The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107: 107: A breach

~ RONAN ~

I’m more than fucking ecstatic that Nikolai has finally found his mate. And it’s Celeste. Of all the women the Moon Goddess could’ve chosen for him, I’d say he got damn lucky.

She’s been nothing but a good friend to Roselle since she arrived at the pack. She’s loyal, kind, and from everything I’ve seen, she has a good head on her shoulders.

Which means she’s probably far too good for Nikolai.

I glance at him, expecting some smart-ass comment, but the bastard looks completely stunned.

For once in his life, Nikolai is speechless. I chuckle under my breath. Now that is something I never thought I’d live long enough to see.

Before Nikolai can even make a move toward her, Celeste’s eyes widen, then she turns around and bolts, right out of the ceremony grounds.

Oh, boy. For half a second, Nikolai just stands there, staring after her like his brain hasn’t quite caught up with what just happened.

Then, he yells her name "Celeste!"

He takes off after her without another thought.

I watch the two of them disappear, fighting the urge to laugh.

Well... that went spectacularly.

I can only hope it ends well for him. The bastard had already started getting frustrated about not finding his mate at twenty-four. He’d complain about it whenever another pack member younger than him found theirs, then pretend five minutes later that he didn’t give a shit.

Clearly, he did. And now that he’s finally found her... She’s running away from him.

The Moon Goddess certainly has a fucked-up sense of humor.

An hour and thirty minutes into the ceremony, the entire place is alive with music and laughter. Most of the unmated wolves have already found their mates, and couples now crowd the dance floor, wrapped around each other as if the rest of the world has ceased to exist.

I watch them from my seat, trying not to let my thoughts wander too far.

Then Mom walks up to me. The moment I see the look in her eyes, I already know I’m not going to like whatever is about to come out of her mouth.

"How do you sleep at night knowing your mate is locked up?" she asks, her voice insistent. "And here you are, watching other people find their mates and celebrating with them while yours is being kept away from you?"

For fuck’s sake. I don’t want to have this conversation with her again.

Not tonight. She lowers herself into the empty chair beside me, the one Nikolai abandoned when he went chasing after Celeste.

I barely acknowledge her. Instead, my eyes sweep across the ceremony grounds, searching through the crowd for one particular face.

Roselle. Still no sign of her. I pull my phone from my pocket and send her a quick text.

Where are you? Her reply comes almost immediately.

’Almost done. I’m sorry’

Despite myself, the corner of my mouth lifts. At least she’s coming.

"Let’s not talk about this again, Mom. We agreed, and I expect you to respect that."

"Of course we agreed." She crosses one leg over the other, smoothing her dress with an irritating amount of calm. "Though apparently, in this family, agreeing means I’m forbidden from speaking while you continue making questionable decisions."

I turn my head slowly toward her. "Was that supposed to be respecting my decision?"

"I’m sitting down and speaking calmly, aren’t I?"

I let out a dry laugh. "Remarkable restraint."

She ignores the sarcasm. "All I’m saying is Mara would have been a far better choice. She understands this pack. She understands what it means to stand beside an Alpha. And most importantly, she wouldn’t have half the Council questioning whether their Alpha has lost his senses."

My jaw tightens. "If you came here to praise Mara, then go sit with her in the dungeon."

Her lips purse.

"Fine. But you can’t expect me to sit here smiling and pretending everything is fine when it’s far from it, Ronan."

Her tone changes, wiping the irritation from my face.

I turn to look at her properly. "You need to start paying closer attention to Ethan," she continues, lowering her voice. "He’s been speaking to members of the Council. About you. More specifically, about whether you’re still fit to lead."

My brows pull together.

"He’s presenting himself as the better alternative, Ronan. A stronger Alpha. One who supposedly puts the pack before his personal feelings." Her gaze hardens. "And from what I’ve heard, he’s already trying to convince the Council that he would make a better Alpha than you."

My jaw clenches. "That fucking bastard."

"Now do you understand the burden I’m carrying?" she snaps quietly. "Do you understand why I can’t simply sit back and pretend I’m fine with everything?"

She leans closer, her voice dropping even lower.

"I’m watching my son make decisions that could cost him everything our family has built. Your position. Your authority. This pack." She shakes her head. "Ethan already has a strong argument, Ronan, and whether you want to admit it or not, some members of the Council are listening to him."

"Mara would’ve been a better fit for Luna than some Westbrook girl," someone else mutters, and my anger immediately begins to boil beneath my skin. My fingers curl into fists at my sides, and I can already feel Kael growing restless inside me, but I don’t say a word. I’m not sure how much longer I can listen to them disrespect Roselle without losing my fucking patience.

"Do you see?" Mom says beside me, clearly taking their complaints as proof of everything she’s been saying. "Even the pack agrees. Mara would never stand you up like this because she understands the importance of—"

The rest of her words become a blur as a familiar scent suddenly fills my nose. Every muscle in my body goes still, and my eyes immediately drift toward the entrance of the ceremony grounds.

Roselle.

She walks through the entrance, and for several seconds, I’m completely stunned. My feet feel glued to the ground as I watch her take one graceful step after another, my heart thundering harder against my ribs with each one.

By the Goddess.

Words aren’t fucking enough to describe how gorgeous she looks. My gaze slowly travels over her, taking in every detail, from the way her hair frames her face to the way her dress hugs her body perfectly. She looks so breathtaking that for a moment, I forget there are hundreds of people around us.

The complaints from the pack, my conversation with Mom, everything disappears from my mind as I stare at her. Right now, Roselle is the only fucking person I can see.

A deep, possessive growl rumbles from Kael inside my head. Ours.

The introduction is finally made, and Roselle offers a brief apology for her lateness before gracefully addressing the pack. The moment she finishes, cheers erupt across the ceremony grounds, and I watch her with a smile tugging at my lips as the tension that has been sitting heavily in my chest finally begins to ease.

When she steps down from the podium, I take her hand and lead her toward the seat reserved beside mine. She settles into it, and I feel like I can finally fucking relax.

That feeling lasts all of five seconds.

A sudden tug against my mind catches my attention, followed by Logan’s voice pushing urgently through the mind-link. He’s the head of the dungeon guards, and judging by the tension pouring through the connection, whatever he has to say isn’t fucking good.

"Alpha, I need to speak with you. It’s urgent."

My brows pull together as I glance briefly at Roselle before responding through the link. "What is it, Logan?""

There’s a moment of hesitation on the other end, and that alone sends a cold sense of unease crawling down my spine.

"Alpha, I’m afraid to tell you this, but there’s been a breach in the dungeon.""

My entire body stiffens.

"What kind of breach?"

His next words hit me like a fucking punch to the chest.

"The Lycan, Alpha. He’s gone. We’ve searched the cells and the surrounding area, but he’s nowhere to be found."