3. Serena's POV
1656 Words
I left the nightclub at dawn, hurrying back home. I try to avoid the main street and use the pathways. Just so I don't run into any speculators.
It's a walk of shame for me. Having spent the night in the arms of a total stranger who was still asleep when I snuck out of the room.
The guards are outside the main gate, and the pack women are trooping in and out with their gifts and the arrangements for the hall decoration.
If I use the main gate, they'd definitely see me and they're gonna ask me a million and one questions. I can't risk that.
With a deep breath, I grab my dress and climb up the little fence. With a silent whoop, I hit the ground hard. I freeze, not wanting to make another noise.
Assured that I haven't been caught, I race to the huge trees overlooking my window. With no choice, I grab a branch and begin making my way up the tree. The heartbreaking tearing sounds of my dress, as it caught with the branches, made me wanna tear up.
It's one of my favorite dresses.
Finally, I make it to my window and scoot in, falling face-first inside.
“Dear goddess!!” Gina yelps, startled by my entry. “Mistress,” she heaves in relief, realizing it's me.
Gina is my personal maid. Father assigned her to me when I clocked fifteen. And since then, she's been my favorite sidekick and somewhat a best friend.
“Gina,” I stand on my feet hurriedly. “Where's father? I need to talk to him—”
“Where did you go all night? I was so worried and scared.”
“Did-did father notice my absence?” I ask nervously.
“No. Good thing he didn't. What happened to you?” She scrutinizes me. “Why's your hair a mess? Where are your pins?”
I run a hand through my hair, realizing not a single pin is in my hair. The man had sent them all flying down when his grip went to my hair. And I hadn't bothered looking for them when I was leaving.
I shake my head. “That's not important. I need to speak to Father…”
“You can't,” she pulls me back before I take another step to the door. “It's your wedding in a few hours. You're supposed to be getting ready—”
“It's not a damn wedding, Gina. It's our nightmare!” I snap, breaking into tears. “we'll all be ruined if that wedding happens.”
Her brows arch in fear and confusion. “I don't understand…”
“I don't have time to explain. I need to find Father.” I say, running out of my room and hurrying to his quarters.
Gina keeps calling out my name but I don't pay her any attention. Nearing Father's quarters, I bump into him and a few elders while walking the hallway.
“My little girl,” Father catches me, smiling broadly. “Where are you heading in such a hurry?”
The elders bow and walk ahead, giving us some privacy.
“Father,” I pant, struggling with my words. How do I say it so as not to get him so shocked? Because it feels like the apocalypse. “Father, I…”
“What is it, baby?” His brows furrow. He touches my face gently. “Tell me, baby, is there a problem?”
Tears drop from my eyes as I nod. “There is. I…I…The wedding…”
“What about it?” He gets even more curious to hear what I wanna say. It's hard to say. But I'm trying.
“Jason…he…he's gonna…”
“What? You don't wanna get married to him anymore?”
“What?” Another voice says, leaving me paralyzed. A voice that used to get me all giddy is now leaving me paralyzed and almost without breath.
I turn slowly and there he is. Jason. With his glow and handsome aura, he looks every bit the gentleman. Who would have thought?
“You don't wanna marry me anymore, Serena?” He asks, approaching us. He has a smile on his face. A very convincing and heartwarming smile.
But behind it, somehow I can see the dark glint in his eyes. Something I've never spotted before. Is he just obvious today or I've been so blinded with love that I never saw it?
“Is that true, baby?” Father pulls my hand softly, getting my gaze back to him. He looks genuinely concerned and will definitely cancel the wedding if I nod. But that's gonna put him at more risk than me actually marrying Jason.
“I'm sure that's not what she wanna say, Father.” Jason stands beside him, still with that half-sinister smile. “Right, Serena? You love me and you wanna marry me. That's what you've always wanted. Right?”
Bastard. Sure yeah! Marrying you was my biggest dream. Until I found out you're part of the most gruesome and barbaric creatures.
