SWNOVELS Chapter 49
Luca kneels at my side, putting his hand on my forearm. I jerk away at his touch. "Chloe, I have loved you longer than Malachi ever could. He is mates with you in his form, but we are fated to be together in our form." He declares. "How do you know his name?" I ask, looking up at him. "I have always been near you watching.” He says, like it's normal to be a stalker. "Wow, that sounds creepy! So, why wait until now? I have a family, and I love Malachi”, I tell him with a stern look. "It may take time, but things will get better. I promise, your memories will come back, and you will realize we are meant to be", Luca says, standing.
He reaches for my face, but I swat his hand away. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" I snap. Luca looks hurt but takes it and turns to leave, closing the door behind him. “AAAHHH!!" I scream, throwing a vase on the nightstand next to me and watch it shatter against the door. I look around the room, the windows have bars, and the door is locked from the outside. "How am I going to get out of this? I need to wait it out until they bring Paisley to me, then make my move’, I think to myself. I lay down on the bed, looking at the ceiling, and my mind goes to Malachi. I miss his smell and his strong arms around me. The tears glide down my cheeks as I curl my body in the fetal position.
I must have cried myself to sleep because I am jolted awake to the door being shoved open. Blair walks in, holding a white gown with rhinestones, "Put this on along with these heels,” she demands, tossing them both at me. "If I don't?" I retort. "Don't make this hard, Chloe. You need to remember I have your child, so when I tell you to do something you better do it!" She hisses. I pick up the clothes she tossed at me and slip them on while she watches me. "Now what?" I ask with a frown. "It's almost time," she exclaims with excitement. "Time for what?" I question, until Luca walks in and he’s wearing a tux.
My eyes go round, and I look from him to myself, and the realization of what's about to happen hits me. "No, I do not love you. I love Malachi, I shout, backing away as Luca walks towards me. "Calm down," Luca says. "I will not calm down you bunch of freaks!" I yell as he gets closer. “Wolf, are you there?" I ask but no response. “Please come back to me, wolf, I need you,’ I plead. Luca reaches out, grabbing my arm, but I slap his hands away. "Don't fucking touch me!" I snap. "We have to go," Luca says, pulling me to his side. "I love you, Chloe. It will just take some time for you to feel the same,” he claims.
I ball my fist and arch it back and swing it forward with all my might, making contact with Luca's jaw. He stumbles back, and I rush at him, tackling him to the floor. We roll around wrestling. "ENOUGH!" Blair shouts. "You are walking a thin line. I will not tell you again. Do as I say, or Paisley will face the consequences,” she threatens, eyeing me. I stand brushing myself off and Blair walks behind me, pushing me out the door.
We come out of the room into a hallway filled with photos of the generations of witches. Blair pokes me in the back to keep me walking. I do as she says, and we walk to a door that takes us
into a chapel. My heart sinks as I see all the people of the coven standing there, watching us.
Blair stands beside me. "Remember what I told you," she whispers, then walks past me. Luca
walks to the front and stands by a man holding a book. The music starts, and someone pushes
me to walk down the aisle.
I slowly pace myself to the altar, looking around frantically, hoping this is just a dream. The tears fall when I pinch myself, and I don't wake up. Even with my slow walking, I still made it to the altar faster than I wanted. Blair stands behind me and grabs my shoulders, forcing me to face Luca. I can't control my tears anymore. They fall like a downpour in a hurricane. Luca raises his hand to the man to hold off for a moment, and he steps in front of me. "Chloe, please don't cry. I know this seems crazy, but we are destined to be together. We have been matched for each other since the day we were born. I promise I will take care of you and Paisley," He declares, looking at me like he can see into my soul.
He wipes the tears from my face and his hands are so soft and gentle. I stare at Luca, bewildered as he backs away to his spot in front of the coven. The man standing in front of us continues. "Welcome, Finley Coven. We are gathered here today to join Luca and Chloe in holy matrimony. Luca, please repeat after me" the man says and begins to speak the lines which Luca repeats. "With this ring I, Luca, take you, Chloe, to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me through all our years, and in all that life may bring us.” Luca repeats, and I feel nauseous.
