Chapter 419
Ian:
I carried the suit into the theater and headed straight to one of the back rooms. I was really excited.
The dress I had picked for her, I knew she would look like a perfect bride.
My heart was thumping loudly because I could not wait to see her in the dress and to get married to her, and to mark her mine forever.
“Look at you, you’re going to be a groom today,” my wolf teased me, and I smirked.
In fact, I smiled, and I bet my wolf noticed it too because he grunted.
“I wish that smile stays forever, but remember we are in the dark side of the north,” he reminded me, and I gave him a hand gesture to silence him.
I shut the door behind me and laid the suit on the wooden table. I looked at it for a moment and felt my lips pull into a smile.
She really knew me well. The style, the details, the dark color, everything matched what I had chosen for her.
I ran my finger down the coat and slipped it on. The weight of the fabric settled on my shoulders.
However, there was one problem. The shirt was a little tight on my biceps, so much that I felt as if it would cut the blood flow in my veins.
I groaned as I started to pull apart the sleeves. My biceps finally breathed.
I adjusted the vest and then fastened the silver buttons and the chains. It looked so good.
When I looked in the tall mirror, I smirked. Then I left the room and walked down the hallway.
When I reached the corner, I paused because she was already there.
She stood in the open space of the aisle, dressed in a gown that had an ivory base and black lace detailing.
I picked it for her because I knew she would look perfect. The lace climbed over the bodice and sleeves in a delicate pattern.
The skirt spread out around her like an umbrella.
Her hair was curled naturally and gathered high on one side with loose strands over her face and shoulders.
The tiara rested neatly above her crown. Her eyes were shining. The earrings I had picked for her looked amazing on her.
My breath caught in my throat, and I almost slipped before holding my balance.
“Be careful,” she uttered.
When she noticed that I did not look away from her, she shifted shyly.
“Stop looking, you’re making me blush,” she mumbled, quickly putting her hands on her cheeks.
I let out a chuckle and stepped closer. My fingers gently pinched her chin as I made her look at me.
The way she blinked and the way her red lips looked made me want to skip to the intimate part of the wedding.
“It seems we chose the same kind of style for each other,” she uttered. “Both of us have black in our clothes,” she replied shyly.
“Where is my gift?” she asked, suddenly changing the subject.
I could tell that the more she noticed I was staring at her, the more anxious she was getting, and she was trying her best to shift my attention away from her.
“Well, I will give it to you after the wedding,” I said to her, watching her pout impatiently. “Now, shall we p>
As I asked her, I held my hand out. She placed her hand in mine, and we both walked together down the path outside the theater.
Once we were on the road, I felt a sense of pride walking with her.
The moment felt like something from my dreams. Then we finally reached the venue.
Once we stepped in, I noticed how she gasped. The hall was large, with tall pillars reaching the ceiling.
It was set for a dark celebration, which was why I chose a dark dress for her.
Most of the things seemed like they should have been ruined by now, but the chandeliers still had their lights on.
The walls were polished stone. Rows of empty seats were arranged on each side, and the aisle was long in front of us.
There were candles lit, almost as if the venue sensed a wedding was happening.
I slipped my hands into my pants pockets and tilted my head as I watched her.
She walked forward, checking everything, touching everything.
Her hair shifted over her shoulder as she moved. She turned in slow circles.
Then she stopped and turned her head toward me. She pointed upward.
“Did you hear that? Ian, we are not alone,” she whispered.
There was a hint of fear in her voice.
She quickly lifted her skirt and rushed toward me, grabbing my wrist to pull me toward the exit.
I tightened my grip and drew her closer. She gasped as her hands landed on my chest.
I placed my hands on her back, making sure she stayed close.
“They are not monsters,” I told her, trying to reassure her that we did not have to panic.
“But I can hear the noise,” she complained again.
“Remember I told you I have a gift for you?” I asked, and she meekly nodded.
I raised my hand to her cheek and ran my thumb across her skin. I slid my fingers through her hair and leaned down.
I pressed my lips against her forehead, then the corner of her lips, and then her cheeks.
Her body grew warmer with each touch.
“There are no monsters here. These are spirits. Spirits of the North,” I whispered, kissing the corner of her lips again.
“Spirits,” she repeated, her lips brushing mine. Then I finally pulled back.
“Everyone who has ever died in the North visits this place when they realize there is a wedding happening. It is a tradition of the North, and it existed long before the North turned into this p>
As soon as I said that, her eyes widened. Her lips trembled, and her cheeks turned red as if she were about to cry again.
“You are joking with me,” she uttered, shaking her head and laughing nervously.
I lifted my hand and gestured behind her.
She slowly started to turn around, and then the tension in her body disappeared. She stood still like a frozen statue.
In the center of the aisle stood her mother. This time, her features were clear.
She did not look like a clown. She looked like a woman who was watching her daughter get married.