Chapter 1
1082 Words
She sat frozen as the maids adjusted her veil, but no amount of silk and lace could disguise the horror of marrying a monster.
Seraphina Vale closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing as delicate fingers arranged the gossamer fabric over her perfectly styled auburn hair. Her reflection staring back at her from the ornate mirror was that of a perfect bride.
"You look beautiful, miss," whispered one of the maids, her voice laced with forced cheerfulness.
Seraphina said nothing. What was there to say? In less than an hour, she would be Magnus Thorn's wife, his possession. Her fingers trembled against the satin of her gown, and she clasped them tightly to hide her fear.
The wooden door to the bridal suite flung open without warning. The maids froze, then scattered like startled birds as Magnus Thorn strode in, his presence filling the room suffocating her even more.
"Leave us," he commanded, not even glancing at the servants as they hurried out, closing the door behind them.
Magnus's green eyes raked over her, as he walked over to where she sat.
"My bride," he murmured, closing the distance between them. His fingers trailed along her jawline, down her neck, his touch leaving goosebumps on her skin. "So exquisite. And soon, completely mine."
His hand slid lower, across her collarbone, then cupped her breast through the delicate fabric of her gown. Seraphina gasped in pain, instinctively pulling away.
"Don't," she hissed, pushing against his chest. "Isn't it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?"
Magnus chuckled, "Superstitions are for the weak. I take what I want, when I want it." His grip tightened, fingers digging into her flesh. "And I want you."
Something snapped inside her, the last thread of patience she had snapped. And she gathered what little courage remained and spat directly in his face.
"I hate you," she cursed, her violet eyes blazing with anger. "You'll never get what you want from me!"
The slap came so quickly she barely saw it, the force nearly toppling her from the velvet stool. Her ears rang, vision blurring as tears clouded her eyes.
Magnus gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You are mine," he whispered. "Mine alone. Remember that when you're standing before the altar."
He released her roughly, straightening his suit before walking toward the door. "I'll see you soon, my love," he said mockingly.
When the door closed behind him, Seraphina's composure shattered.
She was sick to her bones.
Her body trembled, strangled sobs escaping her lips. She couldn't do this—wouldn't do this. She could not marry this monster.
The maids returned minutes later, their eyes avoiding the angry red mark on her cheek as they resumed their preparations in silence. None dared speak of what they'd without doubt heard.
Time was running out. Twenty minutes until the ceremony.
As the last maid left to fetch the bridal bouquet, Seraphina looked over to the small window overlooking the estate grounds. It wasn't large, but perhaps just big enough.
She had to leave. Now!
Immediately, she tore at the delicate hem of her gown, ripping off a long strip of fabric. She worked quickly, tying it to her veil, then securing the makeshift rope to the heavy bedpost nearest the window.
Her heart hammering against her ribs, she pushed the window open. Cold Highland air rushed in, Gathering her courage, she climbed down, holding the piece of her clothe that had been tied up to the window to help herself get down before finally dropping to the ground.
It was as she hit the ground she realized that she was barefoot as the pain shot through her bare feet after hitting the gravel below. She held back her tears, tugging the remains of her once-beautiful gown around her as she broke into a run. Her lungs burned, feet bleeding, but she didn't slow down—couldn't slow down.
****
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GONE?" Magnus roared, his face contorted with rage.
The guard trembled, sweat beading on his forehead. "Sir, we've searched everywhere. The bride's room is empty, and there's—"
The deafening crack of gunfire cut him off. The guard's eyes widened in shock as he crumpled to the floor, as red blood spread across his chest.
Magnus tucked the pistol back into his jacket, addressing the remaining men who stood frozen in horror. "Let this be a warning," he growled. "Find her now. If you fail, you die."
Within minutes, the estate was chaotic with guards scrambling, vehicles roaring to life, Security dogs sniffing as they traced her scent.
Seraphina reached the main road, her lungs burning with each breathe. She waved frantically at passing cars, but none stopped—a bloodied woman in a torn wedding dress was trouble no one wanted.
Lights appeared in the distance behind her, Magnus's men.
They had found her.
The dark forest loomed to her right, offering the only better escape.
Without thinking through, she plunged into the trees, branches tearing at her skin and dress as she stumbled deeper into the darkness. The sounds of the men faded as she ran deeper into the forest.
This was it, she made it. She would leave the city and start a new life somewhere else rather than marry that old dirt bag.
She paused, leaning against a massive oak to catch her breath. That's when she heard it—a rustle of leaves.
Something was watching her.
“f**k!”
This wasn't Magnus's men. This was something else entirely.
A blur of movement flashed between the trees—too fast.
Before she could react, something slammed into her, sending her sprawling to the forest floor. Pain exploded through her body as she rolled onto her back, gasping.
She struggled to get back on her feet, but her legs.
No no no no.
“Somebody help!” She screamed
“Please anybody” she cried in pain.
Looming above her stood a massive wolf, a very large wolf with silvery fur glinting in the moonlight. But it was the eyes that froze the scream in her throat, golden eyes that seemed to stare directly into her soul.
The beast lowered its massive head, hot breath fanning across her face as it studied her with an intensity that seemed almost... human.
The last thought that flashed through her mind was that she had escaped one monster only to be claimed by another.
Then darkness.
- Writer
