‎Chapter 1. The Path I’m On‎

Bliss

‎The house smelt like old wood and faint traces of lavender. Uncle said it was because of the cedar shelves lining the walls, but I thought I smelt more like memories – some bitter, some sweet, and a whole lot of silence.

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‎I sit on the edge of the threadbare couch, nervously twisting my fingers. Across from me,Ria  was stretched out like she owned the place, one leg casually draped over the armrest as she scrolled through her phone without a care in the world. She got up, smirking. “You’re biting your nails again, Bliss,” she said with the teasing tone she always used. “You need to chill; it’s just a wedding, not a war.” I managed a weak smile. “It’s not that simple for me, Ria”

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‎She raised an eyebrow. “Why?” Demonstrating with her hand, she continued, “ Liam is decent enough, right? My dad picked him out himself.”

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‎I looked away. “ I guess. I just…… I don’t really know him. And I’m not great at the whole fiancé thing.”

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‎Ria rolled her eyes, flipping her hair back. “You’re so dramatic. He's handsome and has power in his Pack. Bliss. That’s solid and strong. You’re lucky he’s even interested.” 

“Have you gone to his Pack before?”

“I mean no, but I’m pretty sure his Pack is what he says it is.”

I turned to her. Easy for you to say .” I sighed, “You’ve got George. You two seem… perfect.”

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‎Ria snorted, “Perfect. Please don’t let him hear you say that.”

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‎I tilted my head. “Why? He doesn’t seem like much." 

She shrugged but caught the twitch of my lip. "Whatever, Bliss, you’re too uptight. My dad thinks Liam is a good match, and my dad knows best, right?”

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‎Just, then uncle’s voice came from the kitchen: "Ladies, dinner is ready.”

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‎Ria jumped off the couch with a look like I needed to step up my game. I stood and followed them into the dining room. Uncle stays at the head of the table, eyes sharp behind his glasses.

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‎“So,” he began clearing his throat, “how is the wedding planning coming along?” 

I chewed nervously on the inside of my cheek. “It’s… Okay, I’m still figuring things out.”

Uncle nodded, eyes unreadable. ” Good. Liam is a fine man, a solid pack. We need that alliance.”

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‎ I swallowed. "I know,“ 

Ria smirked. "You see, there is nothing to worry about,” with her eyes on her plate.

 I wanted to believe her, but something tight twisted in my chest. This wasn’t about a marriage. It was about politics , survival, keeping the pack safe and me? I was barely holding myself together.

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‎After dinner, I escaped to my room. The small space was cramped, but with photos of Mom and Dad on her nightstand, their smiles frozen in happier times. I traced the frame with my finger.

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‎“I miss you”, I whispered .

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‎A knock at the door startled me. It was Ria looking, less mug now, a little softer. “Come in,” I said. She walked to me and patted my shoulder where I sat on the bed.

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‎“Hey,” she said quietly. “Don’t take all this so hard, alright? You’ll be fine with Liam.”

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‎I gave her a small nod. "Thanks, Ria."

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‎She hesitated, then she added, “Just don’t let your my dad push you too much. It’s your life, Bliss .”

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‎That surprised me, Ria, the queen of 'it's all about me', showing a sliver of kindness.

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‎I smiled genuinely for the first time that day. “Okay“, I said. 

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‎She smiled back and left the room. I stood up and followed to close the door. But even as I closed the door, the doubt crept back. What did Liam really want? Did I even have a choice? And what if I wasn’t ready to be anyone’s mate yet?

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‎I flopped on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow was another day, and this wedding felt like the beginning of a path I didn’t want to walk but had no choice.

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‎The wooden floor moaned under pressure just outside my door. right on time. 

“ Bliss”, Ria’s voice rang out with the sickly sweet tone she reserves for moments she’s about to be unbearable, ”You’re not seriously still in bed, are you? You know Liam would think he’s marrying a corpse.”

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‎Another day, another reason to pretend I’m okay. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. Slowly. Dramatically.

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‎The door creaked open without permission as usual.Ria stood there, her silk pyjamas hugging her like they were sewn into her skin. She gave me a once-over and wrinkled her nose.

