He had never behaved that way before. It wasn’t just nerves; it was something deeper, almost like a warning. «Cold feet?» her driver teased gently, noticing her silence.
Emily smiled faintly. «Just thinking,» she murmured, «about my dog.»
«Ah, the big shepherd,» he said with a chuckle. «I saw him this morning. Looked like he wanted to come along.»
Emily’s smile faded a little. «Yeah, I think he did.»
The car turned the final corner, revealing St. Mary’s Church ahead, its tall spire gleaming under the sun, bells ringing in the distance. The sight took her breath away.
Guests were already gathering outside, snapping photos, waving as the bridal car approached. The air was thick with anticipation, laughter, and joy. But just as the car slowed near the steps, a loud bark shattered the harmony.
Emily’s heart jumped. She turned and froze. Buddy.
There he was, sprinting across the courtyard, fur glinting, tongue out, eyes wild with urgency. His leash trailed behind him, flapping against the cobblestones. People gasped and stepped aside as he ran straight toward the car.
«Oh my God, Buddy!» Emily exclaimed. The driver slammed the brakes.
The dog skidded to a halt right in front of the vehicle, barking furiously, tail stiff, ears pinned back. He circled the car once, barking louder each time, then stopped by Emily’s door, whining and pawing at it. The wedding planner rushed over, flustered.
«Whose dog is this? Someone get it out of here!» Emily quickly opened the door.
«Wait, he’s mine,» she said, stepping out carefully, her veil fluttering in the breeze. «Buddy, what are you doing here?»
Buddy barked once, sharp and commanding, then looked past her, his gaze locked on the church doors. He growled low, the kind of growl that sent a chill through her spine. The crowd murmured, phones already out, whispering.
«Is that the bride’s dog?» «Why is he barking like that?» Emily knelt down, trying to calm him, but Buddy’s body remained rigid.
His eyes darted between her and the church entrance as if trying to warn her not to go inside. Her mother stepped out of the next car, frowning. «Emily, what’s going on?»
«I don’t know,» Emily stammered, her heart pounding. «He followed us here.»
Buddy let out another sharp bark, his eyes fixed firmly on the groom’s best man, who had just stepped through the church doors. In that moment, the laughter and music faded. The bright morning suddenly felt colder.
Something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Inside St. Mary’s Church, soft organ music filled the air. Golden light filtered through stained-glass windows, scattering vibrant patterns across the polished floor.
Guests murmured in excitement as the ceremony was about to begin, unaware of the tension building outside. Emily stood frozen near the entrance, clutching her bouquet a little too tightly. Buddy’s barks echoed off the church walls, each one louder, more desperate than the last.
The wedding planner whispered urgently. «We have to start, Emily, the guests are waiting. Please, just leave the dog outside.» Her heart pounded.
She turned toward Buddy, who stood rigid at her feet, staring straight ahead, not at her, but at someone inside. Following his gaze, Emily’s eyes landed on Ryan, the best man. He was standing near the altar, adjusting his tie, pretending not to notice the commotion.
But there was something in his posture, a nervous stiffness, a flicker of unease, that made her stomach twist. «Buddy, what’s wrong?» she whispered under her breath.
The dog growled softly, his fur bristling. Her mother approached, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. «Sweetheart, people are waiting.»
«Maybe he’s just overwhelmed. I’ll take him to the car.»
But when her mother reached for Buddy’s leash, the dog let out a warning bark, stepping back protectively. His eyes never left Ryan. The priest at the altar cleared his throat.
«Shall we begin?» His voice echoed faintly, cutting through the whispers. Emily took a deep breath, forcing a smile.
«It’s fine,» she murmured, mostly to herself. «He’s just nervous.» But deep down, she didn’t believe it. She turned once more to Buddy, kneeling to meet his eyes.
«Stay here, okay? I’ll be right back.»
Buddy whimpered, pressing his head against her gown for a moment, a silent plea. Then he sat, tail low, watching her as she stepped inside. The doors creaked shut behind her, and for a moment, all was still.
The music resumed, the crowd rose, and the ceremony began. But outside, Buddy didn’t move. He sat by the church doors, growling softly at the faint sound of footsteps inside, as if he knew that what was about to happen would change everything.
The music began softly, a slow, tender melody that floated through the air like a whisper of dreams. The guests stood, turning toward the entrance as the great wooden doors of St. Mary’s Church creaked open. All eyes fixed on the glowing bride framed in sunlight.
Emily drew a deep breath. Her veil shimmered, her bouquet trembled slightly in her hands. This was it, the moment she had imagined a thousand times.
She took her first step forward, her heels tapping gently against the marble floor. The crowd sighed in admiration. Cameras flashed.
But as Emily took another step, the sound of a bark echoed outside the doors. A single, sharp, echoing bark that sliced through the music like lightning. Her heartbeat skipped.
She froze for just a second, then forced a smile and continued walking. Behind her, the church doors rattled. Another bark, louder this time.
The guests turned their heads in confusion. The priest glanced nervously at the doors. And then the doors burst open.
Buddy charged into the church. Gasps erupted. The organist’s hands froze on the keys.
The music stopped abruptly, replaced by a flurry of whispers and startled cries. Emily’s bouquet nearly slipped from her hands. «Buddy,» she whispered in disbelief.
The German shepherd ran down the aisle with powerful strides, barking furiously, eyes blazing. He stopped right in front of Emily, blocking her path. His body trembled, his teeth bared, but not at her.
His gaze was fixed straight ahead toward the altar. The crowd erupted in chaos. Some guests backed away.
Others reached for their phones. The priest raised his hands in alarm. «Get that dog out of here!» someone shouted.
But Emily stood frozen. She had never seen Buddy like this. This wasn’t random.
This was deliberate, purposeful. Her father rushed forward, trying to grab Buddy’s collar. «Buddy, stop it, boy!»
But the dog growled, standing protectively in front of Emily, refusing to move. The groom, Michael, took a step forward, his jaw tight. «He’s ruining everything.»
«Get him out,» he barked.
Buddy snarled in response, deep, guttural, primal. His eyes never left Michael. Emily’s breathing quickened.
«Buddy, please,» she whispered, reaching out with a trembling hand. For a split second, their eyes met, and she saw something in them. Not anger.
Not confusion. Fear. Urgency.
Buddy stepped closer to her, gently nudging her backward as though trying to stop her from moving forward. The guests stared in stunned silence. The priest’s voice trembled.
«Perhaps we should pause the ceremony?» Michael’s face darkened with irritation. «It’s just a dog,» he snapped.
«Someone drag it out!»
Buddy barked again, louder this time. His body tense, his gaze unwavering. The bride’s heart pounded.
The air felt heavy, charged with something unseen. And in that single haunting moment, Emily realized something terrifying. Buddy wasn’t blocking her path to ruin the wedding.
