BRIDE OF THE SHADOWBORNE LYCAN

LOREEN Red eyes… Why do I always see them in my dreams? Sometimes I feel like they're not just dreams.. Like someone is watching me. Like they'll always find me no matter where I am. “Loreen!” I jolt awake to the sound of my name, more annoyed than startled. I sit up slowly still feeling drowsy, a low ringing in my ears as the dream slips away like it always does. “I can't believe you're still sleeping..” my mother's voice snaps as my bedroom door flies open. I let out a dissatisfied groan, squinting against the light as she storms in. “Loreen…” Her tone softens but her eyes don't. “You're the maid of honour.” My brain freezes for a moment then.. My head suddenly snaps to my mother standing by the door, hands on her hips. “s**t, s**t, s**t!” I try to scramble out of my bed, immediately tangling myself in my sheets and crashing to the floor. Perfect. Just perfect. Today is my sister's wedding and I forgot. I'd promised to be one of the bridesmaids. “Hurry up, everyone's almost done.” My mother calls, already walking away. Marriage Love. Commitment. Things I'd never really cared about. “Love doesn't matter.” He often says to me with a pat on my shoulder or back. Like it's a fact. “One day, I'm going to find you a good man to marry. A good man.” I wonder what he'd say if I told him I didn't want one. I doubt he'd be very pleased. I sighed as I hurriedly brushed my teeth and rushed into the shower. By the time I stepped out, the house was already buzzing. Voices and footsteps echoing everywhere. Laughter echoing down the hall. Shit. I dragged on the dress my mother had laid out for me, struggling with the zipper before finally forcing it up. The fabric felt itchy, clinging in all the wrong places, right and uncomfortable. The silk was a pale, shimmering color that felt like an insult to my dark hair and wavy black locks. It was too tight and too perfect. I looked like a pretty doll in the mirror, but I felt like a caged animal. Every time I moved, the fabric reminded me that I didn’t belong in something this fancy.” I grimaced at my reflection in the mirror. I hate dresses. Especially ones like this. Too fitted…too.. pretty. Definitely not my style. Not me. “Loreen! If you're not out here in the next thirty seconds…” “I’m coming!” I snapped, already rushing out of my room, nearly slipping as I hurried down the hallway. I pushed into my sister's room without knocking. “Finally!” she groaned, but the moment her eyes landed on me, her expression shifted. “Oh.” I frowned, immediately reaching down to adjust the dress. “Don't start. I already hate it.” My mother laughed softly from behind her. “You say that every time.” “Because it's true every time,” I shot back, tugging at the hem. My sister rolled her eyes, standing up and walking over to me. “Stop fidgeting. You look beautiful.” I snorted. “I told you I didn't even want to be a bridesmaid.” “Yes,” she said dryly. “You've mentioned that. Repeatedly.” “For this exact reason,” I gestured down at the dress. My mother stepped closer, smoothing a hand over my shoulder. “And yet here you are.” “Against my will.” They both laughed. “Alright, enough,” my mother clapped her hands lightly. “Positions. We're already running late.” That word alone had everything shifting. My sister was quickly ushered back to her seat, someone stepping in to fix her veil while another adjusted the train of her gown. My mother turned to me, straightening my shoulders before smoothing down my dress like I was five. “Try not to trip,” she muttered. “I make no promises.” She gave me a look and I gave her a smile. Minutes later, I was standing at the entrace, bouquet in hand, lined up with the other bridesmaids. The chatter from inside the hall was muffled now, blending into soft music that floated through the air. I shifted slightly, adjusting my grip on the flowers. Yep. Still uncomfortable. Still not my thing. A coordinator peeked out, giving us a quick nod. “We're ready.” My sister appeared behind us, and just like that, everything quieted. Even me. I glanced back at her and for a second, she didn't look like the sister I argued with over stupid things. She looked…happy. Nervous. But happy. “Don't cry,” she whispered to me. I rolled my eyes. “I'm not you.” She smiled The doors began to open. And just like that…we started walking. The music swelled softly as we walked down the Aisle, slow and measured. Step by step. I kept my eyes forward, resisting the urge to look around too much, though I could feel it…rows of people watching, smiling and whispering. This is their moment. Not mine. I reached my spot and turned, just liked we'd practiced, clutching the bouquet a little tighter than necessary. The groom stood at the altar, looking like he'd been holding his breath all morning. My sister joined him moments later and everything stilled. The officiant began speaking, his voice calm and steady, words about love and unity blending into the background as the ceremony settled into place. I shifted my weight slightly, easing the tension in my feet. Still hate the dress. Still hate standing still. But… I glanced at my sister again. She looked like she belonged here. Like this was exactly where she wanted to be. Maybe that's what makes the difference. Not the dress. Not the ceremony. Just…wanting it. The officiant cleared his throat, smiling at the gathered crowd. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the Union of Rebecca and Zane…” The room settled into quiet anticipation. I adjusted my stance slightly, bouquet in hand, trying not to fidget. Zane stepped forward, glancing at Rebecca with a grin that made her cheeks pink. “Rebecca,” he said, voice warm, “I promise to love you…even when you steal all the blankets, hide the snacks, or make me watch romantic movies I don't want to watch. A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd. I couldn't help smiling. My mother shook her head, trying to look stern. Rebecca rolled her eyes, smiling. “I do not hide snacks.” “You do,” he said immediately, mock seriousness in his tone. “And yes, I will always find them.” The officiant nodded, giving Zane a quiet smile, then turned to Rebecca. “And now, Rebecca, your vows.” Rebecca’s voice was soft but confident. “I promise to love you, Zane, even when you sing off-key in the shower, or try to fix things you should leave broken.” Zane chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s called character-building, my dear. One day you’ll thank me.” The room erupted into gentle laughter again, and I had to bite my lip to stop grinning. The officiant raised a hand, bringing the attention back. “If anyone here knows of any reason why these two should not be joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.” A hush fell. Everyone waited… “OH MY GOD!” I squinted toward the back and there she was…Tabby…hair slightly messy, cheeks slightly rosey, running down the aisle two steps at a time. “I swear, traffic was insane! Don’t start without me!” The crowd burst into laughter. Rebecca groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Tabby!” Zane laughed so hard he had to grip the altar. “Well… I guess someone objects!” I muttered under my breath, trying not to laugh too loudly. “Of course she does…” Tabby finally slid into place beside me, huffing dramatically. “I’m here. I’m officially here. You may proceed, obviously.” The officiant shook his head, smiling. “Well… the objection has been noted.” Rebecca peeked at me from the altar, eyes rolling but smiling. “Thanks a lot, Tabby,” she whispered. “Anytime,” Tabby whispered back, grinning. The officiant lifted his hands again. “Then, let us continue with the vows.” Zane leaned toward Rebecca with a playful grin. “I promise to let you have the last slice of pizza… sometimes.” Rebecca gasped, mock indignation in her voice. “Sometimes?” Laughter rolled gently through the room, warm and easy. Even I couldn’t stop smiling, and Tabby squeezed my hand to hold back her own laughter. Rebecca’s cheeks flushed pink, but she smiled. “I promise to love you, Zane… even when you drive me insane..which, let’s be honest, is often.” Zane shook his head, grinning. “And I will love you anyway.” The officiant held the rings aloft. “Now, Rebecca and Zane will exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.” Zane opened the small velvet box with a grin. “These little circles of metal,” he said, glancing at Rebecca, “are basically my lifelong promise… plus they make you look fancy.” Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Fancy? Really? That’s your vow?” “I mean, come on,” he said, smirking. “They’re shiny. And they’ll make sure you never steal all the blankets again.” Laughter rippled through the room. I smirked, and Tabby elbowed me. “Classic Zane,” she whispered. Rebecca held out her hand. Zane slid the ring onto her finger with a flourish. “Perfect fit,” he said, mock pride in his voice. “Obviously,” she muttered, slipping his ring onto his finger in return. The officiant cleared his throat. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may…” Suddenly, the heavy oak doors slammed back against the walls so hard the hinges shrieked. A blast of ice-cold air rushed into the hall, so freezing it felt like the middle of winter. The happy warmth in the room vanished, replaced by a heavy, scary silence. All eyes swung toward the entrance. I instinctively clutched my bouquet, my heart skipping. He stood there, a tall, dark shadow against the bright sun outside. He didn't look like a stranger… he looked like a storm that had finally arrived. The shadows at his feet seemed to stretch across the floor like ink, creeping toward the altar. When he spoke, his voice was low and smooth like velvet, but it felt heavy, like it was vibrating inside my chest. It was the same voice from my dreams. “What a charming little gathering… until now”