 “You really are going to do the ghost bride aesthetic, huh? I respect your commitment.”

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‎“Good morning to you too,” I muttered, sitting up and brushing the curls from my face.

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‎She grinned, all teeth and smugness. “Just trying to help; we can’t all roll out of bed and look like death on toast.”

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‎“Some of us prefer honesty over false advertising,“ I said, tilting my head at her makeup-caked face

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‎Ria gasped, clutching her chest like I had stabbed her. ”Wow. Starting the day with shades? I’m proud.”

 She strutted away, humming like she hadn’t just insulted me. In three different ways. I dragged myself out of the bed and walked over to the mirror; my reflection looked tired, eyes slightly swollen, skin dull, and lips in. Flatline. But I didn’t look broken.

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‎Not completely anyway.

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‎Downstairs my uncle sat at the table, hidden behind his newspapers like it was his personal fortress. Tea’s on the stove,“he muttered without looking up.

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‎I poured myself a cup, bitter as always. My uncle believed sweet tea made people soft. I sipped it anyway.

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‎He finally peeked over the paper. His eyes scanned me the way someone checks a grocery list: “Wear the blue dress when Liam comes,“ and he went back to reading his paper .

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‎No “please. No. How are you?” 

He raised his head again. "Just instructions," he replied.

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‎“Okay,“ I replied, even though every cell in my body wanted to scream no.

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‎Satisfied, he returned to the news like that was the end of the conversation.

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‎Ria glided in a moment later, still in her pyjamas, flipping her hair like she was walking a runway. 

“Ohhh, you’re drinking tea too?” She asked, eyebrows raised, “I did think bitterness suited you. Ohhh wait…..”

 I smiled without teeth. “You’re hilarious. I hope someone laughs eventually .” 

She laughed at herself and leaned on the counter. “You know you should thank me. If I hadn’t introduced you to Liam, you would still be single.”

‎“You introduced me? I thought Uncle did.”

‎She blinked and then smiled tighter. “Same thing.”

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‎The hours dragged. I cleaned the living room top to bottom; Ria floated behind me, offering suggestions I didn’t ask for.

 “You know.” She said, sprawling on the couch like Cleopatra, Liam’s used to high-class women; maybe try not to trip when he walks in.”

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‎“Thanks for the tip; I’ll add ‘walk normal to my to-do list,” she beamed.

 “That’s the spirit.“

 I paused mid-swipe. “You know Liam”

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‎She avoided my eyes and lowered her voice. “Nope, just a rumour.”

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‎By noon I was dressed in the blue gown. Simple, safe – the kind of dress that says, “ I’m trying but not too hard.” My hair was braided neatly down my back, and my heart beat down my throat as I waited for the inevitable knock.

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‎It came.

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‎I opened the door to find Liam Prestine in black and grinning. 

“Bliss”, he said, reaching for my hand, “you look…… breathtaking.” 

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. From the beginning, Ria materialised like a particular smug shadow, 

“ Liam”, she purred, “Did you not miss me?“ 

He leaned forward and kissed her cheeks. “How could I not ?” 

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‎I stood between them smiling like I wasn’t seconds away from throwing up. The living room became a performance space; my uncle took centre stage, his arms crossed. “All is set, then?” He asked, and Liam nodded confidently. 

“The ceremony will be intimate, and elegant.”

‎“Ugh,” Ria groaned, flopping onto the couch. “So boring. If it were my wedding, I’d have a white wolf with golden collars and flower petals falling from the sky.”

‎I looked at her flatly. “Maybe you can add a unicorn or two for good luck.“ 

Ria gasped, “Don’t tempt me!”

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‎The rest of the conversation blurred – dates, details, guest lists. I nodded when I had to and smiled when expected. As Liam stood to leave, he turned towards me, eyes softening in that deliberate way that seemed rehearsed.

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‎“I hope you're as excited for this as I am,” he said.

 I tilted my head. “You have no idea what I'm feeling.”

‎He chuckled like I had just confessed a crush. “We will fix that soon.”

‎He walked out, and I didn't follow.

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