Chapter 27

She woke up the day of the wedding and took a deep breath. She didn't want to go, but she had promised to go with Adolph. She couldn't back out. Based on the soft light coming through the window, she had woken up very early.

She got out of bed and started to prepare everything she needed.

Sarah entered the room quietly and stopped in the doorway, shocked. She curtsied politely.

"Good morning, Miss Laurel. I'm surprised you woke up so early."

She smiled tensely, "I figured it would take a while to get up to standard."

Sarah shook her head. "Not at all with your beauty! But there's nothing wrong with a little extra preparation!"

She chattered about the merits of thorough preparation and her happiness was infections.

"beside, Miss Delia deserves to be shown up on her wedding day!"

Laurel gasped and looked at her. Sarah flushed with embarrassment.

"What do you mean? You don't like her?"

Sarah's gaze turned cold with fury. Laurel had never seen her so upset.

"That woman is the reason my luna was forced from the palace." She sniffed, "If it weren't for her, my luna would still be"

Her jaw trembled and Laurel took her hand, touched by her concern and her consistent defense of Laura.

Sarah shook herself free of the melancholy, "This is no time for tears! I have to make you glow like the sunset over a lake! When I'm done, Delia will look like withered flowers from years ago!"

Laurel chuckled at Sarah's rather awkward description, but she agreed and soon got into the spirit. Hadn't she fantasized about making Delia seethe with jealousy on her wedding day? Now that she had to go, she might as well live the fantasy.

Sarah drew her a warm bath scented with luxurious oils and washed her hair, combing every knot out until she could run a comb through it smoothly and it gleamed in the light. She curled it into loose ringlets before helping Laurel into the new gown Adolph had sent her.

It had been made by the same dressmaker as the one before, but it was even more extravagant gown than the one before.

Sarah placed her jewelry on carefully and slipped her shoes on her feet as Laurel considered everything. The fantasy had been nice, but the star of any wedding would always be the bride, no matter how beautiful any of the attendees were.

Sarah's gasp of awe made her nervous.

" Miss Laurel, you're so beautiful!" She squealed. "Look!"

"You should get dressed," Laurel said and looked at Sarah with a smile.

"Oh, well"

"You should take the chance to enjoy the festival outside the castle."

Sarah seemed hesitant, but scurried off. An hour or so later, Sarah returned to her with a nice and simple dress meant for festivals.

"You're beautiful," Laurel grinned. "It seems like your wedding will be the next one I attend."

Sarah flushed and scowled, "It's not nice to tease, Miss Laurel."

Laurel shrugged and they walked to the door. Sam and Lynn turned.

"Hello, Miss" They stared at them, their gazes drifting in shock and awe over the two of them. Lynn stared at Laurel for a full minute before she interrupted them.

"Sam, would you escort Sarah to the festivities while Lynn takes me to the castle lawn to join the rest of the guests?"

Sam flushed and bowed slightly, offering Sarah his hand, "It would be my honor."

Sarah flushed prettily and took his hand a bit timidly. Laurel and Lynn watched the walk down the hall. Sam could have joined the celebration on the lawn, but since Sarah had not received an invitation, it was best to send him with Sarah to the commoners' celebration so they could get to know one another.

"That Sam," Lynn chuckled. "I didn't know he could be charming. Shall we, Miss Laurel?"

Lynn led her down the corridor and the stairs. They passed very few people on the way to the lawn. The guests heading to the castle's hall were all holding golden invitations.

There were nobles and leaders of prominent packs. Soldiers and other people mingled around, chatting and heading towards their part of the festivities. Laurel had never seen so many people gathered on the front lawn of the castle. Adolph's view on the celebrations was worlds different from Basil's who believed that only the nobles were qualified to step through the castle's gate. Seeing common people walking towards the gates, talking, meeting new people, and enjoying the food and wine made her smile.

The Imperial City felt happy in a way she never experienced as Laura.

She looked over the people mingling and let out a little giggle. How had she not thought of it before?

