Chapter 2

The ceremony passed in a blur for Zara. She could barely recall reciting her vows, though her voice had remained steady, each promise feeling like a chain binding her to a man who had already shown how little he valued her heart. She had perfected her smile, met well-wishers with polite nods, and endured countless congratulations, all for a marriage that felt like a betrayal wrapped in silk and lace.

Clinging to Leon's arm as they navigated the crowd, Zara felt the tightness in her chest intensify. Pretending everything was perfect was suffocating. Her cheeks ached from the forced smiles, and her hands trembled as she accepted compliments and shook hands. The eyes of their guests lingered on her, admiring the radiant new bride, yet none of them saw the hollow ache beneath her practiced demeanor.

Leon, ever the composed Alpha, charmed everyone around him effortlessly—a trait Zara had once admired, even fallen in love with. But now, as the reception drew to a close, she couldn’t decide whether to scream in frustration or relief.

Finally, it was time to leave for the mansion that would be her new home. Zara scanned the crowd for her twin sister, Lyra, but there was no sign of her. Her mother, however, beamed with pride, basking in the compliments and well-wishes. Zara’s heart twisted. Her mother had single-handedly raised her and Lyra since their father’s passing when they were just twelve. Today should have been a day of unmitigated joy, but instead, it felt like another weight on her shoulders.

As they arrived at the mansion, its opulent decorations perfectly captured the essence of a newlywed couple's haven. But for Zara, the beauty of the place only emphasized the emptiness she felt inside.

Moving numbly, Zara wandered to the bedroom, dropping her bouquet onto the couch in the sitting room. Leon followed her, but she didn’t wait. Seeking solitude, she escaped to the bedroom and lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The words “I’m married. I’m married,” played over and over in her mind. She touched the mark on her neck, the symbol of her mating bond with Leon. It felt like a cruel joke.

The sound of the door creaking open broke her trance. She felt Leon's presence fill the room, but she didn’t move, hoping her silence would signal that she wanted to be left alone. Instead, the bed dipped as he sat beside her, his scent enveloping her. What once brought comfort now left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Today went well,” he said, his voice low. She felt his gaze on her, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

Zara didn’t respond. Rising from the bed, she turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Leon grabbed her arm and shoved her back onto the bed. The force of it made her stumble.

“Why are you being so selfish?” he sneered, his tone sharp enough to cut. “Have you forgotten your disorder?” His eyes raked over her, cold and disdainful. “You wanted me to marry you, fine. But don’t for a second think you’ll give me the kind of offspring I need. What am I supposed to do with an omega like you? The odds of you bearing an Alpha are slim. And even if you did, there’s a good chance you’d miscarry. I’m offering you the chance for an open marriage—you should be grateful.”

Each word hit Zara like a stone sinking in water, but Leon wasn’t finished. His expression shifted, a cruel satisfaction glinting in his eyes.

“Maybe you’ll change your tune after this,” he said, his voice mockingly sweet. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll bring you some good news. You’re going to like it.” With that, he turned and left, as if he hadn’t just shattered what little remained of her dignity.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Zara broke. The tears came fast, and she didn’t try to stop them. 

After what felt like hours, she forced herself up from the bed and began pacing the room, desperate to shake off the crushing helplessness. “Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” she whispered, trying in vain to reassure herself.

The next morning, she woke with a single thought: prepare breakfast. It wasn’t the wedding night she had imagined. No excitement, no joy—only disappointment. Still, she whispered to herself, “Keep pushing, just keep pushing.” Closing her eyes, she called on her wolf for comfort, as if the steady presence within her could offer clarity.

Standing in the kitchen, she chopped vegetables for Leon’s favorite dish. She remembered how, during their courtship, he had always praised her cooking. He used to say it was the best and would reward her with thoughtful gifts. Maybe, just maybe, this would remind him of the good times and change his mind about their situation.

The sharp sound of the doorbell broke her thoughts. Zara froze, knife in hand. Who would visit so early? The pack knew better than to intrude on a newlywed couple, and her family would assume she was resting after her first night with Leon.

Before she could dwell on it further, Leon crossed the room and opened the door. His broad back blocked her view, but she could hear the unmistakable voice of her twin sister, Lyra.

“Lyra!” Zara’s heart skipped a beat. Relief flooded her. Lyra was her safe haven, the one person who always understood her. But the moment was short-lived.

Zara’s breath caught as she watched Leon greet Lyra with a passionate hug. His arms wrapped around her like they hadn’t seen each other in years, and his face—his face held an expression that wasn’t just friendly. It was something more, something that made Zara’s chest tighten painfully.

Rooted to the spot, she tried to convince herself it was nothing more than a friendly gesture. But the way they lingered in each other’s embrace made her stomach churn. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Zara forced herself to move forward, her smile feeling like a fragile mask.

“Lyra,” she greeted, her voice overly bright, forced. “I didn’t expect you here.”

Lyra turned, her warm smile softening as she looked at Zara. But something about her expression wasn’t as comforting as it used to be. It wasn’t too friendly... It was guarded.