Skylar

"Breathe, Skylar, just breathe." I told myself again and again as I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror.

The wedding gown felt like an ornate cage of ivory silk and pearls. My hair was piled into a twist, and strands that cascaded around my face made the bridal look perfect... too perfect for a bride who was being forced into a marriage she never wanted.

"Oh, come on." Salony, my inner wolf, quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You already look like a Queen. A trapped one, it is. Like one of a fairy tale. But still."

I rolled my eyes. As if I needed any more reminders of my dilemma. "Shut up." I hissed. The dressing room already felt suffocating with all the low hum of distant conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses.

"Skylar, darling, you look stunning." My mother, unaware of the storm inside me, smiled as she adjusted my veil. Her hands were steady, her expression calm like she hadn't just sold her daughter off to the most dangerous man of the kingdom, perhaps the whole universe.

"Thanks, Mom." I muttered, barely managing to conceal the sarcasm out of my voice. Stunning, yeah, right. Stunningly screwed, more like.

"I'm stunned." Salony said, barely able to hold back her laughter. "Stunned that we haven't bolted yet."

"You are the one to blame." I shot back. "You said, one wrong step will doom my entire bloodline."

"Of course, you are bound to serve the Stormbornes." Salony said, "Also, I want to taste the cake. They better serve a good one."

Before I could get into a fight with my own wolf, the door swung open and my father walked in; his face stern. Behind him, Drake followed, playing his role of being the perfect son and the apple of my father's eye.

"Skylar." My father's voice was as cold as ever; no warmth, no affection. Just business. "It's time."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yes, dad."

Drake offered me his arm with that smirk playing across his lips, the one that said, I'm better than you, bitch.

"Please punch this nutcase in the face." Salony implied, not for the first time.

"Tempting." I agreed, but I linked arms with him instead. We stepped out the dressing room, slowly lurching into the hallway. With every step, I could hear my heart hammering louder, like it was trying to stage its own escape.

"Nice dress, Skylar. Trying to look like a Luna now?" Drake whispered. He was definitely trying to mess this up.

I kept my chin low, and calmness still as I replied through my clenched teeth, "Trying to make you look less like a toad, but too bad, it's not working."

His smirk vanished, anger flaring but he managed to hold it back.

"Ouch! Burn." Salony cheered in my mind.

The grand oak doors of the hall loomed ahead, looking more like the gates of Hell than my wedding entrance.

"You know, running is still not a terrible idea." I mused even though I knew there was no escaping The Great Stormbornes. This family had a reputation for finding whatever they ever wanted, whether it was a rogue wolf or a reluctant bride.

"Oh, here we are." she just ignored what I said. "Let's make it through this ceremony without puking on the dress."

The oak doors swung open. My hand went sweaty as I wrapped it around my father's arm and walked down the aisle. The place buzzed with excitement, guests whispering and pointing, or perhaps judging. I decided to focus on one foot in front of the other, praying I wouldn't trip over the ridiculous train of my dress.

My father cleared his throat, a warning for me to get my act right. I swallowed my breath, finally looking up to meet the opulence.

Then I noticed Alec, my groom, standing tall and regal at the altar, his back to me. His black suit was perfectly tailored, every bit of him screaming power and control. But it wasn't until he turned around that took my breath away.

"Holy mother of Moon Goddess!" Salony gasped. "He is… he is…"

"Beautiful." I finished her words, my mind blank. Alec's face was a sculpted masterwork, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and eyes the color of a stormy sky; cold, intense, and… fucking empty.

After my father finished his speech at the altar, the eldest man of the pack with silver hair began the ceremony. Every muscle in my body screamed to run, to get away. But I couldn't, something kept me in place.

"You may say your vows." the elder announced.

Alec was the first to speak. His voice was low, controlled. "I, Alec Stormborne, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, take you as my mate. I vow to protect you, to provide for you, and to uphold the strength of this pack with you by my side."

I swallowed, my throat dry and tight. My turn. "I, Skylar Blair, the omega of Bluemoon pack, accept you as my mate," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I vow to stand with you and protect the pack, to honor the bond we share."

"Now, seal the bond." The man stepped forward, holding out a small ceremonial knife. My breath hitched in my throat as Alec took it from him, his eyes locked on mine. I knew what was coming next... the marking and once it was done, there would be no turning back.

He didn't hesitate a bit. With a quick, precise motion, he sliced a shallow cut across his palm, blood seeping out, then he held out the blade to me. My hand trembled slightly as I took it, making the same cut across my skin. The pain got replaced by a powerful burst of energy as he pressed our bleeding palms together. A gasp escaped my lips to the sensation of the bond forming.

The pack let out a harmonious howl, the sound vibrating through the hall.

Before I could catch another breath, the elder's voice rang out again, "It's done. May your bond be strong and—"

Alec's ocean eyes hadn't leave me yet. I didn't hear the next words as my mind was too stuck on those icy blue eyes. I tried to look away, anywhere else rather than him.

I glanced at the crowd. There, in the crowd of the guests, was Zade, my ex-boyfriend. He had lost some weight, his hair was mess. When his green eyes locked into mine, he looked like he wished the invitation card came up with a return button.

"It's the baby carrot dick himself." Salony huffed in my thoughts.

"Hold up, you have actually seen it?" I asked, half-surprised, half-amused.

"Nope, but his wolf's tiny tongue gave me all the hints I needed." Salony replied.

A smile escaped my lips. I struggled to keep a straight face and bit my lip to keep myself from laughing. But guess, it was too late.

Alec's piercing eyes locked onto mine, and that alone confirmed he witnessed it. He raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. Holy fuck.

"And now, by the power vested in me—" the elder intoned, "You may kiss the bride."

My cheeks burned hearing that. But it didn't seem to affect him. Without hesitation, he slowly faced me. His face was a blanket of blankness while his hands stayed firmly in his pockets, like he had no intention of even pretending to make this moment pleasant.

Then he finally leaned in, and I braced myself for a kiss that swore all the warmth of a winter breeze. But then he stopped, his face tilted, mouth barely an inch from mine.

"My bride," Alec declared to the room, his voice devoid of any emotions, "isn't feeling well."