CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135 THE BRIDE’S DELUSION

Linda’s POV

God, I had better things to do on a Saturday morning than babysit Howard’s spoiled brat at her wedding dress fitting. But here I was, watching this ridiculous charade unfold because the man was paying me well. Otherwise, I’d have told his daughter and that insufferable wife of his to go straight to hell.

I arrived at the bridal boutique fifteen minutes early and ended up waiting nearly half an hour for those two dimwits. They thought being fashionably late made them look important. When they finally graced us with their presence, the store manager informed us all consultants were busy with brides who’d actually shown up on time.

Ella threw a full-blown tantrum right there in the waiting area. Stamping her feet like a toddler and screeching about her father’s money and influence. The manager, bless her patience, simply offered a refund and suggested another store. That shut her up quick,she was too attached to that monstrosity she called a wedding dress.

"I’m so excited!" Ella squealed, clapping her hands together once we were seated in the waiting area. "I’m going to be the Luna of Storm Valley Pack in just a few weeks! Can you believe it, mommy?"

"You’ll be the most beautiful bride Harbor Bay has ever seen," her mother cooed, patting Ella’s hand like she was five years old.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. These two were living in a complete fantasy world.

"Everything’s going perfectly," Ella continued, practically vibrating with excitement. "Draven has no escape route now. Soon I’ll be running that company, living in his fancy penthouse, spending all that Thorne money."

"Honey, maybe don’t count those chickens before they hatch," I said with fake sweetness. "Until you’re actually Luna, you might want to keep your plans quiet."

Ella’s face scrunched up. "Are you trying to jinx me, Linda?"

"Just giving advice," I replied with a shrug. "Your situation is... delicate, to say the least."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" she snapped.

"Well, let’s see," I ticked off points on my fingers. "Alpha Draven demanded a DNA test, postponed the wedding twice already, can’t stand being in the same room with you, and oh,you’re not actually pregnant."

Her mother gasped. "Linda! How dare you!"

"I’ve got it all figured out," Ella hissed, leaning forward. "After we’re married, I’ll fake a miscarriage."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "And then what? Alpha Draven will leave you faster than you can say ’prenup’ once there’s no baby."

"Then I’ll adopt one," she countered, looking smug.

"Ella, darling," I said slowly, as if explaining to a child. "Draven is an Alpha. Alphas can scent their own offspring. The moment you bring home some random baby claiming it’s his, he’ll know you’re lying."

"Shut up!" she screeched, her face turning an unflattering shade of red.

"Linda, stop upsetting my daughter," her mother scolded, as if I were the family dog who’d peed on the carpet. "First the wedding, then we’ll figure everything else out."

Finally, a consultant appeared to help Ella try on that atrocity she’d selected. I followed them to the fitting room and sat beside her mother, watching as Ella disappeared behind the curtain. When she emerged, I had to bite my tongue to keep from howling with laughter.

The dress was the most hideous thing I’d ever seen - a massive white tent with a skirt so puffed out it was nearly square. The bodice was drowning in ruffles, like someone had dumped a truckload of whipped cream on her chest. To complete the circus look, she’d chosen a tiara so tall it might as well have been the Statue of Liberty’s crown.

"It needs more volume," Ella announced, twirling awkwardly. "And more ruffles on the bodice."

The consultant’s professional smile never faltered, but I caught her brief look of horror. I simply nodded along—the more ridiculous she looked on her wedding day, the better.

Both Ella and her mother dissolved into tears, blubbering about how "perfect" and "queenly" she looked. I couldn’t take it anymore and slipped out to the reception area where I finally let myself laugh until my sides hurt.

When I returned, Ella was still admiring herself in the mirror. "Draven will be speechless when he sees me!"

"Oh, speechless for sure," I agreed, picturing the poor man’s face when he saw this monstrosity coming down the aisle. Though we all knew that wedding would never happen.

On our way out, Ella stopped to take several selfies in the store mirror with her sample veil. I watched as she tapped away on her phone, posting the pictures to every social media platform she could think of.

"Perfect! Just announced to the world I’m the most beautiful bride ever! Hashtag ThorneBride, hashtag CountdownToForever," she giggled, showing her mother the post.

I shook my head in disbelief. This girl was truly delusional. If she only knew how often Howard crawled into my bed while his wife was getting her beauty sleep, or how Draven was currently falling hard for Caroline Bennett. These two clueless women were living in a fairytale while their men were looking elsewhere.

But who was I to burst their bubble? I’d just enjoy watching this train wreck unfold from my front-row seat.