Silver’s POV

I stepped around my father and Stella and took the nicely wrapped package from Beta Leo. I felt all eyes on me as I carefully unwrapped the paper and uncovered the jewelry box.

“He got her jewelry?” Stella asked, her lips pressed in a thin line.

I ignored her and opened the box and then gasped when I saw what was inside.

It was a gorgeous golden moonstone necklace, a rare and extremely expensive piece of jewelry usually reserved for the Luna. My mouth fell open when I saw it.

“Is that a moonstone?!” Stella gasped. “There has to be a mistake. Silver is not a Luna!”

“Are you sure it was meant for me?” I finally asked him, my voice coming out breathy and unfamiliar.

Leo nodded.

“He said this is to be gifted to the daughter of the Alpha of the Stormwind pack,” Leo explained. “There will be another gift presented to you at the wedding that the Alpha will give you himself.”

“Oh, that explains it! He must have meant me!” Stella said. “I’m so charming that the Alpha of the Crown pack was captivated by me.”

She giggled at the very thought, and it took everything I had not to roll my eyes.

Leo looked at me and bowed his head slightly.

“I’ll be seeing you soon,” he told me just as he turned and left the house.

Stella snatched the necklace out of my hands before I could even comprehend what was happening.

“This wasn’t meant for you,” she sneered. “Did you really think the Alpha of the Crown pack would gift you something as precious as this? Don’t be ridiculous.”

She laughed as if the very thought was the funniest thing she had ever heard.

Ignoring her, I turned to my father.

“I can’t marry someone who cheats on me,” I told him.

“Don’t make more trouble for yourself, Silver,” he said through his teeth. “You already embarrassed us once. Everybody is expecting you at the Crown packhouse in a couple of hours for the wedding and you will not embarrass us, or I won’t hesitate to banish you!”

“You’re lucky Gavin is giving you a second chance after you cheated, you tramp,” Stella added.

My cheeks flushed at her cruel words.

“I never cheated on him! How could you trust him over me?” I asked.

“That is enough!” My father roared his Alpha power washing over me like a wave.

A sharp pain shot through my head and my vision blurred.

“You will marry Gavin, and this is the last time we will discuss this,” my father demanded, using his Alpha powers on me.

Every fiber in my being wanted to fight against him, but his Alpha power was too much, and without a wolf, I was too weak. I fell to the ground and soon, everything went black.

***

When consciousness returned to me, I was standing in front of the church’s red carpet. I wore my designer wedding dress, and my hair and makeup were already done. I knew my father used his Alpha powers to control my mind; when that happens, the consciousness fades and my body works under his command.

The last conscious thought I had was when I was at home, arguing with my father and Stella.

“Look who finally got her consciousness back,” Stella said with humor lacing her tone. “Keep acting up and father will continue to use his Alpha command to control you.”

“Why are we at a church? I thought the wedding was at the packhouse?” I asked, staring up at the gorgeous white building in front of me.

“Apparently the Alpha insisted on upgrading the venue,” Stella answered.

I was surprised by this because typically only Luna and Alpha weddings were held at churches. Everyone else used the packhouse.

Alpha Elliot must truly cherish his nephew.

Stella wore an elegant purple gown, and her hair was curled and done to perfection as always. What caught my eye the most though was her necklace. It was the moonstone pendant that was given to me by Beta Leo. She wore it proudly as if she knew for certain that it belonged to her. I pressed my lips in a thin line, trying desperately not to lose my temper.

“Like it?” She asked, noticing my gaze. “It’s much more fitted for me. I will have to thank Alpha Elliot personally for the gift.”

“Why must you be so cruel to me all the time?” I asked her. “What have I done to deserve this?”

“It’s not my fault you are a disgrace to the family,” she said mockingly. “But considering you are, marrying the Alpha’s nephew to strengthen our alliances is the least you can do.”

“And doom me of a life of misery?” I asked, tears threatening to escape my eyes.

She just rolled her eyes.

“You were over the moon excited about this wedding a few weeks ago. And now you are complaining? Tell me, Silver, is it because of that guy you slept with last night?”

“You have no idea what you are talking about,” I said through my teeth. “If this alliance means so much to you, then you should marry him instead. You should be the one living an unhappy life instead of me. I don’t deserve this—”

She swung her hand and slapped me across the face before I could even finish the sentence. The sting made my cheek throb.

Her eyes were blazing with anger.

