THE WEDDING ITINERARY

Rachel's POV

My stepdad was always my knight in shining armour. He was the only one that supported my career in the academy. He always respected my decisions, and I loved him so much for that. We were so close no one would believe he was actually my stepfather. My real father made it a duty to be a deadbeat Dad. He always made promises that he would never fulfil.

My biological father was the real reason I didn't trust men and really never gave them a chance. I was constantly lied to by him, which was very disappointing growing up, but my stepdad made sure I grew up with no daddy issues. He protected me and gave me everything I needed from age seven till today.

"Hello darling, your mom handed this bottle of water to me and said you weren't feeling too good, then went back to discussing with her group of friends. That's one worried mother." He said, sounding very sarcastic. I giggled at his sarcasm and brightened up a bit.

"I'm guessing she's talking about her achievements again". I replied while sipping some water from the bottle.

"She seemed so elated I felt a bit jealous. I mean, she wasn't this happy on our wedding day, that much I can tell you." He said, taking a seat.

I let out a chuckle.

Yes, I found my stepdad's gestures and sarcasm hilarious. Still, my issues were more profound than the few seconds of joy my stepdad gave, so even while chuckling, he could see I was troubled.

"Why the long face? You look like a princess in that dress, by the way, even though I'm sure if wedding dresses came in jeans and t-shirts, you would be happier." He said, trying to cheer me up. My stepdad knew I wasn't happy with the arranged marriage, and when he tried to speak up about it, my mother reminded him he wasn't my real father.

We were both upset about that remark. I could see the pain in his eyes and would always commend him for his patience with her. My biological father met his fated mate and rejected my mother to be with her. My mother was disgraced and heartbroken, but my stepdad had been in love with her even when she was with my dad, so he claimed her once she was free of my father, not caring what anyone would say.

Unfortunately, my mom was still in love with my dad. She gave him special preference even in the presence of my stepdad. This hurt my stepdad so much, but he was in love and hoped she would someday change for the better. My stepdad was a widower when he married my mom, but he was very in love with her, so he tried to make everything work. He adopted me, gave me his name and treated me even better than his own son, who hated me, by the way, and made it intentional to make his father see we were not to be trusted, but his dad didn't care. 

He wasn't interested in the rumours my brother sponsored around the settlement against us; he ensured my mom, and I got the best of everything.

My biological dad was a happy-go-lucky person who had an interest in everything but wasn't a professional in any. He even benefitted from my stepdad's generous wealth but never made anything from it. His own mate left him because of his carefree attitude to life. I personally felt he was allergic to progress, which was his major flaw.

"Talk to me, princess; what's the matter?" My stepdad asked.

"I'm not comfortable about this whole arrangement. I had my life all planned out before this.

There were places I wanted to travel to, but getting married now was never my plan. I'm just twenty-one years old. And James, not James, he's been with every slut in the settlement; I can't see myself around him." I blurted out while my stepdad listened carefully with a concerned look.

"You know you can always stop now if you're not happy. It's still your decision."

"But mom would be mad, and you've already spent a lot of money. I wouldn't want to disappoint both of you. Also, this is a high-profile wedding. The alpha's son and the beta's daughter. This would really hurt your friendship with Alpha Nighthawk." I responded with my voice shaking close to tears.

"Well, first of all, your mom has been angry since I married her, so this wouldn't make a difference. Then Alpha Nighthawk has been friends with me since high school; he'll be angry for a moment, then get over it. As for the money, it's just money. I can make it all back very soon, but your happiness to me is more important than this money." He reassured me as he embraced me to calm my nerves.

My nerves were not calm, but I needed the hug. I felt guilty because I wasn't telling him the truth. I wasn't telling him that the real reason I was going ahead with this wedding was to help my mom with her getaway card from him. I felt like I was betraying him, but my mom had made it clear that our security was in jeopardy as he had threatened to divorce her if he did not stop seeing my dad. If he divorced her, we stood to lose everything because of the prenup.

My marriage to the alpha's son was to secure her future because she didn't want to stop seeing my father. It wasn't that they were sleeping together or anything like that, at least not to my knowledge. Still, his presence made her happy, and she didn't feel like she was harming anyone by seeing him. Ever since his fated mate left him, she had become more hopeful to be back with him. Now, all she needed was money to be with him because he wasn't very good at making money, hence her reason for making me marry into wealth.

My mom's first love was my biological dad, who seemed like a promising man then. Still, he struggled to keep our family together financially. She still stood by him in all the issues, but when he saw his mate, he dumped her like a bad habit.

Her next husband was my stepdad, who had wealth beyond her imagination. Still, she took advantage of his kindness every chance she got. He spoilt her with trips across the world, expensive jewellery and gifts. This new life made her conclude that she would never be broke again. So, to be back with the one she loved, she wanted to be sure she had financial capacity by any means necessary.

My stepdad was very wealthy, even above the alpha. His wealth had sponsored wars in our pack and given us massive victories, after which he got the bulk of the bounty. Alpha Nighthawk and him were close friends and respected themselves very well. Still, my stepdad had always been strategic, while Alpha Nighthawk had power and command over the Sandstone pack. 

"I don't know, Daddy; I don't think I can put you through this," I responded. Guilt still swallowing my heart.

"Well, it's better you put us through this now than become the runaway bride on your wedding day. You know you're pretty fast; none of us can catch you if you decide to run on that day." He giggled.

I let out a chuckle as I wiped off my tears.

"Hey, you two, the wedding itinerary is out!" I heard my mom scream in excitement as she barged into the room. Her excitement irritated me because of what she was putting me through.

"That's great. Let's see it." I said, sounding excited and trying to cover my true feelings. My mom handed us each a copy, and it looked lovely. I sat down and smiled while going through it. My mom was doing a fantastic job spending my stepdad's money on this wedding, and everything was coming out perfectly except for my emotions.

"It's beautiful, thanks, mom," I said and hugged her. I turned around and looked at my stepdad. I recognised that look on his face. My stepdad was a very patient person, especially if he loved you. I had seen him go through many emotions with my mom, and what I was seeing now was terrible for us.

"Pamela, I see here it's written that Francis will walk Rachel to the altar. I'm confused; I thought I was supposed to walk her to the altar." He said, trying to calm down.

"Well, her real father said he'll do it, and I can't refuse him that. He's not been a part of her life for years, so this is his opportunity to do something." My mom responded nonchalantly, disregarding my already boiling stepdad's emotions.

I looked at his eyes, and they were dark red. I had never seen him this angry and was afraid he was about to do something irrational, so I walked towards him and held his hand to calm him down, but it didn't work.