Chapter 3 — The Substitute Bride
1687 Words
Selene’s POV
The sun had barely risen when I found Father in his study again. He was always there lately, surrounded by scrolls and letters from the Alpha King’s court, all sealed with the mark of the silver wolf. His hands trembled slightly as he poured himself a drink, though he’d never admit it.
“Father,” I said, stepping inside without knocking.
He looked up, irritation flickering across his face. “You should be preparing. The royal carriage will arrive by tomorrow.”
“I’ve made my decision,” I said coolly, crossing my arms. “I won’t go.”
He sighed, setting the glass down with a dull clink. “Selene—”
“No, listen to me.” I walked to the window, where sunlight spilled across the marble floor. “If I marry that man, our family will be ruined. You heard the whispers as well as I did. They say he’s disfigured, cursed by the Moon Goddess herself. If I appear beside him, I’ll be pitied, mocked, scorned.” I turned to him, voice tightening. “Do you want your daughter remembered as the Luna who couldn’t even look at her own husband?”
“Enough,” he snapped. “You speak as though a few rumors will undo centuries of power. You will marry the Alpha King, Selene. The Vaelith name will rise higher than any pack in the realm.”
“I’m not a pawn to be traded for your ambition!”
“You are a Vaelith!” His voice boomed through the study. “Our blood was not made for comfort, but for conquest. You will not shame this family.”
I clenched my fists, trembling. He would never understand, for him, appearances were everything. Power, reputation, legacy. Love, choice, and fear were luxuries for lesser wolves.
Then it came to me, the thought, so wicked and clear it almost made me laugh.
There was a way to save our name.
A way to make both of us happy.
“Father,” I said softly, turning back to him. “What if I told you there was another way?”
He frowned. “Another way?”
“Yes.” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “The Alpha King expects a bride. All I have to do is fake my illness, besides, he doesn't know my face for him to come back for me.” I smiled slowly. “So what if… someone else wore it for me?”
His eyes narrowed. “You speak nonsense.”
“Do I?” I asked. “Think, Father. He has never seen me. His envoys have only the royal decree.What if another woman stood in my place? Someone who shares my bloodline, my scent… someone the court would never question.”
His brows furrowed. “Who—?”
I let the silence linger before I whispered, “Aria.”
The name hung in the air like a poisoned flower.
He stared at me for a long moment. “The girl?”
“She owes us everything,” I said smoothly. “We gave her shelter, food, and work. She has our blood, distant, but still Vaelith. And when the vows are spoken, when the ceremony is done, she’ll already be in the Blackthorn Palace.” I smiled coldly. “We’ll be free. No shame. No ridicule.”
“But someone from the party recognised her,I saw you talking about her with that lady beside she's a loff not a Vaelith.”
“Oh please Father, who cares about the lady or even anyone else knowing and as long as we are cousins, she's a Vaelith moth that stingy loff.”
Father remained silent for some minutes, his expression unreadable. I pressed harder.
“You wanted a Luna tied to our name. You’ll have it. And I won’t have to marry a monster.”
At last, his gaze softened,not with compassion, but calculation.
He was considering it.
“Selene…” he said slowly. “You realize what this would mean for her.”
I lifted a shoulder. “She’s a servant, Father. Her existence is a debt, nothing more. Think of it as payment.”
He exhaled, long and weary. “The goddess will curse us for this.”
“The goddess already cursed him,” I said coldly. “Let her be content with that.”
He stared at me another moment, then nodded once. “Very well.”
I smiled, triumphant. “I knew you’d see reason.”
He took another drink, muttering, “You are your mother’s daughter.”
I ignored the tone. Victory tasted too sweet to care.
By evening, the household was a storm of hushed whispers and hurried footsteps. I watched from the upper balcony as Father’s guards fetched Aria from the servants’ quarters. She looked confused, clutching the hem of her apron, eyes darting nervously as they led her up the marble stairs.
Good. Let her tremble.
Minutes later, they ushered her into the study. I followed silently, leaning against the doorframe as Father gestured for her to kneel.
