The Alpha Never Stopped Trying To Claim Me Chapter 02

The Alpha Never Stopped Trying To Claim Me Chapter 02

The door to the bridal suite hung half-open.

Outside, the laughter of Lucian and Maya rolled in wave after wave, like sharp thorns digging into my eardrums.

Chloe stood beside me, her lower lip caught between her teeth, eyes already red. One hand rested on my shoulder, her knuckles white from squeezing so hard, like she was holding up the last of my dignity for me this way.

My other two bridesmaids—Elena and Nina—stood by the window, frozen and helpless. Their baskets were still in their hands, but the petals inside had already wilted. The confetti they’d prepped to throw when the groom walked in had turned into a cruel joke now.

“Serena…” Nina whispered, voice trembling, “Do you want me to go remind the Alpha? The ceremony’s starting soon.”

Before I could answer, a chorus of catcalls rose from outside.

Maya had said something, and Lucian laughed so hard it echoed. That laugh was wild, unapologetic—I’d never heard him laugh like that with me.

Most of the groomsmen were warriors and trusted men from Lucian’s pack, six of them total, all wearing matching black ceremonial robes. Their reactions couldn’t have been more different right now.

Damon—Lucian’s own childhood friend—hung around Maya. He grinned and handed her a glass of Moonwine, calling out loud, “Maya! Long time no see! Lucian talked about you nonstop, said you’d been going through it out on the border. You gotta drink a ton tonight.”

The other two groomsmen, Marcus and Felix, followed Damon, then stopped hesitantly. Marcus flicked a quick glance at me, then looked away fast, staring at the toe of his boot, ears turning pink. He mumbled to Felix, “This isn’t right… The ceremony hasn’t started yet, the future Luna’s still sitting in here all alone…”

Felix didn’t say anything. He just rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, turned and walked to the window, pretending to watch the scenery outside. He never met my eyes.

The last two groomsmen, Caleb and Tristan, stood still by the door. Caleb furrowed his brow, and said only loud enough for the man next to him to hear. “Shouldn’t Lucian come get the bride first? The elders are all waiting over at the altar.”

Tristan hesitated for a second, then walked over to Lucian. He tapped Lucian lightly on the shoulder, lowering his voice.

“Lucian, Serena’s still alone in the room. What if… we do the bride pickup first? You can catch up with Maya later.”

Lucian was brushing dust off Maya’s camouflage jacket. He didn’t even look up when he heard that, tone casual.

“What’s the rush? Serena can wait. Maya just got back from the border, a rogue wolf almost bit her. I need to get her settled first.”

Maya laughed and hooked her arm around Lucian’s neck. She wore a camouflage jacket over a black tank top, looked every bit the fierce warrior. But right now, half her body was leaned against him.

“Lucian, why’d you come right out? Won’t your future Luna mind?”

Lucian didn’t even turn around, voice certain. “She’s not that dramatic. She’s just an Omega who hasn’t fully awakened yet, she knows better than to make a scene.”

Lucian never noticed anything wrong, too busy listening to Maya talk. The fated mate vow I’d stayed up all night writing lay on the floor, trampled full of footprints. He didn’t even glance at it.

The photographer paused awkwardly, and finally turned his lens toward me.

Maya tilted her chin up, smile ambiguous. “Serena won’t stand up? Alpha, you gotta do something about that, right?”

She let go of him all fake-sweet, and huffed a laugh. “Go on, man. The girl’s sensitive, go coax her a little.”