All Twi things belong to SM
'We were like two shooting stars that had burned too brightly, leaving a trail of sparkling nothingness.'
- Michael Faudet
She's happy for him.
There he stands, talking to a group of guests.
His face as always is animated, a type of contentment she has never known seeping from each inch of his gaze.
His mouth is pulled up into a brilliant smile, wide and inviting.
Just as he has been since the beginning of time.
She's not part of the bridal party. He's not that cruel. Never that cruel. He knows and understands. Understands better than Sam ever could.
He would never make her do anything against her will, she knows that, but he had asked she be here. Tonight. For him.
Not because she owes him, or feels a misplaced obligation to make him happy, but because he wants her to be here. Because she was important to him.
'Always have been,' he had told her.
So she sits sipping three hundred dollar champagne. Tonight. For him. Because he wants her to be here.
She's never been much for parties. Even in her younger years. But it's nice. If you could ignore the presence of vampires. And their horrible smell.
Her ears pick up the conversations around her, but she pays them no mind. Because she's not here to gossip or share her story.
This is about him. And the ending of his story. With her.
The champagne is sharp and sour on her tongue, just as the thoughts she conceals. The ones she's pressing deep down, crushing them back into a part of her that should be locked away. A part that hurts if she pokes it too much, or thinks about too long in the middle of the night.
"Leah."
"Hmm?"
She barely lifts her eyes.
"Dance with me."
"I don't dance."
"Come on, Beta. I got you."
When he holds out his hand she thinks about all the reasons not to dance with him.
But the only thing that comes to her head is the reason why she should.
His hands are warm. And safe.
And reminds her about all the reasons why she was here. Tonight. For him.
The song is slow, familiar and she presses her nose into his shoulder while his mouth hovers near her ear.
"Thank you for coming."
She closes her eyes, laying her cheek against his collar bone. "My pleasure."
"Seth's so happy you're back."
That makes her stop dancing and pull away.
She doesn't want to look into those endless brown eyes, but she has to.
Because she's never been a coward and she won't start now.
"Jake - I'm not staying."
His jaw clenches but he's trying. That's as much as she can ask for. She can't allow him to start a scene.
Not tonight.
"Seth said you imprinted on a local guy. Why aren't you staying?"
She closes her eyes.
'Because I'm in love with you'
"Because I don't love him."
He sighs. "You should give him a chance. This could make you really happy."
'You make me happy'
"He can't."
She goes to walk away but her Alpha won't allow the conversation to end. He follows her out of the tent, calling her name. But he doesn't understand this time. He's happy. So fucking happy it's sickening. And she's not. But she doesn't care. Because this is why she gave up. Gave in. He is why she's never said anything. Why she refuses to ruin his perfect 'forever'.
"Leah."
He shouts her name as if it's a command and her feet still in the misty grass. She doesn't turn around because he has a power over her. One that confuses and pisses her off. He has the power to change her mind, not through a command alone but through reason.
His fingertips grasp her elbow gently, not forcing her to turn, just yet.
His warm mouth stills near her ear, a long sigh drawing from his lips.
"Why?"
There are many whys.
"Because."
"That's not good enough, Leah. I deserve an answer."
"You don't deserve this answer."
"I can handle it."
She hesitates. Just for a moment.
"Because I'm in love with... you."
He huffs, but says nothing.
Maybe he's always wanted a coward. Someone not like her.
Soon, his warmth pulls away completely.
An answer written in silence.
"Thank you for coming." He whispers before turning on his heel.
She looks up at the twinkling lights in the trees, cheeks red from the cold, eyes clouded with wet emotion.
She's happy for him.
Tonight.
For him.
"My pleasure."
.