2: A Dress for a Broken Heart (2)

Krista

What had I expected? That Jacob would magically fall in love with me just because we’d spent a few years married? That he would look at me one day and suddenly see me, really see me, instead of the shadow I’d become in his life?

I let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded more like a sob. Who was I kidding? Jacob would never love me, not the way he loved Laurel. And yet here I was, preparing to renew our vows in front of the whole pack, pretending like everything was fine when it wasn’t.

With a shaky breath, I pushed myself to my feet, leaning heavily on the sink as I washed my hands. The liquid soap felt cool against my skin, the scent of lavender doing little to soothe the storm raging inside me. I scrubbed my fingers hard, as though I could wash away the pain, the heartache, but it clung to me like a second skin.

As I dried my hands, I turned toward the bedroom, my gaze immediately snagging on the dress hanging from the wardrobe. It was stunning, a masterpiece that had been made specifically for the feast tonight. The fabric was a deep, rich red, the color of the full moon on a cloudless night. Intricate embroidery decorated the bodice, silver threads woven into delicate patterns that shimmered in the light. The neckline was modest but elegant, with just enough of a plunge to be enticing without being inappropriate. The skirt flowed like water, cascading to the floor in soft waves, designed to move gracefully with every step I took.

I had fallen in love with it the moment I saw it, imagining how beautiful it would look under the moonlight, how I might catch Jacob’s eye and, for a small moment, make him forget about Laurel.

But now, as I stared at the dress, all I could think about was how much of a waste it was. A beautiful dress for a loveless union. A pretty mask for the lies we would tell tonight.

What good was wearing something so beautiful if the union it represented was hollow? The dress would shine under the moonlight tonight, but no one would see the emptiness beneath it. They would look at Jacob and me and see what they wanted to see—a perfect Alpha and Luna, bound by love and loyalty.

They wouldn’t see the cracks. They wouldn’t see the way my heart bled, the way his still belonged to someone else.

I walked toward it slowly, my fingers brushing over the soft fabric as I sighed. There was no magic in this dress, no spell that would make Jacob love me. It was just a pretty costume for the part I was forced to play.

“Maybe I should’ve picked something simpler,” I muttered to myself, though I knew it wouldn’t have made a difference. The dress didn’t matter. The ceremony didn’t matter. Nothing I did would ever change the way Jacob felt.

He would always love Laurel. And I… I would always be second best.

Tonight, I would wear the dress. I would dance the dance, say the vows, and smile for the pack. But inside, I would be hollow. Just like the marriage I was trying so hard to hold together.

The door creaked open behind me, and I turned slightly, noticing one of the maids hesitating in the doorway. She lingered there, unsure whether to come inside or leave me alone.

“Luna?” she called softly, stepping a bit further into the room. “Alpha has requested that you start getting ready for the Feast.”

Her eyes caught sight of the dress hanging in front of me, and she audibly gasped, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Oh, Luna... your dress! It’s so beautiful. You’re going to look absolutely stunning tonight."

I forced a small smile, but it felt like a lie. The excitement in her voice only deepened the sinking feeling in my stomach. If only looking beautiful was enough.

The maid’s nose twitched, and she stepped a bit closer, her expression shifting to one of concern as she looked me over. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked, her voice soft. "You look a little... tired. If you’re not well, I can fetch you some medicine, Luna. Perhaps we should let Alpha know?"

At the mention of Jacob, something in me snapped. “No!” My voice rang out louder than I intended, the word slicing through the silence of the room. The maid flinched, taking a step back as though I had struck her. Her wide eyes darted to the floor, her hands twisting nervously in front of her.

Instantly, guilt washed over me. I hadn’t meant to sound so harsh. I sighed, running a hand through my tangled hair. "I’m sorry," I said, stepping forward to gently pat her shoulder. "I didn’t mean to yell. It’s just..." I trailed off, searching for the right words. How could I explain the storm swirling inside me without sounding utterly unhinged? "I’m just not feeling well tonight, that’s all. But there’s no need to worry Jacob about it. He’s got enough on his plate."

The maid, still shaken from my outburst, nodded meekly, her eyes flicking toward the floor again. "Of course, Luna. I didn’t mean to upset you." She offered a hesitant smile. "I’ll bring some tea for you instead, perhaps?"

I opened my mouth to agree, but my stomach churned violently, as though in protest. I grimaced, pressing a hand to my abdomen. I had felt like this before—just last week, and again earlier this morning. The nausea seemed to be a constant companion now, lurking just beneath the surface, ready to strike at any moment. But I couldn’t deal with it now. Not tonight.

"I’ll be fine," I said quickly, dismissing the maid with a wave of my hand. "I just need a moment to collect myself. Go on. I’ll call for you if I need anything."

She hesitated for a second, but eventually bowed her head and scurried off, closing the door softly behind her.

As soon as she was gone, I sank onto the edge of the bed, running a hand over my face. What was wrong with me? Was it the stress of tonight, of having to pretend again in front of the entire pack? Or was it something more? The thought crossed my mind again that maybe I should send for some anti-nausea medicine, just to make it through the evening. But my stomach twisted again, almost as if rejecting the idea entirely.

I couldn’t afford to be sick tonight. Not when I had to stand next to Jacob, pretending we were the perfect Alpha and Luna, bound by love and duty. I scoffed at the thought, my heart heavy with the irony of it all. Love. What a joke.

I stood up, brushing the creases out of my dress. Whatever this feeling was, I would deal with it later. Tonight, I had a role to play. No more letting my emotions get the better of me. I had to push everything else aside, just like I always did. I had to be strong.