My Bride

Elena

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I scoffed as I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The wedding gown felt like an elaborate prison of ivory silk and pearls, its heavy train towing behind me. My hair was pinned up in an intricate twist, with delicate curls framing my face.

“Relax, Ellie.” Sameera, my inner wolf, quipped. “You look like a princess, even if it’s the kind who’s locked in a tower.”

I sighed as I adjusted the veil that fell over my face. “Save the fairy tale metaphors for later. I am already a prisoner or maybe worse.”

Earlier when the makeup artist entered the room to doll me up, she looked terrified. It was either she expected someone else, or the bruises on my face really concerned her.

Before I could sink deeper into my self-pity session, a maid knocked on the door, “Luna, it’s time.”

After she left, I took a deep breath and walked toward the grand oak doors, followed by a few maids. Each step felt like a drumbeat, mirroring my anxiety.

When the doors opened, revealing the grandeur of the hall, I swallowed hard, my throat tight and dry. The aisle seemed impossibly long as I tried to focus on my steps, praying I wouldn't trip over the ridiculous train of my gown.

The whispers and curious glances of the guests swirled around me.

Oh, Goddess. Too many unfamiliar faces. I tried to calm my nerves focusing on my groom, Xavier—the only familiar face. He was there standing tall and all majestic at the altar. He was still wearing the perfectly tailored dark suit that clung to his body flawlessly. When he turned and his icy blue eyes met mine, a tremor took over my body and I tripped over my own foot.

But before I fell and could embarrass myself, he came forward and held my hand. “Your gown is gross.” He muttered more to himself than to me as he led me to the altar holding my hand.

“Wow, he is…” Sameera started in my mind, shock mingled with her usual sarcasm. “Okay, no cursing. Holy place.”

I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure as we stood in front of the eldest woman of the pack with silver hair, draped in ceremonial robes. Shortly, she silenced the guests and began the ceremony. Her voice echoed through the hall as she spoke the ancient words that bound us, invoking the ancestors, and the moon.

Every muscle in my body screamed to run, to get away. But I couldn’t, something kept me in place.

“Do you accept this bond?” the woman’s voice boomed.

I held my breath, my voice barely above a whisper as I said. “I do.”

“I do,” Xavier repeated, his voice calm and unfeeling.

“Step forward.” She commanded.

As I moved to face Xavier, he glanced down at me, his expression as controlled as ever.

The woman stepped forward, holding out a small, silver ceremonial knife. My heart throbbed harder in my chest as she handed it to Xavier. No turning back now.

With slow deliberation, Xavier brought the blade to his own palm, cutting across the skin just enough to draw blood. He didn’t blink, didn’t even make a sound. Then, without hesitation, he offered the blade to me.

I mimicked his actions, slicing across my own palm that already had so many bruises and scars. The sting was sharp, but it was nothing compared to what I survived all these years.

Xavier held out his hand, waiting for mine. I offered my hand, pressing our bleeding palms. The moment our blood mixed, a rush of energy—so powerful—rushed through my veins. The bond had started to form and I knew I was doomed.

“Now, seal the bond.” The woman voiced again.

I watched Xavier’s gaze darken as he released my hand and stepped even closer. My pulse leaped.

“Don’t pass out.” Sameera sighed.

Okay, I knew this was coming, but now, with the way he stared at me made me scared for my life.

I bit my lower lip when his hand cupped the back of my neck, his grip firm and gentle. He leaned down, his breath hot against my skin as his lips grazed the side of my neck. My nails dug into the fabric of my gown and then, I felt the sharp sting of his teeth sinking into my flesh.

I wasn’t sure if it was pain what I felt before it was overtaken by a surge of warmth that flooded my body, reaching to my core.

The pack howled, the sound echoing in the hall as Xavier released me, pulling back. I took a few breaths to calm my nerves, cooling my feverish body down.

“The bond is sealed.” The woman announced. “You are now bound as mates. The Alpha may remove his Luna’s veil now and kiss her under the witness of the pack members.”

My body tensed up. Now, it was the scariest part.

Xavier’s hands reached for the delicate fabric of the veil. As he lifted it, revealing my face to the guests, gasps filled every space of the hall.

“It’s not Amara.” I heard them saying.

“Who is she?” The whispers grew louder. “Is that…?” One began, only to be cut off by another. The murmurs grew into a buzz, filled with questions and wide-eyed glances.

*What now?* Sameera’s voice grew with concern. *Do you think they will throw rotten eggs at us?*

*No chance. Remember what he said? We are their Luna now.* I tried to calm her down but my heart was beating faster every second.

Xavier turned to the crowd, his gaze—a clear sign of a warning and everyone immediately fell into silence.

*Damn! The power he holds—* Sameera gasped. *is impressive.*

Then without a word, he turned to the elderly woman, “She doesn't want our first kiss to be witnessed.” He said to her politely.

What? When did I say that?

The woman, who seemed to be in shock as well, nodded, “You may take her to your room.”

