Rita, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, led Isadora to the grand chamber deep within the Pack house. The room was filled with lavish furnishings and beautiful mirrors. It screams of luxury.
Rita began to help Isadora out of her dress and replaced them with a stunning white gown adorned with silver embroidery.
" This is your wedding dress, dear," Rita said, her voice gentle but firm. " You must look your best for the Lycan King."
Isadora felt a surge of anxiety as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was beautiful, but as much as it was beautiful, it also symbolised her fate; a marriage she didn't want, to a dangerous Lycan King she had never met.
Rita, who was standing behind her, noticed her distress. She walked closer to Isadora and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. " Don't be afraid, dear. The Lycan King may be fierce, but he is also just. He will protect you and our pack."
Isadora nodded, trying to appear brave, but her heart was racing fast inside her ribcage.
As Rita finished preparing her, the Old Luna entered the chamber, her eyes scrutinising Isadora from head to toe.
" You look acceptable," she said, her voice dripping with disapproval. " Come, the Lycan King awaits."
Isadora felt her stomach twisted into knots as she followed the Old Luna and Rita through the winding corridors, finally arriving at the grand throne room.
The Lycan King, Asher Blackthorn sat on his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on her. Isadora's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met.
He was even more intimidating than she had imagined. His dark hair cascaded down his chiselled features, his eyes burned with an inner intensity.
The scar above his left eyebrows seemed to pulse with a different kind of energy, as if it were a warning sign of danger.
There was something about Lycan Asher Blackthorn that made Isadora scared and all sweaty. Maybe, just maybe it was because of all the scary and horror stories she had heard about him.
The air around him seemed to vibrate with a dark aura, making Isadora's skin prickle with unease. She could sense the weight of his power and the fear that radiated from those around him.
He was surely one dangerous man.
She felt as if the ground should open and swallow her whole, saving her from the terror that loomed before her.
Lycan Asher Blackthorn's gaze never wavered, his eyes boring into her soul, making Isadora to feel like a small prey caught in the sight of a predator, frozen in terror.
She couldn't look away, couldn't move and neither could she breathe.
The silence was oppressive but then, Lycan Asher Blackthorn finally spoke up, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. " So, you're the one they have chosen for me."
Isadora swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. " Y-yes, your majesty," she stuttered.
His gaze never left her, his eyes piercing through her very being. " You're trembling," he observed, his voice devoid of emotion.
" Fear is a natural response in my presence. It's wise to fear me." His lips curved into a smirk.
Isadora felt a cold sweat trickle down her spine.
She was trapped, caught in the sight of a monster, with no escape in sight.
************
In no time, the wedding ceremony commenced. It was a blur and Isadora's mind was filled with fear. She repeated her vows but her voice was barely audible, as Lycan Asher Blackthorn's gaze bore into her soul. His eyes seemed to strip her bare, exposing her deepest fears and insecurities.
During the exchange of rings, his fingers brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine. The touch was like a spark of electricity.
Lycan Asher Blackthorn's voice was low and menacing as he repeated his vows, his eyes never leaving hers.
As they were pronounced husband and wife, Lycan Asher Blackthorn's grip on her hand tightened, his fingers digging into her skin like claws.
Isadora winced, but tried to hide her pain, not wanting to provoke him.
She already expected it, because she was just a prey who would soon be killed by the predator like how he killed his six other wives.
The reception was a whirlwind of food, drinks, and music, but Isadora's heart wasn't in it. She smiled and laughed, pretending to be the happy bride, but all she was thinking was her family, her pack and the fate that had been forced upon her.
Isadora stood on her own, her mind wandered but a voice brought her back to reality.
" I guess you're the new wife," the lady smirked looking at Isadora with a disapproving look.
" You look young, I wondered what made Asher see in you" the lady sneered with a pretentious smile on.
" I don't know you ma'am, so please leave if you aren't here to congratulate me" Isadora felt annoyed at how the lady was downgrading her.
" You won't survive tonight, I bet you. You will die like his other six wives. They don't survive the wedding night because they couldn't survive Asher's monstrous side during the mating process' ' the lady smirked, making Isadora's eyes widen.
" I will die tonight? What does that mean?" Isadora asked and just when the lady was about to reply to her question, Lycan Asher walked towards them, and with just one glare, the lady scurried away.
Isadora avoided Lycan Asher's gaze as she tried to grab the revelation she just heard.
She wasn't ready to die just yet, but as the evening grew closer, it felt as if death was knocking on her door.
" I guess she told you already" Lycan Asher asked, his deep voice jolting Isadora from her thoughts.
" Huh? She didn't say anything " Isadora lied.
" You're a liar" Lycan Asher who was standing in front of her leaned closer, his face just an inch away from Isadora's own.
" Wha-what are you doing?" Isadora stuttered, her heart beating like a drum inside her chest.
" Let's leave, the wedding will soon be over. It's time for mating" Lycan Asher said rawly, not even trying to hide his desires.
" M-mate?" Isadora repeated the word as if it was a death sentence to her.
The words of that lady kept lingering in her mind.
" Aren't you a wolf? Don't you know what mating is?" Lycan Asher's face turned dark as he stared at Isadora.
" I know, but is it a must today? I might die if you mate with me" she mumbled the last part but it was clear that Lycan Asher heard her clearly.
" It's a tradition which is inevitable, now follow me!" His commanding tone sent shivers down Isadora's spine that she was aware of when she scurried after him.
And then, just as they reached the door, a loud commotion erupted outside. Shouts and screams filled the air, and Lycan Asher heard snapped up, his eyes narrowing in anger.
" What is the meaning of this?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Isadora's heart skipped a beat as a figure burst into the room, a look of urgency on his face.
" Your Majesty," the man gasped, " the Silver Moon pack has attacked our borders. They demand for Luna. They are no longer interested in the marriage because the Alpha of Shallow Blood Pack wants Luna's hand in marriage and has formed an alliance with the Silver Moon pack."
Lycan Asher's eyes flashed with anger, and he turned to Isadora, his gaze piercing through her.
" It seems your pack has come for you, my dear," he sneered. " But too bad, you're already married to me and as such, you're mine now. And no one takes what is mine."
He turned back to the man, " Arrest all of the warriors and if anyone proves stubborn, cut off his head and feed it to the birds in the field." Lycan Asher's voice was filled with danger that made Isadora want to disappear.
" Not even the Moon goddess can stop me from mating with you tonight" and with that, he dragged her into the darkness, leaving Isadora to wonder if she was going to survive the mating process.