Episode001
1250 Words
Forced Marriage
Maelis's Pov
"f**k Me to death you asshole!," I screamed.
I was barely able to move as Kaelen's body pushed me on the bed. His weight on top of me and his hot breath on my face were both palpable. I had tears streaming down my face. He paused and trembled, his dark eyes sweeping over me as though he were trying to understand something that he was unable to articulate.
As though the fabric itself had messed up, he had just torn my wedding gown to pieces. The floor was still covered in pieces. His mouth pressed against mine, scraping my teeth until I recoiled in agony, and his hands drew me against his chest.
I tried to breathe after gasping.
He scorched everything he touched, His teeth and lips left lasting marks. His bite had penetrated too deeply, and I could feel blood streaming down my shoulder. My scream came out thin and cracked, swallowed by the room's silence. I wanted to shout, but my throat tightened around the words. Give up. Stop, please.
Kaelen's eyes had lost their humanity. Stormy, wild, and frightening. On my wedding night, I pondered whether this was the end of me.
How did I end up here?
The recollection of earlier hours hit me like a cold wave.
…
"Father, he will kill me!" That's how he killed his first Luna. Then Soriah exclaimed, "You can't want that for me."
She was screaming in terror as she lay on the hospital bed with gauze bound around her wrists. She had repeatedly stated that she would sooner die than allow Kaelen to live. I almost got it. People feared him. The mask that concealed his facial scars. Rumor had it that he killed for fun.
Evelora firmly said, "Stop the dramatics, Soriah," while holding her daughter's hand as if to console her. Soriah sobbed as she tore away, her eyes fixed on our father.
"Please," she said in a whisper, "I can't marry him." If you truly care about me, please don't force me to do it.
"Enough," Tharold uttered sharply, his voice piercing the space. "One of my daughters has been chosen by the Alpha King. I will agree and honor this family.
"But Dad, I'm not the only girl in your life."
The atmosphere shifted. They turned their heads slowly in my direction. In an attempt to hide, I pressed against the distant wall. I had always done that. I was frequently ignored.
Ever since Renric and I were born, Tharold had viewed us as if we were shadows. Omegas. Not powerful. It's embarrassing. To barely survive, he had thrown us out along with our mother. Taking care of strangers during the day and us at night, my mom worked herself to exhaustion. Renric had a disease from birth that gradually took away his life and necessitated medications and therapies that she could hardly afford.
I made an effort to keep us together. However, she died when I was just fifteen years old, her eyes going dark and her body failing. A few months after my birthday, she die. Renric was fourteen years old.
After she passed away, Tharold drew us back into his home because it was simpler—not because he loved us. We were not related to him, even though we lived in the same house, outsiders are not accepted. He threatened to harm Renric if I didn't comply with his demands, using his illness as leverage against me.
His eyes were now pinning me down like a hawk's.
Both my voice and my head trembled. "I can't marry Kaelen." Cedric and I are already engaged.
Evelora crossed her arms and laughed. "Your sister is bleeding in that bed, and you can't make this one sacrifice?" What sort of self-centered person are you?
She said something that really got to me. I had done everything for everyone in my life. However, I was selfish for the one thing I pleaded with you not to do.
"You sound just like your mother," Evelora spat, and her lip curled. Not in a flattering way. like poison.
Tharold's mouth tightened and his eyes narrowed. I was prepared for him to pass judgment on me, but Soriah interrupted.
"Father, I already love someone else." "Don't make me marry that monster."
Startled, Tharold turned to face her. "Who?"
Her chin lifted, and her face took on a triumphant expression tinged with tears. "That's Cedric." He is in love with me. "We're getting married."
The floor collapsed beneath me. Cedric, Cedric holds the potential to become my future Husband. He told me about it yesterday..
Soriah's grin deepened as our gazes locked. "He never wanted Maelis." He desired me. "His heart is mine."
My knees buckled. My belongings had always been stolen by her. She had taken away my love, clothes, and care and now Cedric
Naomi smiled sharply and quickly. "After that, everything is ready. Soriah and Cedric are going to marry. Maelis will wed Kaelen.
"What?" My voice cracked. "I can't—"
Tharold shouted, "Enough," and I came to a halt. "I pledged a wife to the Alpha King that I am going to bring a bride. Renric will suffered if you decline.
I was having trouble breathing. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." He has finished his treatments. He will die.
"No," I uttered quietly.
Coldly, Evelora replied, "Yes."
I wanted to fall, scream, and rip myself free. However, there was no escape route. Renric was all I had left. I also wouldn't lose him.
A long moment later, I muttered, "Fine." "I will marry him."
...
The chapel smelled slightly of polished wood and incense. As I stood at the altar, the weight of my racing heart pressed against my ribs.
It wasn't just that I was afraid of Kaelen. The crowd behind me was agitated for reasons apart from the fact that he was twenty-five minutes late. Renric's life was on the line at this point.
The doors opened.
Kaelen's deep voice broke the silence, "I apologize for the delay." "I was held."
Everybody in the room held their breath as he strode forward, tall and disguised. His face, the one thing no one could touch, was hidden behind the scarred mask. People's heads were bent. Evelora and Tharold also remained silent. They did nothing but watch him approach me.
My hands were wet when he took them in his, and I hoped he wouldn't notice how they trembled. I was unable to hear the pastor's words. All I saw was the invisible chain that connected his life to my promises and to Renric, who lay weak and pale in a hospital bed.
I became aware of my inner wolf. "You have to admit, he is good-looking," she remarked softly.
Heat rose up my neck, and I flushed. She was correct. Even with the mask on, Kaelen's presence was still very noticeable. Risky. Lovely.
The voice of the pastor trembled. "You can kiss the bride."
The silence deepened. Beside me, Kaelen tensed up and straightened up. His hesitancy felt like a barrier separating us. Sweat trickled from the pastor's brow as he shifted uneasily.
Hours passed in the span of seconds.
What would occur if he declined?
I stood on my toes, exhaled softly, and gave him a kiss.
The crowd echoed with gasps.
My body trembled as though the world were holding its breath, and my heart raced so quickly that it hurt.
- Writer
