TWO: Wedding And Ghost
986 Words
PRESENT DAY
VALERIE’S POV
“I will be your Luna, I will marry you. We can go to the podium before the people and swear an oath to the moon Goddess.” I remembered the words I told Theoron Vance of the Blackridge Keep.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my silver ceremonial dress shone beneath the morning light pouring through the windows.
Today was my mating ceremony to Theoron Vance of the Blackridge Keep and the entire pack was celebrating.
“Are you certain?” Lyre, my childhood best friend asked as she adjusted the train of my dress. "About this? About him?"
“I have to do this. You know this alliance between Moonfang and Blackridge would end decades of border disputes.” I whispered.
Theoron Vance had every single quality required to be the perfect Alpha. He was kind, patient, and radiated a raw aura of absolute power and dominance.
However, I didn't love him.
For the first time in five years, I had dreamed of Knox
“Valerie”
He was covered in scars and kept calling my name. The dream felt so real that I’d woken up crying.
I pressed my palm against the cool glass, trying to steady myself. My eyes were too dull, anyone could tell from a glance that I wasn't truly happy. If I cried now, I would ruin the makeup that Lyre had spent hours perfecting.
I stared at the mating mark on my neck. The faded mark Knox had left years ago.
“I have to do this for the pack.”
A sharp knock sounded at the door.
The heavy moonwood door creaked open and the Royal steward walked in.
“It's time, Luna”
I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
“Okay. Let's get this over with.”
The Grand Hall was decorated with silver and crimson banners that bore the crest of Moonfang and Blackridge. Crystal lights floated like stars and the eternal moon flame burned beside the altar signifying the presence of the moon goddess.
Nobles filled the high tables and warriors surrounded different sections of the hall wearing their shining armor and carrying giant spears.
The pack members gather and their eyes follow me as the massive doors open. They smiled at me with hope in their eyes.
I was their Alpha. Their leader. Their symbol of resilience. I would not break their faith.
The music filled the hall as I stepped forward.
I walked towards the podium and there stood Theoron.
He was tall, handsome, and carried the aura of an Alpha. He was dressed in a black formal suit which contrasted sharply with the silver decorations around him.
When he saw me, he smiled.
There was genuine affection in his eyes and that made me feel worse. He deserved someone who would love him completely.
I was the widow of Alpha Knox Valor and my heart will forever belong to him. I had spent five years grieving and this was only a marriage of alliance.
“You look beautiful.” He said as I reached the podium.
“Thank you.”
He placed my hand in his and his fingers tightened reassuringly. He was always patient, kind, and did everything to make me comfortable.
The high priest stepped forward.
His silver robe spread on the marble floor as he raised his staff towards the eternal flame. The sacred flame flickered beside the podium.
“Under the eternal gaze of the moon goddess” the high priest proclaimed, his voice echoing through the Grand hall, “ we gather to witness the union of Alpha Theoron Vance and Luna Valerie Valor.”
“Before this bond is blessed, the laws of our ancestors must be honored.”
The priest turned slowly to the entire pack.
“If any wolf possesses a rightful claim that would prevent this mating, let them step forward now and speak before the Moon Goddess.”
There was silence, no one moved or spoke.
The High Priest nodded.
“Then let the sacred…”
A sharp pain shot through me.
“MATE!” Vina, my wolf who had been dormant for five years howled.
The sound echoed through my mind and pain flared behind my eyes. I lifted my hand to my forehead, trying to control myself.
“Are you alright?” Theoron asked, trying to hold me up.
Before I could reply, the giant doors at the back of the hall crashed open and every head turned.
A figure stood in the doorway.
I couldn’t breathe as I stared at the person who stood in the doorway. The world seemed to disappear.
Knox Valor!
My mate!
His dark hair had grown longer and his face looked leaner. A big scar ran across his jaw and his clothes were torn and dirty.
He looked like he had walked through hell and come back.
The crowd erupted in shock and whispers.
For five years, I had hoped that my mate would come back to me. I felt different emotions at once.
Pain, relief, love, anger.
Across the hall, Knox stared directly at me. Then his gaze dropped to my dress, then to Theoron’s hand holding mine.
“Is that Alpha Knox?” Theoron asked but I couldn’t hear him.
Knox took one step forward and screamed my name
“Valerie”
My name. Just my name. Rasped, desperate, like he'd been saying it for five years.
Immediately, the bond came to life.
I gasped, my hand flying to my chest. Every frozen thread, every locked door, every buried piece of my soul that I had sealed away, it all screamed back to life. I felt him. His pain, radiating like a furnace. His rage, dark and chaotic. His love, overwhelming, devastating, still there despite everything.
He was alive.
And I was standing at the altar in another Alpha's hands.
- Writer
