Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1

A hammering sound startled me out of my slumber. I jerked up from my pillow and listened intently, confused about where the sound might be coming from and why so early.

The sound of a hammer striking a nail once again filled my ears, and it sounded like it was coming from outside into our backyard. I got up from the bed and hurried to my window, which faces the backyard, to tell my dad to stop. He is always working on the house and causing noise.

But I got a surprise when I didn’t see my father working; instead, people were working on a tent outside my bedroom. I stood there, shocked for a moment, trying to make sense of what could be the reason why there are people working in my backyard.

I watched as other people walked inside the tent carrying what looked like decorations and setting up chairs. Are we hosting an event and forgot to tell me? The life of the party.

“What in the—” I mutter, shoving my legs into pajama shorts and heading for the door. I stepped outside my room and immediately regretted it; there were too many people down here. There was noise and excitement in the air.

I slowly walk down the stairs, my eyes searching around the room for a familiar face. I reached the bottom of the stairs, and I instantly spotted my mother in a sleek black dress with a clipboard in her hand, shouting orders. What the hell?

“Mom?” I called out to her, but she didn’t even respond to me. I’m pretty sure I was loud enough for her to hear me.

“Not now, Ayla.“ I blink in confusion. “What are these people doing here, Mom?”

She finally turns to look at me, looking startled and annoyed. “We are hosting an event.”

“What’s going on? Why was I not aware of this event? ” I gesture toward the backyard and to the people roaming around freely in our home.

She sighs and turns to look at me, a bit distracted. “Your sister’s getting married.” I stare at her, trying to tell if this is a joke or a dream. “Why? To whom?”

She waves a hand vaguely, already walking away. “Please, go to your room and get ready.” She said as she glared at me and slowly walked away, clearly avoiding my question.

Sierra doesn't even have a boyfriend who could be marrying her so suddenly?

“Can you answer my question? Mom!” I loudly call out, but she flatly ignores me and walks away.

"What the hell is going on? Where's dad? Maybe he can explain this better than his wife." I murmured to myself as I looked around for him, but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.

I was still walking around confused when the front door opened and Tasha, my best friend, walked in, and she seemed to be in a good mood.  She looked stunning, as if she had stepped straight out of a bridal magazine, wearing a cute pink dress and matching heels.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw me standing at the edge of the stairs in my pajamas and messy hair. “Oh my god, why aren’t you dressed?”

“For what?” I asked, How could she have known about this, but I only found out this morning? “Your sister’s wedding?”

“Yeah, apparently!” I throw my arms up.

“You know, the one no one told me about until I found out by myself two minutes ago?” Her eyes go wide with disbelief. “You’re kidding.”

“How long have you known?” I asked, squinting my eyes suspiciously at her.

"I heard yesterday, and I thought you didn't want to tell me because you didn't want me at your sister's wedding." I looked at her in disbelief.

Why would I not want her at my sister’s wedding? Tasha is always saying the weirdest things ever. "Tasha, did you smoke weed again? I told you to stay off that stuff." I whispered to her so no one could hear me. She shook her head, laughing at me.

I nodded and started walking up to my room, and Tasha followed closely behind.“Okay, emergency glam session. You look like you just crawled out of a cave.”

“Thanks,” I muttered sarcastically.

I closed the door behind me, and Tasha collapsed on my bed dramatically and reached into her bag like a magician preparing for a trick. She slowly pulled out a full bottle of Gin with a smile on her face.

“Oh no,” I laugh, covering my mouth, excitement engulfing my body. “You didn’t.”

“Oh yes, I did.” She grins, unscrewing the cap. “Liquid courage. For the bride’s sister who just found out her only sibling is getting married, and she wasn’t told.” I take the bottle, sniff it, and laugh again.

“My dad will kill us if he finds this; it's not even noon.”

“Exactly. The best time to drink.” We giggled like teenagers skipping school as I took a sip. The burn hits my throat, and I wince.

“Oh my god, it's terrible.” Tasha takes it back. “Don’t complain, it’s free therapy.”I nod in agreement, laughing as I sit down at my vanity, pulling my hair into a messy bun.

“This whole thing feels weird,” I said, suddenly feeling nervous thinking about this whole wedding thing. Why has it been kept a secret this whole time?

“What, the surprise wedding?”

