The Bride.

Selene~

His words somehow made my heart skip a beat. Why was I feeling like this? 

"Sister, let's go home. You need to change now." I diverted my gaze from Zoe and then myself. The upper half of the dress was soaked in the blood. 

"Let's go," I asked her and we both started walking. People moved back giving us space to walk out of the crowd when a shiver ran down my spine. I turned back, it was him. His red eyes were still on me. It did not make me uncomfortable, yet something ignited in me. 

What is happening to me? I was focused on walking towards our house when I heard Lucian's voice. "How dare you?" He shouted, probably at the tall man. I wanted to stay, an urge to know more about him. 

"Zara, do you feel it?" I asked. "Yes, I felt it too." 

Goddess knows, who that man was but it didn't matter to me. I jerked all the thoughts out of my head and entered the house. Walking into the bathroom, I stripped down the dress. Walking towards the mirror, I saw my reflection. Blood was smeared on half of my face and a little on my hair. The bun was messed up till now. Getting out of all the ornaments, I splashed some water on my face. 

After wiping it down clean, I again took a bath but the smell of the blood was still there. I stilled as a thought struck into my mind. What if he was the barbarian? 

I quickly wore the undergown and matched it to my room. As I opened the door, I found Zoe with a dress in her hand. "The dress is here." She flashed the dress to me. It was a beautiful white gown with pearls stitched like a full moon. Zoe after carefully placing the dress, came to me. She sniffed a few times, before she made a face, "Eww..you stink." 

"I don't care." I blatantly told her and walked past her. Getting the dress, I glanced at Zoe. Understanding the signal, she helped me wear the gown. While she was buttoning up the dress, I asked, "Do you know who was that man?" 

"Which man?" 

"The man who was double the size of us and was carrying a sword with him," I explained hoping she would have dug up some information regarding him. Though Zoe was not like a traditional woman, she loved one thing, gossiping. I have always relied on her to get information just like now. 

"Oh, that man. He was one of the barbarians. Lucian was very angry with them but it was not their mistake. Some of the werewolves tried to humiliate them by commenting on their looks and lifestyle. The argument escalated and one of our men tried to attack but got his hand cut in return." My mind recalled the same pair of red eyes. There was something in them that made me attracted to him. 

"Did anyone happen to see the Lycan?" I asked. "I don't know before I could have some more information, Mother asked me to give this dress to you." I exhaled a sharp breath as I listened to her. "You know, I think that tall man is the Lycan." 

I snapped and turned to her. Zoe almost lost her balance when I caught her. "Do you really think he is the one?" 

"There is a chance. Lycan are meant to be bigger and stronger than the werewolves." Zoe said after giving it a thought. 

"Zoe, can you find out if he is the Lycan?" I asked, my breaths fastened. "Ohkay...I will try." Zoe went out of the room while I stood near the window. 

 She could see Zoe walking towards the herd of women. While Zoe got busy with those women, I diverted my attention to the sky. The sun was about to set. Selene rested her palms against the windowsill, the rough wood grounding her as her eyes caught the sun sinking into the horizon. The darker shades started to overpower the golden strokes of the sky. It wasn't a peaceful sight. It felt chaotic, just like my life. I was about to let go of the past and accept the upcoming future for which I was not ready. 

My eyes were still taking in the scene when my gaze noticed. A few men came out from Lucian's house. The tall man was with them, he was seen apart from them. My breaths again started to get shallow. I could not help but see him, only him. His face was expressionless like before while Lucian was shooting glares at him. While Kara's father was beside him probably avoiding Lucian to attack him. It was ironic to see the man who once loved controlling everyone at his fingertips now lost the control.

My gaze drifted back to that man. Are you the one who is going to marry me? I questioned myself, just as his piercing gaze unexpectedly locked onto mine. In an instant, I stepped away from the window, my heart pounding.. Oh Goddess, was it a sign? I caressed my forehead. It was just an accident, nothing more. I kept repeating it in my mind trying to convince my heart but it was nothing more than a futile attempt.

________

The door of the temple opened, and all the guests were sitting on each side. On the right, all the people in my pack including Zoe, mother, and Lucian were sitting at the front. Whereas, there were few people on the left side. Among those people, only two people wore suitable clothes. Two very different people from their very different worlds were here. All their gazes were focused on me as I was the gift given to maintain the treaty between these people. 

I could not gather enough courage to look up at the man who was about to marry me. As I reached up to the altar, I expected him to provide a hand. A moment passed but no hand came into my gaze. I took a deep breath, knowing it would be harder than I imagined. Supporting myself in that dress, I walked up the steps. 

"Under the watchful gaze of the Moon Goddess, we gather here to unite two souls, two hearts, and two fates as one. Tonight, the heavens witness this sacred bond, and the stars bear testimony to your vows." The priest announced. 

I kept still just hearing the priest's words. I don't know how much time passed when the priest asked, " Selene Mooncrest, chosen of the Moon Goddess, do you vow to stand as your mate's equal, his strength in weakness, and his wisdom in doubt? Do you promise to nurture this bond with kindness, courage, and the fierce love that only a true Luna can provide?"

As the priest completed his question, I recalled all the things Zoe told me about the man I was marrying.

"His name is Damien Blackthorne. People say he has killed more men than anyone would dare to count. No one really knows how many lives are on his hands, but those who have crossed him... never come back. He knows how to break people, how to destroy them from the inside out."

This was it. I cannot turn back now. My hands started to get sweaty, and my heart started to hammer in my chest when I took in a deep breath and let it out, "I do." 

My gaze fell on Lucian whose eyes darted at the man standing in front of him. His hands fisted, his jaws clenched giving the proof of his lack of control. 

The priest then proceeded and asked the man standing in front of me, " Alpha Damien Blackthorn, as the leader of your pack and protector of your people, do you vow to cherish, honor, and shield your mate from harm, standing by her side in times of both triumph and trial? Do you promise to lead with strength and love, and to offer her your heart, your loyalty, and your life?

All were waiting for him to say his answer, and that similar deep hoarse voice echoed, "No, I don't."