AKIRA ISHIDA.The one name sure to send terror down the spines of everyone in Ganan Fortress.I bit back a smile, looking ahead as the royal dressmaker adjusted my wedding dress and continued her gossip to my ladies' maid. Claire."Did you hear that she might have killed the late Lycan? I'm sure that's why General Nakim banished her from the Assassin's Guild,"I tsked, feeling insulted as the gossip continued. As though General Nakim would ever banish me."Are you alright, my lady?" The dressmaker looked up at me, her eyes wide in worry."Fantastic," I drawled. "I love the feeling of your needle sticking in my skin,"She bowed her head apologizing quickly as she unpinned the adjustments to my dress and I breathed slowly.It's harder to remember on days like this. But I am not Akira Ishida, the most feared assassin in Ganan. Not anymore. Dante made sure of that, I'm Lady Ira now. And as much as I love and appreciate my mate, some days I yearn for the life he made me give up.In any case, I excel as Lady Ira. An exotic noble lady with intense powers, I practically run the pack for Dante. Doing all his alpha duties, though, of course, that's a secret for just me and him."You look beautiful my lady," Claire gushed. "You'll be spectacular at the wedding tomorrow. I'm sure the Alpha would love your dress,""And the current Lycan King too," The dressmaker giggled. "I heard he'll be coming to honor your union,"I hummed. Excitement swirling in my stomach as I admired my reflection in the mirror. I had to admit, she was quite right. The dress was stunning."Can I see the ceremonial blade? Does the color match my outfit?" I turned to Claire expectantly."Yes my lady," She opened the box.I peered inside and sighed in contentment. Everything for the wedding was perfect."They'll do. We just have to find Princess Mirvana and hand them to her,"The dressmaker assisted me to step out of my dress as I smiled in excitement.My happiness was shortlived as Claire and I walked into my bedroom and I froze at the sight of Mirvana.Mirvana Galenira, heir and princess to the Black Shadow pack. She acted as ambassador here in Blood Moon and was my closest friend in the palace. Yet the last thing I wanted, was her waiting alone in my room.Immediately, my eyes scanned the room, mentally checking to see if anything was out of place."Where have you been?" She asked cheerfully. "I have been waiting for you,"I recovered from my shock, and cleared my throat "I… We were in the dressing room. What are you doing here?"A look crossed her face and she seemed offended by my question but I was too frazzled to care."I just came to get the blades for the ceremony. You weren't around so I waited,""Okay," I gave a nod. Taking the box from Claire's hands, I handed it to her. "Here, the ceremony blades are inside,""Alright," Mirvana smiled softly. I could have been mistaken but I could almost swear her eyes flashed in triumph "I'll leave now, so you rest before your big day,"Unable to muster a response, I gave her a calm nod and waited for her to leave."Lady Ira?" Claire looked concerned, the minute we were alone. "Are you okay? You—""Excuse me,"I turned towards the door, gently pushing my lady's maid out of the room."I… But– Your bath," She protested but I paid her no mind as I shut the door behind her and bolted it with a deep sigh."Do you think she might have found it?" Rowena, my wolf asked in concern.I muttered under my breath. "Only one way to find out,"The next few minutes, had my hands shaking as I dropped to my knees and pulled back the thick green carpet that covered the floor of my room.Finding the creaky wood took only three tries. I pushed my finger into the small hole like a lever and pried it open.The warm, musty smell of dust welcomed me as I stared at the small hole that held every piece of my former life."No way, Mirvana found this," I muttered aloud, trying to reassure myself as I began to shuffle through my things.Old paper clippings about the deadly anonymous assassin. A broach, General Nakim had given me after my first kill. Poisoned rings, Dante had made me stop wearing after our engagement. A black mask and of course some…Wait.Where the hell is my shadow blade?My heart hammered as I rummaged through the hole frantically."She couldn't have taken it. Surely she wouldn't keep silent if she knew you were Akira Ishida," Rowena tried to reassure me but I could barely think.Mirvana or not. The fact remained that someone had taken the most incriminating evidence I owned. A shadow blade!!"Relax. Maybe–""No." I shook my head, closing the wood over my secret hole and replacing the carpet."Only one person other than me, knows my secret and knows the location of the blade. If I don't have it, and Dante doesn't have it then…""Then Mirvana might know our secret,"My mouth soured as I gave a nod. Already, it was late at night and most members of the palace were bound to be asleep.I briefly wondered if I was weird visiting my groom so late at night before our wedding. But my identity was at stake and I couldn't wait.With my cloak wrapped tightly around my form, I slipped out of my bedroom and made my way to the Alpha's chambers where I would join Dante to live, after the wedding.…My steps faltered the closer I grew to the chambers. Already, I could tell something was amiss.Where the hell were the guards meant to guard the Alpha? I rolled my eyes at how foolish they were to leave his chambers unattended. Probably drinking before the wedding.In any case, I'll just ask Dante to change the guards.My hands pushed against the large double doors of the chambers when a moan made me freeze."Is that–""Yes, baby!"No. I shook my head, unwilling to believe my ears.Already, my hands had grown slack by my sides and my eyes watered immediately."Mirvana" Rowena whispered in shock."Yes! Baby, yes!"My entire frame shook, bile rose up my throat and I retched. Leaning against the wooden doors for support.Dante and Mirvana? How could he? No."How could they!" Rowena's anger flooded me but I held it at bay, pushing her behind as I shook my head in disagreement.He wouldn't. We're getting married in the morning, I mean, I gave up my entire life just to be with him. He wouldn't cheat on me, especially not with my closest friend. There's an explanation, there must be—"Are you satisfied now? I know you wanted to have sex in our bedroom," Dante's smiling voice sent chills down my spine.My knees buckled, and I slid to the floor with my back resting against the door."Yes of course. I deserve to have sex here before her. Don't forget, I'm carrying the heir to the throne,"Pregnant? Air stole from my lungs as I realized just how long they had to have been cheating for her to be pregnant.The pain broke me. Consumed me and the hallway seemed to spin around me until I could barely think straight.I'm Ganan's greatest assassin. I do not yield and I cannot break.Even as those thoughts filled me, I knew they were no longer true. My shoulders shook and I gasped for breath, with silent tears racking through me.Dante made me give up my life as Akira. My brain strayed back to all those months ago when he found me.He promised to love me and keep me as his wife if only I could renounce my life of power."I did warn you, to listen to your instincts," My wolf sighed angrily. "Well, it cannot be helped. you cannot break. Stand Up,"And I had renounced it. For six months, I learned to forget the beautiful red of blood against pale skin. The swish of my blade racing through the air. I had given him everything. My power, even running the pack for him.All for what?"STAND UP!" Rowena spat again in angerMore moans reached me. The sounds felt like salt upon an open wound."You are Ganan's greatest assassin," She hissed at me. "STAND UP!"I staggered to my feet, my tears almost blinding me."Wipe your cheeks," She seethed in anger. Her resolution poured some strength into me.With my palm, I wiped my cheeks and tightened my cloak around myself.Dante might have molded me into something different but I am still Akira.I refuse to settle for a mediocre life. I'll deal with all of this but for now.."Good," She crooned in approval.If there's anything General Nakim has taught me, it's that power makes its own way in the world.So come what may, tomorrow, I'll put on the brightest smile I can muster and marry Alpha Dante of Blood Moon.Being Luna is power and I am Akira Isida. I do not crumble and I most certainly do not yield.