Damon's POV

The moment Reina stepped into the moonlit garden, the world around me seemed to fall into one place, and that was her. The aisle was lined with white petals, and as she moved toward me, the silk of her gown clinging perfectly to her frame, my breath caught in my throat. She held a tiny bouquet with trembling fingers, but her face was a mask of expressionlessness.

There was no bridal glow, no spark of anticipation. She didn't want this bond; she didn't want me. My heart tightened with the knowledge that while I had spent a lifetime craving her, she didn't desire someone like me.

My gaze drifted to the curve of her neck, where a fading mark marred her skin. I had noticed it earlier. Someone had discarded her only hours ago, tearing their soul away from hers and leaving her hollow. It was the reason she had fought me; the reason she looked at the altar as if it were a scaffold.

Fredrick reached the end of the aisle and came to a halt. Without a word, he placed Reina's hand in mine. Her glove was cool, but I grasped her hand firmly, offering a silent strength she wasn't ready to accept. I led her the final few steps toward the priest, whose robes fluttered in the evening breeze.

"The moment is auspicious," the priest murmured, gesturing toward the glow above. "It appears the Moon Goddess herself has descended to witness the union of two destined mates."

I felt Reina flinch at the word destined.

"Start the official ceremony," I commanded.

The priest gave a solemn nod and began the sacred incantations. Then, the time came for the exchange of promises.

"I, Damon Kingsley," I began, "vow to protect you, to love you, and to respect you for as long as I draw breath. In every triumph and every shadow, you will find me standing firmly by your side. I swear my eternal loyalty and my heart to you, Reina Ashfall."

I watched her closely, searching for any crack in her composure. Her long eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks, a solitary sign of the storm brewing beneath her skin, yet she still refused to meet my gaze. It was only when it was her turn to speak that she finally lifted her head. As she repeated the holy vows after the priest, her eyes locked onto mine for a fraction of a second. 

"Please, exchange the rings now," the priest said. 

My beta stepped forward with a decorated basket that had two ring boxes laid in it. I picked one while Reina picked the other. I slid the ring onto her finger, and then she slid into mine. Her touch was cold, yet it sent a burning sensation through my entire body. Was this what they used to say a mate's touch?

"I declare you both husband and wife. May Alpha Damon kiss his bride." 

I lifted the veil slowly and saw her hands tightly clutching the bouquet this time. I cupped her face when our eyes met. However, I didn't kiss her on the lips; instead, I planted a kiss on her cheek. As I pulled away, I saw a shocking look in her eyes. I passed her a smile and said, "Reina, it is my honor to be your mate. I am so happy to have you as my luna."

~~~~~

Reina's POV

I stood in stunned silence. I never expected an Alpha, especially one of his stature, to speak to me with such reverence. He seemed genuinely, inexplicably happy to claim me as his Luna. What shocked me even more was his restraint; he didn't force a kiss to seal the union, a mercy I hadn't anticipated.

"Shall we go?" he asked, his voice softening.

I gave a stiff nod and allowed him to take my hand. As we turned to leave the altar, my eyes caught Mariana. She was biting her nails, her face twisted in a mask of pure envy. In all the years of living in her shadow, I had never seen her look at me with anything but disgust; this new expression was unsettling.

We had barely started down the aisle when my father stepped forward, blocking our path. "I have nothing grand to offer you," he said, his voice devoid of its usual coldness. "But this is a small wedding gift from my side. I hope you stay happy."

I stared at the envelope in his hand, bewildered. Before I could reach for it, Britany lunged forward. "Honey, there is no need to give money to Reina," she hissed, her fingers twitching to snatch the envelope back. "She has secured a very rich husband for herself."

She was inches away from grabbing it when Damon's hand shot out, intercepting the envelope with terrifying speed.

"A father wishes to provide for his daughter, Mrs. Ashfall. I fail to see a problem with that." His voice was low, vibrating with a subtle threat that made the air around us feel heavy.

"I don't need it," I snapped, the bitterness rising in my throat. I pushed past them, refusing to look back. The audacity of my father's "blessing" stung more than his neglect ever had. How could he tell me to be happy today, when he had spent a lifetime ensuring I wasn't? He wasn't being kind; he was performing for the man standing beside me.

"Ahh!"

In my haste to escape their gazes, my heel caught on a stone. My ankle twisted sharply, and a pain shot up my leg, forcing a cry from my lips as I stumbled toward the ground. 

However, before I could fall down, Damon's strong arms protected me, and the next moment, I was in his arms.

"Careful, love," Damon said with a smirk as he began walking, "and hold me tightly."

I slid my hands up his shoulders and locked them behind his neck. Up close, he looked far more handsome and intimidating at the same time.

Reina's POV

The car glided to a halt before the towering entrance of a sprawling, five-star hotel. Before I could even attempt to find my footing, the door was swept open and Damon's arms were around me once more. He scooped me up in a bridal carry with effortless ease, and I felt a traitorous heat creep into my cheeks.

"I could have walked," I whispered, staring fixedly at his collar.

"I didn't want you to," he answered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He carried me through the lobby and into a private VIP elevator. As the floors ticked upward, the knots in my stomach tightened. I knew what usually happened once the doors to a bridal suite closed. My heart raced with a sickening sense of vertigo; I had never imagined sharing a room-or a life-with anyone but Zayne. Now, Zayne was a ghost of a memory, and this stranger was my husband.

The elevator chimed, and his Beta appeared, holding the door to the suite open.

"I'll see you in the morning," Damon told him, his voice dismissing the world outside before he carried me into the room.

The suite was a sea of luxury, but I barely noticed. Damon lowered me onto the edge of the plush mattress with surprising gentleness. When he reached down to unstrap my heels, I flinched slightly.

"I'll do it myself," I protested.

"Shh." He silenced me with a single word and a gaze so steady it felt like a physical weight. He inspected my ankle with focused care. "Thankfully, it's not a serious injury," he murmured, looking up at me before straightening his back. "What would you like to eat? I know you haven't had a bite all day."

Appetite was the last thing on my mind. The raw wound of the rejection and the memory of Zayne's betrayal still felt like a physical ache in my chest.

"I-I'm not hungry," I stammered. Just then, my stomach let out a treacherous growl, shattering my lie.

A low, genuine chuckle vibrated in Damon's chest. He didn't tease me; he simply walked to the landline and began reciting a list of dishes to the staff. I watched him, my hand resting over my stomach, as he began to shed the formal layers of his wedding attire. First the bowtie, then the blazer. When he unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled back his sleeves, the corded muscle and veins of his forearms were revealed. My eyes widened, catching a glimpse of a small, intricate tattoo etched into his skin.

"Do you want to change?" he asked, turning back to me. "That gown must be heavy."

"But I don't have any other clothes," I pointed out.

"I've already had everything arranged." He moved to the mahogany wardrobe and pulled it open. He reached for a garment, but as he held it up, he suddenly froze, his posture turning rigid.

Curious, I gathered the heavy silk of my skirts and walked over to him. "Give it to me."

"I think my Beta made a grave error in the selection," Damon said. "I'll have him bring something else immediately."

"What do you mean?" I reached out and took the fabric from his hand. My face caught fire the moment I realized what it was a see-through nightgown that left nothing to the imagination. I practically shoved it back into the cupboard.

"I'm sorry," we both blurted out at the same time.

"That... is clearly not suitable. And you didn't do anything wrong to apologize," Damon said, clearing his throat and looking toward the door. "I'll be back shortly with something comfortable."

Before I could respond, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving me alone in the silence of the suite.

