02: The Dream Dress

I nervously bit my tongue, feeling the metallic taste of blood. I couldn’t breathe properly even though, I was alone in the dressing room.

The white wedding dress perfectly fits my body, it brought out my shape. It was as if the seamstress was given my measurements.

“Are you done putting on the dress?” Miss Laura asked knocking on the door.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror once again before shouting a yes. I had no choice but to agree to her proposal.

She blackmailed me with the only secret that I had been keeping away from everyone. Only my mother knows of it and maybe my dead father.

I had wondered how she found out that I am a Lycan, which means I won’t get a wolf until I am exactly twenty-five. And there is a chance that I might not even get a wolf until I die.

I have been lying to the people around me, and then again, no one cares to know about my wolf. And for that reason, I have to agree to marry Alpha Ryan.

Even though I know about the theory, the first person to marry the Alpha and then shared a bed with the life doesn’t see another day.

I guess this is what Miss Laura is trying to dodge and I was the perfect lapdog that she could get her hand on. “We will go with this one.” Miss Laura said to the seamstress.

What does she mean by this one? This is the only one I have tried since we came here. The seamstress bowed before a helped me out of the dress. “This is going to be your first and last wedding, so I guess I have to make it memorable for you.” Miss Laura uttered with an evil smile.

I should be feeling sad that I will die after getting married to the Alpha right? It seemed like an opportunity being thrown at me. Maybe this is the way I can end my life and live happily with my ancestors.

I got out of the dress, my head hung below when I was pushed back by Miss Laura. “I promise to make it a nightmare for you when someone finds out. I am sure you know what I am capable of doing.” She threatened with an evil smile.

“You are doing her a favor so I don’t get why she would report you.” Miss Laura’s mother said, walking into the dressing room.

I greeted the old woman, holding back my tears at her words. Miss Laura is a favor.

Favor, my foot.

One way, it is a favor but when the Alpha finds out, it won’t be a favor. Rather, it will be potholes and I will be at the losing end. “Say thank you.” Miss Laura gritted, her sharp nails digging into my shoulders.

I yelped at the contact, unable to take it anymore. “T..thank you.” I stammered.

She finally let go of me and blood oozed out of my shoulders. I quickly used my scarf to cover it. “Thank you.” I said again before attempting to walk out of the room.

“Where do you think you are going?” She called back.

I stopped in track. “I want you to be in my room at exactly five in the morning. I won’t take any excuse unless you want to die before your time.” She snarled.

“Yes, ma.” I answered before rushing out of the dressing room.

I didn’t stop nor did I look back until I was outside the seamstress’s house. I breathed heavily.

Miss Laura’s beauty has nothing on her attitude, I mean in a very bad way. She is a wicked person, just as she had shown to me.

She has shown me that she is the wrong person to mess with, hence I can’t go back on the promise. I have to marry the Alpha.

I went back to the garden, where I got rid of the remaining weeds and horns. “Ouch.” I cried out when I got bitten by something as black as a beetle.

I pressed my palm on the particular place where I was bitten by the beetle until I was feeling the pain anymore.

After, the entire garden was looking neat as if it wasn’t the garden that was filled with weeds and horns.

I sat down there, resting. Not only does my back hurt, my stomach feels empty and sick. Then it clicked into my mind, I haven’t eaten anything for breakfast or even lunch.

The sun was almost setting, so instead, I stood, hating the fact that I was enjoying the position that I was in. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about food and sleep there until someone comes and get me.

I exited the garden, now meeting the guard back in position. “Are you done?” He asked.

“Yes.” I answered then left when I realized that was nothing I was going to say to him again.

Most of the maids should be at their job post, hence saving me the hassle of thinking about getting bullied before the day ends.

The kitchen smelt so heavily, the aroma of freshly baked potatoes filling the place. I moaned and then clasped my hand around my mouth when I realized that I did that out loudly. “Fuck.” I cursed when I came across Christi.

“Good day ma.” I greeted.

She eyed me, before turning her attention to what she was doing. I scratched the nape of my neck, thinking of how to ask her for food.

I just have to.

I cleared my throat lowly. “Ma, I came for my food.” Christi turned her face towards me, her eyes shadowing me.

