The ceiling of the Dark Fang pack’s great hall shines with a thousand lights, illuminating the hall with warmth, the ambience ethereal, smelling and showing luxury with the perfect designs used in its decoration for the biggest event the pack has had in over a decade, the Alpha’s wedding.
Flora, the Alpha’s bride stares at the a gigantic arch on the altar, decorated by her most favourite flowers and a trickle of tears run down her eyes, she smiles sadly, her heart clenching in pain as she turns her attention to the walls mounted full stretch by led TVs displaying beautiful pre-wedding pictures of her and Alpha Adrian.
She shifts her gaze upwards to stare at the blinding lights before staring back at her feet in a desolate manner as she stands on them, the many empty seats in front of her that teemed with smiling guests a few hours ago mirror exactly how she feels within.
Empty.
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, if she got to marry the man she loved for a decade, not abandoned by him.
She can’t get that image out of her head.
It was all perfect when she walked in, clasped in her father’s arm. She walked towards the altar, the song that ushered her in and the cheers and applause from the guests were loud but not loud enough to drown out the sound of her nervously beating heart.
Adrian looked perfect, handsome and sexy as always, she could not believe this day was finally here but he stepped down from the altar in the middle of her procession and waved his hand for the band to stop playing, sending everyone into shock.
He had that look in his eyes again, the one that spelled trouble.
He pried her from her father’s hand and pulled her to the side.
“We can’t have this wedding today. I’ll get you a bigger one.”
And just like that, he rushed off, leaving her heart in shambles.
She stared at him as he left, her mouth slightly parted in shock, her heart searing in pain and even though he spoke to her alone, his voice was loud enough for those close to them to hear and the whispers quickly travelled through the crowd.
Her knees felt weak and her mind went numb in pain. She turned to her father as the tears welled up in her eyes, hoping to hide her shame and tears in his embrace but he held his hands up for her to stay back, the calm look in his eyes turned cold and he shook his head at her, not in pity but in disappointment.
Her mother rushed to her side and softly rubbed her shoulder, giving her a calm smile before she rushed after her husband who was already storming off without as much as a word of comfort.
Flora was left in the full view of the guests in the middle of the aisle, a bride who never made it to the altar and if she needed anyone’s pity at that time, no one gave it to her.
Sneer and mockery were all the guests' eyes held as Adrian’s parents dismissed them almost immediately, as if they were aware of their son’s decision beforehand.
Some guests whispered and murmured loud enough for her to hear as they walked past her from all angles where she just stood perplexed and in pain.
“She never deserved the Alpha.”
“I’m glad this sham of a wedding didn’t hold.”
“She is not Luna material, everyone knows that.”
“Not Luna material,” Flora scoffs, remembering that particular comment as she picks up her bouquet, ripping it apart flower by flower, “I bet Alice is,” she stares coldly at the picture of Adrian on the screen, in pain of only humiliation and sorrow
That was his big emergency, Alice, his ex.
Who abandons their bride on the altar to cater for their ex?
Why did Adrian choose to humiliate her and her family like this? He could have called off the wedding a week ago, even yesterday would have been better, not like this, not with such ridicule.
When Alice returned a month ago, she worried there would be a problem but she buried all that worry behind making today perfect.
She never thought her perfect wedding would be perfectly ruined in such a manner.
Alice still has such a hold on Adrian, strong enough to make him call off his wedding for her sake.
A bigger wedding? His promise only makes her realise how ridiculous and pathetic she has been.
She scoffs and shakes her head, no, she doesn’t want a bigger wedding, she wants no wedding now.