~~~~

Damon's POV

My first impression as a husband was ruined. To Reina, I was likely nothing more than a pervert. How the hell could my Beta make such a colossal mistake?

I strode across the hall and slammed my hand against the door of the room opposite ours. A few seconds later, Oliver stepped out, looking startled.

"What happened, Alpha?"

"What kind of nightdress did you arrange for Reina?" I hissed, keeping my voice low. "Didn't I tell you to be meticulous with every detail?"

Oliver frowned, genuinely bewildered. "What do you mean? I did exactly what you asked, Damon. I had the hotel staff pull their best selections. Is the fabric torn or something?"

"It's... It's completely inappropriate," I gritted out.

"Inappropriate?" Oliver stared at me as if I'd lost my mind. "How can a nightgown be inappropriate?"

"It's see-through, Oliver. Entirely transparent."

Oliver's confusion vanished, replaced by a slow, mocking grin. He actually laughed. "That's what bridal nightgowns are, Damon. You two are husband and wife. It's your first night with your Luna, your mate. What's the issue? I didn't realize the mighty Alpha was so timid and shy."

"Drop the act," I snapped, my patience thinning. "Reina doesn't know me. She's already fragile, and now she probably thinks I'm a predator, who wants to jump on her. Just get me something comfortable for her. Now. I don't want her feeling even a second of discomfort in my presence."

"Fine, fine. Stay here," Oliver said, still chuckling as he turned to head toward the elevators.

I paced the hallway like a caged animal. Finally, Oliver returned, holding a discreet shopping bag.

"Here," he whispered, handing it over with a wink. "This one is as modest as it gets."

I opened the bag to double-check the fabric myself. Satisfied, I gave him a curt nod of thanks and headed back into the suite to face my wife.

"Reina, I brought the dress for you," I said to the empty room. I looked around and found the balcony door was open. I went there and was mesmerized to see Reina in that etheral moonlight. She looked like a goddess.

"Reina," I whispered her name.

She promptly pivoted on her heels. "Yes?"

Though I wanted to kiss her, I told myself that it wasn't right to force something she didn't want.

"Here, I brought the dress for you."

Reina walked to me and took the bag from me. She checked the dress and stared it at for a moment.

"Isn't it your liking?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"No. Why are you so good to me?" Reina's eyes met mine. "No one has been so thoughtful for me, not even my ex-mate."