"What's so funny, Miss Laurel?" Lynn asked.

She shook her head, "His Majesty is truly very cunning."

She hadn't been thinking about how to hold a mating ceremony for a while, but Adolph had figured out a solution. Using the wedding as a reason to invite the entire city would force people to mix and mingle. She chuckled at the simple and cunning solution to the problem and hoped that Sam and Sarah got to enjoy the celebration together and start courting.

Lynn gestured ahead of him towards the castle's inner gates, "Miss Laurel, this is where we part."

She nodded and wished him a joyful day before approaching the security of the gates. She had planned to enter by herself. She was a bit nervous about it, but she knew it was the only way.

She gasped as she saw a familiar head of blond hair, bearing his crown, above the crowd.

Adolph was outside the inner gates. Her heart leaped and she forced herself to walk slowly though Alice was urging her to run to him. People saluted Adolph as they passed. Everyone's face was excited as they gossiped about the festivities.

"Is that the king?"

"My goodness, are you sure he's the prince's father? They could be brothers!"

Laurel was mesmerized, trembling and struck with awe. How could any man get more handsom just by changing his clothing? Adolph was already a handsome man, yet his black suit highlighted his height and broadness. His cloak was blood red as usual, yet it had gold embroidery around the edges that glinted as his cloak billowed. Red floral embroidered flourished, sprawled and bloomed around his cuffs and collar. If she wasn't wrong, it was the kingdom's national flower.

Alice growled low and contended, What a *mate*.

Adolph almost laughed at the antics of his subjects. It had been a long time since they had seen him, but surely they didn't think he was the same age as his son! He scanned the crowed, hoping to catch Laurel before she entered when he spotted her.

He couldn't breathe she was so beautiful.

The dress was the same red as his cloak embellished with black lace and gold. It wasn't the usual style, but cut close to her body to accentuate her curves. Her face seemed as delicate as the nation's flower, the red azalea.

He had worried about her youth keeping her from wearing her dress with confidence, yet she stood there with all the grace of any nobleman's daughter. No one seeing her would think she was some young girl wearing another's clothing.

They would see her as noble young lady worthy of their respect.

He approached her slowly and watched her realize that he was coming to her. He felt people truning to look at them, seeing their clothing and starting to whisper. It was just as he planned.

When they finally reached one another, there was no one who wouldn't think she was meant to be on his arm.

No one would question them as being perfectly matched by the goddess.

Laurel did her best not to panic. Wasn't she just admiring his cunning? How had she not imagined that there was more to this than managing to hold a mating ceremony. There was no one who wouldn't think they were a couple with them wearing matching outfits!

Her face warmed and she took a step back as he reached her. His hand grabbed hers, warm and firm before lifting it to brush his lips across her knuckles and making her heart flutter.

"You're so beautiful" Adolph said. "The dress suits you."

"T-Thank you," she dropped her gaze. "You're. quite handsome today as well."

"Just today?" He teased.

She scowled at him, "W-What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be in the castle?"

"Many of my soldiers came to the feast, so I came to say hello. And it's a good opportunity to get to know the prominent packs. How else will I know the people of my kingdom if I don't walk among them?"

Laurel smiled, "You're right, Your Majesty, but I think the prince's wedding is about to start, and we should go inside."

Adolph muttered, "Let them wait!"

She giggled as he lifted his arm to acknowledge a few alphas nearby before offering her his arm and walking with her into the castle.

As they reached the steps, her heart clenched in fear. The shadows of her past pounced from the shadows of her mind assaulted her. She had fled down these castle steps and ended up dead. She couldn't return here. She tightened her grip on Adolph's arm, stiffening her entire body.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice was gentle and pulled her from her memories. "You are my partner. I won't leave your side."

She nodded stiffly. His words were oddly soothing. She wasn't alone now.

She smiled, "Thank you."

Soldiers saluted them as they walked up the stairs and opened the door to the hall for them.