“Do you know why you’re here?” he asked.
“N-no, my lord,” she stammered.
“You are to do something for this family,” he said. “Something… final.”
Her eyes flicked toward me. “I’ll do whatever my lord commands.”
“Good,” he said. “Then listen carefully. Tomorrow, you will stand in for Lady Selene at the royal ceremony. You will become the Alpha King’s bride in her place.”
Her lips parted, and for a moment, she didn’t breathe. “I… I don’t understand.”
Father’s gaze hardened. “You will marry him as though you were her.”
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Please, my lord, I can’t— I’m not—”
“You owe this house your life,” he said sharply. “Do not forget who fed you, clothed you, kept you from starving on the streets.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’ve served faithfully— but this—”
“This is your repayment.” His voice was final.
I stepped forward then, smiling faintly. “It’s an honor, Aria. You’ll bring glory to our name.”
She turned to me, desperate. “Lady Selene, please, I beg you, you can’t ask this of me!”
“Oh, I’m not asking,” I said softly. “Father is commanding.”
She fell to her knees. “Please, I’m not meant to be a Luna. I don’t even have a rank—”
“You have our blood,” I said, circling her slowly. “That’s all that matters.”
Her tears slipped freely now, splashing onto the floor.
The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on. Father’s eyes were cold as winter stone. “It’s decided,” he said finally. “Prepare her.”
The guards moved forward. Aria’s screams echoed through the hall as they dragged her away. “Please! Don’t do this! Lady Selene—please!”
But I turned my back before she could finish. Her voice faded down the corridor, swallowed by the sound of closing doors.
In the morning, I stood in the bridal chamber, my chamber, watching the maids tear apart the closet. Silk gowns, lace veils, jeweled combs. All the things meant for me were now for her.
Aria stood in the center, trembling as they stripped her of her plain servant’s dress. She tried to cover herself, but the maids worked fast, ignoring her pleas. The white silk gown slipped over her shoulders, glittering in the candlelight like moonlight caught in fabric. It fit her surprisingly well.
Almost as if fate itself enjoyed cruelty.
I stepped forward, studying her. “You’ll keep your head bowed. Speak only when spoken to. And whatever you do—” I leaned close, my breath brushing her ear— “don’t let him see you’re afraid. Wolves can smell fear.”
She shuddered. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because you exist to serve,” I said simply. “And this is your final service.”
A maid fastened the sapphire necklace around her throat, my necklace. It gleamed against her pale skin, the Vaelith crest catching the light.
“Perfect,” I whispered.
Tears streaked her cheeks as she whispered, “The goddess will punish you for this.”
I raised my hand and smacked her face, then smiled thinly. “The goddess doesn’t care about maids.”
Outside, the rumble of hooves filled the courtyard. The royal carriage had arrived, black and gold, bearing the sigil of the Blackthorn pack. The guards waited at the foot of the steps, their faces expressionless.
“Time to go,” Father said, stepping into the room. He didn’t meet Aria’s eyes.
She looked at him, shaking. “My lord, please—”
“Enough.” His tone was ice. “You will do as commanded.”
They led her toward the door, her steps faltering as the veil slipped over her face. The silk whispered as she moved, the sound barely louder than her muffled sobs. I followed behind, watching her descend the stairs, each step taking her further from freedom.
At the carriage door, Father placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do this one last service, Aria.”
Then he shut the door.
The wheels creaked, and the carriage rolled away into the misty dawn.
I stood on the steps until it disappeared down the road, the echo of hooves fading into silence. A strange chill passed through me, fleeting, almost regretful, before pride smothered it.
It was done.
The cursed king would have his bride.
And the Vaelith name would remain untarnished.
Whatever happened next… wasn’t my concern.
The door closed behind me, but the night didn’t stay silent.
Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled low — as if the heavens themselves disapproved.
And far above the Vaelith estate, the full moon dimmed for a heartbeat, bleeding faint red into the clouds.
The goddess was watching.
- Writer
