Wedding day

Mia

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection in horror as the maids helped me get ready for my big day. 

They were four maids in the rooms with me, their gentle whispers and soft laughter filled the air as they worked.

My personal handmaids, Hannah and Maria who have been taking care of me since I was a little girl, swarm around me, their skilled hands making final adjustments to the gown. They were the ones i could talk to and I would definitely miss them once I’ve left.

With final adjustments, the maids stepped back, admiring their handwork with smiles on their faces.

The wedding gown was a perfect fit, hugging my curves in all the right places, but it wasn’t mine. It was Maya’s dress, Maya’s wedding day.

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as I gazed at my reflection. The dress was beautiful with elegant lace and delicate embroidery but it felt like a costume, a disguise. 

I was pretending to be my sister, marrying a man I had never met.

“What’s wrong Miss Mia?”

Hannah asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “You don’t like the dress?”

“No, I… I love it…it’s beautiful”

I forced a laugh, trying to reassure her but it came out shaky. The sound echoed through the room, making me feel even more anxious.

Maria, the observant one, exchanged a knowing glance with Hannah and I sighed. They knew me too well.

“Everything will be fine Mia, don’t worry about the rumors, they’re nothing but just that. Maybe your husband is a nice man”

She tried to sound positive but I could hear the doubt in her voice.

My soon to be husband, Alpha Logan Thoren was rumored to be a ruthless, cold hearted and and brutal alpha.

Some even went as far as to call him the devil incarnate, a monster with no heart or soul.

Maria, sensing my distress, stepped forward and gently adjusted the delicate lace on my sleeve. Her touch was soothing but it wasn’t enough to calm the storm brewing inside me.

“You look beautiful, Miss Mia”

she said softly. “You’ll make a lovely bride”

I forced a smile, feeling like I was going to shatter into a million pieces. “Thank you Maria “

I whispered, my voice barely audible.

My maids finished their final adjustments and I was left standing alone in the front of the mirror, staring at a stranger in a beautiful wedding gown.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and shortly after, my mom walked in, her eyes welling up on seeing my face.

“Mia”

She whispered as she slowly made her way into the room, her eyes scanning the room.

She smiled warmly at Hannah and Maria who bowed their heads respectfully before backing away to give us some space.

“Mia, darling, you look beautiful “

She complimented and I smiled.

“Thank you mother”

I whispered.

Her eyes locked onto mine and I could see the guilt and sadness swirling in their depths. She took a step closer to me, her hands slowly reaching out to grasp mine. “Mia, darling I’m so sorry”

She whispered, her voice trembling.

“I’m so sorry that it had to be like this. Marrying Alpha Logan… it was the only choice, sweetie. The only way to protect our family, our pack”

She gently squeezed my hands, her eyes pleading for forgiveness.

“I know it’s not what you wanted, Mia but please you have to understand. It’s for the greater good”

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my mom. I knew she was trying to convince herself as much as me. She felt trapped, cornering into making a choice that would ensure our family’s survival.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the words to reassure her. “It’s okay mom”

I whispered, trying to sound brave and she slowly nodded.

“Let me help you fix the veil”

She offered, walking towards the bed where the veil and beautiful pink roses were placed. Picking them up, she came to stand behind me.

“Sit”

She whispered gently, guiding me to the stool before the mirror as she carefully placed the veil on my loosed waves, gently securing it with silver pins to ensure a perfect fit.

“Perfect”

She whispered, stepping back to admire her handwork with a smile on her lips.

Next, she carefully wove the pink roses into my hair, their delicate petals and sweet fragrance complementing the ivory gown.

“Mom?”

I slowly called out.

“Hmm?”

“I’m happy that you are here”

I whispered and mom’s hands stilled as she slowly lifted her gaze to look at my reflection on the mirror and a warm smile spread across her face.

“I’m happy to be here Mia”

She replied as she went back to finish her job of weaving the roses into my hair.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything in the world”

She added, her voice filled with emotions and I smiled.

“Has everyone arrived?”

I asked and she nodded.

“Most of them”

She replied, standing next to the windows as she looked at the carriages arrive one after the other.

I joined her at the window, gazing out at the arriving guests. Elegant carriages arrived at the castle’s courtyard as nobles and dignitaries stepped down, dazzling in their attires.

Among the arrivals, I spotted Rowan, my childhood friend and secret heartthrob. He looked dashing in his formal attire as his brown eyes scanned the courtyard as if searching for someone. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met and for a moment, I forgot about the wedding, forgot about Alpha Logan and forgot about the game I was playing. All I could think about was Rowan.

His eyes lingered on mine for a moment before he nodded and turned to greet his parents who were also guests at the wedding. I felt a pang of sadness and longings as I watched him walk away.

Why did I have to fall in love with the one person I couldn’t have?

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and shortly after a court lady came in.

“My lady, it’s time”

She announced.

My mom’s eyes met mine and I could see the sadness in them. “Are you ready?”

She whispered and I nodded.

“I’m ready mom”

With a final glance in the mirror, I turned and followed the maid out of the room, leaving mom behind and as I walked down the stairs, the sounds of my heels clicking on the floor echoed through the hallway, reminding me that I was walking into a future that wasn’t mine.