The Bride Who Almost Shifted

VESPERA

“Smile, Seraphine. You're about to marry a billionaire, not attend your own execution.”

I stared at the woman fastening the final button of my wedding dress. “Those are surprisingly similar experiences.”

Liora choked on a laugh, Madam Corvelle did not. “Your jokes are unnecessary, Miss Bryt. Master Draven's family will be here in twenty minutes. I expect you to be ready.”

“Then you should be pleased to know I'm wearing the dress.” I smiled sweetly.

If I had to spend the morning pretending to be a woman I had never met, I was at least going to enjoy irritating people.

The dress was a masterpiece of white satin, fitted through the waist and flowing into a long train. Tiny crystals glittered across the bodice, catching the morning sunlight whenever I moved. My hair had been arranged into soft curls, and a delicate veil rested over my head.

I looked like a bride, yet I was in a gilded cage. Underneath the dress, a thin blade rested against my thigh, secured by a discreet strap. I had insisted on dressing myself after the attendants finished their work.

Nobody needed to know that a bride could conceal a weapon beneath several thousand dollars' worth of satin. I had to be prepared.

“Lift your chin,” Madam Corvelle ordered. “And stop fidgeting, whatever you do, don't embarrass this family.”

I turned to face her. “Does that include breathing?”

Liora coughed into her hand and Madam Corvelle's expression suggested she was reconsidering the benefits of keeping me alive.

“Remember your place,” she said.

Her words stripped the humour from the room. “Believe me,” I murmured. “I haven't forgotten.”

A knock interrupted us. “Madam Corvelle,” a guard called. “The groom is ready.”

Kael.

Last night, my wolf had nearly exposed me simply because he had looked in my direction. This morning, I was expected to stand beside him in front of hundreds of people and survive the experience without glowing, growling, or attempting to throw myself off the nearest balcony.

Madam Corvelle straightened my veil. “Remember to keep your eyes lowered when you approach the altar.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because it is proper.”

“Is it also proper to tell a bride what to do every five seconds?” I smirked.

“Miss Bryt!” She waved her fist at me.

The door opened before she could continue. Kael's mother entered with two attendants behind her.

Lady Evelyne Draven was elegant, silver-haired, and dressed in a pale gold gown that probably cost more than the building where I had learned to fight. Her eyes travelled over me with the cool precision of someone inspecting an expensive purchase.

“Turn around,” she said.

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Let me see the dress.”

I turned slowly, she examined the gown, the veil, and finally my face. “Acceptable.”

“How generous, thank you,” I replied.

She kept her gaze fixed on me. “Kael tells me you have a spirited personality.”

I almost laughed. “He said that?”

“He said you were argumentative, I find that intriguing. You must have changed a bit.”

“That sounds more like him.” She looked amused at my answer, then she quickly put on a straight face.

“Listen carefully, Seraphine. My son has responsibilities that extend beyond this marriage. His bloodline, his business interests, and his position among the ruling families are not subjects for public gossip. You will represent this family well.”

“And you don't think I will?” I returned her gaze.

Lady Evelyne stepped closer. “If you don't you will learn that being Mrs. Draven comes with consequences.”

“I'll keep that in mind.” I nodded slightly.

She looked as though she wanted to say more, but the sound of a car horn interrupted her.

“The guests are arriving,” one attendant announced.

Lady Evelyne turned towards the door. “Come. It is time.”

There was no more time to prepare, no more time to imagine a better plan. I was going to marry Kael Draven and I was going to do it without letting anyone discover who I really was.

The ceremony was being held in the estate's private garden. White flowers covered the entrance, and rows of guests filled the decorated seats beneath a canopy of glass and ivory fabric. Security guards stood along the perimeter, their eyes moving constantly over the crowd.

I counted six visible exits, four guards were stationed near the garden gates, two were positioned beside the main entrance. Probably more hidden among the guests.

My escape plan would need work. The music began, everyone stood and I stepped forward.

The first few metres were easy. I kept my shoulders straight and my expression calm, letting the veil hide the tension in my face.

Then I saw Kael, he stood beneath the canopy in a black suit, looking so infuriatingly composed that I briefly considered stepping on his foot during the vows.

He looked at me and instantly the scent hit me. My wolf slammed against my ribs.

