Chapter 6 A Closer Peek

Elle’s POV

 When Elle and her mother went inside, they were holding hands. It gave Elle some extra courage as she explained to Arya that she was ready to proceed. Arya was ecstatic to hear it. Jumping up and down, she clapped her hands enthusiastically.

Arya then led both women across the street to the church. She spoke the entire way about how lovely the wedding would be and what all their plans were. But Elle was only listening on the surface. 

Her mind and emotions were on a fast-paced tilt-a-whirl. She had to focus entirely on controlling herself. Or she might grab her mom and run out.

Arya led them down a short hallway with two doors on each side. Except for the light that escaped from two open doors, it was dark in the hallway. One was at the farthest end to the right. The other was the first on the left.

Elle peeked in the first door as they passed. Corvin was naked from the waist up. His large muscles rippled in the pale lights of the church. She gasped when she saw the horrific scars that trailed his backside. 

She couldn’t see them clearly in the short few seconds that it took to pass the room, and she didn’t want to stare. But it somehow made him scarier, if that was even possible. However, it also made her feel a little sorry for him, although she would never admit it.

It was just the skinniest sliver of emotion anyway. It didn’t change the situation he had forced her and her mother into. Elle denied herself.

Then he snorted and turned quickly to the door. The movement reminded her of a beast. Her mother had called him one on the front porch steps earlier, and Elle grinned. It was an accurate assessment.

Inside the room, to the back of the hall, were a white vanity mirror, and strewed flowers were everywhere. A small teal cabinet sat in the far corner. It was too fancy to belong to the church.

Arya opened it as Elle sat down. Inside were all sorts of beauty supplies, from make-up to hair care. A simple black garment bag covered a hanger along a far wall. 

Elle supposed that was her dress. She didn’t want to know how they knew her size. Had he been stalking her? She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Her mother had not come into the room. She excused herself before shutting the door. “I have to go to talk to someone.”

Arya turned to Elle, looking at her carefully. It made Elle want to ask what she wanted. It wasn’t unpleasant scrutiny but a reflective curiosity on Arya’s face. Finally, she spoke. 

“I see the vision clearly! You will be the loveliest bride ever!”

Elle couldn’t help laughing. Arya’s positive energy was catching. Elle decided that she liked Arya. 

“Did you and mom know each other when you were children?” It was hard to believe Arya was old enough to be a child with her mother, but she had acted like she knew her mother.

“We were very close,” Arya said with a melancholy smile. “I often hoped she would return to the family, but she found such insane happiness somewhere else.” Arya shrugged as she began preparing Elle to walk down the aisle.

Aspen’s POV

Elle’s mother, Aspen, walked down the hall towards the room she had seen Corvin in. She had to speak to him before he married her daughter. There was much to say and so little time.

Corvin was still topless as he stood in front of his mirror, shaving. “I could smell you entering the building.” He said without pausing what he was doing.

She smiled wistfully as she stepped up behind him. He shivered as she ran her fingers along his scars. “How much of this happened that day?” She asked softly.

He shrugged. “I don’t keep track. We won that day. It is all that mattered.”

“You won that day.” She replied, trying to give him the credit he deserved.

He placed his razor down on the table and wiped his face off. Then he met her eyes through the mirror and stilled. “Is that what you call losing everything you love?” He growled.

Tears filled her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him. She wanted to comfort him, tell him she was sorry. It was, after all, all her fault.

 But the words would mean nothing. “It was a good life worth living.” She honored his sacrifice. “And now I leave you with what has become my heart. She has agreed to marry you.”

He growled and turned around. Her face was now buried in his bare chest. He puffed his chest out and put his hands on her shoulders as she cried. 

“My daughter is beautiful and brave. She leads her friends without effort. Doesn’t even know she is mostly. But she is young and impulsive. Take care of her, big brother.” Aspen pleaded.

He shifted his weight uncomfortably, making a slow, soft rumbling noise in his throat. It wasn’t menacing. She could sense his discomfort in the situation. 

“I will take care of her, as I would have taken care of you.” He promised coarsely.

She knew he would, but she still wanted reassurance. “You know I have always loved you, my alpha.” She whispered.

Corvin roared angrily and shoved her away. She bumped into a table and knocked it over before she fell on her backside. She looked up at him with pity. 

He had lost so much that day and since then had been through hell. It had been her responsibility to help him. But she had been elsewhere.

“Take your shallow words and get out!” He fumed. She stood slowly and turned to see Elle standing in the doorway. Embarrassed and shaken, Aspen ran out of the room crying.

Elle and Arya stood at the door. Elle was still wearing her sundress that boy had had his hands all over. Rage filled him as he turned towards them and bellowed. “You don’t look ready!” Elle ran off down the hall, Arya close on her heels.

His heart ached something fierce as that charlatan spoke those words. It was in reflex to the pain that he had pushed her away. But now, he watched the women leave with sorrow written plainly on his features.