Iris's POV

The priest cleared his throat, his hands trembling slightly as he held the sacred book.

"Cassian Blackwood, do you take Iris Silvermoon to be your Queen, your mate, and your protected, to honor and cherish through life and death?"

Cassian did not hesitate. His blue eyes stayed locked on mine, deep and unreadable. "I do."

"And do you, Iris Silvermoon, take Cassian Blackwood to be your King, your husband, and your protector, to honor and stand beside through life and death?"

My throat felt tight. Five years of nightmare memories tried to pull me back, but I pushed them down. I looked into Cassian's cold, handsome face.

"I do," I said.

"By the grace of the Moon Goddess, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal the union."

Cassian stepped closer, his broad frame blocking out the light of the altar. He gently took my jaw in his hand, his touch surprisingly warm, and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was brief, but a strange, faint spark buzzed against my skin. It was not the full electric shock of a mate bond, but it was enough to make my heart skip a beat.

After the ceremony, I took my time to bid my goodbyes to everyone from the loyal omegas to the oack elders. And in just a few moments, his cars and people arrived to pick us up.

Before stepping into the long, black SUV waiting for us, I turned to my parents and my chest ached with a sudden wave of sadness. In my past life, I had isolated myself from them because of the lies Kael fed me.

My mother pulled me into a tight hug, her hands soothingly stroking my silver hair. "My sweet girl," she whispered, her voice cracking as her eyes were now filling up with tears. "Be strong, you are a Queen now. Never let anyone dim your light no matter what....we are still here for you.:

My father stood beside her, his stern eyes soft for once. He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. "If that Lycan King ever disrespects you, or if you ever decude to break this union.... you send word. The Moonstone Pack will always be your home and will always have your back."

"Thank you, Father," I murmured, swallowing the lump in my throat. I hugged them both tightly, knowing this was the start of a completely new life. "I will make you proud."

Cassian waited silently by the open car door, holding out his hand to help me inside. I took it, sitting down on the leather seat, and he slid in beside me, pulling the heavy door shut.

I took one last look of our pack , as everyone stood outside waving and giving there best wishes. The exact same scene that happened when I married Kael. I crossed my fingers fate wouldn't replay itself, and even if it did I was going to let it bend me and fuck me in the ass.

The driver drove away from the estate, heading toward the freezing mountain borders of the Blackwood Pack.

For the first twenty minutes, the ride was dead silent. I stared out the tinted window, watching the green trees slowly turn into sharp, snow-dusted pine forests. Cassian sat quietly on his side of the car, looking straight ahead he didn't seem much of a talker.

Then, I heard a sharp harsh intake of air.

I turned my head...Cassian was sitting stiffly, his head tilted back against the leather headrest. His knuckles were bone-white as his large hand gripped his own chest tightly.

"Cassian?" I asked softly.

He did not answer, his breathing grew fast and shallow. A heavy sweat broke out across his forehead and a deep, low groan of pure agony escaped his throat. He doubled over, gasping for air as if the oxygen had been sucked right out of the car.

Panic spiked in my chest.

" What is wrong with him? "my wolf, Anya asked , she was just as panicked as I was. " Is he having an attack?"

"Stop the car!" I yelled to the driver. "Pull over right now!"

The SUV slammed to a sudden halt on the side of the quiet mountain road.

"Cassian, look at me.... What is wrong?" I reached over, grabbing his arm. His muscles were rock-hard, shaking violently from whatever pain was tearing through him.

He gasped, his icy blue eyes blown wide with unbearable agony, but he could barely form a word.

That was when I saw it.

Dark, fresh blood was seeping through his fingers, staining his shirt right over the left side of his chest.

My heart hammered against my ribs as feared took over. Did Kael do this? Did someone poison him or lace him at the altar without me noticing?

"Let me see," I demanded, my hands shaking as I pulled his large, bloody hand away from his chest.

Bur he tried to fight me off, his voice raspy and weak. "Iris... no... don't..."

" Please let me, I practiced first aid and healing...I can help." .

Ignoring his plea, I leaned in close, my fingers frantically working through the buttons of his shirt. I pulled the bloody fabric open, expecting to find a knife wound or a wolfsbane dart.

Instead, when my eyes landed on his chest I froze and my breath hitched in my throat.

"Moon Goddess....what... what is this?" I gasped , covering my mouth with my hands.