Mine.

My steps faltered, “no, no, no, not now…” I dug my nails into my palm and forced myself forward.

Kael's expression changed slightly as I approached. His eyes narrowed as they followed my face beneath the veil. I reached him and placed my hand in his. Just as his fingers closed around mine, my wolf surged so violently that a strangled breath escaped me.

Kael leaned closer. “Are you all right?”

I smiled through clenched teeth. “Perfectly.”

“You look like you're about to faint.”

“It's normal, just stop squeezing my hand.”

He loosened his grip, and the officiant began speaking. He read words about commitment, loyalty, partnership, and the sacred bond of marriage.

I barely heard them, all I could feel was Kael's hand around mine and the strange, relentless pull beneath my skin. When the officiant asked whether we were ready to proceed, Kael answered without hesitation.

“I am.”

Every guest turned towards me, I swallowed and gave a weak affirmation. “I am.” The lie tasted bitter.

The ceremony continued until the officiant faced Kael.

“Do you, Kael Draven, take Seraphine Bryt to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.” His voice was steady.

Then the officiant turned to me. “Do you, Seraphine Bryt, take Kael Draven to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

I looked at the man beside me, I thought of Mira, the threats, the locked doors, and the life I had abandoned to stand here.

“I do.”

The words had barely left my mouth when a sharp pain tore through my chest. I gasped, Kael's hand tightened around mine. “Seraphine?”

The scent became overwhelming, my wolf clawed at my control, demanding release. I could feel my fingernails lengthening.

No. Absolutely not!

I forced my fingers into a fist, hiding them beneath the folds of my dress. The officiant continued speaking, unaware that the bride was fighting an internal battle that could expose her in front of every powerful person in the region.

“You may now exchange rings.”

An attendant approached with a velvet box, I held out my hand and Kael slid the wedding band onto my finger. The moment the metal touched my skin, my wolf went silent.

The sudden absence of her struggle frightened me more than the struggle itself. I stared at the ring then at Kael, I picked up the second ring and slipped it onto his finger too.

The officiant smiled. “You may kiss your bride.”

The crowd erupted into applause but I wasn't delighted, my entire body went rigid.

Kael turned towards me. “Relax,” he murmured. “I'm not going to bite you.”

“That's reassuring.”

He gave me a small practiced smile and then he placed one hand lightly against my waist and leaned down. I tilted my face towards his and felt his lips brush mine briefly, restrained and meant for the cameras.

my wolf reacted as though the world had just split open. A violent surge of heat raced through my body, my eyes burned and I quickly jerked away but Kael caught my arm before I stumbled.

“What's wrong?” He frowned at me.

“Nothing.” I looked away from him, “just nervous I guess.”

“Your hands are shaking.”

“I'm overwhelmed.”

“By a kiss?”

I forced a laugh. “Would you like me to give a speech about your remarkable kissing abilities?”

He looked at me softly. “I’ll do that later.”

Then he turned towards the guests and lifted my hand for the cameras. I smiled thinly, the photographs were taken, the applause resumed and just like that, I became Mrs. Kael Draven.

The reception was worse, I had changed into the pale blue dress Madam Corvelle had given me. People approached us in endless waves, congratulating us while studying me with the curiosity of hungry wolves.

A politician asked about the Bryt family's latest investment, a woman in diamonds asked whether I intended to give Kael children immediately.

I nearly choked on my champagne but thankfully Kael answered before I could. “My wife and I will make those decisions privately.”

The woman laughed awkwardly and moved away.

I looked at him. “Thank you.”

“Don't mention it.”

“I wasn't planning to.” I rolled my eyes.

He gave me a sideways glance. “You're remarkably difficult to please.”

“You're remarkably difficult to tolerate, tragically, I married you.”

He smiled looked genuine or maybe that's what my wolf wanted me to see. Then a waiter passed with a tray of drinks. His scent drifted towards me and my wolf recoiled.

A growl rose in my throat but I instantly covered it with a cough. Kael turned immediately.

“What was that?”

“Champagne went down the wrong way.” I lied.

“You haven't taken a sip.”

I stared at him, he stared back, then a mysterious smile slowly played on his lips.

“What?”

He leaned close to me. “I thought I should inform you, we share the same bed tonight.”

“What?!”