Isla’s POV
Was I willing to take Nikolai as my mate despite everything I now know? Was I willing to give up my life for a marriage of convenience?
But then I saw Nikolai’s eyes, cold and unyielding, daring me to disobey. Daring me to reject him.
My lips parted. The words hung in the air.
“I—”
As though sensing something was wrong, my father’s stern voice from the background. “Isla.”
I could hear the warning behind his voice.
“Sorry.” I muttered, shutting my eyes tightly as I drew in a deep breath.
“I’ll say it again,” The officiant said with a tight-lipped smile. “Do you, Isla Jazmin Grey, take Alpha Nikolai Xander Feodorov as your mate?”
“I do.” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
The crowd cheered softly, but the sound felt distant, like it wasn’t meant for me. Nikolai didn’t even look at me. His cold eyes barely flicked in my direction before turning back to the officiant.
Before the next words could leave the officiant’s mouth, Evelyn’s gasp cut through the room. My head snapped toward her just in time to see her sway on her feet, her face pale.
And then she collapsed.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. My heart jumped, not out of concern, but from the sharp tension that filled the air. Nikolai moved before I could even react.
“Evelyn!” he called out, rushing to her side. He didn’t hesitate as he scooped her up in his arms, his voice filled with panic. “Someone get the healer! Now!”
I stood frozen, the bouquet trembling in my hands. He didn’t look at me. Not once. He didn’t say a word to me as he cradled her close and bolted for the infirmary, his footsteps echoing through the silent room.
The crowd parted for him, whispers rising. All I could do was stare as the man I had just almost stupidly vowed to spend my life with carried another woman—his mistress—out of the hall.
My chest tightened, each second stretching into an eternity. The altar felt cold, empty, as though I was the only one standing there.
Someone touched my arm, maybe Chloe, but I couldn’t look away from the door Nikolai had disappeared through.
He didn’t even look back.
The cheers were gone. The room was silent.
And I stood there, abandoned at my own wedding.
I couldn’t help it. I laughed bitterly as tears ran down my face. “I’m a fool, aren’t I?”
“Isla, what’s going on here?” My dad’s voice was low, demanding, as he grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop laughing.
I looked up at him, my smile forced and empty. “Can’t you see it, Dad?”
“Isla!” he snarled, his grip tightening.
I laughed again, the sound harsh and almost manic. “Can I go—”
Before I could finish, he yanked me by the arm and dragged me out of the wedding hall.
Once we were away from the crowd and the whispers, he finally stopped.
“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice stern.
I looked up at him, pain creeping into my words. “Dad, Nikolai doesn’t love me. The bond wasn’t enough to bring us together. He’s thinking of taking in a side piece right after the marriage.”
“What side piece?” He asked, his brows furrowed in confusion. “Are you talking about his cousin he left the wedding hall with? Didn’t you see she fainted?”
“Dad! I’m trying to explain that my mate has a side piece and only wants me for show.” I yelled, my hands flailing by my sides.
Just when I thought maybe, maybe he’d show some sort of care, some understanding… towards my current predicament, he stunned me yet again.
“And so?” he said, his voice flat and uncaring.
I stared at my father, unable to process his words at first. The weight of what he had just said hit me like a slap in the face.
"And so?" I repeated, my voice shaking. "Is that all you have to say? You don’t care?"
His eyes were cold, his expression hard as stone. “I’ve told you before, Isla. The pack, the title—it’s all that matters. Your personal feelings? They mean nothing. You are nothing.”
The blood drained from my face. All this time, I had hoped for something more. That he would care. That he would see me as more than just the disappointment, the curse. But nothing had changed.
“Are you saying that what Nikolai did doesn’t matter? That he doesn’t love me and I’m just supposed to accept it?” I asked, my voice cracking.
He shook his head, his grip still tight on my arm. “You think the world cares about love? Your role here, your purpose, is bigger than your heart. Stop making everything personal. If you’d stop worrying about yourself for once and think about the bigger picture, you might realize how stupid you’re being.”
“Stupid?” The word felt like poison in my mouth. “Is that what you think I am?”
He didn’t answer, but the coldness in his gaze was enough. It was as if my entire existence was a burden to him. He looked at me like I was an inconvenience.
“Mum died during childbirth but it was somehow my fault. And Nathan… I blame myself everyday for his death. No matter what, I’ve spent my whole life trying to be what you wanted.” I whispered, the anger and hurt spilling out. “And for what? To be treated like this?”
He didn’t flinch. His expression didn’t even soften a bit. “You’ve always made things harder than they need to be, Isla. You’re the one who has been ruining your own life. Don’t drag me down with you.”
I stared at him, speechless. The man who was supposed to protect me, to care for me, was the one pushing me further away.
“Now get your act together,” he added, finally letting go of my arm. “You have a duty. You’re not the little girl you once were. You’re a Grey, and you will act like it.”
With those final words, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t breathe.
I looked around, but the hall was empty now. The wedding that was supposed to mark the beginning of my life with Nikolai had crumbled. And my father… He had just confirmed what I had feared my entire life: I was nothing to him.
I was basically alone in this battle called life.
A tear slipped down my cheek, but I wiped it away quickly. I wasn’t going to cry anymore. Not for him. Not for Nikolai.
I was done being everyone’s disappointment.
