The. Betrothal
1131 Words
ZARA'S POV
The announcement came at dawn.
I stood stiffly beside my father as the pack gathered, my heart hammering like it wanted to escape my chest.
“To secure our future,” My father, Alpha Hogan declared,
“my daughter will be betrothed"
Ethan stepped forward as everyone cheered and hooted. He was handsome, familiar, trusted.
My best friend.
My longtime suitor.
My vision blurred.
That night, as I pressed trembling fingers to my flat stomach, the bond burned suddenly; alive, furious, unmistakable.
"Ethan has shown admirable qualities and as her father, I stand before you all to announce that tonight under the full moon, they will be mated forever"
I felt my belly churned.
My heart sank even lower.
"Let the ceremony begin!"
The crowd cheered and roared. Howls were heard from the distance but it did nothing to dampen the night's activities.
The officiator stood on the wooden podium, stared from me to my overly eager groom and shook his head sadly before masking his facial expression.
I knew that he had been threatened. As my Godfather and Beta of the pack, he had been strongly against this Union but I don't know how my father got him to give in.
I was trapped.
I couldn't run.
I couldn't escape.
I raised my head up to the moon and said a silent prayer .
"Please save me "
A stray tear slid down the side of my cheeks.
"Now we will listen to our groom make his pledge to his bride"
The voice brought me out of my reverie .
I stared sadly at the man in front of me, his smile wide. But he didn't care.
No one did . No one ever did .
"My dear bride, I've loved you from the moment we were cubs running around the forest, trying to find our balance even as we manifested, everything about you fascinated me. And now that I can have you as my wife, it is the greatest moment of my life."
He read aloud.
I swallowed.
He stared up at me . His promise still ringing at the back of my mind.
"By the time I'm through with you..."
"Zara!"
I jolted around at the sound of my name .
"Can you say your pledge?"
My godfather said softly.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw my father glaring at me. His eyes saying what his mouth couldn't at the moment.
"I'm.. I'm.." I stammered
"Can you?". My godfather repeated.
I looked down at the piece of paper in my hand and felt the words float around in front of me . They were all lies . I couldn't stand before my pack and lie .
" I... Can't " I said my voice trembled.
The crowd let out a disappointed sound.
My godfather sent a glare towards my father who gestured for him to continue. He let out an awkward laugh and addressed the crowd .
"It seems our bride is a bit nervous. We'll just proceed with the ceremony. Now will everyone rise...'
" No!"
All heads turned.
My heart leaped
My wolf cried out in joy.
It was him.
"Alpha Kane!"
Someone screamed out and the crowd divided into two creating a path for him and his soldiers as he stalked menacingly closer to where we stood on the podium .His eyes never leaving mine.
My father was by my side in an instant pulling me behind him.
"Kane, what business do you have with this side of the border?"
He arched a brow.
"I came to claim what's mine" he responded stopping in front of us.
My father's stared at me in confusion and his eyes widened in horror as the realization dawned on him. He cleared his throat and bared his shoulders and spoke up.
"To my understanding there's nothing here that belongs to you"
My father defended, holding tightly unto to me.
Alpha Kane smirked.
"Don't play dumb"
My father was flustered taking a step back as he walked up the stairs.
"Kane!"
My father roared but he didn't stop. He paused in front of me and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards him and out of my father's grasp.
"You don't expect to come here, take my daughter and leave scot free. You've broken many pack laws" my father warned .
"She's carrying my child!"
The crowd was in uproar.
"That's impossible . My daughter has never met you in her life. Zara tell him"
"Zara, I'm here. Nobody can hurt you now."
He reassured and gave me a warm smile.
I felt my wolf melt in pleasure.
I nodded in agreement .
"He's the father of my child " I declared emboldened .
"No! He's not!" My father shouted, his voice bellowed .
Alpha Kane led me away .
"Stop!"
Everyone paused .
"You can't leave here without bonding with her ."
My godfather announced .
The murmurs from the crowd got stronger .
Alpha Kane gripped my hand tighter .
He stared down at me.
"If you don't want this, just say the word and I'll take you away from here. I don't care who I have to go through."
He explained .
I stared into his eyes and saw all the assurance I needed.
I nodded in agreement .
His lips widened in a smile.
I felt my legs trembled.
"Yes, I'll do it. If that's what it takes ."
Everyone cheered .
My father fumed.
"Zara, once you cross that border, you can never come back. You're no longer my daughter !" He bellowed and stormed out.
The ceremony went on as promised
No vows
No pledges
Just a single word .
"Yes"
I said yes .
Yes to my freedom
Yes to my child
Yes to my acceptance finally.
The dull moon illuminated the way as we made our way back to his pack.
My pack now.
He was my husband
And I was his wife
And a child between us .
But there was something nagging in my head as we crossed over .
"He'll make your life a living hell"
It was a woman who was blind.
Her eyes were glazed white as she stared at me intensely.
"Run, run while you still can "
I awoke startled, frantically searching for relief .
"Hey, hey. It's me"
I let out a breath as I saw his kind face staring down at me, his brows drawn together in worry.
"We're here"
He declared.
I climbed out of the carriage but stopped dead when I stood face to face with the woman in my dream.
She smiled.
"Welcome Zara" she said with her hand outstretched .
I took hers and heard a voice.
"Welcome to hell. Don't say I didn't warn you"
- Writer
