Wedding Preparations and voices calling
Sandriner's Pov
The castle glowed like a dream that night. Thousands of golden lanterns hung from the high stone walls, turning the entire palace into a warm sea of light. White roses climbed every balcony and spilled over the railings. Silver banners with the royal crest waved gently in the evening wind. Servants rushed through the grand halls with silk gowns, sparkling jewelry, and trays of rich food. Tomorrow the whole kingdom would watch the royal wedding. My wedding.
A maid hurried into my room carrying another armful of flowers. “Lady Sandriner! They’re decorating the eastern garden right now. The guests from the Northern Pack have arrived, and Alpha Sandrick just finished today’s council meeting.”
I gave her a polite smile. “Thank you.”
She curtsied and left. The second the door closed, the smile slipped from my face. I stood in front of the tall mirror and stared at the white wedding dress hanging beside it.
By this time tomorrow I would no longer be Sandriner Henwood. I would become Luna Sandriner Dawson, future queen of the kingdom.
Every young she-wolf dreamed of standing in this exact spot. So why did my chest feel so tight I could barely breathe?
I walked to the window and pushed it open. Cold night air brushed my skin. From here I could see the entire capital. Music drifted up from the streets where people celebrated the wedding of their future rulers. Children laughed. Merchants handed out free wine. Bonfires lit every corner of the city. Everyone looked happy. Everyone except the bride.
A soft knock sounded at the door. “Come in.”
The door opened and Sandrick Dawson stepped inside. The future Alpha King wore a black military coat embroidered with silver wolves. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his sharp blue eyes softened the moment they found me. “You sent everyone away?” he asked.
“I wanted some quiet.”
He nodded and walked closer. “I thought I might find you here.”
For a moment neither of us spoke. Then he smiled. “You look nervous.”
“Do I?”
“A little.”
“I suppose every bride feels nervous before her wedding.”
He laughed quietly. “I doubt every bride has an entire kingdom watching.”
That was true. Tomorrow was not only about love. It was politics. Our marriage would finally unite the Eastern and Western packs after decades of rivalry. Peace depended on us.
Sandrick gently took my hand. “You don’t have to worry.”
“I know.”
“I’ll take good care of you.”
His words were kind. His touch was warm. Everything about him was perfect. Yet my wolf stayed silent. No excitement. No flutter. No spark. Just silence.
He studied my face. “What are you thinking?”
I forced another smile. “I’m thinking tomorrow changes everything.”
“It changes things for the better.”
“I hope so.”
His thumb brushed over my fingers. “Sandriner… I know this marriage was arranged by our families years ago.” I looked up. “But I promise,” he continued, “I’ll give you time. I won’t force you to love me overnight.”
Relief crossed my face. “Thank you.”
“I’d rather earn your heart than demand it.”
For the first time that evening I smiled for real. “You’re a good man, Sandrick.”
He chuckled. “I’ll pretend that’s a compliment.”
“It is.”
A servant knocked and entered. “My Alpha.”
Sandrick turned. “The council requests your presence immediately.”
He sighed. “They never stop working.”
I laughed softly. “They’re preparing for tomorrow.”
“I suppose they are.” He looked back at me. “Get some rest.”
“You too.”
He hesitated a second, then kissed the back of my hand. “Goodnight, my future Luna.”
“Goodnight.”
He left. The room fell quiet again. I stared at the closed door for a long time. He truly was everything the kingdom needed—strong, wise, patient. So why did my heart still feel empty?
A sudden chill ran through the room. The candles flickered one after another. Then they all went out. Darkness swallowed everything. I froze. A strange whisper drifted through the air, so faint I almost believed I imagined it. “…come…”
I looked around. “Who’s there?”
Nothing. Only silence. Then the whisper came again. “…find…us…”
My heartbeat quickened. The candles suddenly burst back to life. Every flame burned blue. I stared at them. Blue fire? That was not normal.
Before I could think, my wolf stirred for the first time all day. Not with fear. With curiosity. Go. I blinked. “What?” Go. Find them. I frowned. Find who? No answer came. The strange feeling only grew stronger, like an invisible thread pulling me somewhere.
I grabbed a lantern from the table. “I’ve officially lost my mind.” Yet my feet were already moving. The castle corridors were unusually quiet. Most of the guards were stationed outside preparing for tomorrow’s ceremony. I followed the strange pull through hall after hall, down one staircase, then another. The luxurious decorations slowly disappeared. Marble floors became rough stone. The warm light faded behind me. Dust covered the walls. Cobwebs stretched across forgotten corners.
“I’ve never been down here…”
The deeper I went, the colder the air became. A rusty iron gate stood ahead. It should have been locked. The heavy lock suddenly clicked open by itself. My breath caught. “I should go back.” Instead I pushed the gate. It creaked open with a long, haunting groan. Beyond it stretched a narrow tunnel lit by ancient torches that somehow still burned after all these years.
The invisible pull grew stronger with every step. Heartbeat after heartbeat. Something… someone… was waiting for me. Far beneath the castle, where no one dared to go, two pairs of eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
I froze...