Flora pushes the door to their apart— his apartment open, heaving a sad sigh. It's his house, not hers. A place where she lived for three years, but never felt like home. She thought she could finally feel that after today, but in the end, he failed her.She was never meant to have a home in this house, she has been living in a fantasy, one she must now snap out of.She slides off her wedding dress as she enters her room, her eyes red and puffy as she glares at it on the floor with a frown on her face.She grabs a shirt from the wardrobe and the smell of Adrian that hangs on it overwhelmingly comforts her, she sighs, sags her shoulders and stares at it for a moment before she presses it against her nose, inhaling his smell deeply and tears spill out of her eyes, her heart clenching in pain as she sobs into the shirt.Why did he have to do this to her?They belonged together, she gave him everything, her spirit, soul and body. If her feelings towards him before knowing she was his mat
There is a saying that love is blind but in Flora’s case, it ripped her eyes out, completely leaving her without the organ.As tears shimmer down her eyes and blood continues to stain her hands, she does not relent, sitting under the Great Oak tree at the back of the Pack’s hall, ripping her wedding dress apart with a razor.It is not a wedding dress she sees however as the razor slices, it is Adrian’s face, it gives her a little satisfaction, having a fruitless vengeance on him for the pain he has inflicted on her.It was here she was sitting on the day of the mating ball, unable to attend, just watching others meet their mates with little to no anticipation in her heart to meet hers when Adrian found her as his mate and here under this very tree, she gave herself to him.After getting that text from Alice, she couldn’t even bring herself to continue packing, she just brought the dress here, where it all started, with the intention to rip it to shreds and burn it.She leans her head
Adrian steps into the pack training ground, coming out of the gym, he’s wearing a black joggers and a sleeveless top soaked in sweat, which hugs his delicious muscular frame tightly.Everyone stops the moment they see him enter, all baring their neck to him.“Carry on,” he says, his eyes searching the crowd for Flora but he doesn’t find her.This is the third day in a row that she hasn’t shown up to training and he can see most of the new shifters who she is responsible for training just messing around.Is she still upset? This is the first time she ever throws a tantrum.“Gather round,” he frowns at the group of first shifters, “make a circle. I want one on one physical combat. The loser does 500 pushups with the winner standing on his back,” he orders coldly and the group quickly do as he instructs.He walks a distance away but not too far so he can continue to observe the first shifters and he mindlinks Flora but she blocks him.He scoffs, a tiny smile tugging the corner of his lip
Flora does not hide her displeasure at seeing Gustavo, a frown immediately contorting her face, knowing the reason why he is here.“Have you seen the video of you that’s trending?” Gustavo asks in a curt voice, his eyes cold, a nasty frown on his face, “have you seen what people are saying about the Alpha because of you?”“What video? What are they saying?” Sophia, Flora’s mother asks frantically, her fear filled eyes darting between Flora and Gustavo, clearly hearing from the tone of Gustavo’s voice that there might be trouble.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Flora replies in a cold tone, crossing her arms against her chest, “if this is some—”“You may want to get off your high horse, woman. This is serious,” Gustavo cuts her off, takes out his phone and shoves it in her face.Flora freezes, staring at the video of her burning her wedding dress with shock in her eyes and her heart thuds.She had no idea there were cameras on her that day. A pang of guilt slices through her
Halfway into their journey back to Adrian’s house, the words of her father keep playing in Flora’s head. “A daughter with self respect.”Her dad may be extreme in his ways but is she really giving herself any respect right now? Is this what she really wants? Going back to him or is she doing it just to please others?“Stop the car,” she says to the driver from the back of the vehicle, making her mind to go back to her father’s house and if he doesn’t let her back in as he threatened, she’ll find a way to survive but she’s not going back to him.The same pattern will just repeat itself and she’ll find herself in more pain, anguish and regret. It is better to face it all now, once and for all.“What?” Gustavo replies from the front beside the driver.“I said stop the car.”“Keep going,” Gustavo orders the driver, looking away from her.“I swear to the goddess, if you don’t stop this car this minute, I’ll open the door and jump down and you know I will,” She replies in a cold voice, loo
Painful SeparationFlora stood firm, her gaze unwavering as Adrian's footsteps echoed on the ground. The man who had once been her world now felt like a stranger, and the words that left her lips were filled with a quiet strength she hadn't known she possessed."I already told you, Adrian. I’m not going back with you."Her voice came out even, but the rise in her chest was a strain that threatened to spill over. She clenched her fists tighter to still the tremor that ran through her as Adrian stood below her, eyes wide in disbelief."Do not be obstinate, Flora," he said, his voice smooth, almost pleading, but with an edge beneath it. "You belong at my side. You know that."A bitter laugh escaped her lips, sharp and harsh. "Oh, I know that? Is that right? Funny, because I don't recall belonging anywhere near you when you were in another woman's arms the day of our wedding."Adrian's jaw clenched, his face going hard. For one quick, passing instant, something flickered in his eyes-guilt
