Chapter 02: Well, fuck my life.

*LILAC*

Every second that ticks draws me closer to my to my doom, in less than twelve hours, my life will take a drastic turn. I bite back the tears that has been threatening to fall since I was told I will get married to the Prince of the North city — the werewolf city. It is a night to my wedding, and I can hear as Nina and Father make arrangements towards it.

Chairs scrape against each other, low chatters from the maids and the subtle music playing is enough to remind me of my pending disaster. I am Nineteen, and I am getting married, I didn't even get the chance to go to college. If anyone ever told me this is going to happen, I would only have laughed at the joke, but staring at my wedding dress that hangs against my door, I can tell this is no joke. I, Lilac Hirav, am getting married tomorrow. Funny how the unexpected things take place much to one's dismay.

The knock on my door draws me out of my thoughts and my Father walks in. "Dad," I greet.

Dad sighs and settles down on the bed beside me, the bed dipping as his weight press down on it. He stays silent for a while and then he speaks. "My little Lili is getting married, how time flies." He grins as he says that, but even I can see through it and detect the fakeness.

I shrug, "indeed how time flies, who knew I would be getting married to a Lycan Prince? I mean, it's quite hilarious."

"You know it is against my power to do anything about it, His Excellency already signed the agreement.."

"He signed the agreement for Milo, not me.. What am I even to do, do I have to bear her name too?"

"The Prime Minister knows that Milo isn't the bride, so you will keep your name.. Lili, this is for the best," dad says.

For the best, not my best. Ever since mother died, everything I did in this household has always been for the best even if my best is not included. I blame the prime minister though, using Father's loyalty to push him to marry Nina. Fucking selfish Monarch, only I wish I could say that out loud. "It is for the best," I agree with Dad, pushing back the tears that has been threatening to fall. "And on that note, I would like to be alone," I add and lay back down on my small bed, turning swiftly to the other side.

"Lili—"

"Dad, can't I just get a little space? I'm getting married tomorrow which means my life is certainly going to change, I should at least savor my last minutes in this home!" I choke out, my lips trembling as I speak, God, I hate this!

"Fine" The bed creaks as he stands to leave. "You know I love you right?"

No you don't! Your stupid loyalty to the Monarch is messing with your brain Father, and it is only a while before you realize it. I do not say those words I so much wish to say, instead I grunt a reply and he sighs before leaving me to myself.

The silence triggers my depressed state and I start to sob into my pillow. Fuck them all.

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"Wow, you look beautiful Miss Lilac," one of the maids gushes as she accompanies me to the convoy sent by His Excellency to pick me.

"Indeed she is, just like her Mother," Father comments as he too steps in beside me, the pain in his voice is constrictingly clear.

"Mr Hirav." The maid bows and then hurries back into the house. I glance at my home —or at least it once felt like it — for the last time and then ease myself into the the Passenger's side of the car. Milo and Nina soon appear looking even more dressed than I, the bride. What to expect though? It has always been their dream to have me thrown out of the house, so they will not miss the chance to send my head off on a silver platter.

The drive to the church is painfully slow, although I appreciate it. Father tries to make small talks with me but when he sees I do not give any response except for low grunts and absolutely unnecessary nods, he gives up, thankfully. I am certainly not ready to talk to him, not now and maybe not ever.

"It is for the best Marlon, Look on the bright side of it, Lilac gets to be a princess, isn't that beautiful?" Nina's annoying words floats around the silence in the car. Can she not just keep quiet?

"It is a good thing, and we are hapoy about it it.. Right Lilac?" Milo says in agreement with her mother, but even the intended mocking beneath her tone, I can hear.

Before I can form a retort, the car pulls up to a stop and I can feel my breath hitch when I notice we have arrived at the church. My fists tighten on my white dress, my knuckles turning a pale white as Father gets down from his side of the car and comes over to mine to pull the door open.

When he does, he holds out his arms and shakily I slip mine into it. The subtle playing of 'Ed sheeran's perfect' fills up the church compound as Father begins to walk me into the church. If I am not scared as hell right now, I will scoff at their choice of song, because I sure do not feel perfect at this point. Probably 'Metallica's Trapped under ice' would have been the perfect marching in song, after all that's how I feel now.

"Relax Lili," Father soothes his fingers over mine and even though I am still vexed at him, I cannot help but relax into his ever safe arms.

The moment I step into the auditorium, and the half filled church turn to stare at me, it becomes so real, I am getting married. I bite my lip, keeping my head lowered as Father leads me to my soon-to-be husband.

Every girl dreams about it, every woman looks forward to it — the white dress, the beautiful flowers, the perfect walk down the aisle to the man they love. I am getting it all except I am not walking down the aisle to the man I love, I am walking down the aisle with my Father to be given away to a creature we've been told are ruthless, they will snap off your neck in one bite if you cross them, or at least that's what we were told.

"We are here," Father whispers to me, pulling me to an abrupt halt, I still do not look up. I faintly hear the priest ask. "Who gives this lady up as a bride to this man." My father replies and in so doing he let go of my hands, I almost cry out at the loss of contact, except I do not expect the long slender hands that cover mine in place of Father's, and then I finally look up.

My eyes meet the blue well tailored suit of my husband, before it finally reaches his face, and when it does.. I am transfixed, almost to a stupor, because this man standing before me is in total contrast to what I grew up learning about Lycans, he is not big burly and hairy like they said, see he is gorgeous, no not just gorgeous, I mean drop-dead-hold-your-fucking-heart-before-it-falls gorgeous. The first thing I see are his eyes, eyes the color of the freaking ocean, and the swirls in it like the sea waves crashing against each other.

His hair, long jet black with strands of grey standing out, he has it packed to the back. He is tall, like a 6'5 to my 5'5, and his abs! My eyes almost pop out of its socket. This man is a freaking walking candy, square tight muscles almost ripping out of his suit, add his perfectly chiseled well shaved jaw — Fuck!

"Do you, Kael Aspen take Lilac Hirav...." The priest voice fades off as I am in a trance as he asks us to say our vows and I spit it out like I am being controlled, but then the he announces. "You may now kiss the bride." And my husband leans in, hot breath fanning my neck, there is no doubt or hesitation in his eyes as they peer down at me. But even so, I can read his unsaid words, his message is as clear as daylight: Welcome to my world.

PS: he didn't kiss me.

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"Oh my gee, Lilac. I will so miss you, the house will not be the same without you in it." Milo's estranged fake voice follows me as My husband leads me into his waiting car. My husband — it still feels weird on my tongue.

"Lilac, make sure you call okay!" Nina calls out, sniffing. Goddamn fakers, anyone hearing them would think they really care for me like they are trying to paint. My grip tightens on my husband's — Kael's hands as I whip back and turn to face my stepmother and her daughter.

"I will definitely call, stepmother," I bite out, all the bitterness I have tried so hard to keep drips out of my words. I do not even miss Milo's jealous looks as she checks out Kael, she looks like she wants to swallow him whole. Did she not freaking refuse to marry him, now she looks like she definitely wants to kill me with her eyes. Bitch.

"That's great Lilac, we will be expecting your call," Nina replies, God, she should drop the act already. I scan the surroundings for my Dad, but it seems like he disappeared after the service. I feel a pang of hurt in my chest, he coukd not even wait to see me off.

"I think it is best we leave now, we have to get back to the North City before nighttime." Kael''s voice which I might probably take a while to get used to, floats into my ears.

I visibly blanch, I take one last look at Nina and Milo, and I slip into the car. Kael places his hand over the roof of the car and then slips in beside me.

Fuck my life.

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