Bride Of The Cruel Lycan

JULIETTEI stand frozen, staring at Evan and Jane. My heart feels like it’s crumbling, breaking apart piece by piece as the weight of his words sinks in. He says he loves her—My sister. My entire body trembles as I look between them, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing, but there’s nothing to understand. It’s as clear as day. The betrayal almost paralyzes me. I can’t stay here. Infact, I can’t breathe. Without another word, I turn and bolt from the penthouse, my vision blurred by tears that I can’t stop. The world feels distant, as if I’m moving through a dream. An endlesss nightmare. My chest aches with every step I take, my lungs burning as I stumble into the elevator. When I finally reach the street, I hail a cab and climb in, collapsing into the seat. The driver says something, but I don’t hear him. I just give him the address and stare out the window, the tears coming faster now, unstoppable. My mind replays the scene over and over—Evan, his face so calm

JULIETTE I wake up to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, my head pounding like a drum. For a moment, I cling to the hope that everything about last night was just a dream, a figment of my imagination brought on by exhaustion. But the dull ache in my body says otherwise. The soreness between my legs begs to differ, and when I pull the sheet tighter around me, the truth is impossible to ignore. I turn my head, my breath catching in my throat as my eyes land on him. The nameless man from last night is sprawled across the bed, lying on his stomach with the sheets barely covering his lower back. Tones muscles on full display. His blonde hair is a tousled mess, strands falling across his face, and I can just make out the rise and fall of his chest. He looks peaceful, like he belongs to a different world than mine, one without responsibilities or broken promises. For a moment, I let myself imagine staying here, freezing this fragile intimacy in time. But the weight in my

JULIETTE Waking up alone, I stare at the ceiling for a few moments, willing myself to move. The silence in the room feels suffocating, pressing against my chest like an invisible weight. But lying here won’t change anything. So, with a deep breath, I push the covers away and step out of bed. The floor is cold beneath my feet as I make my way to the adjoining bathroom. Warm water cascades over my skin, washing away the stiffness from sleep. But no amount of scrubbing can rid me of the emptiness settling in my chest. By the time I step out, I feel more awake, though my mind is still clouded with thoughts I don’t want to acknowledge. I dress quickly, choosing a soft blue gown. Simple, yet elegant. It fits my role well enough. My hands smooth down the fabric as I glance at my reflection in the mirror. My face looks calm, composed—like I have everything under control. Like I belong here. It’s a lie. Swallowing hard, I turn away and make my way downstairs. The dining hall is alre

KAELANAs I’m being wheeled through the crowded room toward Juliette. My heart beats slowly as I force my eyes to take her in. I know I should not care, but I cannot help it. Even now, I see that she is beautiful. Her red dress shines under the soft light like a burning ember. In another time, another life, I might have allowed myself to imagine a future with her. But that future never existed. I have an agenda of my own, one built on secrets and lies, and my own loathing for everything she stands for overshadows any chance for love. I do not want her to see the man I really am—a man who uses weakness as a weapon, a pawn in a dangerous game of chess that I’m determined to win.I know what Juliette had probably thought. She must’ve believed she was coming here to rescue a poor, helpless, crippled man. A marriage of pity, as one would say. I agreed to this marriage just to keep up appearances, but it was never part of my original plans. The party rumbles on around me, full of shallow s

JULIETTE I’m unable to sleep throughout the rest of the night, and as soon as I sight the first signs of daybreak, I slip out of the couch, even though the room is still draped in shadows. A quiet chill lingers in the air, and I take a deep breath, steadying myself. Last night was a mistake. I shouldn’t have tried to be civil with Kaelan. His outburst still rings in my ears, sharp and cutting, like a blade pressed against my skin. I don’t understand him, and I don’t think I ever will. But it’s my fault for even trying. Shaking the thoughts away, I get on my feet, not bothering to check if he’s awake. I have no interest in facing him so soon. Moving quickly, i freshen up, and dress in a simple gown and leave the room. The halls are quiet as I make my way to the dining hall. A few servants bow as I pass, their faces unreadable. When I enter, the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced tea fills the air. A handful of people are already seated, whispering among themselves, but I igno