Chapter 12: Wedding

Olivia’s POV

The doors of the pack’s ceremonial hall loomed before me, towering and intimidating. My mother’s gentle hand rested on mine, offering what little comfort she could as the doors creaked open. A hushed silence fell over the room; hundreds of eyes turned toward me. My heart pounded so violently I feared the whole pack could hear it.

The aisle stretched endlessly before me, a pathway paved in white petals, leading straight to the three men who would soon become my husbands. My mates. My tormentors. I forced myself to take a step, then another. With every step, Anita’s words echoed in my head: “They don’t want you. The moment they become Alphas, they’ll get rid of you.”

My grip tightened around the bouquet. I didn’t dare look up yet, focusing instead on steady breaths and reaching the altar without collapsing. Whispers rippled through the crowd—some admiring, some pitying. I felt their judgment, their curiosity, and worst of all, their doubt. No one believed this marriage was born of love; everyone knew it was a duty, a forced bond. They all wanted Anita, not a lowly omega whose father was accused of stealing.

At last, I reached the altar and lifted my gaze. The triplets stood before me, each in ceremonial black robes embroidered with silver. Identical yet distinct, they stared with hardened glares, not bothering to hide their hatred.

My eyes first fell on Lennox. His piercing green eyes barely acknowledged me as he stood tall, hands clasped behind his back. I moved my gaze to Louis; his jaw was clenched so tightly I thought it might break. His resentful eyes flickered to mine for a second before looking away, as if my presence disgusted him. I swallowed hard and looked at Levi. Perhaps he would offer a different expression, but I was wrong. If looks could kill, Levi’s glare would have struck me dead.

Not one of them smiled. Not one extended a hand. I swallowed hard, my wolf whimpering.

The officiant, an elder, cleared his throat, his voice echoing. “We are gathered here today to witness the sacred union of these four souls, bound by the will of the Moon Goddess.”

Bound. Trapped. The words felt like chains, shackling me to my fate. The elder continued, but I barely heard him; my mind spun, drowning in the weight of my situation. My hands trembled, my breath shallow.

Then came the moment. “The grooms may now accept their wife.” A tense silence filled the room. The triplets didn’t move. A ripple of unease spread through the crowd. The hesitation was humiliating. A bride should be welcomed with love and devotion, but I stood exposed, unwanted. Heat rose to my cheeks, but Lennox finally stepped forward. “I accept.” His voice was cold, devoid of emotion. Louis followed, his tone clipped: “I accept.” Levi took longest, staring, lips twitching, before his empty response: “I accept.”

The words sealed my fate. The elder nodded. “Then, by the laws of our kind and the will of the Moon Goddess, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” A shiver ran down my spine. The crowd erupted in applause, but I felt only the suffocating presence of the three men beside me—their resentment, their unwillingness.

In that moment, I realized something. Anita was right. I wasn’t their bride. I wasn’t their mate. I was their prisoner. The wedding was over; the real nightmare had just begun.

As the officiant stepped aside, the atmosphere shifted. Applause faded into murmurs, anticipation thick in the air. The triplets and I remained at the altar, awaiting the coronation. They were to be crowned Alphas. And I, their Luna. The thought sent a cold wave through me.

An elder stepped forward with a silver tray lined in black velvet. Upon it lay three identical crowns of black obsidian and silver—symbols of power—and a smaller one for me. I felt Levi’s glare, but refused to look; I’d already seen the disgust in his eyes.

The elder raised his voice, silencing the crowd. “Tonight, under the witness of our ancestors, our pack recognizes the rightful heirs of the Full Moon Pack—Lennox, Louis, and Levi. By blood and strength, they shall rise as our Alphas, bound by lineage and destiny. Let them step forward.”

The triplets moved in unison. Even now, their unity was effortless. Despite their hatred for me, their purpose bound them. The elder crowned Lennox, asking, “Lennox Lucianion, do you swear to uphold the laws of this pack, to protect its people, and to lead with honor and strength?” “I swear,” Lennox said, his voice firm. The crown settled on his head. Louis and Levi followed, each giving the same vow.

The moment Levi’s crown touched his head, the pack erupted in howls. Jubilation filled the space. The Full Moon Pack had their new Alphas.

Now, it was my turn. The elder turned to me, expression blank, picking up the smaller crown. Whispers grew louder. “Olivia Parker,” he said, his voice loud, “by the will of the Moon Goddess and the decree of our laws, you are named Luna of the Full Moon Pack. Do you swear to stand beside your Alphas, to guide this pack with wisdom and strength, and to uphold the honor of this position?”

The triplets didn’t move, didn’t look at me. The weight of their silence pressed against my chest. I swallowed hard. Do I swear? Did I have a choice? My father was branded a traitor; my family name tarnished. If I refused, I would be condemned. So I did the only thing I could. “I swear.”

The elder placed the crown on my head. It felt heavier than it should, pressing down like an iron chain. “The bond is sealed,” the elder declared. “Full Moon Pack, honor your new Alphas and your Luna.” Howls and applause echoed, but I felt nothing.

Standing beside the men who hated me, with a crown that felt like a curse, I noticed Anita in the front row. Anger was etched on her face, but her gaze held a message: “You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

I looked for my mother. Our eyes met; she offered a comforting smile, but her eyes were filled with tears—tears of joy or pity, I couldn’t tell.

Then an elder said, “Alphas, you may kiss your bride.” My eyes widened. I didn’t know this was part of the ceremony. The triplets would kiss me. In front of the entire pack. My first kiss.