My Funeral, My Alpha Mate's Wedding

"Alright." I said calmly and hung up quickly to avoid Caden from rebelling.

"I'm going with you! I'll make him regret this!"

Caden angrily punched the wall.

"There's no need, Caden. I understand your good intentions, but matters of the heart can't be forced."

I didn’t want to ruin the bond between the two brothers because of me.

"But your health..." Caden looked at me worriedly before reassuring me, "Fine, I promise I won’t argue with him, but let me come with you."

"Fine.”

Drake wasn’t alone when we arrived—Aeris was standing by his side.

They looked at each other affectionately, speaking intimately. Drake's arm was tightly wrapped around Aeris’s waist.

The sight stabbed my heart. Drake had never shown me such tender expressions in the past three years.

When he saw Caden and me entering, Drake seemed surprised.

"Caden, why are you here with Lyra?"

"How can you treat Lyra like this?" Caden retorted.

"So, you went to get Caden to back you up, didn’t you?" Drake glanced at me disdainfully.

Before I could respond, Caden did. "I came on my own."

"Drake, think carefully. Over the past three years, Lyra has done so much for the pack. Everyone admires her, and she loves you deeply. Can’t you see that?"

Drake frowned and looked away.

Aeris gently stroked his chest and smiled at Caden.

"I’m sure Lyra is a good Luna, but you can’t force feelings. I’ve always been Drake’s mate. We love each other, and the bond between us is irresistible." Aeris replied. "If you truly loved my brother, why did you leave him back then?"

Drake's expression darkened.

"Shut up! I won’t let anyone speak ill of Aeris! She wouldn’t have left me if Lyra’s parents hadn’t forced her!"

"That’s not true. The truth is—" Caden snapped, losing his temper, but I stopped him tugging his arm.

"It was all my fault.. There’s no need to argue anymore. I’ll pack my things now and move out today."

I glanced at Aeris.

"I’m giving Drake back to you. I won’t bother you two anymore."

I headed toward my room, and Caden followed me.

For all these years, Drake and I had slept in separate rooms. He came only to satisfy his sexual desire, which was nothing but robotic sex.

I packed a few clothes and a towel since I planned to stay at the hospital for the next few days.

"You can throw the rest away," I said as I appeared in the hallway.

"Everything else can go. It doesn’t matter anymore."

Drake’s expression became complicated, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. But he quickly spoke again.

"Don’t act like you’ve suffered some great injustice. The one who suffered is Aeris—she spent the last three years wandering alone."

When I didn’t respond, his tone softened slightly.

"I bought you a new apartment. Whatever happened before, we’re even now." He held out a key to me.

"There’s no need," I said, making my way out.

"Drake, are you really kicking Lyra out?" Caden asked behind me.

"Caden, this is between me and her. Stay out of it," Drake replied.

"Caden, don’t worry. I’ll make your brother happy," Aeris said gently.

"Will you, really?" Caden shot her a disdainful look.

"You’ll regret this," he said before following me out.

"Why would I regret it? I never loved her!"

Drake shouted behind us. Nothing hurt me more than this comment.

It stabbed me like a blade.

He didn’t love me. I got it. But there was no need to humiliate me like this.

My legs faltered, but Caden balanced me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

When he led me to the car, I couldn’t hold it in anymore and coughed up blood.

Scarlet droplets slid down the car window.

"Lyra, what’s wrong?" Caden frantically wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth.

"I’m fine," I reassured him.

"I’m taking you to the hospital right now!"His voice trembled.

I didn’t know how long I was unconscious. When I woke up, I saw Caden crying at my bedside.

"Caden," I tried to call him, but he didn’t turn around.

I walked over to pat his shoulder, but my hand passed through him like air.

I froze, then saw someone lying on the bed who looked exactly like me.

Is it my dead body?! Am I already dead?

Realization struck me like a thunderbolt. Now, I was just a soul without a body.

Over the next few days, for reasons I couldn’t understand, my soul kept following Caden.

He contacted my parents and made arrangements for my funeral.

When my mother saw my body, she fainted on the spot.

My father’s hair turned white overnight. I felt a deep sense of guilt.

For the past three years, I was focused just on Drake. I completely ignored my parents. I didn’t realize they, too, needed my love and attention.

The night before the funeral, Caden stayed beside my coffin, sleepless.

He had grown visibly thinner in just a few days, with dark circles under his eyes.

"Lyra, I’m sorry for my brother. He doesn’t deserve your love. You won’t believe hehas already gone on vacation with Aeris," he murmured.

I can, Caden! I can believe worse than this.” I smirked sadly. But now, I don’t harbor any resentment for him.

I still remember the flutter in my heart when I saw him for the first time.

Just then, Caden’s phone rang. It was Drake.

"Caden, the day after tomorrow, Aeris and I are getting married. I’d like you to be my best man again."

Caden stayed silent.

"I know you and Lyra were close. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you," Drake added.

"No, it’s fine. I’ll be there," Caden replied, giving a bitter smile at my coffin.

"How ironic. They’re having their wedding on the same day your funeral is! And they want me to be the best man!"

Even in death, the news still managed to pierce my heart.

On the day of my funeral, Caden wore a black suit and dark sunglasses to the wedding, as he had to attend my funeral afterward.

My soul followed him to the venue.

The grand castle was adorned with flowers, and a symphony orchestra played in the background.

In comparison, my wedding was modest and simple.

So this is the difference between being loved and not being loved.

Caden’s arrival drew people’s attention.

"I got you a white suit, didn’t I? Why are you dressed like this? The ceremony hasn’t started yet—go change quickly!" Drake said, his voice irked.

"There’s no time to change. After being your best man, I still have to rush to Lyra’s funeral," Caden said, removing his black sunglasses to reveal his red, swollen eyes.