JESSICA

The grand hall was filled with different faces, both those I have seen and those I haven't.

I walked down the aisle with my father, my eyes fixed on the floor. I didn’t want to see Nathan’s smug face. I just kept thinking about the blood on that leather strap. I kept thinking about Kaelen, bleeding out there while I was forced to become a trophy for a monster.

We reached the altar. Nathan took my hand, looking at me like he’d already won.

"Dearly beloved," the High Priest began, his voice echoing through the silent hall.

The ceremony reached the point of the Blood Vow. Nathan pulled a small ceremonial blade to slice our palms and seal the union. He reached for my hand again, his eyes dark with triumph.

The moment our skin touched, I felt a surge of cold, blinding power blast between us. Nathan was thrown back a step, and I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air.

A collective gasp went up from the thousands of guests. The air in the hall turned freezing, and a low, unnatural hum vibrated through the floorboards.

"What is this?" Nathan roared, his face turning red with fury. "Jessica, what are you doing?"

The High Priest stepped back, staring at us with a pale face. He looked at our hands, then up at the skylight.

"The Moon..." the Priest whispered, his voice trembling. "The Moon has rejected this union."

"Nonsense!" Nathan stormed toward the old man, grabbing him by his robes. "Fix it! Finish the vows!"

"I cannot, Alpha Nathan," the Priest cried out. "The bond doesn't match! This marriage is against the Moon’s will. She has spoken. The Princess is already matched to another. If we proceed, the Moon will release her wrath on this entire pack. We will be cursed."

The hall erupted into chaos. My father rushed forward, and the elders began shouting. In the middle of the noise, I sat on the floor, my heart thumping in happiness.

'Matched to another.' I knew who it was. I could feel him in my soul.

Nathan turned to me, his shadow looming over me. He leaned down, his voice in a whisper that only I could hear. "You look happy, Jessica. I can see it in your eyes."

I didn't answer, I just looked at him.

"Enjoy it while it lasts," he hissed. "Because I will never let you find peace with whoever he is. I’ll find him, and I’ll make him wish the Moon had never created him."

***

Later that evening, I was laid out on my bed, staring at the ceiling. For the first time in years, I was free—sort of.

The door opened, and my mother walked in. She didn't look relieved, she looked horrified.

"How can you be lying there like this?" she snapped, pacing the room. "The whole pack is in an uproar. The Alpha of the South is insulted. This is an embarrassment to Nathan, Jessica! You should be showing some remorse!"

I sat up, looking at her with a calm expression she didn't expect. "Mom, I’ve been saying it for years. Nathan and I were never meant to be. I lost the spark for him a long time ago. You and Dad were just bent on 'luxury' and a 'perfect' image. I’m not sorry that the Moon finally told the truth."

My mother stopped pacing and looked at me sharply. Her eyes narrowed. "You know, don't you? You know who the Moon has ordained for you."

I kept my face a blank mask. "I don't know, Mom. But I’m going to find out."

***

I didn't wait for the night to come fully, I went straight to my father’s study. He was sitting behind his desk, looking like he’d aged ten years in ten hours.

"Dad," I called. "I want Kaelen to return to his duty as my protector. Immediately."

My father looked up, shocked. "Kaelen? Jessica, why are you worried about that man when you should be worried about your marriage? After all, you're the one who said you didn't need a protector. Now that the wedding is cancelled, there’s no point."

I almost wanted to roll my eyes. "What am I supposed to do then? Cry that the Moon said no?" I sighed. "Even if we are to pull down this house, it won't change anything. Let's not make this look like a big deal, okay?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "You really are happy, aren't you?"

I looked away, holding myself back from screaming "Who the hell cares whether or not I am happy!"

"Well," I said insted, changing the topic. "Concerning wanting a protector, these last few days made me realize I actually do need one. I’ve been thinking of ways to escape this house. Maybe having a guard outside my door will stop me from trying to leave and doing something reckless."

My father sighed, rubbing his temples. He probably figured a guard was a small price to pay to keep me from running. Secondly, I wasn't ready to act remorseful over what just happened.

"Fine. I’ll send word to the gate. He’ll be back at his post tonight."

I was back in my room when the door was kicked open. Nathan stormed in, his eyes bloodshot. He had clearly been drinking.

"What is this I hear?" he growled. "You asked for the mutt to come back?"

"Since we aren't getting married, Nathan, you have no right to control my life," I said, standing my ground. I wasn't the scared girl from this morning anymore. "Kaelen will remain my guard until I say otherwise. Now, get out."

"You think you can dismiss me?" He stepped toward me, reaching out to grab my arm roughly.

"Guards!" I yelled.

The two guards outside the door. At first, they looked hesitant but I had to remind them who was leading here. "Escort Prince Nathan out of my quarters. He is distressing me."

Nathan looked like he wanted to kill someone, but he couldn't cause a scene now, not after the disaster at the altar. He spat on the floor and walked out.

I sank onto my bed, letting another wide smile play on my lips. A few minutes later, there was a soft knock.

"Come in," I said, thinking it was my mother coming back to lecture me again.

The door opened, and I turned swiftly. It was Kaelen.

He looked pale. I saw the dark bruises on his jaw, and I knew his back was a mess under that uniform. My heart shattered for him. I wanted to run to him, to hold him, to tell him the Moon had saved us.

But I had to act cold. It was too early to display emotions.

"I heard you were being stubborn at the gate," I said. "You probably deserved the beating."

Kaelen didn't say anything. He just stood there, his eyes fixed on the floor. He looked like a man who had given up.

"You’ve been returned to your duty," I continued. "You're my protector again."

He gave a short, stiff nod. "Yes, Lady Jessica."

He turned to leave. He didn't ask about the wedding. He didn't look at my face. He didn't say a word about the fact that I wasn't a wife. And it hurts.

"Are you not going to ask about the wedding?" I called out, my voice sounding desperate even to my own ears.

He stopped at the door, but he didn't turn around. "I heard what happened," he rasped. "I wouldn't want to remind you of the pain of losing your spouse."

"Pain?" I stepped toward him. "Who said I was in pain? I'm happy, Kaelen! Can't you see that?"

He finally turned, but his eyes held no emotion. "The wedding ended only a few hours ago," he said quietly. "I will give you space to heal, Lady Jessica."

Before I could say another word, he stepped out and closed the door.