I wanna hit him so hard for deceiving me. I wanna call him out for being such a sly creature. But I can't do that.
Right now, all I can do is maintain this suffocating silence.
His words ring in my head again.
IF SHE MARRIES ME, HER FATHER STAYS ALIVE. BUT HE'S NEVER SITTING ON THAT ALPHA THRONE AGAIN…
If I marry him, Father lives. Should it matter if he's not Alpha anymore? As long as he stays alive for me.
“Baby?” Father squeezes my hand softly. “What's the problem?”
I shake my head with a forced smile. “Nothing, Father. Just…wedding blues.”
I hug him so tightly, and he laughs. “I understand, baby. You'll be fine.”
Sorry, Father. But we just may never be fine. Ever. The rebels have never spared any pack they get control of. They won't spare us. We'll suffer all our lives from hereon.
But at least, you'll be alive. I can't be alone in this world. So you have to stay alive. Please stay alive, Father.
“Go get dressed, Serena. The wedding starts in an hour.” Jason says, touching my face. I shudder at his icy touch. My heart slams hard against my chest. But I nod.
An hour later, the guards are opening the door and the orchestra is playing a slow tone.
I walk in slowly with the bouquet in my hand. Everyone is all smiles, admiring my graceful walk. But staring back at them, I can't help the tears blurring my vision.
Soon, they'll all be dead, branded as slaves or running for their lives. Soon, they'll experience the worst fate ever.
As soon as I reach down this aisle.
My walk is ridiculously slow. Like I wanna buy a little more time before the tragedy hits us. Like walking any slower will avert it.
Finally, I reach to Father and he stretches out a hand. I put mine in his and again, I can't resist the urge to hug him.
I don't know what will happen to us soon. So I just wanna feel him this close. One last time.
“Baby girl, you're gonna make me cry.” He says, and I can feel the wetness in his voice.
“I'm sorry, Father. I just…” I stop talking as my eyes meet Jason's. He's impatient. Pained. Pissed. I shouldn't aggravate him.
Pulling away from Father, I step closer to Jason, and he grabs my hand. Roughly but is quick to disguise it with his charming smile.
How could he not love me a bit? How could all these just be a game to him? It's the most unbelievable thing that's ever happened to me.
“Jason, do you take Serena…” the priest starts. But Jason cuts him off.
“Yes, I do.” The whole audience laughs.
Oh, goddess. If only they knew.
He smiles, kissing the back of my hand. “I've always known I wanna be her mate right from the second I saw her. So yes, forever with her.”
My stupid heart dares to flutter. But his lies are sweet, dear goddess. And again, I'm broken by the fact that they're just lies. He doesn't mean any of that.
“Serena, do you take Jason as your mate and partner, to love him forever…”
“Yes, yes, I do.” I cut in with a shaky voice. Why do I need to hear everything when I know this is just a fake union?
“I see you lovebirds can't wait to be united already. So I should just get on with it.” The priest teases and everyone laughs again.
I shut my eyes, imprinting the laughing sound in my mind. Our pack may never hear such sounds ever again. The Rebels will rid us of every reason to be happy.
Our beloved pack will be ruined. My hometown. My root. I pray you forgive me for being the source of your ruin.
“...you may now kiss the bride!” The priest declares and my heart drops. This is it. It starts now.
“That won't be necessary!” Jason does a mad switch from a calm groom to a vicious rogue. His yell stuns everyone, as he takes out a sword from a carefully hidden sheath.
Everyone stares wide-eyed at him. I dart over to Father, holding him tightly.
“Jason…” Father stutters. “what…what are you doing?”
Like on cue, an uproar starts outside. Everyone gasps but the gasps turn into shrieks as the door opens and troops of rogues march inside.
“Father, please, forgive me.” That's all I can say, as our ugly fate gets sealed.
“What's going on?!” Father cries, panicked by their entry.
- Writer
