02

*Kiara*

My heart races as the last lock of hair is pinned in place. I can hardly recognize myself.

It's been a fortnight since the announcement. Since I was picked.

Today, I leave to finally meet him. My Alpha. My Prince.

I must look every bit like the Luna and Queen that I am about to become. My fingers rise to right the crown of jewels that my father received from the prince a week ago. A kind gesture that left my stomach in knots.

Even now, butterflies are scattered in my belly and I have no way of getting them out. I am anxious, nervous...I feel so many things right now, it feels like my chest is going to explode.

I have heard so much about him, even if I have never gotten to see him in person. They say his eyes are like sapphire jewels and you get lost in them the moment you look into them. They say his blonde hair has the rarest hue and looks dark most of the time. They say he is well built and his arms are so big, you could be hidden in their embrace.

I believe I will find out today.

I stand impatiently, having sat for hours. I do not believe all of this is necessary. If I am to be married to him, he will see me without all of these jewelry and dresses.

But it is court protocol, so I must adhere to it.

"Come with me, Ashly," I plead for the umpteenth time.

She has been moodier than usual lately. I can tell it's because she will miss me. I will too. She's all I have had in a long time since my mother passed away.

"No. I have to stay with my father. You know this, Kiara. I would love to come with you, but I cannot."

Downcast, I let out a sigh. She doesn't like to tell me much if what is going on in her life because she doesn't want to burden me, but I can only take a wild guess.

There are days I feel guilty for being unable to help her, but I console my self with the fact that as soon as I become Luna, I will make a request for her father's pardon for his crimes and do what I can to reinstate him.

I start to speak again, but the door suddenly bangs open and my father rushes in, holding my veil. "We must leave now."

Anxiety and excitement make my stomach feel queasy and I rush to Ashly, hugging her tightly as I murmur my goodbyes.

"I will see you soon, Kiara," she says with a bright smile."

And as my father take my hand, leading me out of my rooms and to the carriage outside our home, I take one last look at what has been my home for the past eighteen years of my life.

I'll miss it, I think as I take the first steps towards my wedding and my new life.

*********

I grip my father's fingers tightly and step out of the carriage.

My eyes widen and I gasp as I see the most magnificent building ever. I turn around in a circle, taking it all in, from the ancient bricks to the spike and the colours that stand out incredibly.

I giggle. This is my home now.

I am suddenly swarmed by servants and my father and I are led inside as they take our luggage.

"Do you like it?" My father asks and I smile, nodding quickly.

We are led through several hallways quickly and soon, we stand before huge double doors with guards on either sides of them.

"The King and his family are in there, Kiara. Remember everything I have taught you. You must be courteous and graceful in your words and actions," father says, adjusting my braid and checking if everything else is in place.

Having lost my mother at a very young age, he has filled in the space for me in every way he could, being both my mother and father at the same time.

I know he will have to return to the pack after my wedding but I already miss him. The castle suddenly seems too big a place with too many people I do not even know.

I straighten my spine and raise my head like my father has taught me to. A poise of dignity, even if inside, I'm full of nervous knots.

The double doors are open and my father leads me forward, holding my hand tightly.

"Your majesties," my father greets and I do not raise my eyes from the ground.

My heartbeat keeps thudding painfully in my chest as I feel the tangible weight of their stares on me.

Is he here? I ask myself. The prince.

I squeeze my father's hand imperceptibly and he squeezes back.

"Alpha Axel, it is good to see you again. I trust you have been well," a powerful voice booms across the hall and I marvel at the strength in it. I do not need to raise my gaze to know it is the King. The sheer power in his voice says everything.

"Yes, sire. Honouring your command, I have brought to you my only daughter, Kiara."

Spiked heartbeats...

"She is lovely," a warm feminine voice that makes me feel instantly comfortable coos. "Let me see your face, child."

So, I raise my gaze to the daiz.

The Alpha King and Queen are seated on the daiz on matching thrones, and there are a couple of regally dressed people around them.

There is an empty seat of to the side of the throne and it dawns on me that it belongs to the prince.

He isn't present.

I had dressed up so prettily for this, fantasized of our meeting every day, and he isn't here.

I hide my disappointment swiftly as the queen's grey eyes flick over my form. She smiles, seemingly pleased with me and I would rejoice if the Prince's absence hasn't already placed a damper on my excitement.

Perhaps, he is still getting ready to see me.

Considering the fact that I had spent so much time preparing myself as well, he must be busy preparing for our wedding as well.

The thought has me in high spirits again.

"Beautiful," the Queen breathes. "I am sure our son will be taken in by her. The wedding is by moonlight. The maids will show you to your chambers where you will prepare for it. If you need anything, do send a message, dear."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I say and lower myself in an appropriate courtesy.

Maids are called and I am led away from the hall, away from my father.

I try not to let my awe show as we walk past so many rooms. On the way, I am greeted and bowed to. Unused to this sort of treatment, I find myself bowing too in greeting, earning odd looks from the maids who lead me away.

They barely say a word to me, and when I ask questions, they do not answer either.

Perhaps, it is protocol. I have only been here for a few minutes. It is too soon to assume that they do not like me.

However, the feeling only intensifies when I am showed to my chambers and they begin quick work on my clothes.

There is nothing respectful in the way they pull off my gowns and take out my jewelry.

It hurts as their nails dig into my skin and the fabrics are pulled so tightly, I stifle a groan.

I have never been one to complain or order people around. Ashly usually helps out in that. She says I should learn how to stand up for myself most of the time and avoid letting people step all over me.

I have tried to learn that, but I am too kindhearted to actually do it.

It is why even if these maids are nearly pulling my hair out, I sit still, bearing the pain.

They usher me to the bathroom quite roughly and I nearly fall over on the smooth floor.

"Could you--"

"Get into the tub, my lady," the head maid says with a sweet smile but I have never heard anyone speak so rudely to me before.

I have nearly a thousand things to say but I reel it in. It is too early to complain. I only just got here.

I do as they tell me to and get into the tub. The water is scalding hot and I all but yelp when my foot touches it. "Too hot!" I exclaim.

"This is tradition, my lady. You must endure this."

Never have I heard of anything so absurd or utterly ridiculous, and the hostility in the woman's voice has me having second thoughts on this so called 'tradition'.

The maid arranging the scented oils for my bath looks in my direction and approaches the tub. She sticks her hand in and grimaces. "It is indeed to hot for her tender skin. Perhaps we should add more cool water."

The maids glare at her and I wonder if it was a planned scheme to have me burn my skin.

Why though, would they want to put me through that? I wonder, and I can't seem to come up with any reason.

More water is added and though it's still so hot, it is manageable.

My skin is yanked and pulled and brushed and I can't wait for this horrible bath to be over.

I console myself with the fact that all of this is to make me look presentable to the prince. I have to smell and look good, all to his liking.

This is necessary.