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HOWL OF HORROR

Wear something expensive, my foot!

He must have put this wedding in high esteem by going to the extent of getting his female servants to dress me up and give me a bath. I stood in front of the gigantic mirror staring at myself as the servants looked about me. I looked stunning but I didn't feel happy. I was dressed in a long flay gown that reached to my ankles, my hair was curled and put into a bun, I had different adornments and light makeup.

It was just a bonding ceremony, Astrid and I would do our thing, and I would return to my room and get this day over with. I simply couldn't wait.

I emerged from my room with the servants walking behind me and I saw Astrid pacing all over the room and when he saw, just like I expected. He was taken away.

"Wow!" You look.. Sparkling " he said, walking around me.

"It's just for tonight. Let's get this over with."

Astrid's compliment sent a flutter through me, and I could see the genuine admiration in his eyes. But I wasn't about to let a simple flattery charm me into lowering my guard. It would take more than empty praise to win me over.

Without being told, I slid my arms into his and locked them tightly. "In a few minutes' time, you'll be my Luna", he said, and when. I looked over, I saw a beautiful smile on his face.

Did he really want this?

I struggled to compose myself, wiping the shock off my face and forcing my arm to remain locked in his. It was an inner battle to resist the urge to pull away, as every fiber of my being rebelled against the contact. Something about touching him felt profoundly wrong.

As the full moon cast its silvery glow over the landscape, illuminating the ceremonial grounds, the air was alive with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. Garlands of foliage and blossoms adorned the trees, their delicate strands swaying gently in the breeze. The bonfire crackled and spat, casting a warm, golden light over the gathering.

And as Astrid swept aside the leafy curtain, a pathway of petals and greenery unfolded before us, inviting us to proceed with the ancient ritual.

My bones felt like melting, everyone had stopped talking, laughing, eating or running around just to look at us and this only made me hold on to Astrid's arm even tighter.

"You really love my arm"

I ignored him as thoughts of what was going on clouded my mind. Days before this wedding, I had kept myself up thinking why an Alpha would choose a female werewolf who's not even his mate. And now, I heard whispers of the same question in the crowd.

Public Shame!

I walked alongside him, the weight of the crowd's gaze pressing upon us like a physical force. Their eyes seemed to bore into the back of our heads, scrutinizing our every move. I scanned the sea of faces with growing urgency, searching for the one familiar presence, the only reason I was walking arm to arm with a man I dreaded - my best friend. But she was nowhere to be found, her usual brightness and energy conspicuously absent.

The table settings, however, were precisely as they should be for the alpha's household: opulent, formal, and exuding an air of authority and tradition.

A large centre table set on a wooden platform with seats all at one side of the table. The rules were always to sit in a way that would face the crowd, and we did just that.

Not that I liked it. I would do anything to get away from the eyes of the crowds.

They were there! Alpha Jaime and his beautiful Luna were seated hand in hand with one another. She smiled at me and I did return it. Rumors had it that Luna was a warrior, and she had gone out to help another pack of rogue wolves.

Perhaps that's why I haven't seen her!

I would have preferred to sit beside her, break free from Astrid and sit beside a mother figure, but of course- it was an offense not to sit with your betrothed.

Astrid pulled my waist and pulled me closer to him and as I sat on his lap, I felt more uncomfortable. This was the beginning of the rituals to be performed at a bonding ceremony. Your Luna sits on your lap and feeds you.

Literally! I had to sit on Astrid's lap and feed him and I did.

No more than half a minute passes before i feel his soft hands roaming around the slightest of my gown. I shot him a burning glare so heated that he would burst into flames on the spot, but at the same time be careful not to attract Luna's attention to me.

It's one thing to be in a forced marriage, and it's another thing to be rejected by the Luna, someone you'll take after.

"Seriously?!" I snapped, keeping it at a whisper.

He growled lowly, leaning closer. "I couldn't help it, you're mine now Freya!" He said, pushing my waist much closer to his chest.

I clench my canines together so hard that my jaw aches. I rolled my eyes and huff before throwing away my dignity and following his orders, making myself comfortable on his lap and then hanging my arm around his neck.

"Why are you doing this? We're not even mates", I said, still looking away from his face.

I didn't hear him speak, but instead, I felt his fingers on my chin redirecting my gaze to his face, and for a split minute, we made an eye contact, an awkward one.

Okay! You caught me.

