Chapter 3
1031 Words
(Sanya's POV)
The ceremony passes in a haze.
I see faces. So many strangers. All watching me. Judging me.
I hear voices whispering about me, my beauty, my figure, my stiff expression over the music. The rustle of fabric as people shift in their seats grates on my nerves.
But nothing registers. It's like I'm watching it all happen through a tunneled vision.
Then I'm standing in front of a tall man.
I force myself to look up.
He has dark hair. Sandy blond, actually, now that I'm close enough to see. Cut short and styled perfectly. Not a strand out of place.
Sharp features. A strong jaw. High cheekbones. A straight nose.
And eyes. Ice blue eyes so cold they send a shiver down my back. They look at me like I'm an object he's purchased. Something to be evaluated and judged, and not a person to be respected.
So this is Tyron Stone.
My soon-to-be husband.
He's handsome. I can't deny that. But there's something about him that makes my skin crawl.
Something in the way he looks at me. Like I'm already a disappointment.
The priest stands between us. An old man with kind eyes and a gentle smile.
He's the only warm thing in this entire room.
He says words my mind can barely register. My ears are ringing. My vision blurring at the edges.
I think I might faint.
"Do you, Sanya Light, take this man as your husband?"
The words cut through the haze.
Everyone is looking at me. Waiting.
I open my mouth. Nothing comes out.
My throat is closed. My tongue feels thick and useless.
Beside me, Derek squeezes my arm. Hard. His fingers dig into my flesh.
A warning.
"I do," I whisper.
My voice is so quiet I barely hear it myself. But it must be loud enough because the priest smiles and nods.
"And do you, Tyron Stone, take this woman as your wife?"
"I do." His voice is strong. Confident. Like he has no doubts at all.
Tyron's lips curve into a smile. But his eyes stay cold.
They never warm. Not even for a second.
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The priest beams at us. "You may kiss the bride."
No.
The word screams in my head but never makes it to my lips.
Tyron leans down. He's so much taller than me. He grips me by the nape, tilting my head back, to press his lips against mine.
They're cold. Hard. Demanding.
There's no gentleness. No affection. Just possession.
I feel nothing.
No spark. No warmth. No flutter in my chest.
Just cold dread, and a widening void where my heart once used to beat for Aaron.
When he finally pulls back, he takes my hand. His grip is firm. Almost painful.
The crowd erupts in cheers. Music plays. People clap and shout congratulations.
Only then does the realization that I'm now a married woman finally sink in.
Tyron leads me back down the aisle, his hand never leaving mine. Like he's afraid I'll run if he lets go.
We reach the entrance. He stops and turns to me.
"Smile," he says quietly. "You're my Luna now. Act like it."
I force my lips to curve upward. It feels wrong. Unnatural.
But I play the part, keeping the stiff smile on my face, nodding back in acknowledgement.
The happy bride. The blushing new wife.
That's the image I'm expected to portray, and the image I will portray, even if I'm breaking inside.
Because now I'm no longer the sister of Alpha Derek, or daughter of Vera and Sean Light.
I'm now Sanya Light Stone, wife and Luna of Alpha Tyron Stone.
Years of training on a female's role require me to uphold the honor of my new pack. The dignity of my new husband.
We step outside. Rose petals rain down on us. Pack members line the pathway, cheering and throwing flowers.
It should be beautiful. Romantic.
Instead, it feels like a funeral.
My funeral.
Tyron guides me to a car. Another black one. Even more expensive than the one that brought me here.
He opens the door and waits for me to get in.
I hesitate. Once I get in this car, there's no going back.
This is real. This is happening.
My life...
"Sanya." Tyron's voice is sharp. Impatient.
I climb into the car before he snaps. A beat later, he gets in beside me.
The door closes. The driver pulls away from the mansion.
I watch through the window as the crowd fades into the distance.
Derek and Brandon stand at the front. They're not smiling. They're not celebrating.
They just watch me leave with blank expressions.
I hope they regret what they've done. But knowing them, I doubt such a day will ever come to pass.
Tyron doesn't speak during the drive. He pulls out his phone and starts typing. Business, probably.
I turn to look out the window. Trees pass by in a blur. The sun is setting. The sky streaked with orange and pink.
It's beautiful.
I wish Aaron were here to see it.
Aaron.
The thought of him makes my chest ache. Tears burn behind my eyes.
Where are you? Why didn't you come?
Did you ever really love me? Or was it all a lie?
Maybe my brothers were right. Maybe Aaron was just using me. Playing with me.
Maybe he never intended to show up that night.
The thought makes me sick. Aaron never came across as the type to lie and deceive.
But after everything that's happened, what else can I believe? He never came. He never called. He never tried to find me.
He just... disappeared.
Like I never mattered at all.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
I can't think about Aaron Knight anymore. That part of my life is over.
I'm now Tyron Stone's wife. Luna of the Blood Moon Pack.
This is my new life. Whether I want it or not.
I waited for Aaron. But he never came.
And now even if he comes, it's too late to change anything.
- Writer