“Let’s go.” He held my hand and pulled me out of the hall. The crowd seemed to disappear around me as I did what he suggested back in the forest.

~Flashback starts~

“Tonight.”

Tonight. My mind was racing. Barely an hour ago, I was on the verge of death, and now, I was offered to marry the heartless Alpha.

*Well, Ellie, we either get married to Mr. Perfectly Heartless, or become a rogue snack. Nothing in between.* Sameera warned.

“I assume you are in.” Xavier said as he turned on his heels, expecting me to follow.

I hesitated, my feet rooted to the ground. I looked back at the dense forest, the threats lurking just beyond. Any step could lead me to another nightmare. Maybe the choice of returning to his pack with him wasn’t so terrible.

“Are you planning to run again?” His voice almost made me jump in fear. I managed to stand my ground and took a deep breath as he added, “Because if you are, I won’t bother saving you a second time.” He said, almost sounding bored.

I swallowed, forcing my feet to move. “No.” I cleared my throat as I stood two steps away from him.

He raised a brow, “No, what?” He demanded.

I forced myself to look at him. “No… Alpha.” I gritted through the words, not missing the flash of amusement in his eyes.

Looking away, he continued walking, while I trailed behind. The night air was cool against my skin, chilling to the open wounds of my body. Silence fell between us as he walked me to his car in the forest. I sat on the back seat, while he slowly drove towards the Bloodmoon packhouse.

My gaze found him occasionally, measuring, assessing. After what felt like an eternity, I refused to keep my curiosity at bay. “Isn’t tonight too soon? I suppose you have the venue ready too.”

“Would you prefer a grand hall or something more practical?”

*Oh, practical. A dungeon with iron shackle would match the whole vibe.* Sameera grunted.

“I prefer… freedom.” I muttered. I knew I would have anything in this marriage but freedom.

“Not an option.” He remarked.

“Why are you doing this?” I blurted out. “I mean… why marry me?”

Xavier didn’t even turn to look at me, his hands working finely on the steering wheel. “Does it matter?” He asked.

I clenched my jaw. “It does to me.”

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his icy blue eyes boring into mine. “Let’s just say, my bride died this morning, and nobody knows. Now, you will take her place.”

Those words hit me like a slap in the face. His bride died… this morning? Like on their wedding day? My heart sank. I was replacing his dead bride. “That’s it?” I asked, my voice raising. “Your bride died this morning, so you decided to pick the first woman you found in the forest?”

His expression remained relaxed, but his tone grew colder, more cutting. “Would you rather I had left you alone there?”

I blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. “No...” I shrieked. “What I meant is… you clearly don't even like me.”

His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he let out, “Like isn’t a requirement.”

*our mate is just full of romantic lines.* Sameera winced.

Yet, I tried to knock some senses into his head, “I just…”

“You just don’t know when to be grateful.” He finished for me, as he pressed the accelerator, speeding his car up.

*Sure. You dragged us on a murder secret. We should indeed be grateful.* Sameera muttered angrily

My mouth snapped shut, anger flaring in my chest. He was impossible, no point in arguing.

But… how did his bride die? Was it an accident? Or.. did he kill her? His reputation didn’t allow me to think of any gentler possibilities.

When we finally reached the pack grounds, the large iron gates loomed ahead. Several guards immediately straightened their backs at the sight of his car. He didn't pull up in front of the main packhouse rather he stopped the car in front of the rear gate.

“Follow.” he ordered before getting out of the car, not even waiting for me.

Two guards opened the back door immediately as we approached, bowing their heads. Xavier led me inside. With chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, the hallway looked gigantic. He walked into a smaller corridor and stopped in front of a wooden door. Without a word, he pushed it open, revealing a room filled with luxurious gowns, white and silver, shimmering in the dim light.

A woman stood in the center, and as soon as we entered, her eyes landed on me and then Xavier. Colors seemed to flee from her face, “Alpha, the bride—”

“Is here.” Xavier interrupted what she was going to say. “This is my bride.”

She blinked, clearly confused by the sudden replacement of his bride. “Your… bride?” she questioned, as if she didn’t hear it correctly.

“Yes.” he replied calmly. “Make her presentable. You have an hour.”

“An hour?” I repeated, my voice betraying the shock I went through.

Xavier turned to me, “You wanted time, didn’t you?” He asked.

I clenched my fists in the anger that ran from my head to toe. With a few deeper breaths, I managed to bite back the protests. I was too tired to fight him. Instead, I dragged him to corner and tried to tiptoe to whisper.

But as I failed and he saw me struggling, he leaned down a bit. “You said, no one knows about your bride’s death. That means they don't know about me.” I whispered, fetching the topic that concerned me the most. “So, when my face will be revealed, what if they don't want me as their Luna?”

“They can’t.” He didn't even bother to whisper. “You will be there Luna by then.” His voice carried a confidence that annoyingly comforted me.

I bit my lip, “But they will be mad, right? What if—”

“If everything feels too much, just focus on me.” He suggested.