Chapter 384
Three hundred and eighty six
Emma POV
Being a bridesmaid while every woman in my circle seemed to be getting married was starting to feel like a punishment for something I’d done in a past life.
I stood beside the bride in a dress so stunning that I was probably the best-dressed bridesmaid, earning compliments all morning. Yet watching Isabella exchange vows with Wesley, the man who had chosen her without a second thought, left me feeling jealous.
I hated the jealousy creeping in. I should have been happy for them. Wesley was my cousin, and after everything they had survived, they deserved this happiness.
What I envied was the love they shared so shamelessly. There was no hesitation in Wesley’s eyes whenever he looked at Isabella.
I wanted that for myself.
Someone who loved me unconditionally and wanted me simply because I was Emma. Not because I was the Alpha’s niece, a pack accountant, or an assistant head of projects who had climbed the ranks at a young age.
Somehow, my achievements had made me desirable on paper while attracting all the wrong people.
My gaze drifted across the gathering until it landed on Charlie.
He stood with the groomsmen, dressed for the occasion, and, like me, attracted attention without even trying. Several women had already found reasons to linger around him.
His eyes met mine. They had been doing that a lot lately.
Six months ago, I would have been flattered that the boy I’d loved since I was sixteen had finally noticed me. I knew better now.
I didn’t look away. He gave me a soft smile, but I hardened my gaze and shut down the foolish part of my brain that still wanted to believe Charlie loved me.
He didn’t.
He was only sorry for breaking my heart.
My cousin Anita leaned closer, her smile still fixed on the altar.
“You two need to get a room and have a good fuck. I hear makeup sex hits hard p>
I nearly choked.
“You’re insane. I don’t want to fuck him p>
Anita shrugged. “Doesn’t look like it. Trust me, if you two do, you’ll let go of all the heartbreak and guilt you’re both carrying and finally move on p>
Anita had a point. But what I’d learned was that loving someone didn’t mean I had to chase them or make myself available whenever they decided they wanted a piece of me.
Eight years ago felt like yesterday.
I had been sixteen when I told Charlie I loved him. He had found it bizarre, then called me “sister” despite the fact
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that we weren’t related. After that, he dated one girl after another until I couldn’t bear staying at the same school.
Neft for another pack, convinced that distance would help me get over him. When I finally returned, I thought I
had.
Then I saw Charlie again, and suddenly, I was sixteen all over again. 1
I hated it.
The ceremony eventually gave way to the reception, and I escaped to the drinks table to pour myself a drink. I had barely taken a sip when a familiar voice came from behind me.
“You look beautiful p>
Charlie smiled at me. “That green really suits you p>
Goddess help me.
“Thank you p>
He studied my face as though waiting for something more. I gave him nothing and tried to leave, but he stepped in front of me.
“Emma, I’ve been trying to talk to you p>
I remained silent.
“It’s been six months. You wouldn’t talk to me. You barely acknowledge me whenever we’re in the same place. I know I hurt you, but I don’t want things to stay like this. I want my friend back p>
My fingers tightened around the glass.
There it was.
He didn’t love me. He wanted his friend back.
“We can’t be friends,” I said. “I’m your sister, remember p>
The guilt in his hazel eyes was unmistakable.
“I thought we could at least be close again,” he said. “We don’t have to make things complicated. I just need time to get over what happened in my last relationship p>
Before I could respond, someone called Charlie’s name from across the reception. He glanced toward them, then back at me.
“Excuse me p>
“Sure p>
He hesitated, as though he wanted to say something else, but eventually turned away.
I watched him leave, the familiar ache settling beneath my ribs.
For a moment, I wondered if I should accept his offer of friendship. Maybe staying close would eventually make him fall in love with me.
No.
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I wasn’t sixteen anymore. I was tired of waiting and hoping for someone to choose me.
Across the reception, Wesley kissed Isabella, earning cheers and a few whistles.
There it was. Love without doubt or confusion. Just love. That was what I wanted. Not someone who wanted me close simply because he couldn’t bear to lose my friendship.