BreakdownFlora paced, her restless energy filling the tiny room. The floorboards groaned with her hurried steps, but she didn't pay them much mind. Her brain swirled with the echoes of last night-Adrian's expression, the way he had looked at her, the way he had walked away. The way her chest had caved in as he disappeared.Lena sat with her legs tucked under her on the bed and watched her, a mixture of concern and mirth on her face. "You're going to make yourself sick if you keep pacing around like that."Flora whipped around, frowning. "I'm fine."Lena snorted loudly. "Of course you are, definitely not like someone who's been reliving the same bloody conversation over and over inside her head for hours.Flora gave her a withering look, but there was no use lying. She hadn't slept one wink. Each time she shut her eyes, Adrian was waiting for her, lurking in her mind.Lena let out a sigh and leaned back into the headboard. "You know, you could just scream. Or hit something. That might
Life AgainFlora stood with her arms crossed, watching Tony butcher his form yet again. Her patience had officially worn thin."That's not how you hold the damn weights, Tony," she said, her voice laced with exasperation.Tony, a cocky twenty-something who thought lifting was all about brute strength, flashed her a smirk through the mirror. "Relax, Coach. I got this."Flora raised an eyebrow and stepped closer to him. "Yeah? You sure? 'Cause if you keep swinging them dumbbells like that, you're gonna blow out your shoulder. And I don't do injuries on my watch."He faltered for a second, adjusting the weight in his hands. "It's really not that bad.""Oh, great. Do it your way," she invited. "And when you are icing that arm later, then don't come crying to me."Tony muttered something unintelligible under his breath but rearranged his form nonetheless. Flora bit back a smirk.It had been a month since she joined the gym, and to her own surprise, she liked it. There was something oddly s
A New Dawn"Flora, trust me, what has happened?" Adrian's voice sliced through the celebratory noise as he pushed his way to stand by her at the side of the great hall."Adrian, I can still barely believe it," Flora replied, her voice a blend of cautious joy and ongoing incredulity. "The King's Edict. It's altered everything for us and for the pack.""Yes," Adrian took a breath. "I surrendered my Alpha status for you, for our future, and now it seems the impossible has become our reality."Flora's voice shook with hope and fear. "A future where we can love without betraying our duty, where our hearts are not sundered by ancient canons. But at what price, Adrian? Can our love really overcome the weight of centuries of tradition?"Adrian's eyes glimmered. "I know that the sacrifices were immense, and the wounds sliced deep. I recall every instant of regret, every tear you cried as I lusted after power. But in this moment, with you by my side, I feel the promise of a new dawn."Flora stu
The Edict of the Lycan King " Adrian, to the throne room incontinently," growled a commanding voice in the corridor speakers. Adrian's strained, low voice replied," Yes, Captain Morales. I will be there in a moment." Moments later, in a hushed expectation room, the Lycan King stated" Adrian, you've submitted your repudiation letter, right? Adrian cleared his throat, the tone establishment yet laced with fear," Yes, Your Majesty. I've surrendered my Alpha status, for I realize that my path now must be mandated by nothing but the issues of the heart, not the suffocating weight of obligation." The King's deep voice thundered," Your adoption has not been given without consideration. Tell me, Adrian, what led you to make this most vainglorious decision? Adrian took a conscious breath before responding," Sire, for times I've carried the burden of my once — my miscalculations, my failure and it has brought me further than any crown ever could. I lost the love of my life, an
A New Daw Flora's answer was conservative," I'll consider your offer, Adrian. But this I do know if our life together is to be but a deeper pain, I'm not willing to immolate the loss of myself, my responsibility, for a love that may yet be too weak to survive." Unshed gashes filled Adrian's eyes as he rumored," Flora, I understand your fear. I know that our history is full of pain, but I believe if we do this together, we can forge a new path. One where every immolation is not a loss, but an pledge — a pledge to make a future that honors who we are." Flora's voice shook," And what if our pledges break under the weight of our old injuries? What if our marriage, refashioned by love and duty, is n't enough to heal the ancient injuries of treason? Adrian's voice held a blend of despair and stopgap," also we will face that ineluctability together. I'm willing to risk all on the possibility of redemption, on a tomorrow when we might be free at last from the ghosts of our h
