THE MAFIA QUEEN'S FATED MATE

ELYSE NYX VALE The smell of jasmine and Cedar wafted through the dimly lit room as Elyse stood before the large mirror in the temple's bride court. Outside, pellets of rain pelted continuously against the roof and windows. The flash of lightning illuminated her dainty little face. Amber hued eyes stared back at her, gloomy as the weather. She didn't wear much makeup, just enough to make today a little less sadder than it was playing out. She patted the flays of her black dress, trying to soothe her raging nerves with that little exercise. “Silverine brides of the Stonewall family wear black. You cannot contest that,” Mima Rose had said when she brought in her wedding dress, handpicked by Atlas's mother. She didn't feel like a bride in this dress. She felt like a sacrifice. And even if she loved Atlas so much, and couldn't wait to be his wife, she expected him to give her the kind of wedding dress she'd always wanted. Pristine white. Hopeful and bright colours for the future ahead, not black. A soft tap on the door tore her eyes from her mournful look. Kayla, her best friend popped her head in. “Here comes the bride, Here comes the bride!” she sang, playfully flaunting her vocals. For a wolf, she sounded like a nightingale. “Save it for my entrance,” Elyse laughed, brightening up a little. “for every step I take down the aisle, you'd hit a different note.” Kayla chuckled, walking further into the room. Kayla had been her best friend since childhood. “You look amazing, Elyse. You make the colours bright. You're blinding,” Kayla said, hugging her from behind. Elyse sighed, taking that compliment and the warmth. “Thank you,” “Are you nervous?” Kayla asked. She let out a shaky breath, “very,” she said. “My hands are shaking. I feel scared,” she added. “You should be. Something big is happening, it's normal for you to feel that way,” Kayla said reassuringly. Another knock, the door creaked open, and her Nanny walked in. “Oh my dear Child!” She gasped, her eyes glazing over as she approached Elyse. “You look like a wonder,” she whispered standing beside her. Kayla swiftly scuttled away, giving the woman space. Nana Gwen had easily graduated from a simple house manager, to something similar to a matriarch of the Vale family after the unfortunate incident a few weeks ago. Elyse smiled, her spirit lifting a little more. “Thank you, Nana.” “Your parents would have been so proud,” she said, her voice filled with several emotions shared. Elyse sighed, her mood dampening again. Her parents had been murdered a few weeks ago. There wasn't any concrete proof or tail, but the sentinel bureau had said they were marauders that could be affiliated with the Cult of Dagmorolf. She didn't think so. But, she couldn't contest the reports of the bureau, not after all investigations were closed and signed by the Court of the Seven pack, the highest form of authority in their realm. She had been plunged into a dark path. She never thought she'd survive it, but Atlas had been her light. He had been with her through it all. “I brought you something of hers,” Nana Gwen continued, pulling her away from the trail of a dark memory. Her arms revealed a blue velvety box. “This was the first jewelry your father gifted your mother,” she said, opening the box to reveal a set of the most beautiful diamonds Elyse had ever seen. Kayla gasped upon beholding it. “She had to wear the Howlrise gems during the mate union ritual. However, she would have wanted you to wear this. In remembrance of the love she and your father shared.” Elyse sobbed, a lone tear rolled down her cheek. She turned, as Nana Gwen unclasped the jewel, and went around to fix it around her neck, clasping it, and linking her with the two people that had given her life. She touched the jewel, a sense of warmth and love engulfing her. “Thank you,” she whispered. A knock interrupted this solemn moment, and a guard announced that the start of the ceremony was almost near. Nana Gwen gave her a tight squeeze, Kayla a mushy hug, then both women left Elyse to gather her bearings and prepare for the big event ahead. Her countenance had easily changed with this little meeting. She no longer cared what colour her dress was. Now, she had her father and mother's love, and she was going to marry the man she loved. That was all that mattered. Seconds dragged into minutes, and soon, the sounds of organs drifted from the temple's hall. Elyse sighed, willing her raging nerves to keep calm. Any moment from now, the priestess would come for her. The minutes dragged, and a little apprehension began to creep in. A rapt knock on the door pulled her to her feet. She went for the door. However, a guard stood where the priestess that would lead her to the temple should be standing. Apprehension set in. Was something wrong? She wondered. “The high chancellor of the Court would like a word with you,” the guard said. Atlas's father wanted to see her? What for? She wondered. The man hadn't hidden his distaste for her from the onset of her relationship with his son. He even termed their mating “a joke from the goddess,” Nonetheless, she followed the guard as he led her to what would seem like the chancellor's office. She knocked, turned the knob, and then walked in. The room was dimly lit, almost dark, but she could make out the man's figure from behind his desk. She bowed slightly in reverence, he was the highest authority in the Court of the Seven Packs and their realm. “Alpha, you wanted to see me?” Silence. Elyse raised her head slightly. The man remained just the way he was. The silence stretched between them, becoming quite awkward. “Alpha?” The sound of running feet from a distance distracted her, then in what happened to be a split second, a shadow rose from behind the Chancellor’s chair. Lightning flashed, highlighting the outlines of its physique, and a shiny sword. One minute the Chancellor was on his chair, and the next, he was atop her, blood splashing all over her face and dress, she pushed him away in shock. The door flung open, and lo and behold, Atlas stood at the entrance, his eyes wide in disbelief and horror. “Elyse?” “Atlas!” She gasped, trembling as reality began to sink in. More guards ran in, blocking the entrance. “What have you done?!”