It wasn't awkward, Astrid had a perfect set of calm eyes and with the way he made me look into his eyes, I shook in fright almost falling off the chair, but his strong arms kept me intact.

"Could you just act normal for a few hours?" He asked, his tone laced with anger.

"F*ck you Astrid, you think threatening me into marriage is normal. My best friend isn't even here!" I suppose I said that out aloud.

The whole crowd turned Thier gazes upon us again, this time to Astrid instead. It wouldn't be hard for one to figure out that Astrid and I were not one bit in love with each other and with the way I grunted at his touch, it was obvious.

If only this was love. Then this would not be embarrassing for all of us and, of course, there are plenty of them to do so. Practically the entire pack is staring at us from below, unblinking. Despite the cold winter air, my face is on fire.

Alpha Andre stands up, clearing his throat and sending us both a scolding look. He then slaps a pleasant smile and faces forward to address the pack.

"Wolves of the Moonlight pack, How it is glad, be to bring forth to you my son and his Luna, the future leaders of this pack" he announces raising his cup towards Astrid.

Blah blah blah blah .....

He continues giving his fake speech and being so perfect with his fake smile, I couldn't say the same for his Luna. She looked genuinely happy. The alpha's speech went on and on, and I felt bored, his whole speech felt as though he was celebrating his son's birthday.

I kept my head down all throughout his speech, wondering how nothing about him was merely brought to light, not even my name and Astrid just stood down smiling like a maniac.

As soon as her father finished yabbing with his speech, Astrid swept me off my feet, catching me by surprise. He held me firmly in his arms, his face beaming with a radiant smile. 'Anyone object to our union?' he asked, his voice dripping with playful possessiveness.

"Let this be a warning: harm my Luna, and you'll face my wrath!'

There was a moment of silence even though I could hear whispers, still in Astrid's arms. I kept looking at his face going from the crowd towards me and then the silence broke.

"She's not your mate.. what happe_"

"Are you her mate?" Astrid asked the curious man who had questioned him about the nature of this bond. His question was rather funny, which made the crowd give off a cheerful short laughter.

"She's my mate! Anyone can go to hell and burn for all I care!" He ordered, carefully dropping his laps as he sat down again; he handled me with so much gentleness and familiarity and I just couldn't resist his laps. I guess you get too comfortable in warm places.

Applause burst from the crowd as we had taken our seats. Although I tuned out the majority of his speech, I highly doubt the applause is sincere.

I honestly didn't like any of this, the way he became so defensive shocked me.

I wasn't his mate, I was never going to be, and yet he claimed me. What is going on?!

Shortly after, the ceremony became lively again. I was thankful for that because I no longer saw anyone staring at us or whispering about me. Now all I needed was for this day to end. The sooner this torture is over, the better.

Even the alpha became engrossed with the discussion he was having with his Luna. They both looked so happy together. Why couldn't I have the same? Why must I be betrothed to this man sitting beside me doing nothing but smiling and staring at me?

With the bubbling of the ceremony, I picked the opportunity to talk to my knucklehead of a mate.

"You know he's right, can't pretend forever" I said to him, playing with the meat set before me.

He looks at me, confused. "Pretend?"

"You heard me, you're pretending, and your father is supporting it? Why? Why"

His gaze hardens and his jaw tightens, like I've hit a nerve. That's good though. Because I'd sever it if I could.

"I'd watch your fckng attitude if I were you," he warns dismissively.

I looked away from him, smiling slyly. The nerve! Forcing me to sit on his lap and thinking he could talk to me anyhow.

This ceremony, the entertainment, the fresh breeze, the food and the laughter; they were all enough to make one stay and never wish to leave but that someone wasn't me.

"Freya! Get back here this minute!" Astrid ordered abruptly. Just immediately, I stood up from his lap, dropping my scarf on the ground.

I hesitated, realizing that dropping my wedding scarf at his feet might be seen as a slight. So, I approached him, bent down to retrieve it, and as I lifted my gaze to his, he grasped my arm fiercely. But I quickly wrenched free, turning away from the fierce anger in his eyes. 'I need a moment, please!' I exclaimed, my voice firm but laced with a hint of vulnerability.

I don't look back, not even after hearing the rattling of silverware when a palm slams down on the table. Growling follows, low and provoked.

I guess now we both know what it's like to be inconvenienced by someone else.

