Balance of Light and Shadow (By Chandrea) novel Chapter 246

246 /250

**Gloom 246**

**Liam POV**

The kitchen was alive with the comforting aroma of breakfast when Connor, Kimberly, and Stella made their entrance. I couldn’t resist the urge to stir things up, hoping to see that spark of joy ignite on Stella’s face.

“Mary, quick! We need to keep the mighty huntress happy. Whatever she desires!” I exclaimed, my voice dripping with mischief.

Stella’s expression transformed in an instant, her eyes shining with excitement as she raised her hands in delight. “Choc chip pancakes!” she declared, her enthusiasm infectious.

Mary chuckled, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Of course, mighty huntress! We must ensure you stay strong and fierce.”

At that moment, I noticed Connor shooting me a glare, but I merely returned a playful smirk. My attention shifted to Kimberly, who was clutching a folder in her hands, a look of determination etched across her features.

She lifted a steaming cup of coffee and gently tapped her spoon against the rim, capturing everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone! Connor and I have made a monumental decision. We’re getting married next week at the courthouse. We’ve booked Thursday at 1 PM…”

“Wait. WHAT?!” Michelle’s voice pierced the air, her shock palpable as her eyes widened in disbelief.

Kimberly shrugged nonchalantly, flipping open the folder with an air of authority. “Deal with it. The venue is secured. I’ll be ordering flowers today and inviting my family, so I’ll need a few rooms for them when they arrive. I want all three of my girls standing by my side as bridesmaids, and Lewana, you’ll be my maid of honour. Lavender dresses for all of you—any style will do, just that colour. Can you handle that, Michelle? And Willow, could you look into a restaurant with function rooms for twenty guests for the reception?”

Lewana fell silent for a moment, her eyebrows shooting up as if a light bulb had flickered on in her mind. A teasing smirk danced on her lips as she leaned toward Kimberly. “Well, someone seems quite eager. This wouldn’t have anything to do with… timing, would it?”

The other girls turned their heads slowly toward Kimberly, and I noticed a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. “That’s irrelevant. Are you going to help me or not?” she shot back, determination lacing her words.

They all nodded eagerly, giggling amongst themselves, while the men, including Connor, could only stare in bewilderment.

I decided to break the tension, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Timing of what, exactly?”

Lewana burst into laughter, shaking her head. “Oh, we aren’t ruining the surprise!”

Our laughter filled the room, but then I caught a glimpse of Stella, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.

“What do you want to do at the wedding, little star?” I asked gently, hoping to draw her into the conversation.

Her brow furrowed in thought, and she seemed genuinely puzzled. “What actually happens at a wedding?” she finally replied, her innocence striking a chord within me.

The room fell into a heavy silence as we all turned to face her, and I felt a pang of sympathy. It didn’t surprise me that she was unaware; most hunters didn’t celebrate relationships with ceremonies. They were more inclined toward pragmatic arrangements. Stella had only ever known hunters and werewolves who marked their partners without any formalities.

I glanced at Kimberly, her expression shifting to one of guilt as she realized she hadn’t considered that Stella might not understand the concept of a wedding.

Connor stepped in, his voice steady and reassuring. “It’s a ceremony that humans hold to announce to everyone that they’ve chosen to become a family. Kind of like the ceremony you had to declare you are a hunter.”

Stella mulled over his words, her brow furrowing deeper. “Then why did Liam ask what I would be doing? I’m the daughter in the family unit, right? So what does the daughter do?”

An uncomfortable silence enveloped us, the weight of her question hanging heavily in the air. We were all scrambling for an answer when Conrad finally broke the quiet.