Shades of betrayal

NYMERA POV

I stood at the entrance to the hall. My pearl wedding dress and my makeup - a perfect disguise for my inner turmoil.

In other words, I was nothing but a decorated bride about to be offered as a sacrificial scapegoat by my family to a man who will forever deny me his favor and love.

A family so selfish that nothing matters to them other than keeping their fame and enjoying wealth.

I bit my inner cheek, blinking back the tears that stung my eyes, for I thought my wedding would be the beginning of my happy days.

Unfortunately, I, NYMERA Seliora Creek, was about to become an unwanted bride. My fate, far beyond my control.

"Hmm," I heard someone cough beside me. I directed my gaze to my right and saw one of my many uncles - Caius Creek.

His smile was as bright as the moonlight but nerve racking to me.

"Carrie already reported to the family about the stunt you pulled earlier," he sneakered.

"That sick mistake should never repeat itself, or else... you know what is at stake," he said through gritted teeth as he continued to smile and nod at the guests who looked our way.

My grip on the bouquet tightened. The veins in my neck pulsated. My blood ran cold.

Of course, I know the stake - my mother's life. I let out a bitter chuckle.

"A weakling like you should know your place. So, better behave and don't play any tricks." He ordered.

"From today, Alpha Dorian is now your lord, and you must be submissive to him at all times," he added

I dug my fingers into the bouquet, breaking a few sticks of the white rose. At all times? Even when he's wrong?

As if he heard my thought, he quickly added, "He can never be wrong. The strong can never be. You, Nymera, are the problematic one," he spat.

I wanted to throw a fit in protest, but I couldn't, for I well know the consequences.

The only way to vent my anger and pain was to inflict pain on myself. Yeah, I succumbed. I dug my nails into my flesh so hard it caused a wound.

The blood that seeped away, dropped onto my dress.

An ominous sign. The start of doom.

The serene song started playing, contrasting the chaos in my head. The devil beside me gestured for me to link my hand in his.

My hand felt numb. I didn't want to, but I had no choice. Hesitantly, I did as he requested. My face void of emotions, my eyes blank.

"Force a smile, if you must. Don't ruin our family's reputation," he sneered.

The surrounding air was tensed. Cold, piercing, and judging eyes were on us.

Calm down, Nymera. I breathed in and out before forcing a faint smile that tugged at the corners of my lips.

Then my eyes met hers - it was murderous.

We got to the altar, and I stood facing Dorian. Yet, his eyes were staring at someone else.

The love and admiration in his eyes for her made my lungs contract painfully.

Soon, he faced me, but that loving smile was immediately replaced with a fierce grimace.

The officiating minister started, but I paid no attention as his voice and Dorian's faded into the background.

I was lost, consumed in the thought of impending hell.

"Lady Nymera?" The minister called out. His tone was a bit louder this time.

I jerked and was met with Dorian's blazing eyes, but I stood unmoved.

"Repeat the words after me," he urged, and I nodded, repeating his words - my vow.

"I, Nymera, the 2100th female descendant of the house of Creek, hereby accept you, Alpha Dorian, to be the... the sovereign over me," I choked.

The words, too bitter to the tongue and repulsive to the ear.

My heart sank as I finished sealing my fate away, taking the oath to be enslaved under him. The guests clapped as if it were a joyful moment.

Ophelia's frown deepened, confirming her disapproval. Then it hit me. She's just the other woman.

I am the wife, the Luna of the pack.

As for what happened last night, no one will ever know. It's a secret I intend to take to my grave, including my love for Dorian.

Dorian doesn't love me and will never touch me, for he never desired me, despite my beauty.

I locked eyes with Ophelia and smirked. She may have his heart, but I have the power, his name and his family's support.

I fiddled with the ring on my finger, although the shackle of my imprisonment, my misery — but she doesn't have to know. Nobody has.

Seeing the ring, she balled her hands into fists and stormed out. From the corner of my eye, I looked at Dorian, and he clenched his jaws.

You can hate me all you want, Dorian, but we are stuck together forever.

Tonight is the ceremonial ritual. It has been the tradition for an internal gathering of the Caspian family to welcome the new Luna.

Soon, the door opened, and the senior pack maid walked in with three junior maids, who bowed their head but the latter held her head high like we were in the same league.

"Why are you here, Nora?" I asked, folding my arms.

"Following the family order," she answered curtly and gave the others a heads-up.

They rushed towards me and began to take off my jewelry and strip me of my ceremonial dress.

This is not how the ritual is done. "What... what are you doing?" I hissed, my throat dry.

They ignored me and continued what they were doing. I've had enough of their nonsense.

I slapped the girl in front of me, shoving her aside, and she fell on her butt. The rest backed away immediately.

My breathing was ragged. I looked at Nora, whose eyebrows creased into a frown.

Swiftly, I snatched the silk bedsheet and draped it around my body. "How dare you treat your Luna like that? Are you out of your mind?!" I barked.

I backed them and hugged my body. I don't blame her. Nora has always been Ophelia's lapdog, but I don't want to disrespect my in-laws.

I closed my eyes and steadied my breath. "Go ahead," I ordered, and soon, I was clothed in a plain gown made from linen.

A few minutes later, I stood before the family. Surprisingly, the elders of my family were also present. Including Dorian and Ophelia.

My stomach churned. Something is wrong. Ophelia? Why was she present?

"Nymera Creek, the daughter of Orion Creek, you're now part of the household Caspian and the second wife of Alpha Dorian," the chancellor announced.

I furrowed my brow and tilted my head to understand what he was saying. Second wife? I looked at my family, and they were not surprised.

It was more like everyone else knew except me.

"I... I don't understand what you speak of, my lord," I stuttered. My eyes dilated, wanting to believe that was just an expensive jest.

I shifted my gaze to Dorian, and his eyes were stone cold.

"Someone should please answer me," I pleaded as my voice cracked, my knees wobbled.

"Ophelia is my first wife and true luna, while you are just a facade!" Dorian declared nonchalantly

I staggered backward. My lips trembled. "Why? I'm supposed to be your only Luna," I said in a low voice.

"You're a disgrace to your bloodline, and I don't need a weakling to rule with me," his voice boomed across the hall.

The tears I'd held back for hours flowed freely. My knees sank to the cold floor, refusing to believe they would betray me a second time.

With teary eyes, I looked at Ophelia, and she had a victorious smirk on.

I thought she was the other woman. Oh, how delusional have I been all along?

I stumbled and fell to my knees. "Aaahhhhhhhh!!! Moon goddess, why have you cursed me?" I bawled.

The moon goddess ignored me. No one moved until Dorian took a step forward towards me, his eyes unpredictable.

Am I to expect something worse than I've already seen and heard in the last 24 hours?