“Frank?”
I glanced at the priest, not realizing I hadn't been listening. “Huh?”
“Repeat after me.”
“I, Frank Jameson, take Nina Paulson as my wife.”
“I, Frank Jameson, take Nina Paulson as my wife.”
He turned to Nina. “Nina, I, Nina Paulson, take Frank Jameson as my husband.”
Nina looked at me, and I could see sorrow in her eyes. “I, Nina Paulson, take Frank Jameson as my husband.”
We exchanged rings, and the priest stepped back. “You may kiss the bride.”
I stepped forward, pulling the veil over her head. I grabbed Nina's hands and pulled her towards me. My wolf wanted her closer, but I didn't pull her that close to me. If I let my wolf have what it wanted, things would get dirty within moments. I needed to keep my cool, so I leaned forward, giving her a quick kiss. It was hardly even two seconds long before I pulled back.
Nina looked shocked as I yanked my hands back. I stepped back, putting space between us. My wolf growled angrily, and I hated how badly I wanted to pull her even closer. I blamed my wolf. He was the one reacting to her, not me.
“Why do you ignore what is so clear?”he snapped at me, his anger rising.“Why can’t you just let me have her?”
I turned to everyone, making sure to straighten my shoulders as everyone clapped. I didn’t smile because what was there to be happy about?
“Because she is beneath me. She is a human. Nothing more. I am only doing this because it's what's asked of me. And you need to get in line with that.”
My wolf growled furiously, and I took a deep breath. Just because the Council was twisting my arm to be with Nina didn't mean anything. She was an obligation and nothing more.
Chapter 3 - Nina
I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the doors. Sam and Katie had already walked down the aisle, and I was nervous. I tried to remain calm, telling myself this was a good way to start fresh in a new life. This was good.
I never asked for this, but that didn't mean that something good couldn't come from this. Sam and Katie both loved their husbands. Frank had a reputation, but that didn't mean it was all true. Gossip spread around like wildfire, and things got twisted. I knew this firsthand.
Sam and Katie had offered up a lot of good advice the other day. While this wasn't what I asked for, I didn't know what could happen. I could get everything I wanted if I tried hard enough. Katie pointed out that the machine had put the names together for a reason. It wasn't just random, so Frank and I had to have things in common.
I straightened my back, and I stepped through the door. I was a little shocked by how packed the room was. Every chair was filled, and the guys all stood at the altar with Frank. Sam and Katie stood on the other side, waiting for me, both beaming with pride.
I swallowed, looking at Frank. For a second, he looked stunned. His eyes widened as he stared at me, and I felt a soft blush form. No man had looked at me the way he was looking at me in that moment. I felt my heart stop beating for a moment, and I felt my body shiver.
I looked away before I started down the aisle. I walked closely, trying to keep my nerves together. I felt my fingers shake with the flowers, and I took slow, deep breaths. I quickly reminded myself to remain calm.
As I stepped onto the altar, Frank's expression shifted. He looked almost in pain, and as the priest spoke, he stared at me. I couldn't read his expression, and I suddenly began questioning everything. Had I picked a bad dress? Was my make-up not right? Had my hair come loose? Just a moment ago, he looked stunned, and now…well, now he looked almost sick.
We went through the vows, and I couldn't take my eyes off him. Frank was an Alpha and emanated that energy. He had that stern face and stunning green eyes. He had dark chestnut-colored hair that went well with his dark tan. I had to give it to him. He was a looker. He held his title for good reason.
“You may kiss the bride,” the priest said, and I quickly fell out of the stare. I glanced at the priest before my eyes came back to Frank.
Frank stepped forward, pulling the veil up, and pulled me to him gently. I felt my stomach flip as his lips pressed against mine gently. It was wonderful, but then it was over. I was a little shocked at its speed. Frank pulled back as everyone cheered, and I found myself confused.
Katie and Sam threw their arms around me before I could wrap my head around it. “You're a married woman!” Sam cheered, hugging herself tightly to me.
I offered them a smile but glanced over at Frank. He looked disappointed, or was that just me? I had thought maybe he was okay with this union. He had smiled when I walked in. He looked stunned when he saw me.
But a small voice in my head told me something wasn't right and that I should trust my gut. No matter how much Sam and Katie clung to me, cheering about this, my stomach and my head knew better.
“Let's get a drink!” Katie cheered. They pulled and tugged me along, giggling as we walked.
“You look fucking stunning in that,” Katie said as she handed me a glass of champagne. “I mean seriously, fucking stunning.”
