Chapter 21

Clara

After that, things worsened between Damon and me, but this time it didn't bother me. I was done trying to make things work. I still acted like a caring wife in front of his family and pack, but when we were alone, we were strangers.

Soon, it was Liam and Veronica's wedding day. I wasn't excited to return to that pack, but I was looking forward to seeing Aunt Amelia.

The makeup artist and hairstylist finished working their magic, and, as before, I barely recognized myself. My blonde hair was slicked back in a bun, and the "no-makeup" look was splendidly done.

Delilah arrived later to help me get ready. I was awestruck by the dress Damon had chosen; I couldn't deny he had style.

"This green dress brings out the green in your eyes. You look beautiful, Clara," she complimented, and I smiled.

Despite her eccentricities, Delilah and I had become close. It was nice having a friend besides Aunt Amelia.

"I can't help but notice you and my brother are having issues," Delilah suddenly said, and I stared at her wide-eyed. I thought Damon and I were acting like the perfect couple.

"Why would you say that?" I asked. She smiled.

"I know my brother. He's been moodier than usual, and I suspected it had something to do with you. Did you two fight? Look, Clara, my brother is a good guy, he…" I scoffed, cutting her off.

"Can we not talk about this, please? I just want to get through this day," I murmured. She nodded slightly and led me from my room.

As before, Damon and Luca were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. I took a deep breath before descending. Even without looking at him, I felt Damon's eyes on me.

"You look gorgeous, Madam Clara," Luca complimented, and I smiled at him.

"Let's go," Damon said, then turned and walked away without looking back.

"Don't mind him. Let me escort you," Luca offered, and I smiled faintly as he led me out of the house.

Soon, I was in the car with Damon, the driver, and Luca in the front. The tension was almost unbearable. I was tempted to say something but remained silent.

Luca tried to break the awkward silence with a few jokes, but Damon ignored him, as did I. He eventually gave up. I didn't sleep the entire trip; Damon's aura was overwhelmingly suffocating. Soon enough, we reached Liam's pack gate.

The guards performed their usual protocol, but upon seeing Damon, they immediately stepped aside and let us through. As we drove in, I frowned at the decorations. I remembered discussing my wedding vision with Liam a year ago. He'd done it for Veronica? My mood plummeted.

We arrived at the wedding hall, and the ache in my heart intensified. Liam was shameless for giving Veronica the wedding of my dreams. How dare he?

"Let's go," Damon said, opening his door. I shook my head, turning away to hide my tears.

"Just a minute," I murmured. I expected him to pull me out, but he simply nodded and closed the door.

I was alone in the car, and I took deep breaths to calm myself.

"Clara, get a hold of yourself. You just have to get him to reject you, then you can move on," I muttered to myself, my wolf trying to soothe me.

After another deep breath, I got out of the car and went to Damon's side. He glanced down, as if checking on me, but I ignored him. I wouldn't be fooled again.

"Let's go in," Damon said, taking my hand as we entered the building.

Everyone's eyes turned to us. I noticed Liam's widened eyes when he saw me. He stood at the altar with Veronica, seemingly mid-vows.

"Good day, Alpha Damon," everyone greeted simultaneously. Even Liam, and Damon gave a curt nod.

"Proceed," he said, and the wedding continued. He wasn't even Alpha King, yet his power was already this intense.

We reached our seats. I couldn't help but notice Liam stealing glances at me. A few others seemed to notice as well, including Damon.

As soon as I sat down, he placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed. My eyes snapped to his.

"If he keeps staring at you, I'll gouge his eyes out," Damon muttered nonchalantly, but I knew he wasn't joking. The threat was clear in his tone.

"And do you, Alpha Liam Whitlock, take Miss Veronica Dunlop as your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest asked. We all turned to Liam, who seemed hesitant. He then looked at me.

"If Clara agrees to marry me now, then no, I will not marry Veronica. Because I love Clara and want her as my wife," Liam declared. Everyone gasped; I stared at him, wide-eyed.

I felt Damon's fingers tighten painfully on my thigh, but I was speechless. Liam stepped down from the stage and walked toward our table.

"I'm sorry for what I did, and I know it was wrong. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm willing to make it right. The love we shared wasn't in vain, and I love you beyond any mate bond. Will you marry me now, Clara?" Before I could answer, Damon leaped up and attacked Liam.

Everyone stood. I tried to rush to them, but Luca held me back.

"You'll get hurt," he said, but I didn't care. I looked at Liam; he looked like he might die.

"Stop it, Damon, you'll kill him!" I screamed. Damon paused mid-air.

"How dare you disrespect me by asking my wife to marry you? You insignificant bastard!" Damon roared, silencing everyone.

"I I don't care if if you married her, she loves me and I love I love her too," Liam struggled to say. His words seemed to enrage Damon further.

Damon pulled Liam up, then turned him to me.

"Reject her now," Damon commanded. My eyes widened.

"I I won't," Liam said, stubbornly.

Damon plunged his hand into Liam's chest. Everyone screamed, including me.

"Damon!" I cried out in terror.

"If you don't reject her, I'll kill you, and your mark will disappear. Do you want it the hard way or the easy way?" Damon threatened. Only cries were audible, especially Liam's mother's.

Liam pursed his lips, staring into my eyes. Tears fell before I could stop them.

"Liam, reject me. It's okay," I murmured. He shook his head.

"I love…" Damon drove his hand further into his chest. Liam groaned in pain, spitting blood.

"Damon!" I cried.

"Say it!" Damon hissed. I grabbed Liam's face.

"It's okay, reject me. Do it now, Liam," I urged. He sighed, bowing his head.

"I, Alpha Liam Whitlock, reject Clara as…"

"Clara Donovan," Damon growled, and I clenched my fist.

"Clara Donovan as my chosen mate." As soon as Liam spoke, pain shot through me, and I fell to the ground. Liam's family rushed to his side and carried him away.

Damon removed his hand from Liam's chest and carried me out of the hall.

"I hate you," I muttered softly, clutching my chest, tears streaming down my face.

Damon didn't reply, carrying me in his arms as he left the hall.