veil of desire

chapter two* the wedding

The eve of the wedding set the sky ablaze, foreshadowing a union wrapped in uncertainty. The makeup artist relentlessly powdered my face, an attempt to mask my emotions. Staring into the mirror, I couldn't appreciate my beauty, trapped in a destiny beyond my control. I pondered the image of Rylan, the man waiting downstairs – the beast I was about to marry.

In the midst of this chaotic preparation, Sarah, a shadow in the room, approached me with a whisper. **Sarah:** Your father insists I inform you that your groom couldn't make it but has sent a representative.

I simply nodded, refusing to delve into the reality of the situation. Suppressing thoughts of who my groom might be, I silenced my mind, fearing that one more reflection might shatter me.

Stepping outside, I descended the stairs, a procession of ladies accompanying me. All eyes fixated on me, including my father's, desperately signaling for a smile I refused to give.

My gown, a shimmering silver tapestry, clung to me like a shroud as I reached the makeshift altar. The absence of Rylan, the intended groom, cast a somber veil over the festivities. Instead, an impersonator stood before me, a mere echo of the powerful alpha who could have claimed this moment.

As the officiants droned on, their words drowned in the cacophony of my thoughts. Glancing around at the sea of expectant faces, I couldn't escape the reality of the situation.

***Officiant:** (mumbling) Do you, Seraphina, take this union as a binding commitment to your mate, Alpha Rylan?

My response, a murmur barely audible, vanished into the cheers of onlookers, lost in the turmoil of the moment.

Amidst the celebration, Adrian's absence weighed heavily on my heart, his ghost more prominent than the joyous revelry around me. The clandestine love we once shared now felt like a fleeting dream in the face of this orchestrated union.

The festivities roared on, but my mind swirled with questions. Why had Rylan chosen to be a phantom on the day sealing our fate? Was I merely a pawn in the intricate game of power among packs?

As the night unfolded, I found myself in solitude—a bride with unanswered questions. Amid laughter and celebration, my eyes sought familiar faces. Alpha Magnus, my father, beamed with pride, oblivious to the turmoil within us. His joy mirrored the excitement of guests, guards, and waiters reveling in the festivities.

***Alpha Magnus:** (booming voice) Seraphina, my daughter, the pride of our pack! Today she moves into her new home, new life. I am proud of her as I bless her union with her mate, Alpha Rylan.

His hearty laughter echoed through the hall, drowning out my internal conflict. The guards, stoic sentinels of our pack, stood tall, expressions unreadable. In the periphery, waiters fluttered like shadows, ensuring the flow of food and drink in a mechanical dance of service.

Sarah, a silent witness to my internal struggle, stepped forward to ensure I still looked perfect, adjusting my gown. Her eyes met mine, a knowing look betraying a hint of sympathy.

***Sarah:*** (whispering) May your heart find solace, dear.

I forced a smile and looked away as she left, the weight of the moment sinking deeper.

The representatives standing in for Rylan bore a stoic demeanor, mirroring the enigmatic alpha he embodied. His eyes held a distant glint, and his words, when spoken, felt rehearsed.

***Rylan Representative:*** (formal tone) Alpha Rylan extends his deepest regrets for not being able to attend this momentous occasion.

His words, hollow echoes of what it should have been, left me with a bitter taste. The festivities continued, oblivious to the internal tempest I weathered.

The wedding festivities, a blur of laughter and celebration, concluded, leaving me standing at the threshold of an unknown fate. Tears welled from my eyes as the reality of this forced union settled in. The joyous cheers around me seemed distant, drowned by the silent sobs echoing within.

As I stood there, a symbol of a union orchestrated by others, a beautiful chariot arrived to carry me away. The vehicle, adorned with intricate designs and pulled by majestic creatures, felt more like a chariot to hell than a conveyance to a new life. The ominous realization of being bound to someone I barely knew intensified my silent tears.

Sarah, a maid amidst the sea of strangers, was assigned to accompany me on this journey. She was to be my companion until I could adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings awaiting me.

***Sarah:*** (softly) We will get through this, Seraphina. It might be different, but you will find your way.

The chariot, a luxurious carriage fit for a queen, awaited, and with a heavy heart, I stepped into the opulent interior. The rich fabrics that adorned the seat only served to emphasize the stark contrast between the grandeur of the chariot and the turmoil within me.

On the way to Rylan's domain, silence enveloped me. There were no comforting words, no reassurance that could soothe the ache in my heart. Sarah, perhaps sensing the futility of words, remained by my side, offering a silent presence.

The representatives, each on their separate chariot, were like distant figures in a play, orchestrating a drama that I had no control over. Guards flanked our procession, their stoic expressions revealing nothing of the emotion within.

The journey felt like an eternity, each passing moment carrying me further away from the life I had known. The landscape changed, and the chariot rode through unfamiliar territory. I stared out the window, my mind blurring the scenery as it replayed the vows spoken in the ceremony that felt like a cruel farce.

As the chariot approached the destination, the apprehension deepened. The unknown awaited me, and the fear of what lay ahead mingled with the grief of leaving behind the life I had envisioned.

Arriving at Rylan's realm, the chariot came to a majestic halt. The guards, Sarah, and the representatives all played their roles in this grand arrival, but the reality remained—I was a bride in a golden cage, a captive of circumstances beyond my control. The opulence contrasted sharply with the desolation in my heart.

Stepping onto unfamiliar ground, the weight of my new reality pressed upon me. Sarah, ever present, could only offer a sympathetic gaze, acknowledging the unspoken pain that accompanied me to the new chapter of my life.