Chapter 12-The Wedding

Elara's POV If anyone had told me two days ago that my entire life would flip upside down like this, I would have laughed right in their face and called them crazy. I was supposed to be an Alpha. Strong. Free. In control of my own future. But here I was, standing in a beautiful white wedding dress that hugged my body like it had been made just for me, about to marry a man I hated more than anything in this world. I sat quietly in the dressing room, staring at my reflection. The dress was simple but elegant, soft lace over satin, flowing down to the floor with a modest train. It made me look like a real bride. Too bad this wasn’t a real wedding. It was a cage. Emma sat beside me, twisting her fingers nervously in her lap. We hadn’t said a single word to each other since she walked in. The silence felt heavy, suffocating. She was the reason I was here. If she hadn’t opened her mouth and told my father I was running away, I would be far away right now, building my own future, free from all this. “Elara…” Emma whispered, her voice small and shaky. I didn’t look at her. I kept my eyes on the mirror, jaw tight. “I know you’re mad at me,” she continued, tears already filling her eyes. “But please believe me. I was just so scared for you. There’s no way you could survive out there with the rogues. I couldn’t let you throw your life away like that.” I still didn’t respond. What did she want me to say? That it was okay? That I’d rather be trapped as Thorne’s wife than face danger? The words wouldn’t come. Nothing she said could fix this. Nothing could change the fact that I was about to walk down the aisle to a monster. The door opened softly. My father stepped inside, looking tired and older than he had just days ago. Emma sighed, stood up quickly, and slipped out of the room without another word. “You look beautiful,” my father said quietly, his eyes scanning the dress. I let out a bitter laugh. “I would have looked even more beautiful at my Alpha handing-over ceremony.” He sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Elara, please understand…” “Yes, I understand,” I cut in, voice sharp. “I understand that I have to sacrifice for the pack. Am I complaining?” He looked hurt, but I didn’t care. The anger inside me felt like fire licking at my ribs. “You’ll make a wonderful Luna,” he tried. I glared at him so hard he actually took a small step back. Was he trying to piss me off even more? Before he could say anything else, a knock sounded on the door. “Luna, it’s time,” a voice called from outside. My stomach twisted into knots. I stood up, straightened the dress, and took one last look at myself. This wasn’t how I imagined my wedding. I had trained my whole life to lead, not to stand beside someone. Especially not him. My father offered his elbow. I stared at it for a long second before reluctantly slipping my arm through his. The door opened, and we stepped out together. The walk to the hall felt endless. My heart pounded louder with every step. A dagger was tucked carefully under my dress, strapped to my thigh. The cold steel pressed against my skin like a secret promise. One wrong move from Thorne and I wouldn’t hesitate. But deep down I knew today wasn’t the day. Too many eyes. Too many guards. We reached the heavy double doors. I clutched the bouquet so tightly my knuckles turned white. I wanted to throw the stupid flowers across the room. My father gave my arm a gentle squeeze, but I ignored it. The guards pushed the doors open. Everyone turned to look at us. The hall was packed. Mostly Thorne’s people from Black Moon pack, tall and intimidating, watching with curious, calculating eyes. A few familiar faces from my own pack sat scattered among them, looking at me with something like relief. If only they knew what I was really thinking. My eyes found him immediately. Alpha Thorne stood at the altar like a dark king, dressed in a perfectly tailored all-black suit that hugged his broad shoulders and powerful frame. His silver eyes locked onto mine the second I appeared, cold and unreadable. No smile. No warmth. Just that intense, heavy stare that made the air feel thicker. Several wild thoughts rushed through my head. I could run right now. Turn around and sprint. But I knew I wouldn’t make it far. They would drag me back before I even reached the doors. No. I had a better plan. I would play along. Lay low. Pretend I had accepted defeat. Let them think I was broken. And when they least expected it, when their guard was down, I would disappear for good. That decision settled deep in my bones. A small, real smile touched my lips. Some people from my pack smiled back, thinking I was happy. My father led me down the aisle. Every step brought me closer to the man who had destroyed my life. Thorne didn’t move. He just watched me with those piercing silver eyes, like he could see straight through my fake smile to the hatred burning underneath. We reached the altar. My father placed my hand in Thorne’s. His grip was firm, warm, and possessive. A spark shot up my arm at the contact. I hated how aware I was of his touch. The head of the council stepped forward, smiling brightly. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the blessed union between Alpha Thorne Blackwood of the Black Moon Pack and Elara Voss of the Crescent Moon Pack.” He turned to me first. “Elara Voss, do you take Alpha Thorne to be your lawful wedded husband, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, for good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?” Thorne’s silver eyes never left mine. They dared me to say no. To cause a scene. To fight him right here in front of everyone. My throat felt tight. The dagger on my thigh suddenly felt heavier. “I do,” I said, my voice steady even though my heart was racing. The council head repeated the question for Thorne. “Alpha Thorne Blackwood, do you take Elara Voss to be your lawful wedded wife, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, for good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?” Thorne looked at me. For a split second, something strange flashed in his cold eyes. Then his voice rang out, deep and commanding. “I do.” “With the Moon Goddess as our witness,” the council head announced happily, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your wife.” My eyes screamed at Thorne: You better not! But he leaned down anyway. His large hand slid to the back of my neck, firm and controlling. Before I could pull away, he slammed his lips against mine. The world stopped. His mouth was hot, demanding, and surprisingly soft. A strange fire exploded through my body the second our lips met. A shiver raced down my spine, straight to my core. My knees felt weak. I hated him. I hated him so much. But for one terrifying moment, my body betrayed me completely. I kissed him back. My lips moved against his without thinking. Heat pooled low in my belly. His scent wrapped around me, dark and intoxicating. The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was claiming. Intense. Full of all the tension that had been building between us since the moment we met. People cheered around us, but my brain had frozen. Why did his lips feel so good? Why did they fit so perfectly against mine? And why the f**k was I kissing him back like I needed it? Thorne finally pulled away, but our faces stayed inches apart. His expression was a perfect cold mask again, giving nothing away. His breath brushed my lips. Then he whispered, voice low, emotionless, and dangerously calm: “Are you ready for tonight, wife?”