*Mackenzie*I did not know my little sparkling ring would catch so much attention. Everywhere I went, everyone noticed this tiny pink stone and either jumped and squealed with joy, congratulated me on the good news, or asked about the details of the ceremony. And I had just crossed the threshold of the dining room.I didn't know everyone's names or professions yet, but I was getting better at recognizing people. I knew where I saw those faces and always tried to find a nice word for each one, or at least that's what I thought."Luna. Luna Enzi." Elisabeth ran to our table with a broad smile and a small sausage in her hand."I have a snack for Fireball." She raised her hand proudly and showed it off, looking around for my lynx. "Where is she?" She asked, not finding her newest friend."She stayed at home. But I'd love to see you at lunch. I'll bring her here if you want." I suggested, seeing the sadness on that pretty round face."Mhm." Elisabeth nodded, and, due to the lack of a lynx,

*Conrad* I stood nervously, dressed in a ridiculously tight and restrictive suit, waiting more than five minutes late for the woman who yesterday had been begging to be mine forever.When I told my mother what decision Mackenzie had made, I expected that my mother would go all the way, but to make such a fairy-tale gazebo out of an ordinary willow tree surrounded by heather in such a short time was beyond my imagination.'Because you lack imagination, man.' Rip made a sarcastic remark.'You probably didn't know what to say either when we got here twenty minutes ago, you prick.’ I reminded him how he fell silent in my head just after crossing the willow branches and entering this fairy-tale landscape.'That doesn't change that I knew our mother would perform a miracle. She had been waiting for this for over two decades. See how she did it. Remember to thank her later, you donkey.' Rip growled in warning as he took in the entire clearing.He was right. Mom performed an incredible mirac

*Conrad*The blood pulsed in my veins. My heart was racing like crazy, and my loins were excitedly vibrating. I've never wanted anyone as much as I wanted her. I've never craved someone else's blood because this is how this night will end. With my teeth buried in her neck.Her skin seemed to glow in the moonlight as another piece of material from her delicate dress fell lower and lower. Her milky skin emanated with intense heat, almost burning with every touch."Conrad, please," she begged, almost gasping for air.The straps of her dress hung around her elbows, blocking her movement as my face feasted on her cleavage. I grabbed her wrists and linked them behind her back, pinning her body to the wall with mine.Throughout the evening, her every move tempted me, every look warmed my blood, and every breath she breathed on my skin stimulated me even more. I was ready to have her on the damn dance floor as soon as her swollen nipple poked through the fabric of her dress."You must pay for

*Mackenzie*I was staring at the TV, clicking through the channels, bored. I had already seen what was exciting, and what was new was hopeless. I sighed deeply, turned off the TV, and threw the remote control to the other end of the enormous bed.I turned to the window and sighed again, longing for a regular walk. It's been two days since our wedding. Two days I spent in bed in Conrad's apartment with strict instructions not to leave it.I pulled back the covers and stretched out my aching legs, slowly sliding to the floor. I must admit that every activity caused me pain. The only thing I could do painlessly was breathe. Everything else hurt to a greater or lesser extent.I gritted my teeth and slowly moved forward, using the crutches Dr. Vera brought me during my second visit the next day. Unfortunately, that was all she could do for me, as none of her tests revealed the cause of my bizarre condition.This enraged Conrad even more, and despite everyone's objections, he ordered me not

*Mackenzie*I didn't know what to do first: hug her or scream out my sadness and frustration. Tears flowed down my cheeks with every word she said. Something terrible must have happened to her, but I didn't think she had experienced such a great betrayal.Despite my aching bones, I got up from the swing and threw my arms around Anna's neck. "I'm so sorry. You've had to go through so much. You've lost so much. I don't know what I can do to help you." I cried on her shoulder, and she hugged me and sobbed with me.I leaned over her for a few minutes, not caring about my discomfort, the pain in my body, or the frosty wind blowing. My friend needed me, and I couldn't leave her in need."I'm asking you to keep it between us. If they are happy, I don't want to destroy their family. And I can handle it alone," Anna asked, moving me at arm's length."Mother of God, you're shaking." She screamed when she saw my quivering body. "Go to bed immediately. I won't forgive myself if something happens