Chapter 48

Ellie screamed. She knocked into me so quickly I almost lost my balance in the heels. Frankly, I had no business wearing heels this high, but I wanted the complete look while delivering the best news of my life to my family and the worst news of his life to my ex.

“Holy shit.” My sister still jumped up and down. “You actually did it.”

“It was because of you,” I said. “I don’t think I would have done it right away if you hadn’t said you would be fine with it right now. And I have zero regrets.”

“What’s wrong?” Warren asked. He looked panicked, gaze bouncing between the two of us.

I laughed. “Sorry, Warren. I surprised her. Everything’s okay.”

Warren’s eyes dropped to my bites, and his eyes widened. Then he smiled. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

The rest of the bridal party was closing in to see what the fuss was about, and suddenly I was surrounded by people congratulating me and asking questions. Through the crowd, my parents filtered through. By the time they reached me, they knew, having gathered from listening, and Mom swept me into a hug.

“I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. “I’m so happy.”

“You’re not mad we didn’t do it like this?”

She laughed. “If you want a party, we’ll plan a party. But I’m just happy you’re happy.”

“Don’t suffocate her, Adelaide. Let me have a turn.”

I smiled at my stepfather. “I assume Mom told you everything?”

“She did.” He took me by the shoulders and looked at the bites before meeting my eyes. “And you’re happy?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” I admitted.

“Good. I’ll be digging into them more anyway, but good.”

More? He’d looked into them at all? Clearly he hadn’t come up with anything if they were still here. We all laughed. “You don’t have to. They’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

He nodded. “I’ll be asking.”

I met Ellie’s eyes, and we rolled them together. Our father didn’t have his ruthless reputation as a lawyer for nothing.

“Okay, everyone,” the wedding planner called. “Let’s get lined up and have everyone in place so we can start going over everything.”

Mom grabbed my hand and squeezed, and I squeezed back before they went back to their places for the rehearsal. One benefit of announcing the bonding like this was just being able to enjoy it. Because of everything else, we didn’t have time for a lot of questions. Those would come later, I was sure.

“Are you going to be okay during this?” Ellie asked, looking over.

Because I was about to line up next to Beau. “I am. I wore this dress on purpose.”

“Fuck yes. That’s my girl. And Beau has been a little shit, by the way. He’s avoiding the conversation with Warren at any cost, and neither of us are happy about it.”

“It’s okay,” I told her. “Truly. What can he do that hasn’t already happened?”

She winced and smiled. “Yeah. Anyway, I want details later, okay?”

“Not too many.”

“You’re telling me absolutely everything.”

I rolled my eyes, and suddenly I put a hand to my chest as rage surged through the bonds with my pack. I glanced back and found Beau standing in front of them. That would do it.

The wedding planner came down the line, making sure everyone was in place. “We need the best man?”

Warren turned. “Beau. Get your ass over here. The faster we do this, the faster we can get to dinner.” His tone was as harsh as I’d ever heard it.

Beau waited a minute longer before coming over to me with a smile that was all satisfaction. Rage so bright it stole my breath was in my chest. “Beau,” I greeted him.

“Isolde.”

I glanced over my shoulder at them and found them watching me. They were angry, and I wasn’t sure why, other than that I was standing next to the Alpha who hurt me, and that was unacceptable.

“I never thought you’d stoop this low,” he said.

“Excuse me?”

One glance at me was all he spared. “There were other ways to hurt me if you wanted. You didn’t need to bond with a pack that’s clearly beneath you.”

“Oh, please. This had nothing to do with you. I bonded my scent matched pack. Believe me, I didn’t make a lifelong commitment just to spite you. Wearing a dress that showed it off? That was to spite you.”

“Scent matched?” He scoffed. “Bullshit.”

I said nothing.

In front of us, the wedding planner went through the order and how fast we were meant to walk. And thankfully, blissfully, Beau stayed silent.

“I’m surprised to see Angela here,” I said.

“Why? She’s my fiancée.”

“Still? I thought after you admitted that you still wanted me, you might have tossed her aside the same way you did with me.”

Beau huffed out a breath. “You really think that little of me? We had four good years, Isolde. Just because you misunderstood the end of them⁠—”

“For fuck’s sake,” I said under my breath as the line moved forward. “I thought we had four good years. But the more time I spend away from you, the more I realize they weren’t good for anyone but you. I didn’t know enough to realize just how much you used me and took me for granted. I should really thank you, because in spite of all the pain, being dumped by you ended up being the best thing to ever happen to me.”

