**Gabrielle's POV**
I slipped back into my room, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird. I could barely breathe. As soon as I turned the key, I locked the door behind me, pressing my back against it to steady my trembling. My knees gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor, the chill of the marble seeping into my bones until numbness claimed me, and I drifted into darkness.
The noise that woke me was deafening. My eyes flew open to a crowd of faces looming over me, their expressions a blur. I scrambled upright, my body still weak.
"Greetings, dear. Congratulations!" Mother said, her grin splitting her face.
"Congratulations?" My voice came out hoarse and confused.
"Oh, aren't you a little fool?" She pinched the bridge of her nose, almost giddy. "It's your wedding!" she shrieked, turning to my sisters. They stood behind her with smiles as thin as paper.
"The Alpha and his council have finalized the wedding preparations. They are eager to take the White Wolf as their bride." Her smile widened with pride.
My stomach twisted. Why were they rushing? I had only met this man a few days ago, and now I was to marry him?
"Come on. Show Gabrielle the wedding gowns… let her pick the one she will bloom in." Mother's command cut through the air. My sisters hurried out and returned carrying the same gowns we had tried on yesterday.
Mother seized my hands. "Let's go bathe, dearest."
She led me toward her chamber. Questions clawed at my throat about the coffin and the room I had been dragged from, but courage slipped away every time I looked at her. Just her face was enough to shatter my resolve.
I took a long, steadying breath and dipped my legs into the tub. The warmth wrapped around my frozen skin, seeping into my bones—so different from the icy water I had been used to.
"Mother… is the wedding happening immediately?" The question spilled out unexpectedly, not the one I had planned to ask.
"No, dear," she said, pouring water down my shoulders, her tone honey-sweet. "It will happen tonight—when the moon rises."
"All right…" I whispered.
She dried my body with brisk hands and gestured to the bed where a robe lay neatly folded. "Wear this. I'll fetch your gowns."
She was about to leave when I finally gathered my courage. "Why is that room empty?"
She froze. My heart plummeted. Slowly, she turned back, an evil smirk curving her lips.
"Which empty room, Gabrielle?" Her voice almost bubbled with laughter.
"The room you dragged me away from," I said, my voice trembling.
Her expression flickered—surprise, then cold amusement. "Dragged you away?" She repeated. "I don't remember any of that, dear…" She approached, her shadow stretching long across the floor.
"Did you hit your head, sweet one? Why are you spouting nonsense?"
I shivered under her web of lies. Why did she do this? She had dragged me from that room. She had stopped me before I could open the coffin.
"Perhaps you should sleep and rest your head. Then you will stop seeing such gibberish," Mother said coolly, before gliding away.
I nearly collapsed under the weight of my fury, anger boiling inside me. Why was she lying? What was this twisted game she was playing—and was marrying me off to the Alpha part of it?
A sick feeling curled in my gut. No. I cannot marry him. Yes, he seemed sweet, charming even, with those siren eyes and soft lips that could tempt any soul but still, I shouldn't. Something inside me screamed that I shouldn't.
Soon, Mother returned, her arms laden with gowns that she dropped heavily on the bed.
"I cannot wait for you to be married and give me grandchildren," she shrieked, her excitement unholy. She pulled me to the mirror and sat me down like a doll.
Powders dusted my face, suffocating, while pretended tears slipped down her cheeks. "Oh, my dear… this will be the last time I ever apply these powders to your face. After tonight, you will be Luna, with servants to paint you instead. And I—I will be mother of a Luna."
Her voice trembled with pride, and when she finished, I barely recognized myself. My reflection was flawless, too flawless, my face transformed into something otherworldly. Then she brought the gown forward white as bone, embroidered with delicate flowers.
She fastened me into it herself.
"ARGH." The cry escaped before I could stop it as the corset pulled tight, crushing my ribs and tearing at the wounds on my back.
"Sorrows, dear. Beauty is pain," she said without sympathy, tightening further. Then came the heels—sharp, torturous things that made my legs ache just from standing.
Finally, she stood before me, kissed my cheek, and whispered, "You make a beautiful bride." For the first time, her tears looked almost real.
Goddess… who is this woman? And how is she my mother? She confuses me more with every breath.
I steadied myself and stared into the mirror. Ravishing—that was the word. My pale skin gleamed, my blue eyes burned bright, my golden hair was flawless. I looked perfect, even if I could hardly breathe.
The door creaked, and Isabelle entered.
"Mother, the Alpha's carriage is here to fetch the bride."
She disappeared again, leaving Mother with her final words.
"Be perfect tonight, Gabrielle. Your history as the White Luna begins tonight." She paused, her voice hardening. "You will walk to the altar with your head high, full of pride. You will show no fear. If you falter, the elders will devour you whole."
I nodded quickly. "Yes, Mother."
"You saw what happened at the ball," she pressed, and I nodded again.
"Our bloodline is riddled with enemies, waiting for us to crumble. But we will prove them wrong. We will show them our line has survived generations and will continue to thrive. You will give me granddaughters who will carry on the White Wolf's legacy. Understood?"
"Yes, Mother." I bowed my head, my voice quiet.
"Promise me." She held out her hand.
I placed mine on hers. "I promise you, Mother."
"Good." Her lips curled into a sharp smile. "Now go… and be perfect."