Chapter 9 Just when I thought there was no way their farce of a wedding would actually happen , the universe hit me with another curveball . The very next day , Alexis transferred my compensation - in full . Right after that , Cecilia's social media blew up with a flurry of official confirmations . The bridal boutique , the hotel , even the wedding planner's page all posted the same thing : " Payment received . " I stared at my phone , stunned . Where in the Moon Goddess's name did Alexis get that kind of money ? Naturally , the internet went feral . 1/8 Chapter 9 + 5 Points Every new twist in this soap opera of a scandal had people hooked like it was the season finale of Alpha Affairs . Pack forums , rogue chat threads , even the neutral territories were buzzing . Spectators couldn't get enough - gossip this juicy only came once every few blood moons . Wedding Day . As promised , Cecilia went live . But this time , something was off . Gone was the smug , glowing bride - to - be . Her energy was shaky , and her hands trembled just enough to throw the whole livestream into chaos . The camera zoomed in too far and jittered , but that didn't stop sharp - eyed viewers from noticing something strange about her dress . 2/8 Chapter 9 +5 Points " Is it just me or do the gems look super patchy ? " " Wait … this isn't the same dress from the pre - wedding shoot , right ? " " It looks like it's been stuffed in a bag for a week . No steam ? No filter either ? " " And the venue - where's the crowd ? Why's it so quiet ? " " Cecilia , give us a full view of the hall ! Let's see the setup ! " She ignored the chat and walked offscreen . Then came the voices - familiar and panicked . " Are the guests here yet ? " That was Alexis , no mistaking that voice . 3/8 Chapter 9 + 5 Points " Mr Alexis , someone replied , " I checked the entrance . None of the people you mentioned have arrived . It's almost time . Should we start calling ?" " Yeah . Okay ! " Cue the awkward flurry of phone calls . " Oswald ? Hey , we're starting soon - where are you ? " " … No time ? Uh … what about your gift ? And the red envelope ? Oswald ? Hello ? " " Ivor ? Not coming ? Wait , you said you'd bring your mate - no , I mean - okay , but your gift- " I watched , frozen . Was I seriously witnessing Alexis chasing 4/8 Chapter 9 + 5 Points down guests for red envelopes - before the ceremony even began ? A deep , satisfied sigh escaped me . I hadn't known it then , but I'd never been more grateful for my family's quick thinking . They'd personally contacted every relative and ally in our pack , explaining everything . If they hadn't , Alexis might've walked away with a small fortune in wedding gifts - mine included . I would've howled in rage . Meanwhile , the comments section was in meltdown : " WTF is going on ?! No one showed up ?! " " This guy's literally begging for money at his own wedding - how is he an Alpha heir again ? " " Wasn't there supposed to be a lucky fan 5/8 9 + 5 Points led - 29q e ? Is anyone even there ?? " mbed then , a witness dropped the bomb : 0990 5 where . It's so awkward , I'm getting Decondhand embarrassment . There's maybe one full table of their friends . The rest ? mpty ." This isn't the original venue , either . It's way smaller - barely ten tables total . They're using clever camera angles to hide it . " " Cecilia's dress looks awful up close . What happened to the original designer ? " " We are the original designer . That mess she's wearing ? She destroyed the original on her own . Don't blame us ." Just when I thought the disaster had peaked , the livestream caught a sudden commotion 6/8 opter 9 + 5 Points ar the entrance . xcuse me , which one of you is Alexis Purry ?" That's me , officer . What's going on ? " ' You're being charged with embezzlement by the Silverpine Packhouse . The amount is substantial . We have documented proof . Please come with us . " " Officer - wait ! This is a misunderstanding ! That's my family's packhouse ! " " Your family's ? You're not even a Burgess . Your surname's Curry , correct ? " " Well … no , but I married into the family- " So , you're today's groom . And the bride is Cecilia , correct ? That means you're also 7/8 Chapter 9 + 5 Points facing a bigamy charge . " " No ! Wait ! I mean - yes , I was engaged to Eloise Burgess , but now I'm marrying someone else . We're still … kind of family , right ? " And for once , I didn't feel hurt . I felt vindicated . Blessed . I may have lost a mate … but I just dodged a disaster . 8/8