In the corner of my eye, I saw his jaw working, like he was holding himself back from saying anything.

We were next to walk down the aisle. My pack was now sitting in the empty rows of white chairs. Their anger was muted by their intense focus on watching me and the Alpha beside me. They wouldn’t let me fall.

Beau held out his arm for me to take.

Nope. Not today, satan.

“Tomorrow.”

“What?”

“I’ll take your arm for the aisle tomorrow,” I told him. “Today, both for myself and my pack, I’m not touching you.”

He looked over at me like he’d been struck. “What kind of shit have they been putting in your head? It’s like you’re a completely different person. You’re not the Omega I fell in love with.”

“I’m not a different person. I’m just a person who now knows how much better life is when someone isn’t holding her back and making her feel like shit. The reason I’m not the Omega you fell in love with is because that person didn’t exist. She was someone you molded, and not who I actually am.”

True anger was in his voice now. On his face. I felt the pack’s attention on us, and their caution as they saw Beau turn red. “You act like I fucking abused you or something. What the hell, Isolde? We were happy. We could have been happy again if you hadn’t left so quickly. Whatever you think of me? You’re being manipulated. If you don’t see how all of this is your fault to begin with, I can’t help you.”

I laughed. Actually laughed. Thank god it was time to split and stand on either side of the altar, because I needed time to compose myself. It was either laugh like I’d lost my mind or cry because I was so fucking angry at myself for not being able to see through his bullshit. For making excuses over every little thing that hurt me. For letting the love and kindness he’d shown me at the beginning of our relationship feed my heart far longer than it lasted.

Ellie looked at me as she came down the aisle with an eyebrow raised. Was I okay? I shrugged with a smile. Yes. I was okay and I wasn’t okay and despite everything working out for the best, I’d never not regret letting it go so far.

Across from me, Beau glared.

Had he truly been this way the whole time and I just didn’t see it? That was hard for me to believe. Even with all the shitty things Beau did, which made him worse than I’d believed, I’d never seen this… poisonous side of him before. I wasn’t sure which was worse—him being able to hide this part of himself, or turning into him at all.

We had to walk down the aisle a few more times to get it right, and we said nothing to each other as we did so. The ceremony part was easy to rehearse, as was the walk back up the center. For the time it took, I kept stealing glances at the pack. They felt better now that I wasn’t next to Beau, but our bonds were still taut with something darker.

As soon as the wedding planner told us we were finished, we were all walking over to the reception area where the staff had already laid out food for everyone and it smelled incredible. Food hadn’t been the highest need on our list this morning.

The guys met me there, Vaughn pulling me into a fierce hug. Harder than it needed to be, considering I hadn’t left their sight. “What⁠—”

“No, no, no,” Ellie called. “Food first. You guys can be sappy later. You have your whole lives for it.”

“Just a second,” I said. I looked at the guys. “What’s wrong?”

Joel gave me a tight smile. “Nothing that won’t keep for an hour.”

“I can feel it. You’re all amped up, and as much as I know you hate my ex, he’s barely said anything to me and hasn’t touched me. So what did he do?”

They all shared a look, and I narrowed my eyes. “Do I need to stamp my foot? What? I can handle it.”

Joel blew out a breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “He told us he’d been cheating on you. No details, but it seemed like it was for most of your relationship.”

I waited for the horror and devastation to hit me, but it didn’t. After everything, nothing that came out about him surprised me. It still hurt, but not the way I expected. “I probably should have guessed that.”

Hawk’s shocked expression made me smile. He searched my face. “You seem remarkably okay with it.”

“Okay with it? No. Unwilling to let someone who doesn’t matter affect my life anymore? Yes. It’s already happened and I have you. I’ll be okay.”

The relief from all of them was palpable.

Vaughn kissed my hair. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

We’d only been away for two minutes, so Ellie didn’t harass us when we sat down. It was all in good fun anyway, but it was a good thing I knew. They felt better not keeping it from me, and I felt better because they felt better.

I was seated near Ellie and Warren, the guys in a line next to me, and of course, Beau and Angela were across from us. Angela met my eyes and smiled for a moment before looking away. None of the anger or vitriol which had been there a few days ago.

Whatever. If I didn’t have to deal with two people hating me, that was just fine.

But Beau? I looked at him and felt nothing. What a fucking relief.

I looked at my sister. “Are you nervous about tomorrow?”

