Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Elara

I nod. She adds a diadem on my head with a veil.

‘is everyone here?’ I ask slowly. I needed to know if Zuriel had come.

‘Yes, the groom is already in the chapel, looking handsome,’

My hands begin to quiver as I stand at the entrance of the chapel.

My father comes to me and smiles. He gives me his arm to hold on to. I step inside the chapel, and all heads turn to us when we appear, and whispers of admiration run through.

The chapel is decorated in white. Everything is so elegant. Zuriel is standing at the altar.

He’s wearing a black tuxedo and looking breathtaking as always. His intense gaze is on me.

Music that indicates for us to walk to the aisle starts to play. I swallow and walk, my hand shaking slightly, and I hold my father’s arm tighter.

‘Relax, sweetheart, you’re alright,’ Dad’s calming voice sounds.

My father shakes Zuriel’s hand with a reticence,

‘If you hurt my daughter, Zuriel Crawford, I’ll kill you,’ he whispers, and Zuriel nods, accepting fate. Dad leaves us, and I’m facing my groom-to-be. Next to us is Uncle Roman, who will be officing our ceremony.

We repeated our wedding vows as we stared at each other. There is no emotion on Zuriel’s face. It was time to exchange rings, and Solena gave us the rings. I take his ring and with trembling fingers, put it on his wedding finger.

Zuriel takes my hand and inspects it for a moment. I wonder what he is thinking. He puts a unique diamond after my engagement ring. The ring catches my attention. The moment it is placed on my finger, a warm sensation washes over me, and it burns for a moment before it cools. It feels like it is in me.

‘Zuriel, you may kiss your bride,’ my uncle says.

My heartbeat accelerates in my chest. Zuriel pulls me to him by the waist. He kisses me. The kiss is long, passionate, yet tender. I want more of it. I deepen the kiss, taking him by surprise as my uncle yells,

‘Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford!’

Wild cheers resounds in the chapel, and flowers rain down on us.

My hands are still on his shoulders as I watch everyone howl and cheer. However, scary gasps erupt from the crowd when I hear a thud.

‘Is she alright?’

‘Oh my! What happened to her?’

‘She just gasped and fainted,’ I hear murmurs.

People are looking towards the entrance, and I realize who fell. It was River.

‘You were photographed together last night, and she faints. Now, you want to rush to her? People will gossip,’ I whisper. An emotion I don’t recognize on him crosses his face.

‘Brandon, please carry that woman and take her to one of the rooms to rest,’ I mind linking my best friend. Brandon goes to her and picks her up, taking her away.

‘Brandon will take care of her. I instructed him to put her in one of the rooms,’

I changed into another white dress and comfortable shoes.

The party commences with music, dancing, and drinking in an outdoor garden. It is decorated with nice lights and white flowers. Round tables are set, with a card on it where each person is supposed to sit. Alphas and high-ranking members came to witness our union.

I stand beside Zuriel, and he glances at me. I’m surprised when he holds my hand, making my heart beat faster.

‘Are you alright, Princess?’ When he calls me Princess, I feel in my heart he’s not referring only to my position. His sad emerald eyes are warm.

‘Yes, I’m alright,’ I answer finally.

‘Are you alright?’ he only nods to my question.

For a while, people come to congratulate us on our marriage. Everyone is relaxed and interacting at the party. Zuriel’s mom is ecstatic as she comes to us,

‘Oh, my perfect, love. You’ve made me so happy!’ she says. Zuriel caresses her cheek gently.

‘I’m glad you are, mother.’

‘But I want you to be happy too… Both of you,’ she says.

‘We are happy, aunt. Thank you,’ I say.

Zuriel and I dance together, and I love it. He’s grumpy because he doesn’t want to dance, but still obliges. His hands are on my waist as we move to the music. I was lost in his gaze as we danced.

A few hours later, we had a fireworks display. I was observing the fireworks display when I heard Zuriel’s voice in my ear.

‘Want to leave?’ Zuriel asks, looking into my eyes. I smile and nod. He grabs my hand, making warmth shoot up my arm.

We are about to leave, but we are intercepted by River. She is wearing all black, and her eyes and nose are red. One could tell she was crying.

‘River,’ I say, and her angry gaze snaps to me. I’m almost taken aback. I guess I should understand her reaction since I took her man.

‘River, are you alright?’ Zuriel asks, letting go of my hand, and I couldn’t contain the snicker that leaves my lips as I slightly glare at him.

‘I thought you’d come to see me,’ she says weakly. Zuriel sighs.

‘I’m sorry, but I got held up,’ he says. River gives him a small smile and nods. She looks at me and says.

‘Congratulations on marrying my boyfriend. I hope you two will be at least happy even though he didn’t want this marriage,’ she says, and I still. Zuriel growls in warning, but she smiles.

‘It was a joke,’ she chuckles as she hugs me quickly. Zuriel’s phone rings, and he moves a few paces to answer it. River’s smile vanishes once Zuriel is out of sight.