Chapter 2

LYNEXIA

But then, the jarring screech of the door interrupts us.

Zephyr stands there, eyes wide and mouth open. "Dimitri, what on earth are you doing here? It's bad luck to see your bride before the wedding. How many times must I remind you both?"

A smile remains on Dimitri's face, his lips tantalizingly close to mine. "Luck be damned." He whispers against my lips.

"And don't even think about kissing her. You've caused enough trouble already," Zephyr chimes in with her usual dramatic flair

Before I know it, Her hand grasps mine, yanking me away from Dimitri. A surprised laugh escapes me as Zephyr dismisses Dimitri with a wave of hand. "Now, shoo."

Dimitri allows me to be led away because he chooses to. If he didn't let go, Zephyr wouldn't stand a chance against his strength.

Dimitri chuckles softly as he backpedals from the room, his gaze never leaving mine until the door clicks shut.

Zephyr's brows furrow into a scowl. "Seriously you two? You have the rest of your lives after the ceremony. Can't you bear to wait a few more hours?" Zephyr's scowl turns into a beaming smile. "Look at you, radiating with love."

Zephyr's hands smoothly adjust my styled hair, tucking a stray strand to the side of the bun. Stepping back, she looks at me with tears welling in her eyes. "You look absolutely perfect."

Her emotions overflow yet again, and I can't help but chuckle inwardly. I may be the one getting married but she is the one who has cried more than she should. She is so emotional.

"I can't believe how much you've grown. I remember when you were just a child, and now look at you." My best friend says.

I roll my eyes at my best friend. "Zephyr, we have been through this, I'm older than you."

She sniffs, wiping away the tears with her forefinger. "Your mother would have said that if she were here."

A wisp of air leaves my lips.

Orphaned at ten, the Shadow Pack welcomed me, raising me as their own. From the Alpha King to the Luna Queen, and the wise elders, they weren't just a pack to me, they were a tightly-knit family of werewolves to me.

"She would be so proud," Zephyr's voice trembles as her hand hesitantly rests on my shoulder. A choked sob escapes her, and she pulls me into a crushing hug, her scent, lavender, and unshed tears filling my senses.

Now, I am the one patting her back. "You know I'm not going anywhere, right? After the wedding, I will still be here."

"But you'll be married." Zephyr sniffles. "I won't have you to myself anymore."

A wry smile tugs at my lips. "You will ruin my clothes with snorts."

"Oh sorry," Zephyr says as she steps back, dabbing her tears with a tissue.

We are both a bundle of nerves, me in my wedding dress and her with mascara smudged beneath her eyes.

"I can't believe my bridesmaid looks like this and the wedding is just about to start," I say but before she offers a reply we are interrupted.

Julianne, Zephyr's twin sister comes in. "The bride." Her smile is brighter than the sun itself.

Right behind you," Zephyr chirps, expertly pulling the veil over my face.

With a final, shaky breath, Zephyr and I exit the dressing room. The world dissolves into a swirl of well-wishes and cooing guests as we enter the hall. The hall is decorated in elegant white and ivory, shimmering under the soft glow of candles that should leave my jaw hanging but I don't see all that.

My gaze cut through it all, landing on Dimitri at the altar.

Even though I saw him just moments ago, it feels like the first time all over again. He is breathtaking, his dark suit framing his broad shoulders. In my eyes, he will always be the most handsome man in the world.

Then his gaze met mine filled with love, anticipation, and a shared happiness.

We lock eyes, holding onto each other's gaze as I walk down the aisle. The air is filled with the hushed whispers of the guests, but they are mere background noise.

When I reach him, his voice drops to a husky whisper, "You are breathtaking."

A blush creeps up my cheeks. His hand extends, fingers reaching for mine, but before we touch, Elder Richard, our officiant, clears his throat.

Elder Richard's voice fades into a distant hum as he goes on about love and commitment and the sanctity of marriage. My eyes are lost in the warm pools of Dimitri's eyes. There was no word shared between us, just love and affection.

After Elder Richard never-ending speech, the wedding ceremony started with a whole lot of archaic rituals that I don't care for but go along with anyway. Dimitri is being his playful self and I can't help but chuckle as the ritual progresses.

We are a ritual away from Dimitri scooping me off my feet and parading me through the town with drummers and singers trailing behind us. This is the last wedding ritual and my favorite too.

Suddenly, a man burst through the door. He looks barely older than Dimitri. He has a blood stain on his toga and a knife lodged in the middle of his chest. The man is clutching the knife's hilt. Life drains out of him, leaving a pale white face.

A collective scream ripples through the room, my own joining in too. Dimitri tugs me behind him as if to shield me from the horror unfolding.

"The Barbarians." The man's voice is filled with pain. "They are here." Then he crumples to the ground with a heavy thud. His eyes are wide open and vacant.

This is supposed to mark the beginning of my happy ending but it marks the beginning of my tragic start.