Geraldine's POV

“Où est le marié?” The butler shouted in French, running around like he was the one getting married. 

For one, he was not the Alpha's father. But he fretted like a hen when it came to the Alpha. Even more shocking was that he's a human. 

I stared at his bald head reflecting the light from the chandelier and almost burst out laughing.

This was not how I imagined my marriage would be.

A grand ballroom, a thousand guests, a heavily diamond dotted dress and a missing groom.

It was a perfect picture of chaos. 

The Alpha's entrance silenced the room in an instant as they watched him in awe.

The butler was practically bouncing on his heels. “Alpha, we’ve been looking everywhere! Where…”

“Got the rings?” the Alpha interrupted, not acknowledging his nervousness.

The butler froze, his eyes wide. “Ah, yes, of course! Right here!” He handed over the small velvet box with a trembling hand.

The Alpha took the box with a practiced ease, his gaze flicking briefly toward me before turning to the officiant. "Let’s get this over with," he muttered under his breath.

The officiant nodded quickly. “Everyone, please rise.”

The guests shuffled to their feet, murmurs rippling through the crowd as the priest cleared his throat, stepping forward. “We are gathered here today…”

I barely heard him. My focus was entirely on the Alpha, the man who was about to become my husband… contracted husband.

“Do you, Geraldine, take this man, Alpha Amir, to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the officiant asked, looking directly at me.

Without missing a beat, I responded, “I do.”

The Alpha’s lips curled up into a brief smile, and I swear the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.

“Alpha Amir,” the officiant continued, “Do you take Geraldine to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

The Alpha raised an eyebrow, glancing at me with a smirk before saying, “I do.”

The room exhaled. A collective sigh of relief, mostly from the elderly men and women sitted in the front pew. They seemed to be the elders.

The officiant held up the rings, and the Alpha smoothly took the first one, sliding it onto my finger. "Here," he said, his voice steady. "Your turn."

I paid no mind to the action as I grabbed his hand and slipped the ring onto his finger.

“And now," the officiant declared, "by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

A cheer erupted from the guests, and the Alpha's hand reached for mine, pulling me close. I went stiff as he leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against my ear. “You're good at acting. Smile.” 

I forced my lips into a smile, annoyed at how disrespectful he was and deciding to endure.

It's just 730 days. Oh hell no! That's such a long time. I cried inside.

But then, it's not nearly enough to reject 20 million dollars. I couldn't earn that amount even if I worked myself to death.

The cheer from the crowd was loud, almost deafening, but I could still hear the soft click of heels on the marble floor as the first few guests came forward with gifts.

"Congratulations, Alpha Amir!" An elderly lady cooed, her smile wide as she handed over an intricately wrapped box. "May your union bring prosperity."

I nodded politely, accepting the gift and offering a practiced smile in return. 

The room was full of the rich and powerful. Families from neighboring packs, influential business moguls, and their sycophants. I could feel their eyes on me, waiting for my reaction.

The Alpha remained silent beside me, his hand on my back. 

"May your union bring much strength to the pack," another guest said, this time a younger man with a flirtatious grin. He passed a quick wink my way as he handed over a crystal decanter filled with some rare liquor. I didn’t respond to his act, just nodded and accepted the gift.

Some whispered, I’m sure, about how the two of us were an unlikely pair. 

I could practically hear their thoughts. ‘How could he marry someone like her?’ ‘What will this mean for the pack?’

Then, there was an unexpected voice, a calm and sweet tone. “Congratulations Alpha and Luna.” 

I turned my head to see a young woman making her way toward me, her arms outstretched as if we were the best of friends. She had a soft face, but there was a hint of something calculating in her eyes as she embraced me. "I hope you have an everlasting happiness with Alpha Amir," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. I noticed the way her hand lingered too long on my back, as if sizing me up. “What a beautiful dress, dear. You’re simply glowing.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. It was hard to see if she was being genuinely kind or if there was something more sinister in her words.

An elder stepped forward with a stern expression. The murmurs in the room hushed as his deep voice cut through the chatter. 

“She’s not yet the Luna,” he declared, his tone authoritative. “The mating ceremony has yet to take place. Until then, her position is not solidified.” 

My heart stuttered in my chest, and I felt the blood drain from my face. 

Mating?!

No one had mentioned anything about a mating ceremony. 

I looked up at Amir with an accusatory glance but he looked on calmly. 

“Mind your business,” Amir said coldly. “Don’t make my new bride shy on her first day here.”  

There was a collective gasp at his words. The elder’s mouth opened and closed in surprise and bowed before leaving.

I watched the exchange feeling a mix of relief and resentment. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the woman who had just congratulated me, this time, there was something darker in her eyes. Hate.  

Her expression changed the second Amir turned toward her. “You might need to move out of the house,” he said bluntly, as if discussing the weather. “My wife will need her space.”  

Her eyes widened slightly, the mask of sweetness slipping for a brief moment. “Cousin,” she began, her voice tight with forced civility, “surely you don’t mean—”  

“I do,” Amir cut her off, his tone firm and unapologetic. “I’m sure you’ll understand.”  

The woman’s gaze flicked back to me. Her lips curved into a tight smile. “Of course,” she said coolly. “Anything for the new Luna.”