A Bold Offer " Flora, we need to talk," Adrian said, his voice rough and pulsing with genuine determination. " Adrian, I am harkening," Flora replied, her voice cautious but with a touch of craving. " Every night I lie awake allowing about what we lost, and I can no longer tolerate this silence," Adrian continued. " Silence, yes, but remorse as well," Flora answered, her voice slightly above a tale." I still flash back the dreams we pictured, the moments when we believed nothing could pull us apart." " I know," Adrian said vocally." I flash back the nights beneath the stars when you laughed, when our dreams were unencumbered and simple. But also I let my duty, my ambition, get in the way." Flora's tone turned cold," You allowed ambition to take priority over our love, Adrian. I constructed my life upon the oath of a participated future — a future that now appears so far down. " I offered my title, my power, everything for the pledge of that future," Adrian contend
A Union Readdressed " Adrian, please?" Flora's tremulous but strong voice pierced the muted hum of the command center as they entered a quiet alcove out of sight of the inquiring eyes of their classmates. Adrian drew in near, his tone soft and counted with anguish." Flora, I know our lives have gone so far in contrary directions, but I've to ask — do you ever still dream of us? Of a life where our love is n't measured only by duty?" Flora's eyes flashed both wistful and guarded pain." I did, formerly, Adrian. I allowed once that there was going to be a future in which I just was Flora not a title, not any prospects just us. But whenever I try to flash back it, I get hit with all the offerings that we made and the scars that still shape us." Adrian's tone dropped to a husky tale." I will relinquish everything, Flora. I relinquished my title, my power, because I wish for a chance at that future with you. I want a normal, loving family life with you. I understand it'll be
Sacrificial Promises " Flora, I must speak with you — now," Adrian prompted, his voice coarse and pulsing with resoluteness as he walked toward her in the vacated corner of the command center. Flora's tone was peaceful but miserable." Adrian, I know what you are going to tell me. You have one chance to make this right.". Adrian's reply was nippy," I have made my decision. I can no longer be Alpha, not when my heart is broken because of my miscalculations." Flora's face tensed as she asked," You relinquish your Alpha status? Do you have any idea the cost that comes with it, Adrian? " I get it, I know," he contended," and I would pay that price if it would allow me to be with you, if it would allow me to rebuild what we lost and make a future together as a family." Flora's voice shook with stopgap and sadness," Adrian, you understand that stepping down is not just a selfish act it will shake the roots of our pack. Your position was a source of strength and leadership.".
The Crossroads “ Flora, we’ve reached a point where everything changes, ” Adrian said, his voice heavy with an admixture of stopgap and despair as they met in a quiet room down from the chaos of the base. Flora's tone was invested with conservative resoluteness," Adrian, all the seconds we have participated, every mistake and every gash — everything has led us then. But seriously, do you really believe that our future together can atone for the injuries of our history?" Adrian's aspects dredged over hers, regretful and hankering," I do. I believe that love is not about betrayals or broken pledges. I believe that if we are stalwart enough to face our demons, if we choose each other at this moment — we can produce something real." Flora's voice quivered," And what if our love is too broken, too stained by the injuries we carry? Every word you say makes me recall abandonment, nights of loneliness, wondering if I earn it. How can we continue when each step is a step into
A Reckoning Of Love " Flora, we need to talk — now, without pretense," Adrian contended, his voice bare and pulsing as he stepped into the quiet room where they had agreed to meet out of sight of prying eyes. Flora's voice was low and bitter," Adrian, every time we speak, I'm reminded of everything you did n't say and do. What's it you have to say now?" I want to reveal all of the trueness," he replied, his eyes flashing." I'm tired of acting as if my regrets and miscalculations are only echoes in an empty hallway. I know I hurt you — I hurt you so deeply that the injuries still scream every night." Flora's comeback was sharp," also tell me, Adrian! Say what's in your heart that you've hidden behind your poltroonery for so long. Adrian took a shaking breath," Flora, I still love you. I know what I did killed the trust we participated, but the love I feel — it did not evaporate. It's buried under piles of remorse, yes, but it's there. I wake up each morning visited by
Opinions Of The Heart " Flora, can I speak with you?" Marissa's gentle voice cut through the quiet of the command diggings. Flora's reply was soft but with a hint of prostration," Of course, Marissa. I I have had so much on my mind recently.". Marissa stepped closer, her own voice a tale," I know the burden of your choices upon you. Every day, I see you floundering with opinions that can change everything — for you, and for that youthful life within you." Flora soughed," Every morning, I wake up in fear that I am losing myself, that the injuries of treason and remorse have made me unable of loving again. I ask myself if fatherhood would ever be a mending source, or if it'll only remind me of everything that is been shattered." Marissa's voice was soft," Flora, flash back when you said to me that love was a pledge indeed in the blackest hour? Is the pledge still echoing in your heart, despite the pain? Flora's reply was tortured," It does, Marissa. There's a pa