Chapter 1: Just this moment

'She was supposed to be my maid of honor,' Elora thought bitterly in her mind as she stared at the ornate mirror before her, sitting still in the dressing room, numb, with her eyes sharp and unyielding.

' A friend like a sister, the one who's always there by my side even on my darkest day, my best friend with the purest heart, Scarlett. She was supposed to be here, doing my makeup like she promised, laughing and teasing me,' her breath quivered, ' but they took her away, they took her away from me, killed her most cruelly and brutally,' she clenched her fist against her wedding gown and released it after a second.

With nothing but emptiness in her eyes, she scanned the room with a clinical detachment, and her crimson-painted lips suddenly curved into a perfect smile, too controlled as if trying to forcefully control the brewing rage in her and her heavy thirst for something dark.

Every gesture of hers was memorized, calm, and unnervingly charged, as if it, too, was complicit in whatever thoughts she concealed beneath her flawless exterior. This was no nervous bride preparing for her big day, this was a woman donning her armor, readying herself for something far darker than vows.

As the makeup brush danced across her face, her ears were filled with her friend's laughter and teasing while they put their effort into making her a perfect bride of the day.

" I can't believe this day is finally here," Cynthia said, her voice thick with emotion. "Our beautiful Elora is getting married."

"Hey, hey! Don't let that tear drop," Karine warned, voice sharp, though it betrayed a flicker of vulnerability.

Elora and Misha burst into laughter, breaking the moment's tension.

" Don't cry, Cynthia," Misha teased, "even the bride isn't crying."

"I know, I just can't believe it," Cynthia sniffled, "I thought the wedding would be canceled, but here we are. Never even thought I'd end up being the maid of honor."

" Which I'm now starting to think might be a mistake," Karine quipped, eyeing Cynthia as she dabbed at her eyes.

The words hung in the air like a sharp sting. Elora, unperturbed, gave a small, controlled laugh. 

"Oh, come on, Karine," Misha interjected, trying to steer the conversation back. "It's normal to be emotional, right?"

Karine snorted. "Normal to be grateful for being the maid of honor? Almost like she's glad Scarlett died."

"Karine!" Misha, Cynthia, and Elora all shot her disbelieving glares.

"Say what?" Karine raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Isn't it true?"

"That's not true!" Cynthia's voice cracked with hurt. "Stop it, Karine."

Karine's blood boils, eyeing Cynthia, whose tears she strongly believes were fake. The three of them were friends with Elora but not with Scarlett, whom they detested with every cell in them. She knows how much Scarlett means to Elora, she expected her to be shook up after Scarlett's sudden death but Elora remained completely unfazed and if there's something Karine hates more than her own poop, it is actions, words, or emotions, that is faked.

The room fell into a heavy silence, thick with unspoken accusations. Elora's fingers curled into a tight fist at her side, her knuckles turning white beneath the silk fabric.

"She warned us," Misha said softly, breaking the silence, her tone a quiet defense. "She was the reason we stopped bullying Scarlett."

"Was she?" Karine scoffed her words like a sharp blade. "Or was it because Scarlett married one of the most powerful Alphas?"

A charged silence settled over the room as everyone cast angry glares at Karine.

"Karine, that's enough," Elora finally said, her voice a calm but firm command. "Respect the moment."

The room fell awkwardly silent, and Karine rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. I guess you're not happy she's dead."

Elora remained still, her expression never wavering. "No one is happy about it. But today is my wedding day, and I expect respect."

The artist finished with the final touches, adding a layer of thick gloss to Elora's lips. "Done," she said, stepping back.

Elora stood before the mirror, taking in her reflection. The gown, a cascade of silk and lace adorned with intricate beadwork, hugged her form perfectly. The soft sparkle of tiny crystals caught the light, but her eyes were sharp, calculating, and focused.

"Thanks," Elora murmured, a sweet smile playing on her lips as she admired herself in the mirror. Misha clipped the short veil into place, her hands lingering for just a second too long, a silent gesture of approval.

"You look breathtaking," Cynthia whispered, almost in awe.

"Thank you," Elora responded softly. "This is the most beautiful wedding gown I've ever seen." The words were perfect, rehearsed, but inside, she felt something far darker brewing.

A text flashed on her phone.

Her pulse quickened. "It's time," she muttered under her breath, a thrill of excitement bubbling through her veins.

"Everyone is waiting for you," Misha said, her tone almost teasing. "Are you ready?"

Elora nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. She held her bouquet tighter, inhaling the soft fragrance of the white roses, grounding herself. "I'll go in alone. You guys go ahead."

The room seemed to hold its breath as they exchanged glances, hesitant but respecting her wishes. "Fine," Misha said. "I'll tell Dad."

As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Elora quickly checked her surroundings. She opened the door cautiously, peering into the hallway. "Looking for me?" a low voice asked, and Elora's eyes flicked up to meet his.

"Who else? Where is it?" she demanded, extending her hand.

" Here", he handed over the black bag,

" Thank you, confirm balance", she said and shut the door.

She could hear the retreating steps a few seconds later while she hastily opened the bag, revealing a KRISS Vector gun. She inhaled sharply, her gaze briefly flickering to the scissors on the table.

With a quick, precise motion, she cut the gown, transforming it into a sleek, thigh-high dress. The sudden pain in her head came as a sharp jab, and for a moment, her vision blurred. She winced and gripped the table for support, but just as quickly, the dizziness passed.

In haste, she kicked off her heels, slipped into sneakers, and tucked the gun against her body, securing it. 

The image of her mother flashed across her eyes, and she took a final look at herself in the mirror and saw her eyes brimming with tears.

' Taking Scarlett away isn't enough, Mum too, they denied her the chance to be here right now, smiling beautifully at me, looking so proud of her daughter and getting all emotional,' her clenched fist tightened, ' but they took her also, they killed her and smiled over it.'

With a final look at her reflection, she knew what she had to do, so she headed over to the hall, where hundreds of guests were waiting for her.

She stood outside the closed door of the hall, hearing the familiar voice speak from the inside in an announcement of her.

She held the gun tighter behind her.

" Just this moment, you can take over when I'm done," she said as the door opened.