excitement palpable. 

The hall was packed, the air buzzing with chatter and laughter. At the end of the aisle stood Theo Black, his expression smug, and beside him was his nephew, Charles. He was an average-sized man with a bulky frame, dressed in a somewhat baggy suit. He wasn't ugly, but he wasn't exactly handsome either. Just... normal. 

I forced a smile as Alpha Jared handed me over to Charles. Theo Black officiated the ceremony, his voice booming as he tied the symbolic string around our wrists. I was numb, going through the motions without really feeling anything. Charles, on the other hand, looked thrilled. I didn't even want to think what was going on in his mind. His starving gaze gave me the chills, the bad kind.

When the ceremony was over, Theo declared a feast and celebration in honor of the marriage. I didn't stick around to hear the cheers. As soon as the string was cut, I excused myself and made a beeline for the makeshift bar in the corner of the hall.

The bar was empty, which wasn't surprising. It was still early, and most people were busy stuffing their faces with food or catching up. But there was one person there—a man sitting on a stool, nursing a drink. 

I didn't mean to stare, but I couldn't help it. He was the most handsome man I'd ever seen, and that was taking into account the fact that I had met many men before. His hair was short, a mix of brown and black, and his clothes, though tight-fitting, looked comfortable. He wasn't as built as the werewolves or shifters I was used to seeing, but there was something about him that drew me in. 

As I approached the bar, he turned to look at me, and I was struck by his eyes. They were brown, soft and calm, not harsh or piercing. His face was easygoing, with a slight smirk that made him look both confident and approachable. 

Our interaction was well... awkward, to say the least. We kept stealing glances at each other, but neither of us could maintain eye contact for more than a few seconds. I took the drink menu and scanned it with my eyes, though my mind was completely elsewhere.

I ordered a drink, sipping it slowly as I tried to gather my thoughts. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him glance at me again. I turned to look at him, and our eyes met. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence. 

"It's a bit early to be drinking, don't you think?" he said, his voice smooth 

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at his drink. "You're drinking too." 

He chuckled, the sound warms and genuine. "Touché." 

We lapsed into silence again, both of us stealing glances at each other. Finally, he spoke up. 

"Why aren't you at the feast with everyone else? Celebrating the marriage of Marissa and... what's his name? the guy who looks like a manager to a paper company?" 

I almost laughed at that. "I could ask you the same question." 

He shrugged, his smirk returning. "I'm here against my will. I'd rather just sit and drink until this whole thing is over." 

"Makes two of us," I said, taking another sip of my drink. 

He leaned back on his stool, his eyes lingering on me. "The bride must be feeling awful, marrying a guy who looks like... well, him." 

I froze for a moment, realizing he didn't know who I was. "You think so?" 

"Yeah," he said, his tone light. "I mean, she's Marissa Fairmont. She's gorgeous, brave, and way out of his league. I'd feel bad for her if I didn't think she could handle herself." 

I felt a strange flutter in my chest at his words. "You think she's pretty?"

"and courageous. She has it all." The guy added

It took a lot to force myself not to smile. I managed to gather myself together after a quick second "You're not a werewolf, are you?" 

He shook his head. "No. I was born into a shifter family, but I'm human. Name's Michael." 

"Michael," I repeated, testing the name on my tongue. 

He stared at me for a moment, his brow furrowing. "You look familiar. I swear I have seen you somewhere. Have we met before?" 

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Alpha Jared approached us. 

"Marissa," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "There you are. Everyone's looking for you." 

Michael's eyes widened, and he nearly dropped his drink. "Wait... you're Marissa? The Marissa?" 

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of amusement and nervousness. "Guilty." 

He stared at me for a moment, then let out a low whistle. "Well, this is awkward." 

"And you must be the guy who is knocking up my daughter." Alpha Jared turned towards Michael and said

"You mean Eve?" I quizzed, feeling a slight pang on my chest