HEART IN CHAINS
Walking back to the village, I looked up, and it appeared the sun had already started playing hide and seek with me shining its dim light on the trees, shining its pale light on the snow-covered trees, casting a soft blue glow over the frozen landscape. The sky is painted with hues of pink and gold, a breathtaking winter sunset unfolding above me. As the day's final rays fade, the air is filled with a crisp chill, carrying the scent of wood smoke and the earthy smell of snow. The evening air is alive with the soft crunch of snowflakes and the distant howl of wind, a serene melody that envelops me in a sense of peace and tranquility.
I needed to return to the village. I somehow managed to get myself to stop crying. I somehow managed to get myself to wave all of it off and carry on like the strong woman I was. All I needed at the time. The moment was to talk to Lila. Walking on a snowy path which led into the woods, I stopped abruptly as i heard a voice accompanied by chatter.
It was Lila's voice. Ah! Yes!
But who are the other chattering voices I have heard too? Something about their voices made my curiosity perk up. I took off my shoes, quietly stepping on the cold and crunchy ice, being careful not to step on the twigs and also being careful not to slip. To the fulfillment of my curiosity, I saw that Lila was sitting on the tree branches with some other girls. Safe to say they were friends with her.
I felt a pang of jealousy, but that soon gave way to curiosity when I caught snippets of their conversations. Though I couldn't quite make out what they were saying, it only added to my intrigue, leaving me wondering what secrets they were sharing.
Is she really going to agree to that?He's a mons_ He's really huge.Ten times the size of me.
They all burst into laughter after the brown-haired girl said, having a facial expression that clearly mocked 'HIM'. Whoever he was must really be a funny one. I thought.
Slipping my shoes on and freeing the solees of my feet from the ice, i moved the tree branch i was hiding from and approached the girls. Lila had always told me how good I am at walking silently and just as I did, the girls screamed and jumped in fright, jumped including Lila.
What's scaring you all like a bunch of puppies?
For a moment, silence fell over us all as they turned and stood still, as if they had seen a ghost or their worst fears come to life. Amelia's face had gone pale, Arya's hand was clutching her chest, and Lila was forcing a smile - one I knew was fake, because I knew her better than anyone.
"Freya! Don't you know better than sneaking up on people like that!?" Arya thundered, her face squeezed portraying an expression of accusation, and I wasn't going to have it with her.
I didn't like those girls and I never understood why Lila loved hanging out with girls like Arya and Amila- always being too mean and loud.
"I didn't sneak up on you, little girl. Unless you had something to hide__ you wouldn't have been so scared", I told her, my eyes fixed on Lila.
That must have been too much, I thought, but she deserved it. No one talks to me like a servant.
"Ugh!" She muttered, as Arya and Amila shot me a look of pure hatred and disgust. They then turned and walked past me with their heads held high, their noses in the air, and an air of superiority that only made my blood boil even more.
Two enemies made!
"Why do you enjoy gossiping, Lila and hanging out with girls like Arya?" I asked her, throwing a twig of stick playfully at her, causing her to jump down the tree.
Her expression revealed a complete lack of concern about the tense exchange she had just witnessed between the girls and me. In fact, she had once attempted to school me on the art of keeping my thoughts to myself - an endeavor that ended in failure. Now, she barely even registers my inability to filter my thoughts, merely raising an eyebrow and furrowing her brow in a gentle reprimand.
"How did you get out here all by yourself again?!" She asked, ignoring my questions. There was something about the look on her face and, yet again, I was curious.
"Uhm.. Hello, I walk alone all the time, why you soundin__"
"You really shouldn't be. There's a rumor, more like a warning to ...sh*t! I have to go" she had cut herself short abruptly rushing over to the tree to grab her blue scarf and then almost running off again.
I called back "wait! What rumor and what warni_"
Turning my head to my left, my heart stops beating as she grabs me vigorously by my hands. I thought she had left only for her to run back again. "Look! Just_ always stay with someone, stay safe sshl*. I love you"
It seemed like I was talking to someone disguised as my best friend. She pulled me into a hug and whispered softly,
"Have fun with your mate", she finally pulls me back and then rubs off, just leaving me alone.
What had just happened? Lila never left me standing anywhere all by myself, and she clearly never left a discussion half way. Had Alpha Jaime told her to stay away from me? What's this some kind of plague?
