010

Raven’s POV

I tried.

Every time I saw Yara, I tried to speak to her and tried to make her understand that I never meant for any of this to happen. But she refused to listen.

The first time, she walked past me without a word.

The second time, she met my eyes with a coldness that I had never seen before. “You got what you wanted,” she said. “What more do you want from me?”

I shook my head. “Yara, please.”

“Do not speak my name,” she snapped. “You do not deserve to say it.”

The third time, I found her alone, staring out of one of the windows of the mansion. I hesitated before stepping closer. “I know you hate me, and I understand why. But you have to believe me that I never wanted this.”

She didn’t even turn her head. “Of course you didn’t. Just like your mother never wanted you.”

Her words were like a blade to my chest. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Yara finally looked at me, her expression filled with resentment. “You ruined my life. Maybe it would have been better if you had ever existed.”

She walked away, leaving me standing there and shattered.

********

Jaxon and I went to the dressmaker’s shop later that afternoon. The moment I stepped inside, I felt so out of place. The walls were lined with elegant fabrics, beautiful gowns and delicate veils. This was Yara’s world, not mine.

But when Jaxon sat down, arms folded as he watched me with amusement, I knew I had no way out of this.

"Go on." He gestured at me to walk into the dressing room. An assistant was waiting for me at the entrance with an armful of white dresses.

I rolled my eyes and turned to go in.

I tried on the first dress. It was simple, off-white and with lace sleeves. I turned to Jaxon, waiting for his opinion.

“You look perfect,” he said immediately.

I cocked an eyebrow. “You are supposed to help me choose, not agree with everything.”

The second dress was longer, flowing with embroidery down the front.

Jaxon nodded. “This one is perfect too.”

I groaned. “You are impossible!”

By the fifth dress, I threw my hands in the air. “You like every single one. How are we supposed to pick?”

Jaxon leaned back in his chair, looking entirely too amused. “You make everything look good, Ray. That is not my fault.”

I narrowed my eyes, even though I was blushing at his compliment. “You are no help.”

In the end, I picked one. It was a simple A-length armless silk dress with a sweetheart neckline, or whatever the assistant called it. It wasn't too extravagant, and yet it was something I never imagined myself wearing.

When we returned, my father's Beta Rhys was waiting in the room with Jaxon.

“Your father has ordered that the wedding take place tonight,” he announced.

I paused and turned to him. “Tonight? He said three days ago."

Rhys nodded. “There are rumors. People are talking. Your father believes it is best to settle this quickly.”

Heat rose in my chest. “This is not about rumors. He just doesn’t want me to have the wedding I deserve. This Is utter rubbish!"

I turned to leave, ready to confront my father if I had to, but Jaxon caught my wrist. “Do not waste your breath.”

I groaned and threw my hands up. “This is unfair.”

Jaxon's hand slid up my arm slowly. He gave me a reassuring smile. “Or maybe it is better we leave this place as soon as we can. I for one cannot wait to show my mate to my kingdom.”

His words took the fight out of me. For the first time since this nightmare began, I actually smiled.

*******

Throughout that day, the hall was a blur of movement.

Maids rushed around, hanging white and gold drapes, placing candles on every table. Guards stood at the doors, ensuring no one entered who wasn’t supposed to be there. I stood in the middle of it all and felt like a stranger at my own wedding.

Jaxon was across the room, speaking with a woman I didn’t recognize. When he caught my eye, he walked toward me.

“I called a beautician for you,” he told me. “She will help you get ready.”

I hesitated. “That is not necessary. It's just a simple wedding”

"And?" Jaxon raised an eyebrow. “You deserve to look like a bride.”

I wanted to argue, but the woman arrived before I could say another word. She took my hand gently and led me to a chair in the corner of the room. I sat still as she worked, brushing my hair, pinning it into something more pretty than I ever could have done myself. She dusted my cheeks with a light powder and added the smallest tint of color to my lips.

When she stepped back, I barely recognized myself.

The time came too quickly.

I stood in the decorated hall, surrounded by a small group of pack members. Father was at the front with a few elders, standing stiffly with his hands behind his back. Jaxon stood beside me, offering his arm. I took it.

I searched the room and saw that Yara was not here, and neither was her mother. Their absence made the dull ache in my chest return. I could still hear her voice as clear as day:

I will be the happiest at your wedding, Raven.

She'd said that barely three days ago, and yet she wasn’t here. She didn’t want to see this.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and faced forward.

The rituals began. Vows were spoken, marks acknowledged. The ceremony was simple, and it was over faster than I expected. When it ended, Father stepped forward and shook Jaxon’s hand.

“Congratulations, Alpha Jaxon,” he said. Not once did he look at me, or acknowledge me at all.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, but the sting of it still cut deep.

Father released Jaxon’s hand. “Remember to fulfill your end of the bargain.”

And then he turned and walked away. The pressure hit me all at once, as I realised that I was truly married. Not by choice, barely by love. Not the turn I had imagined my life would take.

Tears slipped from my eyes before I could stop them.

Jaxon’s hand touched my arm. “Do not cry.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I do not know how to do this, Jax.”

His touch turned to a grip. “You will not do it alone, Ray. You will be a wonderful Luna.”

I nodded, unable to speak. Jaxon sighed and took my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you packed.”

He led me away from the hall, toward my room. And just like that, I left behind everything I had ever known.