"What a whore! How dare such a weak girl covet our Alpha?"
The murmurs of the onlookers seeped into her skin as she walked down the aisle.
Her fists were clenched as she moved forward, each step a reminder of her impending doom. Hatred swelled within her, but she could only keep it buried, waiting for the right moment to strike. All her life, she had only wanted a normal family and a normal partner, but fate seemed to despise her for reasons she couldn't understand.
As the harsh wind blew, her skin prickled with fear, her heart pounding heavily against her chest. All she could think of were the different ways to get back at those who betrayed her, at the family she thought she belonged to, at the sister she thought would always protect her, at the brother she gave everything to, and most importantly, the man she had loved with everything she had. After being accused of deliberately miscarrying her child, she was thrown into a cell, only to be dragged out and told she would be married off to an Alpha.
Stealing her man wasn't enough; now they were selling her to a beast in human skin. She knew the marriage was just a facade and that she was being sold as a breeder, because the Alpha would never take such a weak woman as his Luna. If only her wolf wasn't weak. If only she hadn't been born of a forbidden affair between a witch and a werewolf. Then maybe she wouldn't have been cursed with such a cruel fate.
Tears threatened to spill, but she told herself she wouldn't break down. Not here, not now. Looking down at the tattered clothes clinging to her body, a wry smile crossed her lips. They weren't even pretending not to sell her off. The sheer gown barely covered her body, and anyone ten miles away could have seen through it if not for the dark sky.
Her feet ached from walking barefoot all day, yet she remained determined, moving steadily toward the altar. Her gaze accidentally swept across the crowd and landed on her sister, who was shamelessly leaning on her husband, in the very gown he had given her on her last birthday… or should she say, ex-husband. Her sister had always been the favored one in everything, and though she had always worked harder, nothing ever went her way. Even her husband, the man she trusted, had not been able to resist her sister's charm.
Her chest ached, but she didn't falter. She could still feel the pain of losing her child, the agony of discovering her husband's betrayal, yet she kept going with one thing in mind. Her life was already over, it was a miracle she survived the miscarriage at all. She was going to make use of the second chance fate had given her.
Though the path beneath her feet was filled with thorns and sand, she didn't stop walking. Werewolves were beastly beings, and they believed that walking through pain made them stronger. They weren't about to make anything easy for her, especially not for a weak wolf like her.
Unpleasant and deadly gazes were thrown at her as she walked, the dim candlelight giving her only a faint view of her path.
Finally reaching the altar, her heart skipped a beat as she stood before the beast. Her heartbeat quickened in folds. Though they were three feet apart, his intimidating aura wrapped around her like chains, forcing her to keep her head bowed. She began to wonder if her plan would even work, but there was too much hatred in her to care. She would rather die than let the beast mate with her. If she succeeded without dying herself, then she would kill her sister next. That would be better than dying in vain.
With shaky hands and uneven breaths, she swallowed, waiting and watching. She needed to be closer to him before she could act.
"Go on," came the beast's voice, deep, threatening, dark, and unsavory. Surprisingly, he spoke clearly, contrary to the rumors. They said he only communicated through growls and violence, a ruthless creature unfit for words. That part was true; she had once witnessed him execute his own men in public. The sight had been too gory for her to keep watching, so she never saw his face. Not that she cared back then since she never imagined marrying forced the Alpha of this pack.
The priest began, "Before the Great Moon, we call upon the spirits of our ancestors, those who first ran wild and free. Tonight, two wolves join as one. Their scents shall mingle, their howls shall rise together." His eyes darted between them as he continued, "Casimir Blackfang and Leia, your claws draw the mark of bond and seal it in the sight of the pack. Do you, Leia, take the name and heart of Casimir Blackfang, and join the Bloodfang Pack as his equal beneath the Moon?"
"I do," Leia answered, though dissatisfaction lingered in her tone. Shouldn't they both be exchanging vows? Why was she the only one? Then again, why did she care? It was all just formality.
"Both of you, take a step forward and raise your right hand," the priest instructed, and Leia took that as her cue.
With every ounce of courage and strength left in her, she stepped forward, lifted her head, and met his gaze. Surprise flickered across her face, his onyx eyes were striking, his face painfully attractive.
For a brief second, she almost forgot what she was about to do. But the thought faded as quickly as it came. Rising on her toes, she pressed her lips against his.
The crowd gasped, confusion rippling through them as they struggled to understand what was happening. After a few seconds, Leia pulled away, chest heaving, her eyes blazing with hatred as she met his gaze.
To her surprise, instead of anger or shock, a faint smirk tugged at his lips, throwing her off balance.
"I would rather die than let you have me," she hissed, unable to bear the mocking look on his face.
"That's quite unfortunate," he replied smoothly, his tone edged with dark amusement. "You chose the wrong poison." Then, without another glance her way, he turned to the priest. "Go on, unless you would like to lose your head."