Chapter 16 - Yellow Lace

It wasn't long before the ceremony started. Rin's hazel eyes were wide as he watched everyone walk down the aisle. He adored all the petals left on the way and made sure to tell me how pretty the bridesmaids' dresses were.

In no time at all, Lyn came walking down the aisle with our father at her side. She looked beautiful, her gown was a mermaid silhouette with the longest train and an equally long veil to match. The dress itself was the traditional white, but there were small yellow lace details throughout the dress that made Lyn stand out from other brides. 

Her hair was down, curled to perfection with daisies and chocolate cosmos trailing down the flower crown she wore on top of the veil. She truly was a sight for sore eyes, and I couldn't remember a time where she smiled like that. 

Her smile was so bright it lit up her face, blue eyes shining under the fairy lights hanging from the ceiling. Her bouquet was small, just a handful of more yellow and brown flowers. 

She was far too busy tearing up at the sight of her groom, who had on a traditional suit with yellow accents, to notice my presence and I was more than fine with that.  

William—Lyn's groom—was a handsome alpha. His shoulder length black hair was pulled back into a low bun and I could tell he had a slight stubble from where I sat in the crowd. I couldn't see the color of his eyes, but they lit up at the sight of Lyn and slowly started to water as well. 

Rin was gobsmacked by the scene and it made me feel better to see him so awestruck. He really was enjoying himself.

Rowan was silent since sitting down. He watched the ceremony, but no emotion showed on his face. His shoulders were still tense from that interaction with my parents and I only hoped we wouldn't run into them again. 

My sister and her fiance started reading off their vows to each other and I could tell they were beautiful. Many people in the crowd were patting away tears, but I was too busy longing for the relationship Lyn and I used to have. 

I hated admitting it, but not having anything to do with this wedding hurt me deeply. I wanted to be apart of it in some way. Hell, I wanted to be the one she came to when she finally realized she had found the one. Instead, I was informed through an invitation I still wasn't sure she meant to send. 

They kept the ceremony short and after the bride and groom were announced as newly weds, they were the first to head over to where the reception was being held. I began crowding Rin and Rowan out to avoid being spotted by my parents a second time.

The reception was just in the building next to this one, so as we walked I noticed Rin giving me the side eye in my peripheral view.

"What's up, bud? What'd you think of the wedding?" I asked, swinging our hands back and forth between us as we crossed the street. Rowan never strayed from behind us, being sure to maintain a close distance as if he were our guard dog. I didn't want to unpack how having him near made me feel a thousand times safer.

"Amazing! Everyone looked so pretty! But, Alek, why are you sad?" Rin asked, looking up at me with the sweetest expression. It amazed me how someone so young could be so perceptive. 

"I'm okay. I just wish my sister and I were closer, that's all." I ruffled his hair as I opened the door to the reception for my two favorite boys. 

"If I had a sister, I'd wanna be super close to her, too. Talk to her! I'm sure she feels the same way!" 

"That's a great idea, Rin." I smiled at him, not having the heart to say that Lyn most likely didn't feel that way. 

I chanced a glance at Rowan as we finally appeared in the reception hall. He was looking at me almost worriedly and I figured he could see right through me. With how awful my parents were earlier, he probably came to his own conclusion about the truth behind my relationship with Lyn. He'd be the only one, I still had no clue what happened between us.

Eventually, the three of us found a table out of the way and after the toast my parents made to Lyn and her now husband William, we made our way over to grab some food. 

Everything tasted delicious and it was nice to spend some more time with Rowan and Rin. Rin didn't mention my sister again and Rowan, I could tell, was holding his tongue to keep from asking questions about my family. 

We chatted about light topics and laughed together. It was fun, but I couldn't quite get rid of the uneasiness in the back of my mind. 

Eventually, I spotted Lyn in a now much shorter and solidly yellow dress approaching our table. 

"Hi, you must be Alek's family. I'm Lyn, his older sister. I'm so glad you guys could make it." I flushed from head to toe at the implication in Lyn's words, surprised she even approached our table at all. 

"Hello, Lyn. We're happy to be here. The ceremony was beautiful and you looked absolutely stunning. I'm Rowan, it's a pleasure to meet you." Of course the alpha being the gentleman he was, Rowan stood up to properly introduce himself to yet another member of my family. 

I didn't want to think about it too much, but the fact that Rowan didn't correct Lyn about us being a family made me feel all warm and gooey inside. 

Carly, Carly, Carly. I repeated like a mantra, trying to shove my hopes back down in the padlocked box that they belonged in.

Something about the way Lyn looked at me shifted, almost as if she saw me in a different light. It made me wonder what she really thought of me.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up unsurely, "Hey. . ."

"Alek, I'm so happy you're here." Lyn smiled at me and my eyes widened at her sincere tone. Before I could say anything else, my sister turned her attention to Rin.

"And who is this little cutie?" She asked.

"Hi! I'm Rin. You're really pretty!" Rin gave his megawatt smile and waved cutely at Lyn and she absolutely melted. 

"Thank you, Love! Aren't you just so precious. Do you mind if I steal Alek from you both for a moment?" Lyn pointed a look in my direction and I knew I wouldn't be able to find a way out of this.

Rin shook his head vehemently, eyes sparkling as he looked at me in what could only be described as a 'don't fuck this up' sort of way. I wanted to laugh but thought better of it, so I just sent a wink his way and smiled as that got a giggle out of him. 

"Of course not, take your time. We'll be waiting right here." Rowan pointed the last sentence to me as he smiled softly in my direction and that gave me the courage to finally stand up and silently follow Lyn back outside where it was quiet. 

I had no idea what Lyn wanted to discuss, I just knew that my hands were trembling and all I wanted was to return back to where it was safe. 

With Rowan.

A/N~ Hey Reading Mice! Finally get to meet Alek's sister, what do you think? Subscribe to my Patreon or Ream to read what happens next today!<3

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QOTD: Do you have siblings? If so, are you close?:)

Answer: I have a wonderful sister<3