Chapter 17: Cannot stay weak

"Nina, won’t you speak to me?" Victor asked, banging his hand against the door. "Just listen to me once. I have no idea whose pup Caroline was carrying. I swear on my life. She lied about it. And Nina, she’s been wanting to become my Luna for a long time. Being a decent man, I always rejected her advances."

Nina stood silently on the balcony of the room, listening to every word he said. However, she had no intention of opening the door or letting him inside.

"Nina, until you open this door, I’m going to stay right here." Victor sighed and lowered his hand, leaning his back against the wall beside the door.

Inside the room, Nina remained quiet, her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of everything Victor had told her.

Victor lowered his gaze, his expression changing the moment he was sure Nina couldn’t see him.

’I need to keep this lie until the end. Nina is the only person who can protect me now. I should have gotten rid of Caroline earlier. I made a mistake during my rut, and now I’m paying for it,’ he thought, clenching his fists.

He couldn’t let Nina discover the truth. If she learned that he had deliberately tried to kill Caroline after discovering she was pregnant, there would be no one left to protect him from Andrew Kensington.

~~~~~

After dinner, Caroline tried on the dress to check its fit. Surprisingly, it hugged her curves perfectly, as though it had been made specifically for her.

"Miss Blackwood, the dress doesn’t seem to need any alterations," the maid standing behind her said.

"Yes." Caroline looked at herself in the mirror, a faint smile forming on her lips.

She had dreamed of this day so many times, imagining how everything would unfold. But never in her wildest dreams had she imagined it would happen like this. She had always thought her parents would be there, standing beside her and giving their blessings as she married Victor.

She quickly pushed those thoughts aside and closed her eyes, regret washing over her for having loved the wrong man.

’I am marrying Andrew Kensington tomorrow morning. If you two are watching over me, please bless me. Give me the strength to fight against Victor and Nina. I cannot stay weak anymore. I can’t keep crying over everything I’ve lost.’

When she opened her eyes, the sadness in them had disappeared. Her gaze was filled with determination.

"Miss, Prince Andrew is here," the second maid announced as she hurried into the room.

Caroline turned around and saw Andrew walking in, with the dress designer following closely behind him. Her fingers tightened around the fabric of the gown as she nervously bit her lower lip under Andrew’s intense gaze.

"I think the dress fits," she whispered, feeling increasingly self-conscious as his eyes remained fixed on her.

"Andrew, the dress truly fits Miss Blackwood perfectly," the designer assured him. "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, Miss Blackwood. I’m Oliver Carlton."

He stepped forward with a warm smile and clasped his hands together politely.

Caroline gave him a small nod. "It’s nice to meet you."

Andrew’s gaze remained on her for a moment longer before he finally spoke.

"You find the dress fitting well, right?" he asked, looking directly at Caroline.

"Hmm." Caroline nodded.

Oliver immediately realized that the prince might need some private time with her. He quickly came up with an excuse and pretended to receive a call.

"Excuse me, I need to take this."

With that, he stepped outside the room. However, the moment he walked through the door, he nearly collided with Miller, who was standing outside with a tablet in his hand.

"How did this happen?" Oliver asked, unable to contain his curiosity. "Andrew met a battered omega who was on the verge of death, and now he’s marrying her."

"Miss Blackwood is his fated mate," Miller replied, lowering the tablet to his side. He glanced at Oliver before narrowing his eyes slightly. "And why do you seem so excited?"

"Andrew is in love. That’s what intrigues me." Oliver’s eyebrows rose as a knowing smile appeared on his face. "He’s going to fight his own family for her. Do you understand what that means?"

Miller stared at him for a moment before sighing. "Knowing Andrew, I’m more worried about what will happen when his parents decide to place restrictions on him because of Caroline."

"Restrictions? How?" Oliver frowned in confusion.

"The use of his power and control over his territory," Miller replied.

"As if he cares about that." Oliver chuckled. "You look quite stressed, Miller. This isn’t like you."

"Trust me, I’m scared of the chaos that’s going to unfold tomorrow, right after their wedding." Miller rubbed his temple, his expression growing serious. "So far, Andrew’s fiancée doesn’t know anything about this. I can’t help but wonder what kind of storm the truth will bring tomorrow."

Oliver’s amused expression slowly faded as he realized just how serious the situation could become.

Dismissing the tension in Miller’s expression, Oliver continued, "Andrew must have thought everything through."

"Yes, that’s true."

Oliver placed a reassuring hand on Miller’s shoulder. "Look, don’t worry. It’s not like Andrew would have listened to us if we’d told him not to marry an omega. He does whatever he believes is right, and once he makes a decision, no one can stop him from following through with it."

Miller sighed, knowing Oliver was right. When Andrew made up his mind about something, even his family had a hard time changing it.

Meanwhile, inside the changing room, Andrew walked closer to Caroline. His fingers brushed the strands away from her cheek when she flinched at his touch. Promptly, he pulled his hand back, realizing she wasn’t comfortable with his closeness.

"You look gorgeous in this dress. Are you ready for tomorrow? We will be marrying in an intimate ceremony."

"I don’t mind," Caroline replied. "But Andrew, are you sure you want to go against your family just because–" she couldn’t complete as he pressed a finger against her lips.

"Because you’re my mate, so you’ll be my priority, Caroline. I want you to be my wife, my luna," he stated with a smile.