Chapter 2

The crowd went silent, and my father's face turned pale instantly. He was a man who valued his reputation. So, he stepped up, pointing his fingers at me.

“Stop putting allegations on others while you miss the auspicious time yourself.” He said, “Besides, Celeste’s transformation into a vampire was defective and she has only a few years to live. Alaric is the only man she loves. Can't you let her be with him for the last few years of her life and marry him later?”

“I can't believe you would be this selfish, Elara.”

“Selfish and I? Ever since the day she came to our family, all that I have done is sacrifice, Dad. But, I guess, that doesn't concern you at all.” I said as I shot a short glance at Alaric, who had Celeste by his side. He didn't even pretend to care.

“One more sacrifice…” I said, “I'm okay with it.”

Having said that, I turned to leave. I heard Celeste’s voice from behind, laced with feigned concern, “Elara, don't be mad. After I die, Alaric is all yours.”

As if stung by her words, Alaric quickly pulled her in his embrace. “Don't ever talk of dying, Celeste. It breaks my heart to even think that one day you would be gone.”

My heart shattered into a million pieces. But I did not let my tears fall and simply walked out.

However, just as I reached my car on the highway, my instincts told me something was wrong. Then, I recalled the faces in the crowd. Those were the same people who attacked me earlier.

Fuck, they are going to attack our clan. I thought.

The guests in the ceremony were innocent. Most of them were invited by me. I could not let them die.

I immediately informed our Clan’s elders and rushed to the cathedral.

The cathedral, once a sanctuary of betrayal, had become a slaughterhouse of screams.

A giant muscular werewolf rushed towards the aisle where Alaric and Celeste stood, frozen by the sudden attack.

"Alaric!" I gasped, my instinct still tied to the dying hum of our bond.

He was already moving. With supernatural speed, Alaric blurred toward the altar. His eyes met mine for a fraction of a second—a cold, calculating glance that weighed my life against his 'legal wife’s' safety.

Without a word, he turned his back on me. He scooped Celeste into his arms, shielding her body with his own.

“I never expected you to be this vicious, Elara.” My father's voice tore through the crowd, fighting the wolves. “To ruin Celeste’s wedding, you led our enemy to the wedding.”

"You even bribed them with the heirloom of Dad's lineage. That just crossed the line, Sister." Celeste interrupted before I could speak in my defence.

My gaze landed on the gemstone pendant in Alaric's hands. His eyes were ice cold as he spat, "I retrieved it from one of them."

“I didn't-” I wanted to say more. I wanted to tell them how desperately I had fought to protect that pendant before they finally tore it from my neck on the highway. I didn't use it to bribe the wolves. I was robbed.

But, that's when my gaze landed on Celeste’s smug smile.

She did all this. Just to frame me.

Before I could explain or confront her, she threw herself in Alaric's arms, sobbing, “Alaric, I’m so afraid. Will I die tonight? We haven't even consummated our wedding yet.”

In return, Alaric stroked her hair gently and said, “Don't be afraid, Celeste. With me around, no one can touch you.”

Having said that, he pulled her into his arms. My father cleared the way while he walked, no one sparing a glance over me. No one noticed that two strong wolves had already clutched my throat, just seconds away from stabbing a dagger inside me.

Just when they reached the entrance, I called from behind. One last time.

“Alaric…” I whispered, “I’m pregnant.”

He stopped instantly. Conceiving a child for a vampire is rare. Thus, very few of us, pure-bloods, were left. And whoever manages to have a child naturally eventually becomes the lord of the clan.

I knew how important it was for Alaric to conceive a child. He immediately turned to look back. His eyes frowned as he saw the dagger close to my chest.

I took a sigh of relief. I was saved now.

But then, his eyes darkened.

“Stop lying, Elara.” He said, his voice cold and indifferent, “Even if you are pregnant, these wolves dare not do anything to the person who has hired them to ruin the wedding.”

“Drop the act, no one is believing it anymore.” He spat before he turned his back at me and left with Celeste and Dad through the side exit.