Chapter 2

When Silas appeared quietly in the doorway of the bridal suite, I wasn't surprised.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"I promised Declan I'd stay here tonight," Silas said, his voice husky.

He was keeping watch over the runaway groom's mate, like someone guarding a piece of luggage left behind.

My hands paused for a moment, and then I went back to taking off the accessories in my hair.

"Silas," I said, calling him by his name for the first time. "Where is Declan?"

I thought Silas would lie or even make up a reasonable excuse for Declan. But he didn't.

He told me calmly, "He went to see Ms. Ashby." He was tall, dressed in a black shirt. His build was strong and muscular.

I'd heard the name "Ivy Ashby" before, in Declan's dreams.

I'd asked him about it once. He only said she was a friend. It turned out that the so-called friend was his cherished lover, the one he couldn't let go of even in his sleep.

"He wants you to get some rest," Silas said, his voice a little rough.

I barely held back my laugh as I realized that my mate had run off to be with another she-wolf, and all he had to say was for me to get some rest. "Silas, don't you think it's so absurd?"

He didn't answer, but his Adam's apple moved as he swallowed.

It was the first time I'd called Silas by his name. Previously, I always addressed him as "Lord Silas" out of respect.

I stayed quiet for a long moment before finally saying, "Alright, I get it. You can go rest now."

But Silas didn't budge. He stood there, like a steadfast guardian. "I'm not leaving. I promised Declan I'd look after you."

I couldn't help but chuckle. Then I stood up. The layers of my wedding dress trailed behind me, rustling softly as I moved.

I walked up to Silas, tilting my head to meet his gaze.

He was so much taller than me that I had to crane my neck to catch his expression.

The light cast shifting shadows across his face, making his already stern features seem more mysterious.

"It's our wedding night, and he's having you take his place," I said, drawing out each word, slow and clear. "So, are you going to mate with me for him?"

The air felt thick and frozen all around us.

Silas's body went rigid, his golden eyes narrowing sharply, as if he'd been struck.

He stared at me, his gaze sliding over my face. It was like he was trying to figure out if I was joking.

I wasn't joking.

When I thought Silas wouldn't say anything else, he suddenly changed the subject. "Ms. Blackwood, you don't seem surprised to find me here."

I let out a mocking laugh. "Yeah. Lord Silas, what kind of reaction do you expect from me now?

"Sure, I guess I should be shocked, huh?

"After all, it's my wedding night. My mate sneaks off to see the she-wolf he actually wants, and his best friend walks right into our bridal suite.

"Oh my god! Lord Silas, why are you here? What are you going to do?

"Is that what I should be saying?" A faint smile played on my lips.

Silas didn't look surprised and smiled. "So, Ms. Blackwood, you knew it?"

I looked at him, my gaze turning cold. "Wasn't it you who made sure I found out, Lord Silas?"

This was true. I could hear their conversation last night without any trouble. That was no accident.

With how paranoid and cautious Declan was, he would've used his Alpha powers to make sure no one could overhear him and Silas talking.

But I, a rookie werewolf, still managed to hear it.

That meant someone had deliberately interfered with Declan's powers. And whoever did it had to be stronger than him.

Honestly, besides Silas, who was standing in front of me, I couldn't think of anyone else who could pull that off.

Silas was supposed to be the Beta of the Southfeld Pack, but he was stronger than the Alpha.

I didn't know why someone like him would be content with playing second fiddle in the Southfeld Pack.

These questions kept circling in my mind. That was why I never trusted Silas.

If anything, I always suspected he and Declan were in this together.

Everything I said earlier was only to test Silas.

But when he heard me, he only curved his lips into a chuckle. He didn't confirm or deny anything. "Well, Ms. Blackwood, you're not as delicate or easy to push around as you look.

"Declan underestimated your strength."

My heart skipped a beat. A flash of coldness flickered in my eyes, but I quickly regained my composure.

But then, Silas said, "Ms. Blackwood, don't worry. I won't hurt you."

I shrugged it off. "Oh, really?"

Maybe it was my imagination, but for a split second, I thought I saw a flicker of tenderness in Silas's icy eyes.