I SAT IN SILENCE as my ears pricked up. Listening for any sounds of my new husband.

My skin gleamed in the dull light of the room, and the soft scent of rose oil my maids had massaged into it tickled my senses.

Pratap loved when I smelled like roses. My mate and the man I was supposed to marry. 

The dull sting of my broken matebond shuddered through me.

I wished I could cry, then maybe this would all feel better. 

But I had cried every tear I had inside me and now it felt like I was in a bad dream, waiting every second to be awakened by Mami's teasing voice. 

Like a prized pig pruned and prepared for her owner, I sat on my matrimonial bed waiting for my new husband.

And Pratap. My Pratap had rejected me.

My nightdress was a sexy red color. Hand sewn with gold threads by the best royal designers, it was a gift from my stepmother and I supposed it should make me happy.

it had.

Just this morning, I had screamed in excitement, blushing hard as I imagined the hot look of desire in Pratap's eyes when he saw me wearing the dress tonight on our wedding bed.

But now, all the dress inspired in me was shame.

I loathed being seen by Prince Kai in the dress. Goddess forbid he would take one look and decide to claim his marital right.

I didn't even know what the cruel man looked like. Did he like the color red? I had no freaking idea.

With a suppressed sob, I drew my knees closer to my chest.

My mind wandered to this morning as I tried to think where it had all gone wrong.

——————

"Come in!" I smiled as I rubbed my palm against the front of my exquisite wedding dress. 

"Not so fast, hold on!" Mami chuckled and hurriedly replaced my veil to hide my face.

She's so superstitious. I rolled my eyes but internally I was pleased. 

It felt good to uphold the traditions as the first daughter of the royal house of Canthea.

"Come in now!" Mami stepped out from in front of me and stood by my side.

My dressing room door opened and Pratap stepped inside.

I stared shamelessly as heat bloomed low in my stomach.

By the Goddess, he was beautiful. We had grown up together with me watching every stage of his growth, so it sometimes knocked me off my feet when I saw him looking so good.

The wedding suit clung to his muscles and his brown hair had been slicked back, specially for today

Unconciously, my legs carried me a few steps forward towards the man I was set to marry in one hour.

Wait. There's something wrong. Why isn't he smiling?

His expression wasn't the reaction I expected when he saw me in my wedding dress for the first time.

I furrowed my brows slightly and glanced back at Mami to see if she had noticed anything strange.

But Mami wasn't focused on me. She was bowing her head deeply, which could only mean one thing.

His Royal Majesty, Roland Frostblade, The Lycan King of Canthea and my father was behind me.

I spun around to see him glide into the room behind Pratap. 

"Father," I followed Mami's lead, bowing as much as my heavy wedding dress would allow while my mind raced.

Why was he here? Did he suddenly develop love for me now that I was getting married and would be leaving the palace?

From the side of my eyes, I saw even Nadia get to her feet and bow before Baba.

Family or not. He was our sovereign and we had to show our respect.

Once the customary few seconds of reverence was up, I raised my head slowly and watched in confusion.

"What's happening?" I whispered to Pratap as my eyes scanned his unreadable face.

"I am here because your husband has an announcement for all of us!" Baba announced as he crossed his arms behind him and walked to stand between Pratap and me.

Turning his gaze to Pratap. "Well then boy! Speak. Several guests have arrived and I don't have the luxury of being here for more than five minutes!"

His words stung but I swallowed and like I had done several times before, I brushed it off and focused on my mate.

"What announcement?" I asked Pratap as a small smile tugged on my lips.

Did he perhaps get me a horse?

Or could it be that he wants permission for a trip? Maybe a honeymoon of some sorts.

"I would like to return this." Pratap cleared his throat.

I smiled in confusion as his hand moved to remove the engagement rings we had exchanged before the packs barely two fortnights ago.

"Pratap? What-"

"I'm sorry but I can't go through with it,"

My heart thundered and real fear flashed through me as Pratap took my silk gloved right hand and placed his ring on it.

I tried to take in a deep breath and stared at him in shock. What—What does he mean?

This is Pratap, my childhood best friend and mate Pratap. 

Yet as he stared at me with an unreadable expression, he seemed so foreign to me.

No. This makes no sense.

"Is this a joke to you!" Baba swore under his breath as he spun around to look through the glass windows of my dressing room.

"See all the royal guests I've invited!" 

"Is that what you care about? The guests? Serena's wedding is getting called off ?!" Mami hissed appalled.

"No!" I whispered in disbelief and ripped my veil from my head. 

"My wedding isn't getting called off!" I shook my head adamantly and turned to my mate.

"Why are you so silent?! TELL THEM!" I screamed.

"Serena, I'm sorry. The wedding is over," Pratap looked away from me.

Over? The wedding hasn't even started.

"No baby, don't say that," I shushed him as my tears blurred my vision. I reached for his stiff hands and forcefully held them. 

"W We're spending our lives together. We love each other," I chanted as I pushed the ring back into his finger with shaky hands.

"Don't force the man," Nadia chuckled. 

"Force?! This is Pratap! My Pratap!" I hissed angrily.

He loves me!

"Resolve this now! I have FOUR Lycan kings! FOUR! I made them travel here!" Baba hissed in irritation as I felt Mami's hand encircle my shoulders to comfort me.

I wiped my eyes with the back of my glove, staining the white with black mascara streaks. No need to cry. Pratap loves me.

I have proof. With my blurred vision, I spun away from Mami's arms and left the commotion to find it.

There! On the table! My hands snatched the love letter I had read several times over as I turned to Pratap.

"YOU SENT ME THIS YESTERDAY!" I waved the love letter at his face as my tears streamed down my cheeks and my voice reverberated around the room.

"Serena,"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" I yelled as I hit his chest with the letter.

"RENA! you call me RENA and you wrote this letter saying you can't wait to get married to me and that you love me!"

"But he doesn't !" 

I turned to blink at Nadia through my tears.

"You can't force him to marry you. If he says he doesn't want to, then let him go," she shrugged and chuckled.

"We have thirty minutes left! Fix this now!" Baba hissed impatiently.

"Stop it!" Mami sobbed as she reached for me again.

"Stop? I have guests here for a wedding! SHE'S ABOUT TO DESTROY OUR FAMILY NAME WITH THIS SCANDAL!"

Pratap shook his head and turned around to walk out of the room.

He's leaving? My heart thundered in fear as I watched my mate about to walk out of my life.

"PRATAP NO! Please," My knees lost power and I sank to the floor.

He froze with his hand on the door. 

"Did someone put you up to this? Is this a prank?" I could barely see as my sobs threatened to choke me.

"Please. I'd die without you,"

I can't live without Pratap. I don't know how to. I don't want to know how to.

"I'm sorry RENA,"

Sorry?! My Pratap would never leave me.

"NO!" I refused as my hands shook and my tears soaked the letter making the ink bleed across the page.

"If you walk out now Pratap. It's over," My voice cracked and my wolf whined in protest but I ignored her.

I waited. With hopes because I know my mate. He would never leave me. Not when we're madly in love. The whole Province knows that.

"Okay,"

My breath caught as I clutched my chest and gasped for breath.

"I Pratap Wildewood of Xintha. Beta of the Canthea Province, thereby reject you. Princess Serena Frostblade of Canthea as my mate,"