The doors leading to the great hall are closed.

Penelope feels gratitude for the darkness enfolding the scene, as it masks her uneasiness at what she’s about to do.

Amber, her best friend and also her chief bride maid whispers behind her back as she adjust the veil covering her face.

Penelope prayed to the Goddess hoping she’s making the right decision about this.

“Are you sure about this?” Amber asked. Her gaze clouded with anxiety.

Penelope nods, trying to look as confident as possible but really nervous inside.

“I am,” she said, “It’s the right choice.”

At that moment, She could hear her father's hurried footsteps. His expression is concerned as he comes running to her side.

As the Alpha of the pack, he always looks serious. But he appears to be far more worried than usual.

“Penelope, I heard everything,” he whispers, hurriedly, “What’s your plan?”

He sounds concerned, but Penelope was not sure how much of that is he being concerned about her marriage, and how much of that is concern about her making him look bad.

She have a feeling that regardless of how her wedding turns out, it won’t change how her Dad treats Killiah, who had earned his affection as well as everyone else's through his hard work to ascend to a higher position in the pack.

She knew her dad will always value the interest of the pack over her interest.

“I've got it all figured out,” She saidfirmly, “There is no need to worry about me.”

He looks at her and purses his lips. He puts his hand on her shoulder.

“Are you sure? You don't have to pretend in front of me,” he said. “You know we can cancel the wedding. You can't get married without a groom,”

Definitely not. She wouldn't cause that embarrassment to her pack and her father.

“No, dad. Trust me,” she said, determinedly,”The wedding will take place.”

He nodded at her, taking her word, and doesn’t say anything else.

Amber walked up to her, after she finishes fixing her dress.

“Well, ready?” she asked and Penelope nodded.

Amber gave her one last smile.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” she says next to her. Her father took her hand. He rarely compliments her, but she could tell he’s leased with her appearance today.

“Yes, you do, Penelope,” he said sincerely, “You are absolutely stunning. You have made me proud.”

“Thank you,” Penelope said to both of them, grateful for their sincere affection.

The large doors then open and the light fills the room.

Penelope was blinded for a moment after which she noticed that there is indeed no boyfriend at the end of the hall.

Killah is… of course not there.

“Are you really sure about this?” Her dad asked

, worriedly, “You don’t have to do this. You can still walk away.”

Penelope squeezed his hand.

“Trust me,” She whispered, “I know what I’m doing.”

Slowly they began to walk. As soon as they do, Penelope was aware of the murmurs around her.

“She was left at the altar!” She heard the mockery voice of one of the girls present, having what was meant to be a silent conversation with two other girls.

“I know. She was never worthy of Killah,” says another, with a sneer, “ Never thinking of anyone but herself.”

“It's a good thing that for a change, someone is taking her down a peg or two," says a third one, laughing, “She’s finally getting what she deserves.”

Her father squeezes her hand to give her strength as he kept staring straight ahead. His expression is inscrutable, but Penelope could see the doubt in his eyes.

“What do you plan to do when you get to the altar?” Penelope heard someone muttered.

“She'll marry herself,” laughs a blonde girl. “She and her ego can get married and spend their lives together.”

Penelope looked nervously at the empty altar, no one is there waiting for her. Did she make a mistake? Did she fall for Astride lies?

“Shame on her! Who would want to marry her after this,” says another woman in the sea of whispers, “She will never live this down, no matter how much money her family has.”

Penelope remind herself to keep calm. There are many who have come just to see her fail.

Killah has a million admirers, after all. But she won’t let them see her defeated.

A whisper of surprise fills the hall then, and she saw him.

The burnt honey hair and the tattoos that run up his neck.

Penelope smile helplessly and he returns the gesture. Astride is radiant standing before the altar. He looks confident and powerful, as if nothing and no one can touch him.

“What is that guy doing here,” someone asks, chuckling, “Did he wander into the wrong wedding? Surely he can’t be the groom. Look at him!”

“I'm sure he's an actor she's hired so she won't look so pathetic. Poor thing!” that blonde girl from before says. “How low can she get?”

“No, wait,” someone else intervenes. “Isn't that Astride Grant?”

“Astride Grant?” Another begins to say those present, recognizing him immediately.

“What's he doing here? He's the most desired bachelor, Prince Charming himself, but with tattoos!” The girls whispered.

“How the hell did Penelope get his heart?”

“I'm sure Killah dumped her. And Alpha Astride would do same!” Penelope heard someone said.

She balled her fist. How stupid of them.

This is definitely the wedding of rumors.

She’s so nervous, but she kept her smile and try to avoid her dad’s eyes.

She manage to keep her cool, pretending it is all part of the plan. Her dad is obviously surprised, but no doubt his questions would come later.

Still, she composed herself and tried to ignore them.

It’s true that Astrid Grant is the dream bachelor every girl longs for, but he is basically unattainable

As far as Penelope know, his mate has never shown up and he has never had a girlfriend. No girl had ever managed to win his heart or earn a look of interest from him that lasted long.

Instead he was here, now, and he was watching her as if she was the best thing that could happen to him.

His hand reaches out and took hers when she reaches the altar.

Her father gave her a kiss on the cheek and hand her to him, staring into Alpha Astride grey eyes.

Penelope knew he probably isn't too sure about all this, but he will do anything to see her happy.

They both looked at each other, and he gently squeezes her hands.

At that moment, her heart skipped a beat. She felt hurt and confused about everything that had happened with Killah, but at the same time, Alpha Astride presence made her feel strangely comforted. As if nothing bad could happen to her a while ago.

“May I?” Astride said in his low, slow, deep voice.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box. Whispers run loudly as he opens the small black box, revealing a beautiful ring with a huge diamond in its center.

“Oh, Astride... It's beautiful,” Penelope affirmed.

He takes her hand proudly, removes the ring that Killah had given her, and placed the new diamond ring on her finger.

Penelope looked at it in detail, she could see the bramble design on it.

It is oven grass, and not pure gold.

The design is quite special and piques her curiosity, but she knew this probably isn’t the best time to ask him about it..

She heard the priest voice, snapping her out of her reverie.

“Penelope Heather, do you take Astride Grant to be your husband?”

“I do,”she replied almost immediately, feeling a strange thrill inside my chest.

“Astride Grant, do you take Penelope Heather to be your husband?“ The priest asked the groom.

“I do” he replied as well.

Without waiting for any further instructions from the priest, He leans toward her. He placed his hand on her face and lifted her chin gently.

Penelope closed her eyes and to the incredulous and envious gaze of those present, she joined her lips with his.

The kiss, strangely, lacks rudeness. His arms are strong and determined, but also sweet and patient. The kiss lasts seconds longer than it should, and for doe unknown reasons, she didn’t want it to end at all.

What was happening to her?

They finally broke the kiss but as they did, the crowd erupts in applause.

Penelope couldn’t believe they were officially husband and wife.

…