"Son, get back here! Give the innocent girl some room", I heard the Luna order. I was immensely grateful to her for drawing back her monster from running after me.

I couldn't start imagining the scene he would have created if he had walked up to me.

°°°°°°°°

Off to my place of solitude, barely escaping the very ceremony that wants to strangle me, depriving me of anger. I walked along the waterside. My gown draped behind me but I couldn't care less. My worries were far more than my own.

I stood hidden behind the tree, sneaking a glance at the moon's silver glow. Its beauty mesmerized me, and I reveled in the darkness it cast across the sky, a soothing balm for my soul.

My mind was filled up with thoughts. Is this how my life would turn out? No more freedom of any kind and servants following me everywhere I step foot, not to mention Astrid's warning to everyone to steer clear of me.

I could still hear the echoes of music and laughter from the party I had just left behind. If this was true love, it would have been Astrid and I was out here under the moon, maybe locking lips instead of locking arms.

Suddenly my stomach drops. This must have been my mind playing tricks on me. I had heard a ruffle amongst the bushes and as I turned swiftly out of fear, I couldn't help but notice something was looking at me, perhaps someone!

"Show yourself!" I ordered, and yet no answer came.

I had forgotten all about Lila's warning the night before, she had mentioned something about me sticking around with people. With this sham of a marriage all filled up in my head, I didn't give much thought to it that night.

As if to go with my immense feeling of regret, my skin prickles with apprehension. Goosebumps popped up all over my arms, along with the hairs on the back of my neck rising as I heard another ruffle from the bushes, this time it felt as though whatever it was out there was making me a target.

No no no no! I need to get out of here!

Astrid would be so angry if I came back with a scratch on my body, and whatever it is out there, was ready to lunge into me.

I tense up, suddenly getting the feeling that I'm being watched. Though I know it's only a simple symptom of paranoia. Right?

Either way, I turned and started back down the same path I went. Walking fast and being careful not to slip off the rocks in a haste to get back to Astrid.

The snow crunches loudly under my feet, almost like static in my ears. That's loud enough to drown out everything else.

As I go back down the path, my heart keeps beating faster than before as I keep hearing the bushes moving with me. I'm close! I said to myself, doubling my walk and almost making it into a run. But I couldn't risk it, imagine walking out of your own bonding ceremony and then running back with fear written all over you.

I maintained my cool and when I slipped back into the vicinity of the party, I couldn't help but to notice the tense atmosphere. Astrid was no longer seated with his father, but they were standing far from the party and I could see Thier lips moving as words I couldn't hear escaped their mouths.

I could still hear whispers among the crowd, only voices were filling up in my head. I couldn't concentrate on listening in and I could see Luna smiling towards me as I kept walking fast towards her.

"Maybe you all should focus on your lives and not gossip!" I scolded, rolling my eyes towards the group I had just walked past. I hated whispers!

What happens next is nothing but a blur. While going back to my seat, I felt watched, yet again. I didn't pay much attention to it now, considering the fact that the crowd had their eyes on me, but when i looked up i saw Astrid running towards me. I would have assumed he was running to grab me again and sweep me off my feet, but something felt wrong, he had so much fear in his eyes and not a single smile was on his face.

Luna stood staring at me with her mouth wide open, and she looked pale like life had been sucked out of her body. At the same freakishly long distance between me and my table, I heard a scream behind me.

A blood-curdling cream, and before I could get that scream out of my head, I heard a deep roar and growling accompanied by screams.

As I stood frozen in terror, a monstrous creature burst from the forest's dark recesses, its enormous, wolf-like form hurtling towards me with terrifying speed. Behind her, the trees seemed to blur together, a green backdrop to the horror unfolding before me.

The creature's glowing ruby-red eyes blazed like lanterns in the darkness, illuminating my fate. Even in mid-leap, the beast seemed to dwarf a normal wolf by tenfold, its massive paws outstretched like razor-sharp claws. I felt like a small, helpless prey, unable to move or escape.

I wanted to scream, to open my mouth and say something. I wanted to run or walk, but I simply didn't get the chance to. The creature's impact struck my temple, exploding in a burst of agony that shattered my vision into darkness.

As I looked up with my groggy head, I saw Astrid running into the monstrous beast, and suddenly I found myself calling out to Astrid and holding my hand out to him wishing he could grab me just like he did before I walked out on him.

I felt nothing but myself seeping into the world of darkness.

What was happening?

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