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.

Nikolai’s POV

Watching Evelyn yell in pain before collapsing ripped through me. My mind went blank as I carried her to the infirmary. The healers took her from my arms, and it was only then I realized I’d left Isla standing at the altar.

But I didn’t care. Isla might have been my mate, but Evelyn… Evelyn was my life.

“Nikolai,” Marcus’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see him storming down the hall toward me. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning with fury. He grabbed my arm and dragged me into a quiet corner, away from prying eyes.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he hissed.

“Marcus, not now,” I muttered, running a hand over my face.

“Yes, now,” he shot back, stepping closer. “You left your bride at the altar! Do you have any idea what kind of mess you’ve caused? Everyone’s talking about it. The elders are pissed, the pack is buzzing, and Isla—”

I flinched at her name but said nothing.

“Isla looked like she’d been gutted in front of the whole pack!” Marcus growled. “You embarrassed her, Nikolai. Hell, you embarrassed all of us. You think your father-in-law’s going to let this slide? He’s the most feared alpha in the South, and you just humiliated his daughter in front of everyone!”

“I didn’t plan for this to happen!” I snapped, my voice rising. “Evelyn collapsed! What was I supposed to do? Just stand there and let her suffer?”

Marcus glared at me. “No, but you could’ve handled it better. You could’ve said something instead of running off like a damn idiot. Do you even realize what you’ve done?”

Before I could respond, the door to the infirmary opened, and one of the healers stepped out. His eyes landed on me, his face calm and professional.

“Alpha Nikolai,” he said, inclining his head. “You can come in now. Evelyn is stable, but I need to speak with a family member first.”

Marcus gave me a sharp look, but I ignored him and followed the healer into the room. Marcus trailed behind silently.

Evelyn was lying on the bed, her face pale but peaceful. Relief washed over me.

The healer turned to me with a small smile. “Congratulations,” he said warmly. “She’s pregnant.”

I froze.

Pregnant?

Marcus stiffened beside me, but the healer didn’t seem to notice. He continued, “It’s always a joy to bring new life into the world. I’ll leave you three to talk.”

With that, he gave us a polite nod and walked out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Marcus exploded.

“Pregnant?” he hissed, turning to me. His voice was low but filled with anger. “Are you out of your damn mind?”

“Marcus, calm down,” I said, though my own head was spinning.

“Calm down?” he spat, his voice rising. “You just left your mate at the altar, and now I find out Evelyn’s pregnant? Do you even understand what you’ve done? What this means?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My mind was racing too fast.

“Do you even have a plan for this?” Marcus pressed, his anger cutting through the room. “You’re walking a tightrope, Nikolai. Isla’s father will kill you if he finds out about this. And the pack? If they even suspect Evelyn’s carrying your kid, everything falls apart. Your alliance, your title—everything!”

“I didn’t plan for this, alright?” I shot back, my voice harsher than I intended. “Do you think I wanted this to happen? I didn’t ask for this!”

Marcus scoffed. “Then what the hell are you going to do now? You’ve already dug yourself into a hole. How are you planning to climb out of it?”

He was right though, what could I do? I was expecting a kid and I had to sort out this mess I had just created.

Remembering how long it took when the officiant had asked if Isla would marry me made my blood run cold.

Although she had finally agreed even though the wedding was interrupted, if she learned about this new development, would she still want to stand by my side?

Deciding to tell them that I had nothing in mind at this moment, Evelyn beat me to it.

“There’s nothing to do,” she said, her eyes locking onto Marcus. “We stick to the plan.”

Marcus turned to her, disbelief written all over his face. “Stick to the plan?” he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Are you serious? This plan is already falling apart, Evelyn. It’s only a matter of time before someone puts the pieces together.”

Evelyn sat up straighter, her pale face hardening. “No one will find out. If anyone asks, my mate died, and I’ve come to stay with my cousin, Alpha Nikolai, for a while. It’s simple. No one questions it.”

Marcus barked out a laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Simple? You think this is simple? Evelyn, there’s a pregnant woman in the house, and it’s not Nikolai’s mate. How long do you think you can keep people from asking questions?”

Evelyn tilted her head, her expression unmoved. “They can ask all they want, but they won’t get answers. Nikolai has a reputation. Who would dare cross him with rumors?”

Marcus turned to me, frustration radiating off him in waves. “And you’re just going to let this happen? You’re okay with her staying here, lying to everyone, and dragging this out?”

I clenched my jaw, looking between them. “Do I have a choice, Marcus? Do you see another way out of this?”

“Yeah,” he snapped. “You could start by not screwing everything up in the first place!”

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples like she was tired of his outburst. “Marcus, yelling isn’t going to change anything. The mate bond between Nikolai and Isla has already been made by the goddess. Whether we think it’s a mistake or not, changes nothing and breaking it is out of the question. Not unless we want to start a war with her father. I’m not here to ruin Nikolai. I would never do that.”

Marcus turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “And the baby? What’s your plan for that, Evelyn? You can’t hide it forever.”

She paused for a moment, her calm mask cracking just slightly. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes.”

“That’s not a plan, Evelyn,” Marcus hissed. “That’s a gamble. You’re putting everyone—yourself, the baby, Nikolai—at risk. Do you even care what happens if this blows up?”