Skylar
"Breathe, Skylar, just breathe." I told myself again and again as I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror.
The wedding gown felt like an ornate cage of ivory silk and pearls. My hair was piled into a twist, and strands that cascaded around my face made the bridal look perfect... too perfect for a bride who was being forced into a marriage she never wanted.
"Oh, come on." Salony, my inner wolf, quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You already look like a Queen. A trapped one, it is. Like one of a fairy tale. But still."
I rolled my eyes. As if I needed any more reminders of my dilemma. "Shut up." I hissed. The dressing room already felt suffocating with all the low hum of distant conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses.
"Skylar, darling, you look stunning." My mother, unaware of the storm inside me, smiled as she adjusted my veil. Her hands were steady, her expression calm like she hadn't just sold her daughter off to the most dangerous man of the kingdom, perhaps the whole universe.
"Thanks, Mom." I muttered, barely managing to conceal the sarcasm out of my voice. Stunning, yeah, right. Stunningly screwed, more like.
"I'm stunned." Salony said, barely able to hold back her laughter. "Stunned that we haven't bolted yet."
"You are the one to blame." I shot back. "You said, one wrong step will doom my entire bloodline."
"Of course, you are bound to serve the Stormbornes." Salony said, "Also, I want to taste the cake. They better serve a good one."
Before I could get into a fight with my own wolf, the door swung open and my father walked in; his face stern. Behind him, Drake followed, playing his role of being the perfect son and the apple of my father's eye.
"Skylar." My father's voice was as cold as ever; no warmth, no affection. Just business. "It's time."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yes, dad."
Drake offered me his arm with that smirk playing across his lips, the one that said, I'm better than you, bitch.
"Please punch this nutcase in the face." Salony implied, not for the first time.
"Tempting." I agreed, but I linked arms with him instead. We stepped out the dressing room, slowly lurching into the hallway. With every step, I could hear my heart hammering louder, like it was trying to stage its own escape.
"Nice dress, Skylar. Trying to look like a Luna now?" Drake whispered. He was definitely trying to mess this up.
I kept my chin low, and calmness still as I replied through my clenched teeth, "Trying to make you look less like a toad, but too bad, it's not working."
His smirk vanished, anger flaring but he managed to hold it back.
"Ouch! Burn." Salony cheered in my mind.
The grand oak doors of the hall loomed ahead, looking more like the gates of Hell than my wedding entrance.
"You know, running is still not a terrible idea." I mused even though I knew there was no escaping The Great Stormbornes. This family had a reputation for finding whatever they ever wanted, whether it was a rogue wolf or a reluctant bride.
"Oh, here we are." she just ignored what I said. "Let's make it through this ceremony without puking on the dress."
The oak doors swung open. My hand went sweaty as I wrapped it around my father's arm and walked down the aisle. The place buzzed with excitement, guests whispering and pointing, or perhaps judging. I decided to focus on one foot in front of the other, praying I wouldn't trip over the ridiculous train of my dress.
My father cleared his throat, a warning for me to get my act right. I swallowed my breath, finally looking up to meet the opulence.
Then I noticed Alec, my groom, standing tall and regal at the altar, his back to me. His black suit was perfectly tailored, every bit of him screaming power and control. But it wasn't until he turned around that took my breath away.
"Holy mother of Moon Goddess!" Salony gasped. "He is… he is…"
"Beautiful." I finished her words, my mind blank. Alec's face was a sculpted masterwork, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and eyes the color of a stormy sky; cold, intense, and… fucking empty.
After my father finished his speech at the altar, the eldest man of the pack with silver hair began the ceremony. Every muscle in my body screamed to run, to get away. But I couldn't, something kept me in place.
"You may say your vows." the elder announced.
Alec was the first to speak. His voice was low, controlled. "I, Alec Stormborne, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, take you as my mate. I vow to protect you, to provide for you, and to uphold the strength of this pack with you by my side."
I swallowed, my throat dry and tight. My turn. "I, Skylar Blair, the omega of Bluemoon pack, accept you as my mate," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I vow to stand with you and protect the pack, to honor the bond we share."
