Chapter 12

Seraphina

Instantly, the man beside the door steps forward, offering his arm.

If he is really Kenna's father, would he not notice that I'm not her?

I have to keep my face hidden beneath this veil, not letting him get a glimpse of my face. I'm guessing the Cindersteel Creed didn't think this part through or were they expecting that I also pretend in front of her parents?

Damn it!

The moment I heal and get my wolf, I'm getting out of this cruel predicament.

I place my hand in his and we begin to walk, the door opening wider.

The entire hall rises. I mean the ten invited guests. To my surprise, they pull out their cameras and begin taking shots. They weren't even guests, they were media personalities, to spread the word that Kenna Starclaw is marrying Alpha Evander!

My heart begins beating fast. Raze must not know that I'm one replacing Kenna. He mustn't know that I survived.

Quickly, I face the floor as we move forward.

The man says nothing to me which is quite surprising. Does he have nothing to say to his daughter after selling her off to die? There is something off about his silence.

But I must mind my business. Besides, it's not like I intend to reply should he start a conversation.

We reach the dais and he releases my hand, bowing his head slightly to Evander.

I climb the dais and throw a glance at Ann who had been behind me all along. She bows slightly and stands aside.

The world suddenly narrows as I stare at Alpha Evander. His black suit clings to him like it was tailored by the goddess herself, it makes him look so perfect.

His presence is suffocating. Gosh! Why can't I stop looking at those beautiful amber eyes of his.

He smiles staring back at me and this makes something in my chest stumble. But he quickly hardens his face back like he was just realising himself.

I look away instantly.

The High Priestess steps forward, and the ceremony begins. Words are spoken, vows are made.

“…you may kiss the bride.”

The words strike like a crack of thunder. I didn't prepare myself for this part. Besides he needs to pull up my veil for the kiss.

No, that cannot happen. I can't let the media capture my face.

“That won’t be necessary.” I say out quickly.

To my surprise, Alpha Evander turns his head slightly toward the High Priestess, his voice low, totally unbothered by my reaction. “Are we wed or not?”

“Of course you are wed,” she declares. “By the rites of the moon and the binding of vow, you are now husband and wife.”

He nods, “Then it’s settled.”

Just like that? Something about that unsettles me and I don't even know why.

Before I can dwell on it, his hand closes around mine. I stare at it, embracing the warmth.

Why do I feel this comfortable around him?

He turns us toward the press and they begin capturing the moment. Flashes go off immediately, sharp bursts of light cutting through the hall as voices begin to rise.

“Alpha Evander!”

“Over here!”

“Look this way!”

His grip tightens slightly. “People of Moondrift,” he says, his voice commanding attention “May I present to you… your Luna.”

There is a pause as the media angles their camera properly. This makes my heart race. What if I expected to pull off my veil?

“Luna Kenna Starclaw.”

The cameras erupt, flashes of light blinding me.

His thumb brushes faintly against my hand, barely noticeable but it sends a strange shiver up my arm.

Then his voice drops low enough that only I can hear. “I think you have to pull off your veil.”

My entire body stiffens.

“I don’t want to,” I whisper back.

Before he can respond, one of the journalists calls out loudly, “We want to see the face of the bride!”

Another voice joins. “Reveal her!”

“Let us see Luna Kenna! A few says she is really a beauty”

My chest tightens, panic creeping up. If they expose my face out there and Raze finds out I'm alive, I am not sure what Kenna would make him do.

“Not today!” I snap, the words breaking out before I can stop them.

The room freezes.

I pull my hand from Evander’s and quickly walk away. My supposed father tries to follow me but I raise my hand to him, signalling him not to.

Surprisingly, he doesn't.

The sound of voices rises behind me, questions thrown rapidly, but none of them follow.

Of course they don’t. Their attention shifts instantly to him, the alpha. I don't blame them, even I couldn't take my eyes off him.

“My brother is still keeping me in charge of all political affairs he can't waste his time on…” Ann cuts in.

They all gasp.

I scoff, still heading towards the door.

“Does this mean your Luna will be a stay at home wife?” I hear another ask.

I don’t stop walking until the hall is behind me, the noise fading into distant echoes.

My fingers tremble slightly as I gather my dress, pushing forward, back through the corridors.

“Wait…” I hear a feminine older voice rushing after me.

I halt, turning towards her. I feel a rush pass through me. It is the same woman I saw standing beside the man who walked me down the aisle. So this is no doubt Kenna's mother.