Sealed
1026 Words
I glanced at Kieran, seated beside me at the grand banquet table.
I still couldn’t believe it—I had married a man I barely knew.
Kieran Duskbane had become my husband after an odd five-minute ceremony.
I took a slow, shaky breath as the weight of it settled in.
All my childhood dreams… gone in a heartbeat.
I used to picture myself walking down the aisle in a flowing white gown, my parents on either side. I imagined a warm ceremony surrounded by people I loved, soft music playing, and sealing my vows with a gentle kiss to the man I adored.
But none of that happened.
Instead, I was thrown into a crowd of strangers. My family wasn’t here. And I’d just married someone who hadn’t even been in my life for a full week.
I palmed my face, resting my chin on the table with a sigh.
Kieran noticed. He set down his utensils and spoke with a quiet firmness. “Eat.”
“I don’t want to,” I mumbled.
“If you're worried about the meat—we bought it from the same markets your kind uses.”
I gave him a faint smile. “Thanks, but I’m really not hungry.”
“You didn’t eat enough yesterday.” He pushed a plate toward me. “Stop wasting food.”
His words carried a quiet authority. Guiltily, I pulled the plate toward me.
The aroma hit me first—braised steak with pink sauce, its rich scent stirring my stomach. I sliced a small piece and took a bite.
“Mhmm...” I hummed in surprise. It was delicious.
I glanced at Kieran. “Okay, this isn’t bad at all.”
He continued eating, expression unreadable. “Of course not.”
Just then, Arnos approached, dropping a plate on the table. He pulled out a chair and sat beside us, his face serious.
I placed my fork down, sensing something was wrong.
“Nothing seems unusual so far,” he said, voice low. “But I haven’t seen Louis anywhere.”
“That’s troubling,” I murmured.
“Stay close. Don’t leave each other’s side until we’re sure—”
“Everything is clear,” Kieran cut in. He glanced at Arnos. “There’s no need to worry anymore.”
I furrowed my brow. “What do you mean?”
“Their plans have failed,” Kieran replied. “They won’t act again.”
“Has it truly been ruined?”
“They’re not skilled at hiding,” he said with a smirk.
Arnos leaned in, eyes narrowing. “Did you see them?”
Kieran just chuckled darkly. “Who knows?”
KIERAN DUSKBANE
Listening to the Gamma’s endless speech made me want to yawn. But the ceremony had to go on.
The woman beside me—Serena—was trembling. Her fingers twitched against mine, her skin cold.
She’s nervous. Understandable.
Her head was bowed as the Gamma droned on. When asked to face the crowd, she hesitated, visibly shaking.
Typical human fragility.
Still, she obeyed. I watched her turn slowly, eyes wide and uncertain as she met the stares of my people.
I took a breath and stepped closer.
She was shorter than expected.
My instincts—or perhaps something older—urged me to pull her closer.
Without a word, I placed my hand at her waist. She stiffened at the contact but said nothing.
Her dress was simple but refined—white with delicate embroidery. Her hair, adorned with flowers, was neatly styled.
She looked… delicate.
I wondered how she was still standing after everything she had endured in the past few days.
“And now, seal your bond as the pioneers of the Duskbane pack,” the Gamma declared.
I sighed. I’d done this before.
Serena’s cheeks flushed as I turned her to face me. She looked away, flustered.
Odd. That reaction... it stirred something inside me—something unfamiliar.
I ignored it. Now wasn’t the time for strange emotions.
I cupped her cheek and leaned in. Our lips met.
Soft.
But then, something shifted.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it—a shadow in the bushes. A figure aiming a rifle at us.
I wrapped Serena’s head with my hand, shielding her as I locked eyes with the attacker.
He flinched, dropped the weapon, and vanished into the forest.
I pulled away and looked at Serena.
She stared at me in shock, fingers pressed to her lips.
Was that a normal reaction to a kiss? Anna never reacted like that.
The ceremony ended soon after. She now bore my surname.
Later, we returned to the table. Serena finally agreed to eat after much convincing.
While she was distracted by her food, I stepped away to speak with Arnos.
“Brother,” I called, undoing the top button of my shirt. “Someone tried to shoot during the ceremony.”
Arnos’s eyes widened. “Was it one of ours?”
“Yes,” I said, recalling the familiar scent. “He’s one of the guards.”
As Alpha, I know my people by scent alone.
“There should be a rifle hidden in the thickets near the stage.”
“I’ll check it,” Arnos said. “Did you see where he went?”
“He ran like a coward.” I shrugged. “He nearly shot her.”
“I’ll retrieve the weapon before he can take it,” Arnos nodded. “Wait for me.”
“Bring it to my chambers. That man’s trying my patience.”
“I will,” he replied and disappeared into the crowd.
I turned back toward Serena.
She was laughing softly with her maids—Dana, Trina, and Clea.
Those three were loyal. They’d served our family for years. I trusted them.
But Serena…
She wasn’t supposed to matter.
And yet I couldn’t stop watching her.
She shouldn’t have survived the cell. I’d left her with almost nothing. Louis could’ve reached her.
That thought alone unsettled me.
Louis could've easily infiltrated the chambers and killed her.
I must arrange a room for that woman.
- Writer