"Now, seal the bond." The man stepped forward, holding out a small ceremonial knife. My breath hitched in my throat as Alec took it from him, his eyes locked on mine. I knew what was coming next... the marking and once it was done, there would be no turning back.
He didn't hesitate a bit. With a quick, precise motion, he sliced a shallow cut across his palm, blood seeping out, then he held out the blade to me. My hand trembled slightly as I took it, making the same cut across my skin. The pain got replaced by a powerful burst of energy as he pressed our bleeding palms together. A gasp escaped my lips to the sensation of the bond forming.
The pack let out a harmonious howl, the sound vibrating through the hall.
Before I could catch another breath, the elder's voice rang out again, "It's done. May your bond be strong and—"
Alec's ocean eyes hadn't leave me yet. I didn't hear the next words as my mind was too stuck on those icy blue eyes. I tried to look away, anywhere else rather than him.
I glanced at the crowd. There, in the crowd of the guests, was Zade, my ex-boyfriend. He had lost some weight, his hair was mess. When his green eyes locked into mine, he looked like he wished the invitation card came up with a return button.
"It's the baby carrot dick himself." Salony huffed in my thoughts.
"Hold up, you have actually seen it?" I asked, half-surprised, half-amused.
"Nope, but his wolf's tiny tongue gave me all the hints I needed." Salony replied.
A smile escaped my lips. I struggled to keep a straight face and bit my lip to keep myself from laughing. But guess, it was too late.
Alec's piercing eyes locked onto mine, and that alone confirmed he witnessed it. He raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. Holy fuck.
"And now, by the power vested in me—" the elder intoned, "You may kiss the bride."
My cheeks burned hearing that. But it didn't seem to affect him. Without hesitation, he slowly faced me. His face was a blanket of blankness while his hands stayed firmly in his pockets, like he had no intention of even pretending to make this moment pleasant.
Then he finally leaned in, and I braced myself for a kiss that swore all the warmth of a winter breeze. But then he stopped, his face tilted, mouth barely an inch from mine.
"My bride," Alec declared to the room, his voice devoid of any emotions, "isn't feeling well."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
I blinked, my surprise soon giving way to humiliation as Salony scoffed in my mind, "Now that's a limited edition of the *I am jerk* card I was yet to explore."
"Oh—" The elder said awkwardly, "Sure, we will finish it without a kiss and—"
I didn't hear what he said. I just stood there, stunned, as a flush crept up my neck. The gossip grew louder, curious eyes darting between him and me. Indeed, the great Alpha had his own way of making things special. That made his name: The ruthless Alpha of all time.
"Does he hate me?" That was the first question that tolled in my mind.
"No idea. His wolf uses the same card." Salony remarked.
"Let's go." I heard his voice again. Now, he was even implying that we leave.
The man who was unfortunately now my husband, the one who had just refused to kiss me, was already moving away from the altar as if it was the most natural thing to do.
"Wait." I found myself saying. I mean, I must follow him if I don't want to be homeless.
He paused for a moment, his back still turned to me. The soft rustle of my dress echoing as I hurried to catch up with him.
Just when I reached his side, he started walking again, with the same fucking pace that exhausted me to hell. The entire time, his jaw was clenched, gaze fixed ahead as if I didn't even exist. Jerk. Even in his worst nightmare, if he thought he could continue treating me like a prop, like a mere tool, he was entirely wrong. I was prepared enough to prove that to him.
On the way back to the packhouse, Alec took the seat beside me in the car. Loosening the tie around his neck, he leaned his head against the headrest and closed his eyes.
I glanced sideways at him, hoping to catch a glimpse of something... anything that could hint at what I was yet to face. But nothing, his profile remained like a cloak of blankness.
"Did you forget to bring your tongue along with your pride, or is this how it's going to be?" Salony muttered into my senses, annoyed by the silence.
I mentally rolled my eyes. Was I supposed to pick a fight with him right now? No way. I was too worn out, especially after the stunt he had pulled earlier. No kiss, no acknowledgment.. nothing but a cold dismissal. It had taken everything in me to keep my chin high and not reveal how much his behavior had pissed me off.
By the time the car pulled up in front of the packhouse… a sprawling, ancient manor, the sun had dipped below the horizon.
"We are here, Luna." The driver opened the car's door for me. "I will bring the luggage to you."