“No.” She took Warren’s hand and laughed. “I’m as excited for it as I’m excited for it to be over. Then we can go have fun.”

They were going on a northern cruise for their honeymoon. Where it was cold and they’d probably see icebergs. I questioned their sanity, but Ellie pointed out to me that she didn’t need to go anywhere to hang out on the beach. She wanted something different, and they weren’t going to spend a lot of time outside of their luxurious ship cabin anyway.

“Good.”

“I can’t wait to see the final flowers,” she said. “Everything Ocean’s shown me has been incredible.”

“I’m sure they’ll be perfect. And Ocean always hides hidden meanings in all her designs. Flower language.”

Ellie laughed. “She told me. I asked her to put the meanings on little cards for everyone so they would know.” Then she glanced over at Beau. “Well, maybe not for everyone.”

Smothering my laugh, I leaned into Rowan next to me and put my head on his shoulder. His hand found my bare leg, squeezing gently. The bond between us was filled with that steady, all-encompassing calm and control I loved about him. And when Beau stared straight at us like he could set us on fire with his gaze, Rowan turned and kissed me without any other thoughts. A pure, luxurious kiss without any worry or care who watched. It calmed the need I hadn’t even sensed, and I felt his amusement at my wonder.

Ellie stood. “I have to pee. Iz, time for your maid of honor duties to help hold my dress.”

“Isn’t that when you’re in an actual wedding dress?”

“Come on.” She wiggled her fingers at me, waiting until I grabbed her hand to pull me up and out of the chair and into the house.

The big guest bathroom had actual stalls, and she went in alone. “If you don’t want me to hold your dress, why did you bring me?”

“I didn’t want to come alone, and I wanted to check on you. Because your pack keeps glaring daggers at Beau like they want to kill him.”

“Apparently he was cheating on me,” I said. “He threw it in their faces to hurt them, and me. Too bad for him. It means nothing to me now.”

Ellie flushed and opened the door, looking me up and down. “Holy shit.”

“I probably should have known. It tracks with everything else. I just… I never felt like he was being secretive, and he was never gone long enough for me to think he was cheating.”

“I’m sorry.” Ellie washed her hands, looking at the mirror.

I shrugged, crossing my arms. “Like I said, it is what it is. Nothing I can do about it now, and it doesn’t matter. It makes me question how the hell I missed it.”

“He clearly didn’t want you to see.”

“Yeah. And Warren?”

She sighed. “Honestly, he’s ready for the wedding to be over so he doesn’t have to deal with Beau anymore. He told his parents about everything—what he could share without violating your privacy—and they begged him not to change anything for the wedding and keep the peace. Which is what he’s doing, but Beau’s not going to be in the pictures, and I’m pretty sure he’s getting thrown straight out of Warren’s life the second we say ‘I do.’”

“I know you guys think he⁠—”

I cut her off. “Like I told him the other day. If I didn’t see him for who he was when I was living with him and fucking him, I can’t blame anyone else for not knowing. Especially with Warren literally living out of the country for most of it. Now let’s get back out there. I spotted some of the dessert and I want that way more than I want to talk about my shitty ex.”

“Good point.”

We ran into Mom on the way out. “You girls having fun?”

“You know it,” I said.

Ellie looped her arm through mine on the way back to the table, which was full of laughter and conversation. It was the first time I’d really been away from them and out of sight since we bonded last night, and seeing them again? The way our connection surged and everything felt complete was perfect.

Spattering drops of rain began to fall. We needed to wrap dinner up soon or everyone would be soaked. The sooner the better, because the storm needed time to clear out before tomorrow.

Cade looked over and smiled. I smiled right back, loving the feeling of him reaching out, like fingers stroking down the bond between us.

“I love your smile around them,” Ellie whispered.

“Me too.”

I sat down, and as soon as I did, Beau surged to his feet. “It’s time for a toast. We’re doing toasts, right? The best man always gets to do one.”

Warren chuckled and eyed the rest of the table. “Usually at the actual reception.”

“Well, I have something I want to say right now.” Beau picked up his fork and clinked it against his glass of champagne. Everyone quieted and all eyes turned toward him. “Of course, I want to congratulate the bride and groom for having us all here. But more than that, I want to congratulate Isolde Allen on her bonding. To a pack of male escorts, no less. I think we should all be very proud. Everyone give Isolde a round of applause.”

