Chapter One.
Chapter One.
Jolene’s POV.
The mirror never lies.
“You are stronger than this!” I exclaimed, looking at my reflection.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the stranger in it. She was dressed in soft gold and white, with her long hair twisted into a long, elegant braid, and her lips painted with the faintest touch of rose.
A perfect bride. A perfect Luna. A perfect lie.
And everyone was going to eat it up, that much I knew.
From the great hall below, the sound of laughter and celebration carried through the walls. For all I knew, the Shining Pack was rejoicing, raising their glasses to the union that would make our pack stronger.
Stronger for them, at least. For me, it was a prison sentence.
The door creaked open behind me, and I tensed, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress. I felt my father’s presence and his scent had filled the room before I even turned back. I forced myself to face him, keeping my anger out of my face.
He was the Beta of this pack, giving him the privilege to do almost anything he wanted, and being my father made him do whatever he wanted with me.
His eyes swept over me, softening for just a moment.
“You look beautiful, my Jolene.” He said, walking towards me. "Today is the greatest day of your life. You were born for this moment."
I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth.
"Of course, Father."
What else could I do but agree?
He touched my shoulder, and guided me out to stand on my balcony. We looked out from there for a while before he spoke.
"Alpha Bastian is a strong man. He will take care of you."
A strong man. That was one way to put it. Another way was ruthless. So was controlling. And dangerous.
“Father, haven’t you heard about all those things he did to his exes?” I asked, and my father’s face darkened for a second.
“I don’t listen to rubbish rumours. And if he did anything like that, then they must have deserved it.” His voice carried no emotion. It felt like I was standing with a complete stranger.
But then again, he had always been like this. My love for him blinded him and my eyes were opening a bit too late.
But I didn’t say any of that to him. I nodded, faking a small smile.
“I guess."
His put his hand on my head and gave me a nod of approval.
“The ceremony starts in an hour. I expect you to be ready. Today, you leave our home to go to your mate and live in the best way.”
In a cage, more like.
“Will you be ready by then? There has to be no disruptions.” My father said.
I simply nodded.
"I will be."
Satisfied, he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
The moment he was gone, my entire body tensed, and I could have sworn my soul was leaving my body.
I had one chance. Just one.
One chance to escape before they chained me to a life I didn’t choose.
I turned back to the mirror, holding on to the edge of the wooden dresser to keep myself standing. My mind raced.
There had to be a way out. I had spent weeks thinking, planning, but now that the moment was here, my heart pounded so fast it drowned out all my thoughts.
If I failed at this, I would be dragged back. No one defied an Alpha and lived. Not like marrying him would be a life in the first place.
I took a deep breath and straightened up.
No.
I wouldn’t fail. I couldn’t afford to.
I lifted my chin and went away from the mirror. This silly dress would slow me down. The jewelry would give me away. I had to get rid of them. Had to get rid of everything.
I reached up, yanking off the heavy earrings, then the delicate golden chain around my neck. Each piece clinked onto the dresser. Next, the dress.
The knock on my door made me freeze.
"Miss Jolene?" A soft voice called. "May we come in? We need to get you ready for your wedding.”
My attendants. The two women assigned to me since childhood, always watching, always reporting back to my father. If they saw me like this… if they noticed anything unusual, they would tell him in a heartbeat. I couldn’t trust them.
I cleared my throat, forcing calmness into my voice.
“I’m coming! I just need a moment alone."
A pause. Then the other spoke.
“Are you sure, my lady? The guests are asking for you."
“Asking for me? Are they trying to rush the bride? Didn’t they get nervous on their wedding day?” I scoffed.
Guests. Wolves who came not to celebrate me, but to celebrate the bond that would tie me to Bastian forever.
"Of course, that is normal! We’ll give you a moment." One of my attendants said.
I didn’t respond, and in a moment, I heard the faint sound of their footsteps retreating.
I sighed, my fingers trembling as I moved quickly. I wasn’t sure of this, but it had to be done. For me!
The plan was simple. Take the hidden passage through my room, slip past the outer guards, and disappear before the ceremony began. My scent would still be in the room, and with all the guests around, the trackers wouldn’t realise I was gone until it was too late.
I turned to my closet, going inside to get some items. My fingers traced the wooden chest where I kept some important things.
This was it. This was how I’d save myself from this cruel fate.
My heart beat like a mad drum as I took a deep breath, readying myself. I only had one chance to get this right.
And I wasn’t going to waste it.
