Chapter 138: The show 1.
Leilani.
Initially, I had almost begun to dread coming to this wedding until I remembered what I would get from it.
Until I remembered how I’d make Chalice pay for ruining most, if not all of my childhood. And while I was prepared to hurt everyone who’s hurt me in the past; my parents, Gavin and the triplets included, Chalice was the first in my list.
As soon as I stepped into the wedding hall, a tremor ran up my spine as everyone turned to look at me, their eyes widening slowly as realization began to dawn on them.
But I wasn’t here for them.
I also couldn’t blame them for openly eating up my fit because Maya had done her witchcraft thingy on me today.
Goddess, I know I am pretty, but Maya being the more fashionable one amongst us had managed to make me appear not just beautiful and elegant, but also daring as well.
I smiled even though I was a complete nervous wreck (and that’s because I only have bad memories with the people around), winked discreetly at Agnes and settled into a chair at the front.
Front, not the back.
Because I wanted to witness everything first hand; But not just that, I also reveled in the discomfort my presence caused to the triplets and Chalice.
"Very well then, since no one objects, we shall proceed. So to seal this union, Alphas... you may now mark your bride!" The priest’s voice rang through the now silent-as-a-grave hall and my body instinctively stiffened as I kept my eyes fixated on the stage which was now a makeshift altar where the four of them stood like the big mess that they were.
I watched quietly as Caelum went first, his eyes snagging on my face before he leaned down to sink his teeth into the crook of Chalice’s neck; But there was something strange about him today.
He wasn’t looking at me with disgust or that loatheful prideful smug smile he always had. This time, he looked as though there was a bile in his throat.
Like he wanted to disintegrate. To cry.
I flashed him a smile.
Chalice gasped when he marked her, but before she could fully recover from it, Kael went next... then Zevran, their eyes not leaving my face even as they marked their Luna.
Suddenly, a very horrible pain lanced through my body and I realized that it was because they’d marked another woman.
Damn this stupid mate bond!
Maybe I should drug them and fool them into accepting my rejection!
My body spasmed and blood leaked out from the corner of my mouth, but I quickly wiped it off gracefully, and smiled at them, mouthing the words: "congratulations’’ to them.
I saw the moment they got the idea of what I was saying. I saw the moment they froze as if it was the last thing they’d wanted to hear.
The crowd rose to their feet, clapping enthusiastically and I joined in, my smile as bright as the beautiful lights hanging above until I felt a presence beside me...
"Leilani?" The familiar voice said softly, "why are you here?"
"Mrs Blackthorne," I seethed, "congratulations... but I was invited." I drawled, waving my invitation card at her.
Her eyes searched my face for a moment as if looking for something... anything that seemed off putting... and apparently, she found nothing because then she sighed and whispered;
"You’ve completely fallen out of love with them. That’s good."
I glared at her in disgust. Complete disgust. Because that was the only thing she could think of saying— not like I was surprised— and then I turned away from her to the newly weds making their way through the crowd and greeting everyone as they went.
I gathered my dress in my hands and pushed away from mother who stumbled away with wide eyes, and without sparing another glance at her, I walked over to the triplets and their bride and muttered; "Congratulations."
They seemed stunned. Surprised even. Their mouths hung open as they watched me carefully, unable to respond.
I smiled. "I brought you a gift."
—
Just then the lights in the hall dimmed, the curtains were drawn and a sudden hush fell upon everyone.
Zevran turned to Kael and asked; "What’s going on?!" But before the other could respond, two girls wheeled my mango cake onto the stage and began to clap.
The crowd, once confused, began to clap too and I smiled when everyone began to present their gifts to the newly weds one after the other... ranging from big things to small things, to cash gifts even, and to anything you could think of...
Until the projector lit up.
And on it, we all watched as a younger version of Chalice crept out of her room with a boy whose face was completely covered behind a hoodie.
They were however about to go down the stairs when Grandma Aurora slipped out of her room as well, her eyes widening when she took in Chalice’s disheveled state and the boy beside her.
No words were heard but the implication of what this was quickly dawned on everyone.
The once quiet hall became even quieter.
Chalice’s eyes widened. She screamed; "Turn that thing OFF!"
But nobody was listening. Everyone was too focused on what was happening on the screen... too lost in their own minds to pay any attention to her.
Her face stained a bright red, and her eyes, once gentle, now held a maniacal glare that almost made a chill run down my spine.
Almost.
Because I soon realized how weak she was.
How powerless she was compared to me...
She yelled; "Turn that SCREEN OFF!"
No one listened to her because now they were fully immersed in the interesting video playing on the screen. Everyone watched as she got into a heated argument with grandma.
And then... I showed up... at the foot of the stairs with a shocked expression on my face, watching what was happening above me in confusion.
Before I could make my way up, Chalice pushed grandma down the stairs and the hall erupted into a loud uneven gasp as everyone turned to look at Chalice.
And then me.
Her eyes finally landed on me and I watched in satisfaction as her lips curled backwards. She marched towards me, grabbed me by the neck and screamed in my face;
"You did this! You did this! Didn’t you?"
But there was no need to lie. No use. Not when I’ve gotten what I wanted; so I nodded once and drawled; "Yes. The world needed to know what you did to grandma. They needed to see you for who you are, and they needed to know how much I hated the four years I took the fall for you."
Her jaw slackened, and behind us, mom’s scream tore through the air.
I turned around swiftly then to see her clutching her chest but I didn’t move an inch. My feelings... my love... my admiration for this family was long dead.
I spat; "Don’t faint yet, Mrs Blackthorne. The show is just getting started!"
Then to the boys operating the projector, I clapped at them and yelled; "Next!"
And they immediately rushed to do as told.