“What is going on out here?” My father asked, storming towards us. “Silver, are you causing trouble again? Do I need to use my Alpha powers against you once again?”

I flinched at his words; I didn’t want to lose consciousness and then wake up married.

“No, Father,” I murmured.

“Do not make trouble for us, Silver. You have been warned,” my father threatened.

“Miss Silver, the wedding will begin soon,” Beta Leo said, approaching me. “Are you ready?”

I looked at my father, tears brimming in my eyes.

“Please, don’t make me do this, father,” I pleaded. It was my last-ditch effort to make him see reason and call off this entire arrangement. But from the cold look he was giving me, I knew it was no use.

I felt his Alpha power wash over me again from the intensity of his stare and I found myself kneeling on the ground with force.

“If I have to drag you down that aisle myself, I will,” my father seethed.

Two of the Crown pack gamma warriors appeared behind them, making my father and Stella tense. One of them unlatched the necklace from Stella, making her nearly jump out of her skin.

“Hey! That’s mine! What are you doing?!” She complained.

I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around my body and soon, I was being lifted off the ground and placed on my feet. The Alpha power my father once had on me vanished almost immediately. I noticed that his face was completely pale, and Stella’s mouth hung open in shock.

I turned to see what they were staring at and to thank whoever helped me up only to be face-to-face with the man from the bar. The one I slept with last night!

I sucked in a sharp breath just as one of the gamma warriors handed him the necklace.

His eyes displayed a tender humor as he looked down at me and then he looked at Stella and his eyes hardened almost immediately.

“This moonstone pendant belongs to a Luna, and you are clearly not worthy,” he told her coldly, making her gasp in shock.

“I remember gifting it to Silver myself,” Beta Leo added, looking at Stella displeased.

The man from last night turned his attention to me and motioned for me to turn around. I did as he said I felt his fingers tracing along my neckline, making me shiver, as he put the necklace on me. I felt a warmth radiating throughout me as it dangled against my chest.

I turned back around to look up at him, confused by what was happening. I wasn’t a Luna either so I wasn’t sure why the moonstone was gifted to me.

“How are you here?” I finally asked him.

“I accepted your proposal. So, here I am,” he replied calmly.

My eyes grew large at his words. Was my one-night stand really going to marry me?

Silver’s POV

The man looked at my father pointedly.

“I don’t appreciate people disrespecting my wife like that,” he said coldly. “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

My father opened his mouth to speak but Gavin interrupted us as he walked into the center of the gathering.

“What’s going on? We need to hurry and—” His voice trailed off as he saw the man standing beside me.

His entire face went pale, and I furrowed my brows at his shocked expression. I was confused about Gavin’s expression.

“Wh…what’s going on?” Gavin finally stammered, looking between the man and me.

“I’m afraid you won’t be getting married today, Gavin,” the man said to him simply. The two Gammas that were standing nearby approached Gavin. “The Gamma will escort you to your seat.”

Gavin looked as if he wanted to protest, but he kept himself from doing so. He went with the Gammas inside the church.

How did this man know Gavin?

I looked up at the man in awe; I wasn’t sure how I hadn’t noticed this last night, but I could feel his power pouring off him in waves. It might even be greater than my father's. I wanted to ask him who he was, but the music started, and the man took my arm into his.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” he said in a tone low enough for just my ears alone.

I flushed at the compliment.

I realized that my father and Stella had already gone inside, and I was grateful for a moment of peace. But it didn’t last long because we were soon walking into the church, side by side. I felt all eyes on me as everyone turned to us and stood on their feet.

I tried to ignore the whispering, but it couldn’t have been helped. Some were skeptical about this marriage; others were in awe of my beauty and the dress that I wore. I heard some wondering who designed such a beautiful gown with elegant designs.

I ignored the piercing glares from Gavin and my family as we made our way to the front of the aisle. I did manage to catch Rebecca’s eyes though and they were large with shock. I gave her an “I’m not sure what’s happening,” look before fixing my attention on the priest in the front of the church.

We stopped just short of him, and I turned to face the man I was marrying.

Everybody was silent as the priest spoke and I tried my best to pay attention to the words he was saying. But I found it difficult when I was so captivated by the man in front of me. He had to have been the most gorgeous-looking man I had ever seen in my life.

My mind was brought back to reality when I felt him slipping something onto my hand. When I looked, I saw an elegant diamond ring on my finger.

My breath hitched in my throat, and I gazed back up at him.

