pte

er's

day, and go home,go back to my normal, quiet existence. But it wasn't an option. I pushed my sh

ected him to make an appearance. Not the way he had signed away my life and then sent me off without even saying goodbye. But there he was, in a sharp black suit. He is black hair was shot t

father. I waited for him to say something. Like,"Hi." or "How are you Harper?"

utside, dear. It will be fine, don't worry." She and

help support my weight so that I wouldn't hobble as I walked. Daddy knew my problem. And he knew how to walk with me

of sunflowers. As soon as we appeared, everyone turned in their chairs to stare. God, I would never get used to

. I felt the butterflies in my stomach and that dizziness and silliness that made me want to run right to him and jump on him. I felt my cheeks hea

lue eyes,his face was set in a neutral, serious expression. His hands were

d for my pack,I was going to do it with my pride and my dignity in tact. The cello player cued the music, and my father began to walk me slowly down th

ear, so that what he would say could only be heard between the two of us. He whispered,"I chose you, because you are t

arriage ceremony. Our lives and our culture are so different, what is the point of a piece of paper that sa

the familiar vows. "Do you, Wyatt, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife? Do you, Harper, promise to l

es. There was no love or honor between us. There was just a contracted marriage that neither of us wanted, and

h agreement remains in effect? Do you honor the terms of the contract which bind you to this man?

I said a firm and resolute, "I do." He raised one arched eyebrow at me as he slipped a simple gold band on my f

, knowing grin, as he snaked one arm around my back, and tipped m

t he was bending me back over his supporting arm.Good lord, if he moved that arm I would have tipped right over. I never had a kiss make me hot wit

a litte red,a frown was crinkling up his brow. Did he know? Could he tel

pregnant sister had found a husband. Well, she had a husband as

eling of his lips off my mouth,but instead I pasted on my fake smile while th

y head just a bit... and dug my thumbnail into his skin as hard as I could. Fire flashed in his cold gray eyes, but there was no time for our little battle of the wills, as we were being swept down the aisle,pe

rowds, I saw my dad, and Wy

ce. The only two people who knew this was all a sham. Well, Luna Freyja knew

been exclusive to the most prominent pack members, the elders,the leaders, warriors and important folk.

e clothes, and mountains of food. But before the festivities began,there was another ceremony to endure. The official presentation of Wyatt as the new pack Alpha. Alpha Ozzy stood up on the stage, and Wyatt stood beside him... and

my son,Wyatt Elliot." Wyatt stepped forward and took an oath to serve and protect the pack. I resisted t

eech was a lot shorter. "Today Wyatt has married this young woman. My beloved pack,I present to you,yo

lliot." It was hard to say the new name."Do hereby pledge to serve and nurture the River Bed Pack. I am honored to be your Luna." That was it... just half-strangled words...but with that oath,I officially became a member, an

red. Wyatt was surrounded by men. I didn't know any of them, except for his brother Banks. I figured they were his age-mates, his fellow warriors, his friends. Banks glanced

y got to go on with their happy lives, but on the other hand, this was a gift I had given them. I had spared them from a life-time of misery with Wyatt Elliot. I had lost out, bu

e the last time we would all be together like this. Even me, I got caught up in the moment and the atmosphere... I forgot this was all political, and for a few minutes I just

have to turn my head. I felt his negative energy like an ominous black cloud. He

him stupidly

marriage, my dear."