Page 70 of Ruthless Moon
Why would he show up now? And why would he be standing with my uncle and his wife?
The distraction makes me trip.
My father’s grip tightens painfully, his fingers digging into my flesh as he jerks me back into the funeral march toward my future. “No more mistakes, Imogen.”
The threat in his voice is obvious.
Next, I lock eyes with Aiden’s mother. Her face is smiling, but I only see the sympathy in her brown eyes. She knows this isn’t a fairy-tale wedding. It’s a business transaction. She knows her son doesn’t love me.
Aiden is driven by honor, a trait I deeply respect. And he is a kind man, but he doesn’t understand my father. Aiden thinks he’s saving his pack with this marriage, and wearesignificantly delaying an all-out pack war between my uncle and my father. But they’ve been playing this competition with each other for over two decades.
This wedding isn’t a simple peace treaty. It’s a game to my father, a slow, methodical hunt leading toward his ultimate prize.
And Oliver Gallagher never leaves a hunt empty-handed.
The scent of roses and lilies drowns my senses with a cruel sweetness. It’s a scene from a dream, ethereal and beautiful, but laced with an insidious dread.
My father releases my arm and passes me off to Aiden.
Aiden’s grip is far gentler, his large hand enveloping mine.
I finally force myself to look up at him. He’s in a striking black tux. His eyes, though, that’s what really captures me. His gaze is a warm brown and...sparking with the gold of his wolf near the surface. His anger simmers below the surface.
I assume he feels as trapped by this marriage as I do.
The preacher, a stern man with a bushy white beard and gentle voice, starts to speak. His words paint a picture of unity, love, and devotion. Words that should bring comfort, but instead stoke my rising panic.
“Do you, Imogen Agatha Gallagher, take Aiden...”
I have to do this. This is what we agreed to. Liam and I agreed. We promised each other this was for the best.
The world shrinks down to the sound of my name. I turn my gaze back to Aiden, the words “I do” perched on my trembling lips.
But they never fall.
He shakes his head. “Stop,” he says, his voice clear and loud. The command carries clearly across the small group of seated wedding guests.
The preacher blinks, his mouth snapping shut as Aiden turns toward the crowd, tucking me behind him in one liquid movement.
My heart, previously a frantic bird in my chest, now stills, every beat suspended in the silence following Aiden’s declaration.
The guests stand in a flurry of movement. Whispers ripple through the gathering.
I can’t believe Aiden stopped me. I don’t understand.
Then my father rises to his feet.
Fuck. No.He’s going to hurt me. Aiden. Rachel. Someone will pay for this.
My heart leaps in my chest. My first instinct is to flee, but that response has been beaten out of me over the years. Better to stand tall and take the hit. Then the punishment is less.
But his face is emotionless and flat, almost like he was expecting this... He raises his hands, a motion meant to calm, but it does nothing to eliminate the unease that prickles across my skin.
“Everyone, please.” The velvety calmness of his voice is all too familiar. “No cause for alarm. Aiden is merely feeling the weight of this monumental day.”
I peer around Aiden’s shoulder.
My father catches my gaze briefly and then sets his attention on Aiden.