Cutting My Losses

KARI'S POV

But the silk of my bridal dress felt less like a garment and more like a shroud.

As I stood before the altar in the temple of the goddess of love, I couldn't shake off the heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders.

My breath hitched against the rigid constraints of my corset as I cast a slightly nervous look around. Today, I was to become Luna of the Wilder Pack.

Today, the years of my quiet devotion to my bethroted, Titan,would finally bear fruit.

“You look breathtaking, dear,” my sister Bianca whispered, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. “Everyone's thinking that, I bet he'll thinks so too.”

I swallowed hard, nodding. “I just feel as though I am walking toward a cliff's edge,” I admitted, smoothing the lace at my wrists.

“Do you think he is ready? Our bond... it has been quiet this morning. Surely that isn't normal? Perhaps he's as nervous as I…”

“Titan is an Alpha, sister,” Bianca interrupted gently.

“His mind is burdened by the weight of his pack,”  my sister added, though her hand trembled as she adjusted the purple veil over my face.

“Stay,” I whispered to her, unable to hold back any longer.

“Where are you going?”

“To stretch my legs a bit,” I answered briskly, already walking away.

The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and light perfume as I took the stairs, until I was staring down at the large expanse of the temple.

I knew there were five hundred guests here, High Alphas, Betas, and their kin, two-hundred and fifty from each side. And they all seemed to be getting along already, in preparation of the alliance that would be formed between our packs after my marriage to Titan.

“Look at her face,” I heard someone murmured behind me. “She hasn't a clue.”

My ears twitched and strained as I leaned a bit backwards.

“Poor thing,” another voice hissed. “To be discarded so publicly.”

My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. Discarded publicly? By who?

Where was Tifan?

I shot a panicked look at the altar, but it stood empty.

With a tight chest, I made my way back to the main temple.

I'd just turned towards Bianca's direction when the heavy oak doors at the rear of the cathedral swung open with a violence that echoed off the walls and ceiling.

Titan strode in.

My heart dropped.

Not because he was not dressed in his wedding clothes that were supposed to match mine, but because of the look on his face.

His expression was made even scarier by the way his cape was billowing behind him as he stomped closer and closer…

“Titan?” I breathed as he stopped beforee me. I reached for his hand, my fingers trembling. “My love, you are late. I was starting to fear…”

He pulled his hand away as if my touch had scalded him. His eyes, usually a piercing brown, were flat and cold as funeral coins.

“Cease your prattling, Kari,” he growled, his voice carrying to every corner of the silent hall.

“Milord?”  I faltered, my face already starting to burn with embarrassment. “The ceremony... the guests are already waiting.”

“There shall be no ceremony…for you,” Titan stated. He turned his back to me, facing the assembly as he raised his voice.

“I have realized that a True Alpha requires a mate of equal fire. One who does not merely occupy a throne, but commands it.”

The side door opened and my other sister, Indira stepped out. She was draped in crimson silk, her dark hair falling over her shoulders like a waterfall of ink.

Our eyes met as she glided to my Titan's side, and he, the man who had not touched my hand in months, wrapped a possessive arm around her waist.

My whole world tilted upside down, I felt a rush of dizziness. My throat felt tight and dry, and my eyes started to burn.

“Titan, what is this madness?” I cried, my voice cracking.

“Is this a joke? I don't find it particularly hilarious.”

He scoffed, “what a fool you are, Kari. Thinking I could ever chose a lukewarm mouse over a fiery goddess,” he glanced lovingly at Indira at the last part.

Pain exploded in my chest.

Perhaps it was young naivety but I had wholeheartedly believed that he loved me, and wanted me the way I wanted him.

“You can't mean this,” I murmured in stock, shaking my head repeatedly. “I do not believe it.”

“You better believe it,” Indira sneered condescendingly.

“This isn't happening.”

“But it is,” Titan replied. “Honestly, I don't think anyone here is surprised at my decision.”

He gave a nonchalant shrug, “I admit, this might be a little inconvenient in timing but Kari,” he sighed, “you're every great alpha's nightmare when it comes to marriage. You're far too weak, emotional, talkative, naive…”

“You said you love me,” I murmured, taking in the stunned faces of the ton. “You told me you wanted me!”

He scoffed, “well obviously I lied,” he looked around, “If anyone here has never told a lie before, let him or her raise their hand!”

There was a brief wave of murmurs but no hand went up, Titan turned towards me again, a gloating smile on his face, “see?”

“I gave up my birthright for you! My pack…I am your bonded mate!”

“A bond of convenience,” Titan sneered,staring deep into my eyes. The hatred in his gaze was like a physical blow. “I’ve had the bond destroyed. It was a tether I found suffocating increasing.”

His voice was dry and bored, “you are painfully dull…a grey moth, even in looks. Indira is a phoenix.”

“You cannot do this,” I pleaded, the tears finally spilling down my face. “Please don't humiliate me like this, my love.”

“I am the Alpha of Wilder Pack,” Titan growled, his wolf surfacing in the bright-green flash of his eyes. “I do exactly as I please.”

My response died on my tongue as he took Indira’s hand and raised it high. “Behold!” he shouted to the gasping crowd. “Your true Luna! Indira of the Wilder Pack!”