Chapter 46

THE WEDDING happened inside the Fosters' pack territory. Cedric dresses in his most expensive suit with a small flower pinned on his chest. The audience, unlike the vampires', wore their casual attire. The type of the dress and the clothes varied, the only requirement important for the guest is for them to wear white and pink, colors according to Dianne's favourites.

Daniel, now unrecognizable because of his wig and baggy clothes, gave him a glass of alcohol. "You look happy. Nice."

Cedric leveled him a cool look, silently laughing at his old appearance. He's the best man that he requested. The bride still hasn't showed up but their target, Howard Hathaway, is happily talking with Dianne's parents several yards away from him.

Eduard Landon. That was his registered name in the list. But even if the man turn the earth upside down, he will recognize the shape of his face and the sound of his voice.

"He lost weight," Daniel tapped his shoulder. On the outwards, he looked like he's giving the groom a friendly advise. "Peter isn't in the crowd. I think he mixed with the staff."

"Why would he come here?"

"Why, you ask." He shrug. "Wasn't it your department who busted him away?"

The music's volume has risen. The microphone beeped with a jarring sound before it settled. A man's voice, Dianne's father, greeted the guests.

"Thank you for coming everyone! Enjoy the drinks while we wait for the ceremony. Please, enjoy!"

Cedric smiled in his direction. The old man raise his glass and laugh. He was a picture of a happy father in law. Too bad that Cedric is no where delighted with his daughter.

"Who is that?"

Daniel gripped Cedric's arm. His eyes shifted towards the commotion. A famous guest had come. That was the only reason why the people gasped audibly before talking with each other in a hush. The sweet background music couldn't fight with their mumbling voices.

The group of people broke and give way. It creates a path which leads to the center where Cedric stood.

His breathing halted when he noticed the curly hair, pale face and languid expression on Jeffrey Duvas' face.

He walked in an incredibly patient strides.

"Why is he here?!" Dianne's mother couldn't help herself. "Cedric! Cedric, send him out!"

Yet Cedric couldn't do that. He watched as Jeffrey stepped on the red carpet. Smiling softly as his gaze laid on him.

'So this is how it looks like, seeing you walk down the isle.'

Daniel nudge his head. He blinked furiously when Jeffrey finally reach in front of him. He almost said, 'I do.' just to tease him but he realized that the man most likely hated his guts right now.

'Yes. I'm here to marry Dianne. What am I so happy about?' He chastised himself while nodding in satisfaction. A champagne colored suit sculpted Jeffrey perfectly.

He looked like he'd melt the moment Cedric touch him. Like an ice cream.

Jeffrey's wide smile was bestowed to Daniel while he gave Cedric only the corner of his eyes. "I'm here to represent his grace. He can't come by himself today. He's quite busy with personal matters recently. I hope you don't mind."

'Actually, I don't need someone from the coven.' Cedric released his breath. He can't trust his mouth at the moment so he can only step back one time and bowed.

Which was totally necessary. Dianne's parents knew about Jeffrey. They will throw him out using Cedric as the trigger once he showed some reluctance. He could only act as though he can't refuse Jeffrey because of Maximilian's order.

"You... shouldn't be here." Cedric mustered the courage after fifteen minutes. "Don't make it hard for yourself."

"I'm glad your confidence and self-assurance didn't change over these past few months, Mr. Mallory," he magnanimously praised, "I'm immensely gratified to know your soon-to-be wife will suffer a lot in the future."

Cedric frowned. He stared at the side of Jeffrey's face before he coughed. "You can just sit down in front. The ceremony will take a very long time. You'll hurt your feet."

What he wanted to say is that, 'I don't want you anywhere near that Howard once the sniper got in place and pull the trigger.'

It would be a long explanation. He'd rather Jeffrey think he's being an asshole again. Not like it's the first time.

"I want to send you off. Just think of this like a kid giving away his favorite toy for free, so that his parents will buy him a new one."

Cedric inhaled sharply. Thinking to himself, 'At the very least, I was once hailed as your 'favorite'. I'll consider that as my gain.'

"I don't think you should get married, Jeffrey." Cedric opened up, "See, you're still so young. You should not be hasty about something so important like this."

"You're saying Dianne is important for you?"

Cedric's face had a permanent smile on it. But this time, he longed to pull a long face. "Yes! Well—"

"More significant than me?"

Cedric closed his mouth. He turned to face Jeffrey. He then only noticed the boastful expression that he had.

'Shouldn't you be sad?' Cedric deliberately made him jealous but he only took it in a slide.

"How were your days without me, babe?"

He swallowed. "You know."

Jeffrey rolled his eyes. Cedric held his wrist. "You know!"

"Oh, then what are you going to do?" he asked. "People are watching. Let go."

"It's okay. It's too far. The music is too loud, they can't hear us."

"Hmn." Jeffrey watched Daniel storm off to get an appetizer from the server's tray. "I want you to know that I still hate you."

Cedric smacked his lips. "I won't say I'm sorry now. It will not be a proper apology."

Jeffrey smiled, this time genuine and filled with fondness. "You're aware of your mistakes. That's good."

He patted his arm. The action warmed Cedric's chest. "I need to excuse myself."

"Don't stay far." Cedric followed him with his eyes. Looks like the little guy wants to take a piss.

"Sir..." A heavy hand landed on Cedric's shoulder. His eyes widened when he recognized the bizarre voice. He turned and watch as a waiter offered him a drink. "The heir ordered to give you this glass."

Cedric nodded with a jovial 'hello' but his heart burned with anticipation. 'Caught you.'




__________



JEFFREY WASHED his hands repeatedly. He only stopped when the men beside him get out of the restroom. He sighed with dismay and irritation.

The people of this pack wouldn't leave him. Even when Cedric talked to him, he needed to keep his expression straight and friendly.

'It's fine.' Uncle Max told him to assist Daniel. When he confronted his uncle, the only thing he said is that, 'With the way you're behaving now, don't you think I made a good decision when I kept it from you?'

Terrible. The man didn't even know how to repent or say sorry. It was a miracle how his aunt manage to accept him.

"…inside?"

"…yes."

Jeffrey rubbed his hands on his face. He patted his chest to placate his inner demons before walking out.

As he had expected, men and women gathered out of the stall. All of them gawked at him like an animal on display.

"I'm sorry. I have to go. Excuse me," he politely said before walking out.

"…he's handsome!"
"Too tall to be gay."
"Huh... he looks elegant."

Jeffrey sped up his pace. When he turned to walk back in the ceremony, he bumped to a server. "Sorry."

The waiter steadied his shoulder. It was a man taller than him. "It's okay."

Jeffrey took a sharp breath. "…Peter."

A smiling face greeted him when he looked up. "Missed me, Jeffrey?"

Peter raise his hand before he struck Jeffrey with a loud whack on the head. He grunted because of the impact.

His sight darkened.