Chapter 4 - Sunshine

Was that a threat to my whole life? The thought twisted my gut.

I was so tired of being pushed around, of being a piece in everyone else's games. "What if I 'say' I will be Luna? The Luna of the Blackwood Pack?" I blurted out, my voice shaky but firm. He just laughed, a mean, dismissive sound that cut me deep. Then he stormed out, leaving me standing there, filled with anger and hurt. I turned and walked like a zombie to my bed, collapsing onto it. "I'll fight this," I whispered, but the words felt empty, like a promise I couldn't keep.

I lay there until the first light of dawn peeked through the curtains. A soft knock woke me. "Come in," I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep. A servant, someone who used to be in my place – quiet and overlooked – came in. I didn't know her name, but she knew me. "Luna-to-be," she said, bowing her head a little. "Your mating ceremony is in two days. Please, come and pick out your wedding dress." Her voice was soft. I looked around the room, at all the fancy stuff, at everything that had happened last night, the Alpha's claim, the wedding plans. It was all real.

"Give me a minute," I said, pushing myself up. I didn't want to keep her waiting, or worse, make her mad.

"Luna-to-be, take your time," she said, her voice a little worried, like she thought I might hurt myself. I managed a weak smile, grateful for her kindness. Her voice calmed me down a little.

"Okay," I said, moving slowly, trying to look calm even though I felt like I was falling apart.

****

It was late afternoon when I finally dragged myself back to my room, worn out from all the dress fittings and photos. I'd been shown off like a prize, forced to smile and pose while the Alpha was "too busy" to be there. I didn't know how they'd explain him not being there, but it felt like a huge hole in the whole thing. I fell onto the bed, my body heavy. Then I heard the door creak open. I forced my eyes open, and there he was.

Alpha Xander.

I started to get up, but he was faster. He walked to the bed and gently pushed me back down. He traced his claws lightly around my chest, making me shiver. "How have you been since this morning? You didn't come to see your mate," he said, his voice low.

"I've been just as busy as you," I said, my voice a little shaky. His touch, the power coming off him, still got to me.

"I see," he whispered, his eyes getting darker. Then he stopped touching me. "Come to my room," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. I got up and followed him, my head spinning.

As I walked to his room, I couldn't help but think about my family. I was worried about them. They must have heard I was going to marry the Alpha. Why hadn't they come?

I thought they'd be happy, that it would give them a better place in the pack. Or did they think I was crazy, that I didn't deserve this?

I walked into the Alpha's room, and he shut the door hard. He picked me up, sat down, and put me on his lap. Then, in a few seconds, I felt his fingers touching me between my legs. He explored me with a knowing touch, and was about to put his fingers inside me when I gasped, surprised and excited. He stopped, looking into my eyes. "You're a virgin?" he whispered. I didn't know if I should be proud or ashamed, but I nodded, my face getting hot. He gently lifted me off his lap and put me back on the bed. "I won't do it if you're not ready," he said, sounding almost kind. I froze, not knowing what to say.

He started to get up, like he was going to leave, but I grabbed his hand. "I'm your mate," I said, my voice shaking but honest. "I can see you want me, and... I don't mind." I looked at him, trying to show him how I felt, the connection I felt with him. He looked at me for a long time, a little bit of tenderness in his eyes. Then he smiled slowly. He got back on the bed, and I knew what he wanted.

I felt so connected to him, like I belonged. I let him have my body like I'd been saving it for him, like it was a gift for my mate. And when I finally got out of bed, hours later, I knew I wasn't a virgin anymore. I looked at the clock, my body still buzzing from what we'd done. It was evening. Next to me, the Alpha was asleep, looking peaceful.

I thought about the last few hours, how intense it had been, how he'd claimed me. I smiled. I guess I'd given him everything, given myself to him completely.

Hours passed, and soon it was my wedding day, the day of my mating ceremony. The whole pack was in the fancy event hall, everything sparkling with wealth.

I sat on a stool in my room, looking at myself in the mirror. I never thought I could look like a princess. The white dress, the lace, the diamond tiara – it was all so fancy, so different from my life. "It's the day," a voice said softly. "I still don't get why you won't give up. If my brother wants to die with you, I wouldn't mind though. You've made it this far, even with being so stubborn towards me, so at least now you know, I'm not as dangerous as you think." Seraphina said as she walked in, looking at me with surprisingly gentle eyes.

I looked down. "It's time," she said again, her voice a mix of sadness and excitement. I stood up and let her lead me to the entrance of the hall, where the Alpha was waiting.

"You look great," he whispered in my ear, making me shiver. He took my hand, and I felt a rush of warmth. Together, we walked down the aisle, the whole pack bowing as we passed. The priest was already there, smiling. When we got to the altar, I could see how happy he was.

It was supposed to be the best day of my life, a day of pure happiness. I tried not to look at my enemies, the ones who always wanted to hurt me. I focused on my mate, the man I was going to be with forever. I knew I'd be marked tonight and sealed as his.

"Miss Sunshine Thorne, do you accept Alpha Xander Blackwood as your Alpha and your mate?" the priest asked, his voice loud. I looked up at Xander, my heart full of love. I saw Seraphina standing near the front, and I glanced at her. She gave me a small, tight smile that made me uneasy. I quickly looked back at Alpha Xander.

"Yes, I do! I accept him!" I said, my voice full of happiness.

The priest nodded and turned to the Alpha. "Alpha Xander Blackwood, do you accept Miss Sunshine Thorne as your mate, your wife, and your Luna?" he asked, his voice echoing in the silent hall.

I looked up at Xander, my stomach twisting with nerves. I watched as he smiled slowly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Then he spoke, "No, I don't," his voice cold and my world shattered.

Gasps filled the hall, people whispering in shock.

Did I just hear him say no?

"He... he said, do you accept me as your mate?" I stammered, trying to explain, as I believe I'd heard wrong. I reached out to touch him, but he pushed me away, his eyes hard.

"I heard him just fine, and I answered accordingly," he said, his voice cold and uncaring. I frowned, confused and scared, and turned to Seraphina. She was standing next to Lysander, their faces twisted with cruel, happy smiles that burned into me.

What had they done? What had they planned? "Look, I don't care if you don't want me anymore," I begged, my voice breaking, "but please, don't do this here. Don't embarrass me in front of everyone."

Xander just shook his head, not sorry at all.

"I enjoyed you, for sure," he said, his words like a punch in the gut, "but I have to reject you, Sunshine. I had to realize that it's not all about me anymore. It's about my pack as long as I'm the Alpha. I hope you understand." He said it like he'd practiced it, never looking at me. I looked around at the pack, hoping someone would support me, but they all agreed with him. Some looked indifferent while others were even happy about it.

"Looks like the Alpha finally came to his senses," someone said mockingly, and people started whispering.

I felt myself getting smaller, like I was disappearing as everyone judged me. I'd fallen so far from being so powerful minutes ago to being completely humiliated in seconds. "No...this can't happen. Xander you can't do this." I stammered, my voice barely loud enough to hear.

He smirked, his face cruel and scary that I shivered. "You have only two choices Sunshine..."