And what on earth was she talking about, rumor and warning?
Standing there and listening to the chirping of the crickets, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger as her words lingered in my mind. Have fun with your mate.
My mate! Fun!
My whole world had started getting dark as It dawned on me that my own best friend didn't care about how I felt about this whole arrangement, and she wished me happiness with the man that threatened to kill her and feed her flesh to me.
But I couldn't blame her anymore. She probably didn't know, she obviously didn't know that this marriage was under arrangements and threats!.
It was getting oddly cold and dark. I rubbed my hands together, placing them on my arms. I just needed to walk back to my room and sleep.
Yeah! Sleep.
I was going to sleep, and I didn't care what Alpha or Astrid would do. Obviously, by now they would be expecting me to start performing the rituals and getting my dress ready.
I mean who celebrates their own misery and pain?!
The sun came and went , I saw the moon to come and vanish and all I had seen from the window in my room. I waited patiently for days for my best friend to show up in my room and check on me, but the only person that came in was the servant.
I guessed she was one because she hardly talked or looked up at my face, she would drop the food on my table, bow her head down and then leave.
Two times Astrid had sent me flowers. Perhaps that was his own way of faking Sweetness or perhaps his father had told him to, the duo would really hope and pray that I didn't put up an act on the ceremony.
Lost in thoughts from looking at the bright morning sky, I jumped into fright when I heard Astrid's voice behind me.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Long Enough to know you love the sun" he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Lizard!
I had turned to see him standing upright in the center of my room. He never slouched or waved his hands roughly and unnecessary-that I liked about him. His father must have taught him that as well. Astrid was all dressed up in a black shirt and his jacket hanging on his arms, his shoes were shining, and I could swear the sun's rays reflected on them.
"What do you want, lizard?
I asked him, bending to pick up the objects I had knocked down, caused by fright, but I stopped as I heard Astrid laughing.
What's funny? You didn't know you were a lizard! Thoughts ran through my mind as I watched him.
"I came to err___ remind you of what today is. Why aren't you dressed up yet?" He said, his tone sounding friendly and calm as he smiled.
To think I would fall for that cute smile of yours.
Ugh!
I kept mute, my eyes running along his face. This lizard was moving towards me, so I ran around him, but he caught me by my arm "And your hair is a mess, the servants will come dress you up and I expect you to be read_'"
"Why? Astrid" I asked, getting ready to unburden myself to him about my thoughts of this shamed marriage. At least if he wanted to gain full control of my life, he had better have a good reason.
"Why me? I'm nothing but a cleaner around here and I loved it. I was happy, I. didn't want any of this."
I said, staring at him with my dead eyes, making it a challenge to myself to manipulate him, at least.
"And yet you wonder why I chose you" he moved closer to me, smiling in a way that made my heart flutter. I saw his hands in motion towards my waist, and I couldn't do anything but stand there and stare at his warm eyes.
There was something about the way he grabbed my tiny waist and pulled me closer to him, his mild breath fanning over my eyes as he spoke, "I could kiss you right now, Freya."
Eww!
I push myself away from his tight grip, causing our hands and legs to brush against each other. I wished there was a way to sanitize and clean my waist, rubbing it clean from his touch.
Why can't words escape through my mouth!?
"Well I t__"
"I'm waiting Freya, you have fifteen minutes and no less" i saw his back in a matter of seconds and then the door being slammed behind him.
Poor door!
Nobody in this house knew how to use a door, not even the servants!.
So, that's his reason for making me his Luna, because I'm always happy?
Sick games!
With Alpha Jaime's ominous threat still resonating in my mind, I approached the mirror, gazing at my reflection dressed in ordinary clothes. I know that soon I'll be shedding this mundane attire for something far more exquisite, yet simultaneously despised by me.
I wasn't much of a fashion designer myself, but I could do my best. I wasn't going to stress about this wedding, especially when my best friend isn't even going to be there.
My best friend.
I let out a scornful laugh as I thought of her, the alpha's menacing threats of violence still echoing in my mind. I had accepted a monster within me for her sake, yet she refused to find joy and be present for me. Her absence stung, a bitter reminder of her indifference.
Instead, she chooses to mingle with girls and party herself away in another pack.
Lucky her!