Three months passed, and I stood before the gilded mirror, staring at the white silk of the wedding dress shimmering under the soft lights. It clung to me perfectly, every stitch designed to mold me into the image of a perfect bride.
My fingers traced the delicate lace along my collarbone, but the fabric felt heavy, suffocating like chains masquerading as satin. I wanted to rip it off, to scream, to let my wolf shred this lie apart. But I couldn’t. Instead, I forced myself to smile at my reflection, practicing the same expression I’d perfected these past few months. Happy. In love. Oblivious.
My father would have been disgusted to see me like this, pretending to love the man who murdered him. The man who orchestrated his death and made it look like a rogue ambush. The man who would pay for his betrayal.
My father’s face flashed in my mind—his gentle smile, the pride in his eyes whenever he looked at me. A knot tightened in my chest, my vision blurring. I swallowed the tears before they could fall. I wouldn’t cry. Not today. Not when I was so close to making William pay.
A knock on the door shattered the silence. I turned to see Emma step inside, her red hair tumbling over her shoulders, her brown eyes wide with worry. My best friend. The only person who knew the truth of my plans.
“Lana… you don’t have to do this,” she said, her voice trembling. “We can run. We can go somewhere he’ll never find us.”
I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head. “Running won’t bring my father back. It won’t give me justice. It won’t destroy him.” I met her gaze, my eyes hardening. “I have to do this, Em. I have to make him pay.”
Emma’s shoulders sagged, her expression pained. “But marrying him? That’s madness.”
“Exactly,” I said, a wicked smile curling on my lips. “He thinks he’s won. That he’s broken me, but he’s marrying his worst nightmare.” I turned back to the mirror, my reflection cold and unrecognizable. “Once he thinks he owns me, I’ll tear his world apart from the inside. He’ll never see it coming.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “Lana… that’s dangerous. He’s ruthless. If he finds out what you’re planning—”
“He won’t,” I cut her off, my voice icy. “I’ve played my part perfectly. He thinks I’m his pretty little prize. A naive girl blinded by love.” I met her gaze in the mirror, my eyes darkening. “But by the time he realizes the truth, it’ll be too late for him to find his way out of my wrath.”
“I’m worried, Lana…” Emma sighed. “You became colder after you learned about their cheating. You keep talking about revenge.”
I swallowed, the ache in my chest growing. “I have to be.” My fingers tightened around the lace as my knuckles turned white. “I need to be colder… tougher. I need justice for Papa.”
“Anyway, what happened to the alliance you were seeking with the one you told me about?” Emma curiously asked. “You said you would look for him because he is your best chance to win this fight. Did you find him?”
“I did.” My jaw clenched. “I found him. I talked to Mason, but he won’t help.”
Emma’s mouth fell open. “Mason? Who’s this Mason, Lana?
“Mason Holloway,” I replied. “William’s uncle.”
Emma gaped. “The Alpha who turned rogue?”
“Yep.” I nodded, my gaze hardening. “And he’s alive. Funny thing is… I found out that he’s my true mate.” I chuckled bitterly.
Her eyes widened in shock. “Your mate? But… how?”
I shrugged. “I went to find him, Em. It was to seek help through an alliance… I thought he would help me since William ruined him. Then, I sensed him as my mate…” I shook my head, my eyes narrowing. “He said my problem wasn’t his problem. He loves his freedom, that’s it.”
Emma’s face fell, sympathy flooding her eyes. “Oh, Lana… But he’s your mate! He should feel something stronger than his refusal to help! It should be like that, right?”
I set my jaw, forcing my shoulders back. “I thought mates were supposed to feel the bond, too. To be drawn to each other. I thought he’d feel it too… and that it would be enough for him to help me. I was hoping for the last three months for him to find me, but… today’s my wedding, he truly didn’t want me.”
Emma’s brows knitted together. “Did he reject you?”
I shook my head, my fingers curling into fists. “He looked me in the eyes and walked away. Said he didn’t want the responsibility. He wanted freedom more than anything else. And those were only his parting words.”
Emma’s eyes flashed with anger. “What kind of mate abandons his bond? I thought those connections were unbreakable. He should reject you if he doesn’t want you. Not like that!”
My chest tightened, but I wouldn’t let myself break. “I don’t know what’s on his mind. I don’t know why he didn’t reject me.” I took a deep breath, determination flooding through me. “Maybe he was confused. Maybe he was planning to claim me when the right time comes. Maybe he’s a masochist and wanted to feel the pain once William claims and marks me.”
Emma’s expression softened. “I’ll go with he’s just confused.”
“I’m hoping he’ll realize what he’s running from.” I lifted my chin, defiant. “That he’ll feel the pull as I do. That the bond will make him see the truth.” My eyes darkened. “But I won’t wait around for him. I’ll fight my battles with or without him. In case he finds me to help, then good. If not… I’ll survive.”
Emma hesitated before stepping closer. “Just promise me you won’t lose yourself, Lana. I don’t want you to fail.”
I looked back at the mirror, at the woman staring back at me—cold, focused, unyielding. “I’ll figure that out when the time comes,” I whispered. “For now, I have a role to play.”
Emma moved to adjust my veil, her fingers trembling as she smoothed the delicate fabric. I looked at my reflection one last time, seeing the innocent bride, the perfect pawn. But beneath the lace and silk, beneath the false smile, was a wolf with blood on her mind.
William thought he was marrying his queen. But tonight, he’d learn that his queen was his executioner.
Yes, I would return all that he did to my father tonight in our matrimonial bed. I would end him.
Tonight.
