"Rania, it's time," Lord Morales said, his voice low and gravelly.
Rania turned to face him, her eyes locking onto the stern expression etched on his face. "I don't want to do this," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"You have no choice," her father replied, his jaw clenched. "The alliance with the Winters is crucial. You will marry Asher, and that's final."
Rania felt a surge of resentment toward her father, toward Lyra, and toward the entire situation.
Looking in the mirror, she saw herself in a simple wedding dress that her sister and stepmother had picked out for her, her ruby red hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing her heart shaped face and accentuating her porcelain-like skin.
Her facial features were delicate yet striking, with her bright green eyes and long, luscious eyelashes, adding to the allure of her captivating gaze, but she didn't seem to notice any or these as her whole world was about to crumble before her very eyes.
"I look pitiful, I don't want this!" She murmured to herself as tears began to form at the corner of her eyes… if only you were here mother.. she thought to herself.
"Miss, I'm here to serve as your escort, everyone's waiting for you"
Her strides were small as she walked through the hallway leading to the wedding venue, but she wished she would never get there.
As Rania walked towards the clearing, Lyra emerged from the shadows, her presence a dark whisper that sent shivers down Rania's spine. Resplendent in a gown of midnight black, Lyra's beauty was a cruel mockery, her jewels glinting like ice in the dim light. Her eyes burned with a sinister intensity as she blocked Rania's path, with a saccharine smile plastered on her face, her voice a honeyed poison.
"Oh, Rania, you look absolutely stunning! I'm so thrilled you're marrying Asher - you two are just meant to be!" Lyra's voice dripped with sarcasm, her words laced with mockery. "And don't worry, sweetie, I'm sure Asher will be a perfect husband... as long as you don't get on his bad side, that is." Lyra's eyes glinted with amusement as Rania flinched, her fear palpable. "The Winter men can be ruthless, and I wouldn't want you to suffer the consequences." Lyra's tone was heavy with sarcasm, her words a clear taunt. Leaning in closer, Lyra whispered in Rania's ear, "But don't worry, dear, I have a little surprise waiting for you later... after the ceremony. You'll just have to wait and see!" Lyra's evil smirk seemed to burn with an inner fire as she vanished into the shadows, leaving Rania shaken and foreboding her fate. Rania's blood ran cold as she continued on her way to marry Asher, a sense of dread settling in the pit of her stomach.
Lyra had been the one selected to marry Asher but she skillfully dodged the marriage arrangement, weaving a web of deceit to secure a union with Thane, Asher's elder brother and the Winters pack's most promising leader, and relegating Rania to take her place as Asher's betrothed, a fate Rania's father had enforced, fueled by Lyra's convictions that Asher was the weakest link in the Winters pack's hierarchy.
As Rania walked up the aisle, Asher came into view. He stood tall with a powerful build and broad shoulders, which were noticeable even under his formal clothes. His short, dark hair added to his rugged charm. When their eyes met, Rania felt like Asher's piercing blue eyes were sizing her up. His sharp jawline and angular cheekbones gave him a stern look, but his expression changed when he looked at Rania. She quickly looked away, her cheeks burning with anger and humiliation.
The ceremony began, the scornful words from Lyra and the rituals blurred together as Rania's mind raced with thoughts of rebellion and escape. But as she gazed up at Asher, her eyes widened in terror as she took in his imposing frame, his chiseled muscles and towering height made her feel like a delicate flower about to be crushed. "This monster of a man will break me," she thought to herself, her mind racing with fear, "if I even dare to try and escape, he'll snap me in two like a twig."
As the moon reached its zenith, Rania and Asher exchanged vows, their hands clasped together in a symbol of unity. But Rania's heart remained divided, torn between duty and desire, loyalty and love.
The elder, a wise and kind-eyed woman named Arkeia, smiled warmly at Rania as she approached her. "My dear child, the time has come to seal your union with Asher."
Rania nodded, her heart racing with fright and a hint of nervousness. Arkeia handed her a delicate, gemstone-encrusted cup. "This cup has been passed down through generations of our people. It holds the power to bind two souls together."
Arkeia filled the cup with a rich, red wine, its aroma filling the air. She closed her eyes and prayed over the cup, her words whispered in a language Rania didn't understand. As she prayed, a warm, golden light seemed to emanate from the cup.
Arkeia opened her eyes and smiled at Rania. "Now, my dear, pass the cup to your husband."
Rania's heart raced as she approached Asher, the cup trembling slightly in her hand. Asher's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity. As she handed him the cup, their fingers touched, sending shivers down her spine.
Asher raised the cup to his lips, his eyes never leaving Rania's. He sipped the wine, his lips caressing the rim of the cup. Then, in a movement that seemed almost sacred, he leaned in, his mouth inches from Rania's, and planted a most passionate kiss, with his tongue deep into her mouth as his hand found its way to her slender waist.
Rania felt a rush of surprise as Asher's lips met hers, the wine from his mouth flowing into hers. She drank in the sweet, rich flavor, unable to comprehend what just happened.
Rania's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she pulled back from the kiss, her heart racing. She couldn't believe the intensity of the moment, the way Asher's lips had seemed to claim hers. She felt a flutter in her chest, a sense of shyness washing over her like a wave, it was her first kiss.
As she looked up at Asher, she saw a hint of a smile playing on his lips, but his eyes remained unfazed, as if he had merely fulfilled a duty. Rania's blush deepened, and she looked away, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks.
"May the love and commitment you share grow stronger with each passing day," Arkeia said, her voice warm and gentle.
Rania nodded, still feeling a little dazed from the kiss. She wanted to say something, but her voice caught in her throat. Asher seemed to sense her hesitation and reached out, taking her hand in his.
"We are one now," he said, his voice low and husky, but his tone detached, as if he was stating a fact rather than proclaiming a passionate truth.
Rania nodded again, her eyes downcast, her heart racing with a mix of emotions. She felt a sense of wonder, of awe, at the thought of their union, but also a sense of trepidation.
As Rania's eyes meandered through the crowd, absorbing the sea of faces, they eventually found their way to her family, her heart skipping a beat as she met the piercing stare of her father and the poignant smile of her sister, who were seated in the front row, their eyes locked onto hers with a complex tapestry of emotions - But as she was about to look away, her eyes landed on a figure standing behind them. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the familiar features of the man standing there. A man she had never expected to see again, let alone in this moment.
"Wh…what is he doing here?!"