Seraphina's POV
My stiletto swept up the stairs one by one, carrying a beat and hope with each step. Today will go down in history and be remembered as a special day in my life. Finally, I found the mate Goddess destined for me.
He wore a black tuxedo that hugged his body, he stood there staring at me without blinking once. His green eyes were the most beautiful color I had ever seen.
Darius Harlow—heir to the Blue Ridge Pack; my childhood friend, my first love, and now he will be my eternal mate. My happiness is immeasurable at the moment.
Today will be a historic event between the two Packs. For the past ten years, my wolf and I have dedicated our wealth, strength, and every effort to helping Darius secure his position as heir. And today, all those sacrifices have finally paid off.
My steps felt light as I walked towards him. I reached out my hand to receive his welcome, and just then, a wave of electricity stung my fingertips to my chest—our mate bond connected us and was very strong.
"You're stunning!" He whispered with a mischievous smile, and I just chuckled, blushing with a flushed face.
Our wedding was lavish, with every member of our group gathering to celebrate. Cheers and blessings filled the air. My parents, Alpha Bastian and Luna Athena watched us complete this sacred bonding ceremony. The same goes for Darius's parents, Alpha Julian Harlow and Luna Soraya Cassie, their faces shining with pride.
Now, we both stood facing each other and were witnessed by the members of our respective packs. Then, Delon Rahen, the elder of the Blue Ridge pack, slowly stepped forward and spoke loudly.
"Under the moonlight, before the spirits of the ancestors, and in the blood of your pack - Blue Ridge Pack. Do you choose this woman as your Luna, soul mate, and guardian of your power?"
Darius nodded, his eyes never leaving mine.
"With my blood, soul, and body, I choose her, today and forever.” His hoarse voice made my chest tight, tears welling up in my eyes—ready to spill over with emotion.
Delon Rahen then turned to me.
"And you, Seraphina Luminara. Do you accept this bond, and are you willing to be his mate and a protector for the herd he will lead?"
I took a breath, held Darius's hand tighter, then nodded.
"With full confidence in my heart, I accept this bond. I will be his mate and protector for the herd he leads."
Cheers of happiness filled the air, and the pack members rejoiced, creating a roar around us. But all I could hear was Darius's heartbeat—and his whisper, just for me, spread a warm feeling on my cheeks to my ears.
"From this moment on, you are my true mate; you are my home—my place to return to." He then stepped forward, his lips gently touching mine.
Warmth crept into my chest, followed by a tear that fell from happiness.
Our bond had been made official in the eyes of the world, a bond that both Packs had been looking forward to for ten years. Now, I am not just a Seraphina Luminara; I am Luna Blue Ridge pack, the legal partner of Alpha Darius Harlow.
Joy overflowed in my heart when we returned to our wedding room after the wedding ceremony was over. Our room was beautifully decorated, and I was mesmerized. My wolf and I had been waiting for this moment—to complete the final mark with our mate.
'I can't wait to meet my mate, Sera.' Lily's voice—my wolf—echoed softly in my mind. Since then, I could feel the happiness she felt, as if my soul was dancing in an uncontrollable beat.
While Darius locked the door, I sat on the edge of this king-size bed, on which were sprinkled heart-shaped rose petals. The scent was sweet and delicate but still inferior to the smell of Darius' cedar wood, which dominated the room. The more I inhaled, the more intoxicated I became.
I clench my teeth with a pounding chest; the silence in this room makes me able to hear my heartbeat.
“Hey, are you nervous?”
I turn my head and see Darius approaching and sitting next to me. That attentive gaze makes me shake my head immediately---not wanting to look embarrassed in front of him.
"I'm just... a little awkward. We were both just friends at first, but now...."
“Now we're a married couple.“ He continued my words, then smiled, showing his white teeth.
Darius brought his face closer—sniffing the scent of my body.
“Vanilla and milk, only now can I taste your true scent.” He said this and chuckled, making me laugh, too.
“Now, try to smell me. What do I smell like?“
I nodded and followed his command. However, as I approached him, a peck on the cheek took me by surprise. Darius laughed at me and glared at him.
“Thief!” I said, punching him in the chest, and he laughed even more.
This feeling, this moment, was the most beautiful thing in my life. Especially when I realized that my mate was someone I had known well all this time.
We laughed and joked until we both fell on the bed with these rose petals. The atmosphere, full of laughter, suddenly became solemn when he—somehow already on top of me—looked at me. Our gaze locked, and a strong urge to have him completely pulled at my soul.
My heart was pounding again, and I knew so was his. Our breaths were racing, and I closed my eyes when Darius moved his head forward.
I could feel his warm breath touching my lips, and before our lips touched—something startled me when I felt a small sharp prick in my neck—making me widen my eyes.
“D-Darius?” Darius smiled cynically, his gaze cold.
What's going on?
I felt my neck clench as panic gripped my soul, and shock hit me even harder as I pulled out something still stuck there.
A syringe.
My eyes widened, and I immediately got up, the remaining purplish-green liquid making my blood rush to my head. If I'm not mistaken, it was wolf poison!
“D-Darius?”
“You have to pay for it.” His voice was calm but deadly. He stood staring at me with a red face full of anger.
I stared at him, not understanding, my tears stagnating in the corners of my eyes—and before I had time to react, suddenly, my body was dizzy, and I fell to the floor. The poison began to work, killing all my nerves and paralyzing every part of my body.
The pain radiated to every joint—tearing at my soul, breaking my bones. In my head, I heard my wolf howling in pain, roaring with agony, wondering why our partner was doing this.
“W-why—”
“You must pay for Vesper's death.”
My heart felt like it was being stabbed when he said that name.
Vesper Eclipse was Darius' mistress, who died in a plane crash three months ago. I thought he had given up on her, but as it turns out now, my assumption was completely wrong.
However, this is all unfair. I am innocent, but Darius blames me for the death of his mistress.
I was thrashing on the floor, my stomach was churning, and my vision blurred. The poison reacted very quickly; my tears flowed freely, accompanied by wailing moans coming from my lips.
Even though my vision was blurred, I could see the man approaching and sitting before me. He then pulled my hair roughly and made me look at his face.
“Dream if you want a happy marriage with me. You will only turn to ash and be remembered as the unfortunate Alpha mate—who died tragically on his wedding night. Remember that what I did to you was an act of revenge for the death of my second mate.”
I moaned and cried, Darius' words like a silver dagger piercing my chest. Over and over again, I shook my head in self-defense and begged him to save me, but he didn't care.
The smell of gasoline suddenly filled the air, and I vaguely saw Darius spreading the cold liquid over my body and all corners of the room. My wolf and I realized that he was going to burn me alive in this room.
“W-w-wait... don't do that.” My voice sounded weak as I pleaded with him. ”Y-ou'll regret it... M-my father will... k-kill you!”
“Really? But haven't you forgotten, Sera? Right now, my pack is the strongest. Your father's pack won't be able to fight me! I'll kill him too if necessary, I'm not afraid of him!”
The fire roared—raging and almost filling the room. Anger and despair pierced my veins, but before I could act, the heat from the blazing fire engulfed me and made me scream in despair. My wolf howled in pain, but my heart hurt even more. Ten years of love, only to end like this—on my wedding night, in blood and fire.
If only... If only I had another chance.
