A Scarface Bitch

Ava's POV 

My already heavy body sagged as I was now adorned with jewelry, the weight of gold and stone dragging me.

I stared at my reflection, barely recognizing the girl in the mirror.

The maid behind me twisted my hair into an elegant knot, her fingers trembling. "You are doomed for sure," she said in a whisper, but I caught her words.

"Don't scar her," another maid muttered under her breath, brushing a stray curl behind my ear.

"Quiet. It's time now!" my mother snapped as she strode into the room, her gown shimmering like moonlight. "My baby, beautiful as always," she kissed my forehead. The gesture was warming, a farewell wrapped in affection.

She must have truly loved Elora... the real Elora.

I swallowed my bitterness and stood, following them down the corridor. The palace was unnecessarily cold, the halls were pure sophistication with their intricate design and large artworks that made me feel small, like I didn't belong.

My footsteps dragged behind theirs. This identity wasn't mine, but it was my second chance—whether I liked it or not. I had promised myself I'd make use of it. Somehow.

We entered the grand hall. Lights blazed from a hundred chandeliers. The air buzzed with murmurs and perfume. I shrank into myself, clutching my veil tightly, my heart in competition with a loud music.

My mother led me to a chair beside her. I sat stiffly, eyes fixed on the floor. At least the veil covered me tonight—no one could see the scars that marked me, nor the fear in my eyes.

My father cleared his throat, "Greetings, and welcome everyone. As you all know, we are gathered here—"

His voice trailed off by a shrill interruption from someone.

Who would dare interrupt the king, I thought.

"Cut the chase, Darius," his voice resounded, causing me to raise my head a bit in the direction of the voice. I couldn't amount courage to look his way and quickly brought my face down.

"Where is she?" he snapped. "I have a lot of pack business waiting. Time is not something I trade easily."

The room went silent.

I froze, breath caught in my throat.

That voice...

I dared a glance towards him.

He was standing at the far end, imposingly tall—maybe 6'2". Power radiated from him like heat from the furnace. My eyes dropped quickly. I didn't need to look to know who he was.

Dravin.

The Alpha who feared no one. The man the books called a demon.

Beside me, my father gulped audibly. Then his eyes flicked to me, as if silently offering me up.

I should have known, of course, it was Dravin. The man-beast.

And I was the offering.

Dravin snapped his fingers, and before I could react, two guards strode towards me and yanked me to my feet.

"Elora!" my mother cried out, reaching me.

"Woman!" my 'new father'—the King's—voice boomed. "Not now."

My mother collapsed into tears and vanished through the door, her crying trailing behind us.

A sad smile spread across my face. I was glad that at least in my new life, despite being worse, I was being loved—even if it were for a split second.

I was shoved into a carriage, headed towards my end maybe.

Dravin didn't take the carriage with me... He chose a horse, his figure vanishing into the night ahead.

We went for what seemed like hours. Through the night. Why couldn't he have waited until it was morning?

Oh, maybe because he was the devil, and devils do well best, under moonlight.

The wheels groaning and my stomach twisting in hunger. The night air crept in through the slats, chilling my fingers. I hadn't eaten since morning.

"Uhm... is there any food here?" I asked the guard who was with me, voice barely above a whisper.

He glared hard at me like I'd just insulted his ancestors, before rolling his eyes and looking away.

I guess that was a no.

I leaned back, letting my head thump against the carriage wall. Pain bloomed behind my eyes, but I welcomed it—anything to distract me.

I thought about how I was going to make Vera, Kael, and the entire BloodMoon Pack pay for all they had done to me.

Here I was, headed to SulkPack. I just hope I would survive long enough to get my revenge.

I closed my eyes into a much-needed sleep, but then shortly after, the carriage suddenly lurched.

Something growled—low.

I peeked out.

A wounded animal lay twitching on the ground, its breathing labored.

"It's still breathing," I said, watching as Dravin made it headless and continued as if he was mad it interrupted his trip.

I recoiled.

What kind of monster was he?

...

"Wake up," a gruff voice barked, shaking me awake.

My eyes flew open. The guard's rough hand pulled me upright.

"Ouch," I hissed as I jumped off the carriage.

The first thing that hit me wasn't the cold—but the fear. It wrapped around me like smoke.

What in the devil's name was this? How do people survive here?

The palace loomed ahead—if you could even call it that. Dark spires stabbed the sky.

Statues of skulls lined the path like guards of the underworld.

This... was SulkPack?

Dravin was far ahead. I hadn't even gotten a proper glimpse of his face yet. I knew he would be as the books had stated him.

A beast. Ugly, red-glowing eyes. At least we would complement each other well.

"Ma'am," a woman approached me, not unkind but distant. "Come with me."

She led me through the winding halls. Eyes followed us. Whispers curled in the shadows.

Everyone we passed shoved me a pity look, as if I was some sacrifice. Or maybe just a joke—the fat, scarred princess thrown to the wolves.

Sigh...

Moon Goddess, you should have done better. How can I be ugly twice in a row in my lifetime?

"We need to prepare you for the ritual," the woman said.

"What ritual?" I retorted, my steps faltering.

"No questions. Just do as you are told. You don't want to dare flaunt the King's orders, nor our traditions of old."

I swallowed my questions.

We got into a large hall, with numerous ladies there.

It was a pool with candles all around. Women moved quietly along the edges, their eyes downcast.

Then I saw it in my mind. The stories. The rumors.

Dravin luring his brides into water before cutting off their heads.

"No, no!" I gasped as I ran away.

The woman didn't chase me. Didn't call out. Just watched. Like I was running into a much bigger trap.

I ran blindly, my heart in my ears. I couldn't have my second chance at life get over with my head cut off, not while I haven't made those who made this second life a reality pay for their sins.

I could have jumped off the high windows. But I don't know if the Moon Goddess would be merciful enough to grant me a third rebirth.

Though I hated this, I wasn't taking chances.

I ran towards a room—thank God it was open. I would lock myself in here until I found a perfect escape plan. I thought.

A light chuckle erupted from within, as I turned, fear gripping me.

"You are more interesting than I thought," the deep voice said.

I turned slowly. Fear crawling into my bones.

Dravin stepped from the shadows.

Not a beast. Not disfigured.

But beautiful. In a haunting, terrifying way.

He was nothing like the books had described him. One of his eyes was silver. The other pure black.

He didn't have the scar marks as I had anticipated. If Kael had been attractive, then...

Dravin was a god.

One crafted with fire and ice.

And I had walked right into his room.

"When you're done staring," he said, voice dry, "you’ll tell me what you're doing in my chambers."

My mouth opened, then shut.

"I... I—" I started, but fumbled for lack of words.

"Strip..." he ordered coldly.

My heart stopped. "What?"

"Don't let me repeat myself... you scarface bitch."