"The greater the love, the greater the tragedy when it's over."
~Nicholas Sparks

Spencer

I found myself tracing random patterns on Elsa's bare back as she slept soundly on my chest, one arm draped possessively over me. She'd fallen asleep hours ago, but I stayed awake, mulling everything over.

I'd been serious when I told Elsa to marry me, but unfortunately, I didn't have a ring to prove it. Even if I did, I'd still be marrying Callie in less than forty-eight hours. The thought of it filled me with dread. I could barely stand to think of it without my heart rate and blood pressure increasing exponentially.

Elsa stirred ever so slightly, causing me to look at her. But she merely adjusted her head, snuggling closer to me as I saw goosebumps rise on her skin. Gingerly, I lifted the covers, not wanting her to wake up, but she did anyway.

"Hey," she murmured.

"Hi," I whispered back. Her blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight. She looked ethereally beautiful.

"What are you doing up?"

"Just thinking. I'm fine. Go back to sleep."

But the love of my life was now wide awake as she propped herself up on one of her elbows. "Talk to me."

"It's just the same thoughts I was having earlier. There's nothing you can do," I told her, brushing away some strands of hair that had fallen in her face. Her hand reached out, cupping my face, thumb stroking my cheek.

"I'd rather you vent to me than have you go on a rampage in your room again," she said, a ghost of a smirk tugging on the corners of her lips.

"I'm not going to go on any more wrecking rampages, I promise." I paused for a moment, then asked, "If everything else was different, if we could be together like we wanted, would you marry me?"

"I would," Elsa answered without hesitation. "Why? What's the long face for?"

I sighed. "We can't have a next time after tonight."

"No, we can't," Elsa said quietly, shifting so that she suspended herself above me. Giving me a flirtatious smile, she added, "But considering we haven't left the bed or the room for that matter, it's not quite next time, is it?"

She leaned down and kissed me. I took the opportunity to flip us over, giving her a cocky smile in return. "It sure as hell isn't."

I woke up around ten. Elsa's back pressed up against my chest; she was once more sound asleep. Kissing her on the cheek, I carefully untangled myself from her and the sheets, making my way to the shower, but not before shutting the curtains. The sun was slightly too bright for my taste right now.

I turned on the shower and braced my head against the wall, letting the water run down my body. I couldn't stop thinking about the past twenty-four hours.

Elsa and I shouldn't have done what we did last night, but I had no regrets. I hoped she didn't either. I didn't think she did. Elsa said she'd marry me if I asked her, and she'd told me she loved me multiple times. Hell, she dropped everything to come to my side when Dom called her.

I pushed myself away from the wall and forced myself to actually shower. I slowly washed my hair and body, not wanting to step out of the hot water and face reality. But when I heard the phone ring, I knew I needed to get out.

Sighing, I shut off the steaming hot water and stepped out into the room, wrapping the towel around my waist as I went to answer it.

"Hi, sweetie," mom greeted. "You're still at the hotel?"

"Yeah, I slept in. Long day and long night," I remarked, glancing over at Elsa, who was still fast asleep in my bed. I smiled at the sight of her, amused by the fact she'd slept through everything.

"You sound quiet. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just tired. What's up?"

"I was going to double-check with you about the seating arrangement for the ceremony. Are you sure you want the Laroches all sitting on the right-hand side? You don't want half in the back on each side?"

"I'm sure. If this is going to be a sign of courtesy inviting them to the wedding, then we should give the Alphas front row seats."

I heard mom let out an annoyed sigh. "Okay, it's your wedding."

"No, it's not. My wedding would involve me getting married to someone I want to," I said, unable to hold back my contempt.

"Spencer, it's your duty to your pack," mom scolded. "If you want that Laroche girl to be safe, then you'll go through with this."

"Her name is Elsa," I snapped.

"You need to get her out of your head," mom growled, sounding genuinely angry. "It's been months. It's high time you started acting like the Alpha you are. I'll see you when you get home. I love you."

"Yeah, love you too." I hung up, bracing myself against the table, resisting the urge to throw something again. I glanced over at Elsa, who was now sitting up, watching me. I could tell by the look on her face she'd been able to hear what my mom said. I gave her a smile to try and silently convince her I was okay, but I knew she could see right through the façade.

