Tanner panics although his outer expression is stiff unlike his inside.
His breath catches as he instinctively drops Jess's hand and takes a step back, heart pounding.
His father stands in the doorway, eyes fixed on Jess with a stunned, disbelieving look, like he's seeing a ghost. He blinks once. Twice.
"What... Am I seeing here? What is going on here?" his voice booms, rough with suspicion.
Tanner forces a breath, jaw tightening. "I... he just showed up," he says quickly, voice flat. "I had people searching for him." He says, unsure of what he is really saying, confused, mixing the ideas of lying. "He's here to beg forgiveness. I was going to have the guards deal with him like the others."
Jess doesn't move. He barely breathes. Frozen.
But the Alpha's eyes don't shift from his son. He looks at the hand that was holding Jesse's hand, "Is that really what this is about?" His voice drops, lower, more dangerous. "You expect me to believe that when I just caught you holding his hand?"
Tanner's composure fractures at the edges.
"I'm not dealing with you right now," his father snaps. "The wedding is set. Everyone is wondering what is taking you so long to come out. Everyone's waiting for you, including your bride. Get dressed. Now. I'll take care of this myself."
Tanner's stomach twists. Take care of it?! He knows that tone. His father never makes empty threats. And the idea of Jess left alone in his hands, it doesn't settle comfortably in Tanner.
When his father reaches for Jess, gripping his arm as if he were nothing, Tanner moves without thinking.
He grabs Jess's hand, yanking him back.
"I'll deal with this myself, you told me that I'm the head now and all the decisions will be made by me, that I will have to deal with problems my own way, so I'll deal with this myself." he says sharply, eyes locking with his father's.
His father's expression hardens. "I said go. You're the groom. Act like it. Everyone is waiting for you outside!"
"What are you going to do with him?" Tanner asks, not letting go of Jess.
"Since when does it matter?" his father snarls. "You made it clear what you think of people like him. Now get going."
Tanner's heart pounds in his chest as his father's cold gaze darts between him and Jess. The silence is suffocating.
Jess stays still, jaw clenched, but his chest heaves with quiet, ragged breaths. He can feel the heat building in his throat, behind his eyes, tightening in his chest like a scream begging to be let out.
Why are they talking about me like they own me? Like they get a say in my life?
I left this pack, and now I don't even want to come back.
Why do they act like they're the Moon Goddess, like they get to decide my fate?
His fists tighten, nails biting into his palms.
The words tear out before he can stop them, voice rough and shaking with fury.
"I'm not a part of this pack anymore, and I don't want to be!" Jess shouts, startling even himself. "So what if I like men?! How does that affect you?!"
His voice grows louder, every word tumbling out, heavy with emotion.
"I want to leave. I deserve to leave! You don't own my life! You've made it clear there's no place for people like me here fine! Then let me go!"
His breath hitches, but he pushes through, voice still burning.
"I'm done living in fear, done wondering if you're coming after me like I'm a criminal. I'm leaving, and I'm never coming back. It won't change anything for you, so just leave me alone!"
The room falls silent again but the air is charged now, thick with everything Jess had never meant to say… and everything he couldn't hold back anymore.
Tanner's jaw tightens. He watches his father's expression harden, unreadable and merciless.
"Dad…" Tanner's voice comes out hoarse, almost pleading. He swallows hard, stepping away from Jess as if trying to pretend he hasn't just betrayed his own instincts. "Let's… go for the wedding. We'll deal with this later. Please. It's not the right time. It will only draw unwanted attention."
His father's linger on him. After a tense beat, he finally exhales sharply. "Fine," he mutters, frustration thick in his voice. He waves a hand. "Guards! Take him. Lock him away until I return."
It's like they didn't hear anything Jess said.
"Let go of me you puppets!" Jess fights as the guards seize him, but Tanner doesn't move to stop them. That fact breaks Jess.
His eyes lock with Tanner's. Jess's lips tremble, but he stays silent, fighting to keep control. But the tears he's fought for so long finally break free, slipping down his cheek like silent screams.
Tanner feels it in his bones, the raw pain, the betrayal, the heartbreak. His fists clench, every instinct screaming to pull Jess back, but his body won't obey.
If he acts now, Jess could die.
He turns away, breath shaky and ragged.
—
The wedding sound outside calling Tanner to a life he never wanted. His reflection in the mirror looks hollow, haunted by Jess's tears.
He fastens his ceremonial robe, each button a chain tightening around his heart.
"What am I doing?" he whispers. But still walks out.
The wedding is perfect on the outside_ cheers, music, Charlotte's eager smile as she clings to his arm.
But Tanner is only present in body. His mind is far away.
After the vows, Charlotte leans in, voice warm with expectation. "Shall we go? You said you already set up everything for us tonight. That we will spend our night at your private house."
Tanner forces a smile, tight and hollow. "There's something I need to take care of first. Urgent. I'll send the driver with you."
Her smile falters. "What could be more urgent than our night?"
"I'll follow soon," he says and turns away.
Charlotte's confusion sharpens into suspicion as Tanner walks away.