“Do you, Silver Stormwind, daughter of Alpha Zachary Stormwind, take Alpha Elliot Crown, as your husband and Alpha? To rule by his side as his Luna and to respect the Alpha for as long as you both shall live?”

My heart lurched in my chest and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

This man… the one I was marrying; my one-night stand, was Alpha Elliot crown?! Gavin’s uncle??

I shook myself out of my stooper.

“I do,” I answered.

“And do you, Alpha Elliot Crown, take Silver Stormwind as your wife and Luna, and protect her as her Alpha for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Elliot answered without hesitation.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, Alpha and Luna. You may kiss the bride,” the priest announced.

To my surprise, Elliot lowered himself to me and his soft lips brushed across mine in a gentle kiss. My heart raced in my chest, and I closed my eyes, leaning into the kiss. Tingles coursed through my body, just as it did when we met last night.

If I didn’t know anybody, I would say it was a mating call. But that would be ridiculous because I didn’t have a wolf. Finding a true mate wasn’t possible for me.

He pulled back slightly and whispered, “Did you like this gift, my dear wife?”

A smile formed on my lips, and then I nodded.

***

The ceremony was even more elegant than the wedding. The food was catered to each table, and everybody drank from their champagne flutes. Music played in the background while guests mingled and ate.

I stood by Elliot while he spoke to some of the guests; I felt a bit out of place and nervous around him, but I was also eager to be near him. It was like my body didn’t want to leave his side and he didn’t seem to mind it either. When I stood a distance from him, because I feared I was being too clingy, he would simply wrap an arm around my waist and pull me closer to his side.

I beamed at the gesture.

Rebecca came to find me shortly after and she pulled me away from Elliot’s side.

“Oh, my goddess!” She cooed. “I cannot believe you actually married Gavin’s uncle!” Excitement radiated off her.

“I didn’t know this was Elliot Crown until the wedding,” I confessed, keeping my voice as low as possible. “It was a surprise to me.”

“I recognized him from the bar last night,” she said, nudging my shoulder with her arm. “I knew he looked familiar, but he was so casual last night, that I didn’t realize it was him. But I went to the bathroom and when I came back, you were gone. I tried calling but you didn’t answer.”

My cheeks reddened at the memory of last night. Elliot and I kept taking shots and we were both so drunk, I didn’t even realize Rebecca left to use the bathroom. Elliot suggested we took a cab back to his place and continued getting to know one another and I went with him willingly.

After I explained that to Rebecca, she nearly screamed with happiness and then she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in for a tight hug.

I felt a hand grab my wrist and yank me away from Rebecca. I spun around, startled, only to find Stella glaring at me.

“When did you meet Elliot Crown?!” She asked, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Were you trying to make me look stupid?”

I raised my brows at her.

“I wasn’t trying to do anything,” I told her. “Gavin has been cheating on me for a while and Elliot happened to be there to get me through it. It was love at first sight honestly.” It was mostly a lie with a bit of the truth wedged in, but she didn’t need to know that.

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Stella sneered. “You were literally with somebody else last night. You are such a whore, Silver!”

“Jealousy is a bad look on you, Stella,” I shot back.

I felt a hand on my hip and the demanding presence of Elliot by my side.

“The man she was with last night was me,” he told her calmly. “Do you have a problem with that?”

I realized Elliot heard the entire conversation and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. I didn’t want him to hear my family drama like this.

Stella opened her mouth to say something but then closed it. With a huff, she spun on her heel and walked away.

I watched as Gavin made his way toward me with the same Gammas as before trailing after him. They must be keeping an eye on him under Elliot’s orders.

As my eyes locked onto Gavin’s, I quickly turned to face Elliot, pressing my body into his side and putting my hand on his chest. I smiled up at him, my eyes shining with affection.

“I’m so lucky to have married a real man and not a little boy like Gavin,” I purred, fully aware that Gavin was watching and listening.

Elliot smiled down at me and peppered a kiss on my forehead.

“Thank you for the compliment,” he replied.

“You are such a bitch!” Gavin spat at me. “I should have known you were nothing but a gold digger.”

Before I knew what was happening, Elliot kicked Gavin in the knee, and he fell to the ground in a heap of pain.

“Do you not disrespect my wife again, Gavin. Apologize and acknowledge your family tie,” he ordered.

“I’m sorry, Uncle,” he grunted.

“Not to me,” Elliot said through his teeth.

Gavin reluctantly looked at me.

“I’m sorry, Auntie.”