The day had finally come.
Asher had planned everything carefully, wanting to give me the wedding he thought I deserved. The castle was decorated with golden silk and white roses, with lanterns casting a warm glow.
My brothers and their partners, Xavier, Matthew, Grace, and my mother, Charlotte, had all come to celebrate with us.
In the changing room, Olivia tightened the last pin on my veil, stepping back with a satisfied nod. “Perfect! Now you are looking like one in a million bride.”
I let out a breath, smoothing my hands over the fabric of my
gown. It felt surreal. This dress–a gift from my Charlotte, meant
to be given by my father at my coming–of–age ceremony–held a
history I hadn’t been prepared to face today.
I ran my fingers over the delicate lace, my chest tightening. “She
saved this for me all these years, and she and my father wanted
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me to have this, to wear it for someone who truly loved me. I
wish he could see me in this dress from wherever he is now.” I
murmured.
Grace, lounging against the dresser, quirked a brow. “Are your
eyes teary or is it just the mascara?”
I gave her a flat look. “I think I have a right to be emotional
about it.”
For a second, Grace’s teasing expression softened. Then, as if catching herself, she tilted her head and smirked. “I swear, ever since you got pregnant, you’ve been extra sentimental. If this keeps up, we’ll have to carry tissues with us everywhere.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Oh, don’t worry. The moment you get pregnant, I’ll be waiting to remind you of this.”
Grace crossed her arms, raising a brow. “Not happening anytime soon. Matthew and I like our sleep and our freedom,
thank you very much.”
Olivia, who had been quiet for too long, snickered. “Uh–huh. That’s what they all say. Just wait until Matthew gives you that
look.”
Grace groaned. “If you two are done planning my life, maybe
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we can focus on the bride?”
A knock on the door interrupted us.
“Violet, it’s time,” Philip’s voice came from the other side.
I took a deep breath, feeling my heart race.
This was it.
I took one last look in the mirror–the dress tied to my past, the
veil leading me to my future, and the hope in my eyes, knowing
I was finally choosing my own path. I was ready.
The ceremony was perfect.
Asher stood at the altar, his golden eyes filled with unfiltered
love as I walked down the aisle. My mother held my arm,
steadying me, while my brothers, Michael and Jayden, stood
nearby, watching with soft expressions.
Mia sat on Xavier’s shoulders, waving excitedly as I
approached.
“Luna Violet,” Asher murmured when I reached him, taking my
hands in his.
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“Alpha Asher,” I whispered back.
Everything was perfect. Until a ruckus suddenly disturbed the
peace.
A chill ran through the hall as the heavy doors creaked open. The guests fell silent, and the air grew heavy with an eerie
presence.
She entered.
The former Wolf Queen.
She wore a long black gown, her silver hair cascading over her
shoulders, her aged face lined with deep resentment. Her sharp
eyes swept over the wedding party before landing on Asher
and me.
“You didn’t invite me, dear nephew,” she sneered, voice
dripping with mockery. “Where are your manners?”
“What do you want?“Asher stepped in front of me, his posture
protective. Olivia instinctively moved closer to Philip. Jayden
and Matthew straightened, ready to act at the slightest
provocation.
The former Queen tilted her head, amusement flickering in her
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eyes. “Is that any way to treat family? Oh, but I suppose that word means little to you, considering how you slaughtered my husband, your own uncle, and left me to rot in his absence”
“I ignored you for your own good,” Asher said coldly. “Don’t mistake that for weakness.”
“Ignored me?” she laughed, the sound hollow and sharp. “No. You took everything from me! My mate, my power, my place in this kingdom! And now you stand here, basking in happiness,
as if you deserve it?”
She stepped closer. Asher didn’t move, but I felt his muscles
tighten beside me.
“Tell me, dear nephew,” she continued, voice turning low and
insidious, “do you wish to lose your mate or your child?”
My stomach twisted.
A dagger gleamed in her hands.
She lifted it swiftly, and before anyone could react, she plunged
it into her own chest.
Gasps filled the hall. Blood seeped through her fingers as she
staggered, her face twisted in pain. Some of the blood spattered
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on Asher’s wedding attire..
But then–she smiled.
Her lips moved in whispers, an incantation spilling from her like poison.
When her gaze locked on mine, she rasped. “One of you shall live, One of you shall die. And Asher, my dear boy, you will
know my pain.”
Her body crumpled to the floor, the black dagger still lodged in
her heart.
Everything was silent.
Her last words echoed in my mind, the curse settling over me
like a weight I couldn’t shake. My chest tightened, my breath
coming in short, shallow gasps.
Asher’s arms wrapped around me. “Violet,” he said firmly, his
warmth grounding me. “It’s going to be okay. I won’t let
anything happen to you or the baby.”
I nodded weakly, clinging to his voice, to his presence. But my
body didn’t listen. A wave of dizziness crashed over me, my legs
giving out beneath me.
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‘Asher-” My voice barely came out before everything tilted. I collapsed into his arms, and Asher looked at me in panic.
Distant shouts–my mother, my brothers, Olivia–all blurred together.