"Now, Chloe, can you repeat after me please.” The man asks, and I can feel Blair staring daggers into my back. "With this ring, I, Chloe, take you, Luca, to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us.” He finishes, but I hesitate, looking over the crowd. I take a deep breath, and I feel like I'm hyperventilating.
Blair pokes me again. "Repeat now, Chloe or Paisley suffers,” She says, pointing to the corner
of the room where Paisley is in an older woman's arms. The woman lifts a dagger and Horror fills my entire body. "Okay," I replied and repeated what the man said. "Let's have the rings please" The man turns to Blair, who hands him a box. I swallow the lump in my throat as I watch Blair hand a ring to Luca, then turns to me, giving me a wedding band as well.
I hesitate, and she shoves it at me. "Please place the rings,” The man insists, and Luca walks to me, grabbing my hand and placing the ring on my finger. Tears fill my eyes as I feel the betrayal I am doing to Malachi. "Your turn Chloe" The man mutters. I don't budge., until I look at Paisley, and I move slowly toward Luca. 'l will get us back to daddy baby girl. I promise we just have to do what is necessary to survive. I think to myself.
I place the ring on his finger and move away quickly. "By the power vested in me by The Finley
Coven and the state of Washington, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife! You may kiss the
bride", The man declares. Luca moves towards me and leans to place a kiss on my lips, but I turn my
head, and it lands on my cheek. He stands back to look at me, and I can see the hurt in his eyes. "I
want my daughter now. You got what you wanted,” I snap in disgust. Luca stares for a moment then
waves the older woman over. "Give her the baby,” He commands.
The lady looks between him and Blair. Blair nods, giving the okay. She hands me Paisley, and I hug her so tight. "I will never let you go, I promise,” I tell Paisley as she smiles up at me. Luca places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to the dining room for the reception. We sit at a rectangular table with a large white cake with flowers and pearls embedded all around. I hold Paisley in my arms tight and turn to look at Luca, who sits beside me. "I have to use the restroom,” I say, standing. "Okay, it's down the hall. I trust that you will come back,” He says, grabbing for Paisley, but I jerk her away. "I am not letting go of my daughter, do you understand!" I snarl. "Okay, I trust you," He says, letting me through.
I walk past Luca to the hall and turn right to find the restroom. I look around and see no one in sight. At the end of the hall, I see a glass door that goes outside. I look cautiously and sprint for the door with Paisley in my hands. I burst through the door running for my life into the woods. I'm not sure where I am going. I wish I could link with Malachi. I make it to the edge of the forest, and I finally see where I am. I'm close to Aberdeen, only a mile or so left until the city limits. So, I continue as fast as I can, but I'm exhausted.
I slow to a walk. "It's going to be alright, Paisley. We are going back to daddy," I whisper to her sweetly. I look down at my finger wrapped around Paisley and see the ring. I grab it and toss it. "Screw your coven,” I shout. I am now in the woods near our house, and I hurry, anxious to be back in Malachi's arms. I pick up the pace as I see the packhouse in the distance. I run faster only yards away when someone grabs me and covers my mouth. I am only feet away from my home "MALACHI HELP!!" I scream in my head. “Chloe, where are you?” He replies. “Oh my god, my link is back. The potion wore off. I'm outside. Please help!” I plead. “I'm coming, Luna” He reassures me. Malachi rushes out the house, shifting instantly. The man holding me stops to turn and see Malachi's wolf stalking towards us, but before he can get any closer, the man pulls out a gun
from his jacket, pointing it right at Malachi. Before I can react, I hear BANG... BANG... I
clench my eyes shut at the sound and open them to see Malachi's wolf lying motionless on the ground.
"NOO MALACHI!!L" I shout as I cry uncontrollably, while the man drags me away as I continue screaming for Malachi...
To Be Continued...