Chapter 4: The Wedding
SERAPHINA
Loud music played in the distance.
My entire life, I'd been preparing for this day—the day I'd marry whoever my father picked for me.
I stared at myself in the mirror. My personal maid and three others were arranging my wedding dress. It flowed across the ground, long enough to cover three tents.
"You look beautiful. I can't wait for you to be Luna."
Greta whispered, smiling at me.
I nodded but didn't say anything.
I knew I looked beautiful. But that didn't matter. What mattered was the strange dreams I kept having.
Dreams of ravens and blood. And those eyes—red eyes with black rings. I felt like I knew who they belonged to, even though I'd never seen him before.
I shivered and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Everything will be fine."
I whispered, trying to convince myself.
The door opened. My aunt walked in—my mother's younger sister.
"Oh, Seraphina... you look so much like her today. She'd be so happy to see you getting married."
Celeste said, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Thank you, Aunt Celeste."
"Now let's get you married, niece."
She took my arm and led me down to the chariots.
The cold air hit me as we rode to the Celestial Septry—the place inside the castle where we held ceremonies.
A loud howl shook the air. My dragons.
I smiled, looking out the window at them flying above us.
An honor I'd always treasured.
The music got louder as we approached.
My father stood by the entrance, waiting to walk me down the aisle. To hand me over to my enemy.
"You remind me of her so much. Too bad she died when you were young."
My father said, grinning as he looked at my dress with pride.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"We'll throw you a huge party tonight. Celebrate you becoming a true queen."
The last thing I wanted was another night of watching slaves get tortured.
I pushed the thought away.
The doors opened.
About two hundred people filled the building. Slaves knelt beside them in chains.
Even at my own wedding, they couldn't stop their sick games.
I looked at the alphas and witches, ignoring their stares.
Then I looked up at Adrian.
The moment his eyes found mine, he smirked.
I shivered as my father led me to the royal priest holding a scepter with a golden wolf head.
I stood facing Adrian. The priest began.
"Today, I bring together two great people. This union will join two powerful packs. Today, they honor the goddess and protect what has been given to us. From our enemies."
He stopped and turned to Adrian, whose eyes stayed locked on me behind my black veil.
"Do you, Adrian, son of the Silver Crest Pack, accept Seraphina, with the blessing of the moon goddess, to be your wife, honored until death?"
Adrian stared at me. His face twisted into something that looked satisfied. Predatory.
"Yes. I accept."
The priest nodded and turned to me.
"Do you, Seraphina, first of her name, seventh in line to the throne of Lancaster, accept Adrian to be your husband, to rule beside you, and to rule over the people you've sworn to protect?"
My heart started racing. My hands clenched into fists.
I turned slowly to look at my father.
And my heart stopped.
My father was holding my aunt's hand. They were gripping each other so tight, sitting together like—
The second my father saw me looking, he dropped her hand.
I didn't know what hurt more—knowing Adrian would betray us, or knowing my father had been fucking my aunt this whole time.
"Seraphina..."
"Yes. I accept Adrian to be my lawfully wedded husband and king. Until DEATH do us part."
I said it loud, making sure everyone heard that last word.
Adrian's eyes darkened. He knew what I'd done.
"Now you may mark your queen."
I watched Adrian nod.
This was it. The moment I became his property forever.
Adrian walked toward me. I forced myself not to step back.
He stopped an inch away, bent down, and whispered in my ear. His hands gripped my waist tight.
"I've been waiting for this day, Seraphina Lancaster. Today is the start of your misery. Your suffering will be my greatest pleasure."
My heart stopped. My knees went weak.
He moved to kiss my neck, and that vision flashed in my eyes again. Clearer this time. Cold ran through my entire body.
His lips touched my neck.
"No!"
I whispered it loud enough for him to hear.
Adrian pulled back, staring at me. Confused at first. Then shocked. Then he realized something.
His hands dropped from my body.
And he fell to the ground.
Hard.
Everyone gasped as they saw what happened.
Adrian was dead.
A spear stuck through his skull.