With a nod, I got out of the car and followed Alec up the grand steps. Soon the front doors swung open before us and I was momentarily blinded by the soft golden light pouring out of the grand hall.
From the little crowd ahead, a woman with silver hair approached me. "Welcome, my dear!" Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled with a genuine smile as she wrapped me in a surprisingly tight hug. "I'm Bellina, Alec's mother. We're so thrilled to have you here."
I blinked, taken aback by the warmth I definitely didn't expect to receive. "Thank you, Luna." I muttered softly.
"You are even lovelier than I imagined." She pulled back and cupped my face, her eyes sweeping all over me. Did I just witness fondness in her gaze? Even my own mother never looked at me like this.
"But not Luna, you call me Mom, okay?" As I nodded, she smiled more widely.
"Don't cry, don't cry." Salony whispered. Even she was emotional. "We won't cry."
Just as I decided I wouldn't tear up, I heard another voice.
"Skylar! My sister-in-law." A woman with dark brown hair, and the same eyes as Bellina ran to me, throwing her arms around me in a hug. "We're so excited to have you join our family!"
A young man who stood behind her grabbed her hoodie's hood and pulled her back from me. "Let her breathe." Once she was pulled away from me, he smiled at me politely, "I'm Dmitri." He said, offering a hand. "Alec's charming best friend."
"And I'm Aveline." the woman added, "his much more charming sister." She winked, and I couldn't help but smile at their cuteness.
"Oh, I already love them so much." Salony spoke my mind.
Right? They were so different from Alec, so warm, so open. If my husband, the ruthless, cruel brat makes my survival harder, they are here to make it much more easier.
"Enough." Alec cleared his throat. Oh, speak of the devil. "She—" I could tell he was going for some half-hearted words but the presence of his mother forced him to keep his shit to himself, "She's had a long day. Let her rest." He said.
Oh, how thoughtful.
"Sure. This can wait." Bellina agreed. "But be sure to show her around while taking her to the bedroom."
He nodded curtly to his mother before he turned to me. "Come with me."
"Why is he so busy to drag us to the bedroom?" Salony winced.
"Maybe, he is tired." I thought while following him down a series of wind corridors.
He pointed out various rooms as we passed but his tone was clipped, the proof of him not liking being a tour guide at all. "The first floor serves as the main living area." he said coldly, gesturing toward the hall beyond. "Kitchen's to the right. I would suggest not to enter the west wing. Training grounds and healer wing are at the back. And up here, on the second floor—" he continued, leading me up a wide staircase, "is for the members. Don't enter the east wing."
I didn't ask or react just followed him to the third floor. "The north wing is our living space." Our living space, alright. "The west wing is off-limits to you." He didn't bother to explain why again, and I didn't ask, again.
"Wow, charming," Salony snarked. "He really knows how to make a girl feel at home."
I couldn't help but let a smirk play across my lips. "And what about this floor's east wing?" I asked, my voice lined with mock curiosity.
He glanced at me, his gaze sharp. "My office. Entirely off-limits." he replied, his tone final.
I nodded, clenching my hands into balls. Okay, I can't punch him. Not now. "Fine," I said instead.
When we reached the north wing of the floor, he paused outside a pair of ornate double doors and cleared his throat, "This is our bedroom."
The words sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to show it. I didn't want him to see that the stupid fact could affect me in any way.
He pushed the door open, and entered the room. I followed him inside. The room was massive, decorated in shades of deep blue and silver, with a large four-poster bed at its center.
"The reason why I had to excuse ourselves earlier is because I have something to give you." Alec said as he shrugged off his coat, revealing the crisp white shirt, and black vest with a black tie that clung to his sculpted chest. His broad shoulders and lean, muscular frame flexed as he draped the coat over a nearby chair.
"What now? A gift box with cockroaches in it?" Salony hissed.
I blinked, trying to solve the puzzles in my mind. "What is it?"
Without a word, Alec strode to the table and pulled open a drawer, retrieving a piece of paper. "A contract," he said, his tone flat and cold as he handed it to me. "Our mating contract."
Grooms are supposed to surprise brides with a gift on the wedding night. It seemed to be mine… a mating contract.