Chapter 4: CRIMSON WEDDING

The cocky smile on Freya’s lips sent a wave of anger through my being. I glared at her, as she looked down on me. “What do you want?” I spat. Freya grinned. “I came here to thank you, for keeping my husband company all this time.” My breath caught in my throat and my heart raced like a panicked drumbeat. I knew my place, I knew that Alaric was getting married to Freya, but a part of me still held on to the past, held on to the love he had showered me---even through I knew it was fake. “Get out of my face,” I blurted out as pain rang through my chest. Freya began to chuckle, her manicured nails grazing her lips. “I must say, you are quite a foolish wolf. How on earth did you think a prestige alpha like Alaric would come to love you and make you a Luna. You’re a weak wolf, compared to me, who is a strong alpha. I’m a perfect match for him.” She walked closer to me, crouching down until her emerald eyes were just an inch away from mine. Her eyes grew wide, a devilish grin on her lips. “You are useless, I need you to remember that. You’re only useful for your blood and this pack, my pack will use your powers to become the strongest all across the kingdom!” I couldn’t speak, I was frozen, petrified like a terrified little squirrel. I watched, unable to do anything as Freya got to her feet. She turned and began to walk away, only to glance back at me. “You are pregnant aren’t you? I suggest you get some rest. The specimen has to be healthy after all. And also, Alaric and I are getting married in three days, be sure to stay away from him during that time.” I watched as her silhouette faded into the crowd. My chest tightened, and my lungs desperately tried to gasp for air. I wheezed, picking myself up from the ground. How could this have happened? Where did it all go wrong? Alaric, I needed to see my Alaric, I needed to hold him. I stumbled into the crowd, my mind filled with nothing but Alaric. I wanted him to hold me in his arms like he always did, to kiss my forehead and tell me he loved me. Those sweet words that calmed me, I needed to hear them now. I pushed through horde, my breath getting ragged by each second. And there he was, my Alaric. He stood in the midst of the crowd, as handsome as I’d always remembered. And then, our eyes met. We maintained eye contact and his eyes went cold. Freya appeared from the side, slipping her arms around his. Alaric turned his gaze away from me, leaving my heart shattered. I ran, as fast as I could. I ran away from the festival and back to my chambers. Once the doors were closed behind me, I fell to the floor, an ocean of tears pouring out of my eyes. My love, the only man that I had known, had abandoned me. ** Three days went by in the blink of an eye, and the day of the wedding was upon us. After the moon festival, Alaric had only entered my chambers once to inform me that he will be busy with official work for three days. Of course, I knew he was planning for his wedding. I had been confined in my room for three days, refusing to eat or drink anything. My mind was in shambles and no matter how much I tried to grasped the situation, a part of me couldn’t let go of my first love, Alaric. I sat by the window, my hands over my belly. This baby was the only thing keeping me here and I knew it. The sound of bells and music floated into the room through the window. The wedding was in full procession. My chest ached, I long to see my love. Then a thought, like a blade through my side crept into my mind. It was dark, unwelcoming but also tempting. If I killed the child in front of Alaric would he care for me then? Like I was placed in a trance, I rose up from the chair and began to rummage through the beside table. I got a hold of a knife and gazed at it for a second. Yes, this was perfect. I trudged to the door, knife in hand. I opened up the door and Caius’ was standing right there. His eyes travelled to the knife in my hand and all the colour dissipated from his face. “Selena what are you-“ “Leave me be,” I cut him short and brushed past him. Ignoring his incessant pleas, I approach the wedding venue. I ignored the stares from the guests and walked up to the podium where Freya and Alaric stood, hand in hand. Their eyes, filled with fear and confusion were on me. My eyes however, were on the luxurious gown Freya wore. I scoffed. Not once had I worn something so beautiful. “Alaric, this baby is important to you right?” Alaric rubbed the bridge of his nose, like he didn’t want to deal with right now. “Selena, what are you talking ab-“ Before he could finish his sentence, I raised the knife into the air and slammed it deep into my swollen belly.