“Yeah. I mean—” I glanced at her. “She's my sister, I should've known about this. Why was I sidelined?" I asked, feeling sorry for myself and feeling like they were hiding something from me. This can’t be it. Why would they go through the trouble of lying and hiding wedding preparations? There’s a bomb that they are waiting to unleash.

"It's fine, you're not the one being tied down anyway. How's Callen?" Tasha changed the subject completely. I smiled as I thought about him.

"Callen’s been great to me, as always. Though he didn't call today, he usually calls me before I wake up." Tasha raises a brow, mid-sip. “Maybe he’s helping with the wedding prep?”

I shrugged, weirded out by the question, though, because why would he be helping with my family's wedding? “Maybe, but it's still weird, though.” We are from the same pack, but that would just be weird.

She hands me a mascara wand and smirks. “Relax, let me help you. You’re just hungover from lack of sunshine, being in a cave. Put on a cute dress, have a drink, and pretend you’ve known about this for weeks.” I laughed softly, shaking my head.

“What would I be without you?" I laughed as we shared an intimate hug.

An hour later, Tasha and I were huddled by my second-floor window, looking out to the backyard. We watched as everyone settled into their seats, all wearing their best outfits.

The tent was up, bright and white, the tables arranged perfectly. Guests were seated, chatting and laughing, servers gliding between them with trays of champagne.

My mother floated around like a general, clipboard in hand, issuing orders that made everyone jump. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Callen standing at the altar. I turned to look at Tasha to see if she was seeing this. “Tasha…” I whispered, confused, and my body started to shake from shock.

Shortly, soft music started playing, and my sister Sierra emerged with her long, mermaid dress, slowly walking to the altar. I felt my stomach twist so hard I thought I might throw up right there in my room. My hands were clammy, and my breathing was getting limited by the minute.

“Oh my god,” I breathed, clutching Tasha’s arm. Tasha’s eyes were wide, sparkling with a little panic and disbelief. “Yep,” she whispered, her voice low but fast.

“This is really happening.“

I blinked, trying to process the sight. "I don’t understand. Why is he… standing there? With her? At the altar?” I rambled the questions spewing from my mouth without second thought.

Tasha peeked further around the window frame. “Wait, let's not assume anything bad, Ayla. Maybe he is waiting for you, maybe they planned a surprise wedding.” I let out a shaky laugh that sounded more like a sob.

“That’s bullshit, Tasha. If he is here for me, why is my sister the one wearing a wedding dress?” Tasha placed her hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down as I started hyperventilating.

“I don’t know, okay? I'm drunk, and this is making me dizzy. We need to calm down and think.” I swallowed hard, my tongue suddenly thick.

“Being drunk does not make you stupid, so stop it.” I paused, staring, my mouth dry. The gin I had drunk earlier was really making me drunk, or my nerves were up a notch.

Maybe that’s why I thought yelling from the second floor was a good idea. I stepped back slightly, then leaned over the open window. My voice carried across the yard before I realized it.

“Callen! That’s my sister, in case you didn’t notice!” Heads turned to me, and I had a few scattered gasps; my sister froze, and I could see her shoulders tense up even though she didn’t turn to look at me. We have never been close because of the age gap. She is twenty-six and I am twenty, but I never would’ve thought she would do this to me.

Tasha grabbed my wrist, whisper-yelling, “Ayla! Oh my god, you idiot! Everyone’s looking!” I waved her off weakly, my voice still shaking. “I don’t care! I just can’t believe this!”

I whispered, “What am I supposed to do? Fight him? Pull her dress off?” Tasha giggled nervously, leaning against me for balance.

“Don’t make me help you. I don't want to get into trouble.” I laughed shakily at Tasha even though I just wanted to crash out. I immediately noticed my mother rushing to the back door in her heels.

Tasha clutched my arm. “Yeah, but we have to get out of here before we get in trouble. Your mom is coming." I shook off my arm from her grip, my anger getting worse by the minute.

"I am not going anywhere until I get an explanation about what the fuck is going on?" My voice broke as I said the last part. I fell to my knees, feeling weak and vulnerable.

"What the fuck is happening, Ayla?" I said, looking up to her as I softly sobbed the pain too much to bear, and even the gin couldn't numb it. It felt like I was in a nightmare, fighting for my love life, except the person I love is marrying my sister.

Tasha nudged me lightly. “Just breathe, we will figure this out.” I pressed my forehead to the glass and stared down at the altar, the guests, and Callen standing there like a statue, holding my sister’s hand.