Elsa

I woke to Spencer talking to someone on the phone. I strained to listen because judging by the look on his face, he was far from happy. It didn't take me long to, firstly, figure out he was speaking to his mother, and secondly, to figure out what she was saying. He stood at the phone for about three or four minutes before hanging up and bracing himself against the table.

I'm not sure Spencer realized I was awake until he turned his head to look at me and forced a smile on his face. I knew what he was trying to do, but I could see the pain in his eyes, the hopelessness.

I got up, dragging the blanket along. I sat on the edge of the table, waiting for him to speak. I wanted to reach out and touch him but had a feeling there would be no talking if I did.

"How much did you hear?" Spencer asked.

"Most of it. I came in when your mom groaned. What she said about you being Alpha-"

"I don't care about that. I won't be able to get you out of my head. Ever. You will always be there. I'm engaged to Callie, but I feel like I'm cheating on you whenever I'm with her, even during those times we weren't speaking. And after last night, I... I don't know if I can go through with this wedding."

"Spencer, you have to," I said. "Besides, I'm not worth it. I'm not worth your pack and your family."

"You're my mate. You're everything to me."

My eyes widened. "I'm your what?"

"My mate," he repeated, sitting next to me. "I did some digging. That kiss we shared a few months ago, it wasn't ordinary. I asked my mom and dad what it felt like when you found your mate, and they described the same thing we felt. You're my mate, and the only thing that can break that is death. Wolves mate for life."

"I didn't know that's what it felt like to find your mate... it makes sense now." I clutched the blanket tighter as I searched carefully for my next words. "You're right; we mate for life. But as mates, we also put each other's safety and happiness before our own. I'll never truly be happy without you, but I'll be happy enough to know that you are safe and sound, so please, for my sanity and your wellbeing, go through with the marriage."

"Y-you really want me to do this?"

"Of course, I don't want you to do, but I know it's the right thing to do, and as Alpha, you need to do what's best for your pack. Unfortunately, your mom was right in that sense."

"You could be an Alpha, you know, speaking like that. You're doing the same."

I harrumphed. "The only way I'd ever be Alpha is if I married one. I've challenged my parents' ideals too many times for them to consider me for the role."

Spencer kissed me on the head and said, "We should get dressed."

Taking my hand, he led me back into the bedroom. He grabbed some clothes from his suitcase and went into the bathroom while I put on my clothes from yesterday. I was going to need to shower before I went home because I could smell Spencer's cologne all over me. That would bring some very undesired questions my way.

We both took our time, knowing the faster we got dressed, the less time we'd have together. Spencer sat down on the bed next to me as we both put on our shoes. I shivered every time our arms brushed up against each other, and all I wanted to do was continue last night's activities.

But we had to leave.

I just wish that didn't mean leaving each other once and for all.

When we were ready, Spencer texted Dom letting him know. The two of us then proceeded to leave the room, where we stopped outside to say our final goodbye. Spencer pulled me into a hug, holding me so tightly I could barely breathe, but I knew I was doing the same to him. My eyes squeezed shut; I didn't want to open them and find out this was real. I wanted all this to be a nightmare I could wake up from.

"You're my forever," I whispered.

"You're my always," he responded.

"Spencer, you ready?" Dom asked gently, causing us to break apart. I gave the oldest Stark sibling what I hoped was a friendly smile, not one full of heartbreak and despair. On a whim, I stepped forward and hugged Dom too. After all, he was the reason Spencer and I had this last night together. We owed him so much, and saying 'thank you' didn't seem to suffice. Dom seemed taken aback, but he returned the embrace after a moment.

"Elsa, wait," Spencer said. He took my face in his hands and tilted my head upwards, kissing me on the brow. I could feel the tension in his grip, how badly he didn't want to let me go.

So I did it for him, pulling away.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said.

"See you tomorrow." I turned away, heading back to my hotel across the street. I forced myself not to run back to him. Each step I took was heavy like my shoes were made of lead; it was an ordeal getting back to my room. When I finally arrived and shut the door, I sank against it.

"Elsa?" Killian's voice prodded hesitantly. My eyes flew open to find my packmate standing in front of me, worry etched on his face. I stood up, trying to find the words to explain what had just happened, but nothing came out. Killian seemed to register that because he walked over to me, enveloping me in a hug as I broke down into the sobs I'd been holding in the last few months.