My whole body went cold, and the silence that reigned was deafening. Nothing but the growing wind and the sound of the sea. I glanced over at Ellie and Warren, shock written on their faces. At the other end of the table, my parents watched us too. But with far less surprise than everyone else. The one thing I didn’t see was horror or judgment.

I looked at Beau. “Thank you.”

“Male escorts,” he said again. “You bonded a pack of male escorts.”

The anger roiling in my chest from my pack had nothing to do with their former profession and everything to do with Beau attempting to humiliate me.

“And?” I asked. “Yes. That’s what they are. Or were before we met. Of all people, you shouldn’t care, Beau. I hired them because I didn’t want to face you at this wedding alone. So… try something else if you want to get anywhere with this. You look foolish.”

“Fine. You want to play?”

I smacked my hands on the table and stood. “No. I don’t. I’m sick of this. I’m sick of us, Beau. We’re over. No matter what you think or believe or want, we are long done. So if you’re going to try to make this about me, you can’t.” I looked out over the table, suddenly nervous about the amount of eyes on me.

Fingers gripped my hand. Ellie, telling me she was fine and to do what I needed. I didn’t look at my pack—I didn’t need to. Their pride sang strong through our bonds.

“You ended our relationship with an ultimatum that, apparently, you thought would make me stay instead of leave. You claimed you still wanted me despite now having a fiancée.” I looked down at Angela. “That was right after the anniversary party, by the way. And I’m sorry, but all that jewelry he’s bought you? He didn’t buy it. It was mine, and I left it behind when I got away from him.”

She had the grace to look embarrassed, and deeper than that, hurt. This whole dinner she’d barely said anything.

“And I just found out, like, right now, that Beau cheated on me through the entirety of our relationship. So, cheers to that, asshole.” I lifted my glass and drank.

Beau laughed, but he wasn’t looking at me. He looked at my sister. “Damn, Ellie. After all this time I didn’t think you would be the one to tell her. I had my money on the escorts telling her. Guess I should take bathroom trips more seriously. Or I guess I saw your mom go, too.” He looked down the table. “Was it you, Mrs. Caruso? Or both of you together?”

The blood flowed out of Mom’s face, leaving her white as a sheet. My legs gave out and I fell into my chair. Ellie was as white as her dress, and she wouldn’t look at me. She hadn’t acted with shock in the bathroom when I told her he’d been cheating. And earlier, when I questioned what else Beau could do to me, she’d winced.

She really had known.

“Honestly,” Beau said, refocusing on me. “I kind of thought Henry might tell you first. You’ve always been a daddy’s girl even though he’s not your real father. See, Isolde? Even the first man to know you left.”

My father went to stand, but Warren was already there. “That is enough. Get the fuck off this property and don’t come back, Beau. I was willing to hear your side of things, but that’s not necessary now.” Warren leaned on the table, sagging like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. “I don’t know what the fuck happened for you to turn from the Beau I knew, who had my back no matter what, into whatever you are now. Or maybe I’m as big of an idiot as the rest of the world and fell for the mask you put on. That’s over now. Get out.”

“Fine.” Beau tossed back his champagne. “See you tomorrow.”

“Not tomorrow, Beau. Not ever. Get the fuck out of this house and do not contact me, my wife, Isolde, her pack, or the Carusos ever again.”

For the first time Beau looked shocked. I couldn’t enjoy it. He really thought everything would be fine. That he wasn’t the problem.

Of course not. He was the golden child. The golden boy, golden man, golden ‘I get everything I want whenever I want it.’ He was a spoiled child in a man’s body, and this was the result.

“You heard him,” Dad said from his place at the table. “Get off my property. And you can be sure you won’t be allowed back.”

Beau stuck out his hand to Angela, and she shrunk away from him and shook her head. “No,” she whispered.

The rage on Beau’s face matched the thunder that cracked overhead, the rain starting to fall in earnest as he went toward the house. No one spoke until he was out of sight, breathless and tense.

Him disappearing was like a piñata bursting and confetti made of despair raining down on me. I couldn’t feel my body, and everything was cold.

Ellie turned and reached for me, eyes tearing. “Iz, I promise you it’s not what it seems like.”

I pulled away, staring at her. It was like looking at a stranger. This hurt so much worse than finding out about the cheating. Not just her…

“Please,” she begged. “Just give us a chance to⁠—”

Standing so quickly my chair fell over, I kicked off my heels and went into the rain. Voices called after me, but they were lost to the wind, rain, and waves.

And I did what I thought I’d never do again.

I ran.