I swallowed hard. Then she pointed at the covered plates. I mumbled out a thank you, rushing to pick up the plates before she changes her mind.

I ate in silence, trying to conclude how not to get caught by anyone tomorrow. Maybe I should wear a bit of makeup and look the same shade as Miss Laura.

Then again, makeup will never look good on me, it has never. Because I'm not confident enough to apply it perfectly and it makes me look worst. Not to talk of how terrifying I look to others. “What do you think you are still doing here?” Christi questioned.

I looked at the empty plate on my lap and then back at Christi who was standing on my head. “Nothing, I will be leaving for the station.” I informed standing up instantly.

I could feel her eyes on me, and I didn’t stop until I slowly walked out of the kitchen.

—

The day that I have been dreading is here. Just as Miss Laura had asked, I left the station some minutes before five and by the time I was in front of her room, it was already five.

I gave the huge oak door a knock, waiting in the chilled air before the door was later opened. “You are two minutes late.” Miss Laura pointed out, ignoring my greetings.

“I am sorry.” I apologized before stepping my foot into the room.

I met her mother sitting on the bed. “I told you she isn’t worth it.” Her mother complained.

I heard Miss Laura groan. “We have talked about this mother. She is the perfect person to stand in my place or do you want to see me on my wedding night?” Miss Laura asked.

“No, it will never happen.” Her mother shrilled.

What would have happened to me if my mother didn’t leave me? Would Miss Laura pick me if I wasn’t the ugliest around? Or the most hated?

She wouldn’t have, right? Because she doesn’t have any reason to hate me or make me believe that my life isn’t worth it. “The more you explain it, the more it makes sense.”

I stood right there, hearing them talk bad about me and there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t even cry because it wasn’t worth it.

Since the wedding is to take place as early as eight in the morning, Miss Laura and her mother began to prepare me for the day.

My hair was made up into a huge ponytail. It hurt like hell because it is the first time I am putting my hair up. We weren’t allowed to put it at the maids' station.

Then, I got into the dress and Miss Laura passed me the bridal bouquet. “Show me that I can trust you and hold back your secrets forever.” She whispered into my ears.

I shivered at the sound of that. I closed my eyes. Her father later came into the room, looking at me. “Is this the girl you picked my Angel?” Her father asked.

“Yes, father. And she is ready.” She informed.

He took my hand as a father would on the day of his daughter’s wedding day and walked me out of the room. The car was already waiting to take us to the venue.

As soon as we entered the car, the old man turned to me. “You are not allowed to make any noise during the wedding.” He warned.

“Yes should be the only word coming out of your mouth.” He added.

I nodded my head, as the car began moving. The veil covered my face perfectly, which I am sure no one would be able to dictate that it isn’t Miss Laura.

“We are here.” The driver announced, bringing me out of my reveries.

Then I noticed that the outside was decorated with white and red flowers. “Remember what I told you.” He warned again as the driver parked the car.

He was the first to drop off the car, then he turned to the other side where he helped me out of the car.

A gentle melody was played as a guard announced the arrival of Miss Laura, my arrival. My hand was linked to Miss Laura’s father as we walked down the aisle.

Soon, Laura’s father passed my cold hand to Alpha Ryan whose face was bright as the morning sun, as he thinks he will be getting the love of his life.

And with the wedding ceremony began. Vows were exchanged and it was time for the last thing that will bind us together forever. “Do you, Alpha Ryan, takes Laura Brent as your lawful wedded wife and also the Luna?” The priest asked and Alpha Ryan didn’t even waste a minute as he answered with a yes.

“Do you, Laura Brent, take Alpha Ryan as your lawful wedded husband?” The priest asked as he turned his attention to me.

Do I? A question that will hunt me even in my grave, because this isn't something I want. “Say something, Laura.” Alpha Ryan mumbled enough for me to hear him.

He held my hands in his, and I could feel them trembling. Oh, my Goddess, I wonder what will happen when he realizes who I am. I cleared my throat, pushing back the tears that has been threatening to fall out of my eyes. “Yes, I do.” I croaked.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Smiling, Alpha Ryan placed his hands on the veil covering my face and I sucked in a deep breath.