Chapter seven
1293 Words
The wedding lasted until midnight.
And he did not show up.
I bowed my head in shame as Selene led me back to my room, my veil still covering my face. I sat on the bed, my hands against my thighs.
“I'm so sorry, Lyra,” she apologized. “I'm sure something came up, and he couldn't come.”
I nodded. “Maybe,” or maybe he just didn't think I was worth it. An arranged marriage, I guess only he had a say in it. I wouldn't dare miss a wedding, but he can?
“Help me undress,” I said to her.
She hesitated. “Well, it's tradition for the Alpha King himself to undress you. I'm afraid if you do it yourself, you'll be punished.”
“What? I have to stay here like this?” I asked, my brows raised.
I watched her nod.
I sighed and stayed quiet. I watched Selene walk to the door and stand there with her hands together as she waited.
Now all I could hear was the loud ticking of the clock. An hour passed, then two, then three. Repeatedly, hours passed, and the Alpha King didn't show up.
My eyes had become dizzy, but I knew I couldn't sleep. I looked at Selene, her head still bowed.
“You can go to sleep if you want, you know,” I said.
“Oh no, ma'am, I can't let you be alone tonight.”
“He could come anytime soon. I'll wait alone,” I said.
“Lyra...” her tone was low. “The Alpha King, Silas, is not as you would perceive other men.”
I squinted to see her through the red veil. “What do you mean?”
“He is... well... strange.”
“In what way?” I asked. This time I was getting impatient.
“Well, he doesn't like having people in his personal space, unless it's Aria, and even then, sometimes he pushes her away. When his father was alive, he tried to invite ladies here to him, but he doesn't allow women close, so I think it will be difficult for you to get him to... you know... touch you.”
“What am I waiting here for?” I asked.
She didn't answer. I sighed with frustration, stood up, and took off my veil. As I tossed it on the bed, she rushed forward.
“That is not okay.”
“I need a walk around the palace.” I turned to face her. “Since he won't be here, I don't think it matters if I leave.”
“It's a large palace. You can't walk around it. The backyard? There's a lot of fresh air.”
She nodded and held my hand, leading me outside. The moonlight shone a dim light across the field. There were trees in the backyard. It added to the beauty of the scenery.
I caught a smile on Selene's face.
“What are you smiling about?” I asked.
“Well, you are the Luna. All the women I have served don't treat me as nicely as you do. It feels like I have a sister,” she smiled even more.
I smiled back. As we strolled around the compound, I spoke.
“Have you ever been in love?”
She giggled. “Yes, but he doesn't notice me.”
I stopped and turned to face her.
“Who is it?” I asked, excited to hear news about her love life.
“The Alpha King's guard. His name is Salvatore. He is so handsome, well reserved. One time, a killer broke in and he saved me even though I'm just a lowly maid. He hasn't looked at me since then.”
“You should tell him then,” I said.
She quickly shook her head.
“No, no, no. I'm too scared. If he rejects me, it will be too awkward.”
“Awwwn, come on. You are a beautiful lady. I'm sure he will like you,” I urged.
As she shook her head, loud footsteps forced my attention away from her and to the sky. I looked up and saw a man dressed in all black with a mask on his face. I watched him fall off the fence and land in front of us.
We both screamed in shock, stumbling backwards. Loud screams echoed from our lips as we moved backwards. Only a bad person could come into the palace through the fence, right?
“Call a guard! Now!” I shouted at Selene, panic surging through my veins.
“No, no.” She looked at him and then back at me. “That grunt, it sounded like the Alpha King.”
I blinked in shock.
“I... what?” I shook my head in confusion.
She rushed to the man on the ground and knelt beside him. My legs shook as I stepped back. She took off his mask and looked back.
“It's him.”
My blood ran cold. Why would the Alpha King drop down from a fence?
I couldn't see his face because of the dark. I watched her lift him from the ground and onto her shoulder. The weight of his body forced her to lean down. I quickly moved to her and wrapped his other arm around me.
His body was heavy.
“What are we supposed to do? He seems unconscious. Is he dead?”
“I don't think so. He's breathing,” she responded.
I carried him into the building and towards my bedroom. We both managed to toss him onto the bed. As Selene rushed to close the door, I stretched my arms. When I looked down at the man, I suddenly let out a loud gasp, my hand flying to my mouth.
That black hair, those long eyelashes, those lips, and that nose. It's him, the mysterious man from back home.
I looked back at Selene.
“Do you recognize this man? Are you sure this is the King?” I pointed at him with trembling hands.
She walked closer and looked.
“Of course.”
I gasped even louder.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded.
“I have worked for him for years. I know what he looks like.” She looked at my dress. “Is it me, or does your dress have blood on it?”
I was too stunned to pay attention. I drew closer to the man on the bed, and tears clouded my eyes.
“Silas,” I said through a dry throat. “It's you...” I choked happily, but my smile fell when I saw the blood on the back of his suit.
It was seeping through it. There was also a hole. It looked like a bullet wound.
“Oh no.” I quickly undid his jacket. I pulled it open, and his white button-up shirt was stained with blood.
“Oh my God, he got shot,” Selene's voice shook. “Why isn't he healing?”
“Maybe it's dipped in wolfsbane,” I said. “Bring a first aid box,” I said hastily.
“Do you even know what you are doing?” she asked.
“Trust me,” I said. Cupping my hands together, I began to apply pressure on his wound.
My heart skipped a beat as I noticed his green eyes slowly open. They were dim and almost lifeless, fixed on me as he struggled for breath.
Slowly, they closed.
“I should call a guard,” she said.
“No, no. I promise you, I'm sure he wants nobody to find out about this.”
I pressed harder.
“Please... don't die on me...."
- Writer