“Emma, get over there. The bride is about to throw her bouquet p>
I looked at the cluster of single women gathering behind Isabella, then at my mother.
“Mom, please. I have a headache. I’m not interested in participating in this ridiculous tradition p>
My mother caught my arm and started pulling me toward the others.
“You don’t have a choice p>
Anita joined us, apparently determined to make things worse.
“Even I, who never want to get married, believe in catching the bride’s bouquet. You’re traditional, Emma. You need a husband and babies p>
My mother high-fived her.
The two of them together were unbearable. Their personalities would have made them perfect mother and daughter. Too bad the universe had clearly missed an opportunity.
There was no escaping them, so I joined the group with a muttered complaint and folded my arms across my chest. Isabella turned her back to us, laughing as someone counted down. I had no intention of catching the bouquet. 1 didn’t even bother watching where she threw it.
The bouquet flew over the crowd and smacked me straight in the face.
My hands moved on instinct, catching it before it fell.
The courtyard erupted. People cheered, clapped, and laughed while I stared at the flowers in my hands as though they had grown thorns.
“That’s my daughter!” my mother screamed, loud enough to make it sound like I had just been cured of a lifelong
curse.
This was going to be a headline before the evening was over.
ALPHA FAMILY WEDDING SPARKS FRESH ROMANCE RUMORS: WHO WILL QUALIFY TO BECOME EMMA’S GROOM?
I could already imagine the nonsense spreading through pack social media. I had survived enough speculation about my love life to know how quickly people could turn a flower into a prophecy. Some had even wondered if I was a lesbian like Anita because I had never had a public relationship-not even a rumor.
I headed to the gift table, where every package was carefully inspected before entering the couple’s private collection. After the pack’s history with poisoned leaders and threats hidden in innocent-looking gifts, no one took chances with food, drinks, or anything meant for the Alpha and his bride.
Anita came up behind me, laughing so hard she could barely stand. She rested her chin on my shoulder, forcing me to carry both her weight and my humiliation.
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“You’re getting married p>
Se tightened her hold. “My vacation starts right after this wedding. You should come back to Ruin Island with
I glanced at her.
“I have work p>
“With the way you’re married to your job, I wonder if you even get orgasms from anything other than overworking. You keep canceling every vacation I plan for us p>
“There was an important project p>
“There’s always an important project.” She pointed at the bouquet. “The universe has spoken p>
“I’ve heard enough about Ruin Island to know I don’t belong there. It’s a sex den, and you know it p>
Anita’s smile widened.
“You can spend your days doing whatever you want. Let your inhibitions run wild. And who says you can’t find love on the island p>
She tilted my head toward her parents, Uncle Cameron and Luna Lisa.
“My mom was my dad’s surrogate. Now they’re married. The bride and groom over there came from completely different backgrounds, and somehow, they still found their way to each other. Life is weird. People are weird. Love is the weirdest thing of all p>
I stared at her.
“So what am I supposed to do p>
“Whatever the hell you want. You’re an adult. You’re beautiful, you’re rich, you’re single, and you have no shortage of men interested in you. Stop acting like Charlie is the last male werewolf alive. If you want to get over him, you need another man p>
I looked away.
“I’m serious, Emma. You’ve loved that man for years. He hurt you. He apologized. He feels guilty. Fine. But has he ever looked you in the eyes and said, ‘Emma, I’m in love with you p>
My heart pounded.
1
“No p>
“Exactly. You’re carrying this entire relationship alone p>
“He might truly regret what happened p>
“He does. I believe that.” She shrugged. “But regret isn’t love p>
I looked toward the reception. Charlie stood among the other guests, surrounded by two women talking to him. He looked relaxed now, laughing at something one of them had said.
Anita nudged my shoulder.
I sighed.
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“Fine. I’ll come. Don’t make me regret it p>
Her eyes lit up.
“I make no promises p>
Maybe I really did need Ruin Island.
Maybe I needed to leave the pack, my work, and the memories that kept circling back to the same man.
I listened to my y’all, and here we are-Book Three! I hope you enjoy this next chapter of the story as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Thank you for coming along for the journey!
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.