Asena POV
My chamber was buzzing with activity as everyone prepared for my grand wedding. My ladies in waiting scurried about, helping me into my elaborate wedding gown, adorned with a soft, ivory colour with delicate lace and sparkling jewellery. My hair was styled in an intricate up do, and up do, and a tiara rested on my head with a veil attached to the back. The The tiara was made of diamonds and pearls with a subtle sparkle that complimented my radiant smile.
"My Lady, Lady, you can look in a mirror now," one of the girls mentioned, gesturing her hands towards the mirror. Her Her voice was laced with satisfaction.
As I gaze into the mirror, my eyes show happiness and excitement. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my responsibility as the Luna of the hybrid pack and also the joy of uniting with someone I love.
My attendant helped me into my gloves, carefully smoothing out any wrinkles.
"My lady, lady, I just can't wait for you to stand at the altar and get everything done."
As I processed down the aisle, the jubilant cheers of my pack resonated through the air, filling me with excitement and a sense of fulfilment. An elderly elder from my pack, a respected leader, offered his support by grasping my arms and and escorting me toward the altar, altar, where the priest awaited my arrival to perform the sacred ritual.
As we reached the altar, the priest smiled warmly. My mind was racing with the thought of having Ray by my side. I glanced at the time, my palms already sweating in anxiousness. "Where could he be?" I muttered to myself, my eyes scanning the room, waiting patiently for Ray to walk in. His black blazer and black tie were what we agreed on.
I could feel the pack eyes on me, even darting to the door, maybe wondering where's the groom; that could probably be what has been ringing in their minds.
"Dear friends and family," the priest began, "we gather today to celebrate the union of two souls, our Luna Asena and Alpha Ray; hopefully he will join us soon."
"Yes, priest, he'll be here soon," I assured myself, hidden behind the veil that shrouded my face. But as the minutes ticked by, my confidence began to wane. Ten minutes turned into an hour, and the murmurs from the gathered pack members grew louder, their restless chatter piercing my ears. I tried to reassure myself that something urgent must have detained Ray. But the delay was starting to unnerve me.
"Ray, you haven't arrived yet, Asena," a soft voice whispered in my ear, prompting me to lift my veil and respond. "I'm aware of that," I said calmly, without turning to face the speaker. "I'm concerned too. Do you think he's trying to stand me up?" I asked, my tone neutral. The person hesitated before responding, "I'm not sure; maybe he has something else in mind."
"How long did it take me to get here?" Ray asked, his dim and uninviting voice making the pack members tremble in their seats. I turned to face him, and my eyes widened in shock. Ray was flanked by strong, able men armed with ammunition, which caught me off guard. "Who are these men with you?" I asked, my voice trembling. And he darted to his Ray's body, but he wasn't dressed in his wedding suit.
Instead, he looked like he was ready for battle. "How many minutes late?" I asked, trying to compose myself. But before anyone could answer, tears dropped from my eyes.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" Ray growled, his intimidating gaze fixed on the elderly woman, who cowered in fear. I watched in horror as he grasped her arms, lifting her off the ground with ease. "Ray, what are you doing?" I pleaded, my soprano voice echoing through the room, trembling with fear and sympathy. "Please, drop her!" I begged, but Ray's gaze on me was so intense that I stumbled backward, my words faltering.
As I stumbled backward, my eyes fixed on Ray's menacing gaze, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. The elderly woman's terrified screams filled the air, and I knew I had to act fast.
"Ray, please!" I begged, trying to reason with him. "Whatever you're thinking, it's not worth hurting her. She's innocent!"
But Ray's expression only darkened, his eyes flashing with a sinister intensity. He took a step closer to me, his grip on the woman's arm tightening.
"Take them as our captives!" Ray barked, his hands gesturing wildly as he issued the command. I felt a surge of weakness and rushed towards him, desperate to stop him. "What are you doing, Ray?" I cried, grabbing his hands, but he shook me off, sending me tumbling to the ground.
My body hit the wooden bench with a jarring thud, leaving me groaning in pain. As I struggled to sit up, I saw chaos erupt around me. Pack members were screaming for help, scrambling for safety under the benches. My head spun as I tried to make sense of the mayhem. With a surge of adrenaline, I stumbled to my feet and confronted Ray, my hand flying up to deliver a resounding slap across his face. "Ray, stop this!" I demanded, my voice ringing out above the din.
"How dare you!" Ray growled, yanking my hair and dragging me out of the gathering place. I was thrown to the ground, my body rolling across the floor like a criminal. I tried to scramble to my feet and run, but Ray was too fast. He caught up to me in seconds, his speed a blur. "Let me go!" I pleaded, but he was too strong. I couldn't fight back as he pulled me through the woods, the thorns on the ground piercing my skin and causing bruises.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear. But before I could even blink, Ray raised his sword and plunged it into my side. I felt a searing pain as the blade pierced through me.
"Oh, dear moon goddess," I whispered, my voice trembling with pain. "I made a grave mistake by letting love reside in my heart." My breath hitched as I felt my life force slipping away, blood gushing out uncontrollably. Ray's face twisted in contempt as he spat at my dying form. "You deserve to die by the sword, Asena," he snarled, his boot kicking into my wound with cruel force. I groaned, agony coursing through me as his boot dug deeper into my injury.
"Ray..." I whispered, my voice weak and trembling, as I clutched my wounded area, my hands stained with blood. Ray's eyes bore into me with fierce intensity, his gaze like a vice squeezing tight around my injury. "You're stupid to think I'd ever love you," he sneered, his words dripping with venom. "Why would I, Asena? You have nothing to offer me. I won't waste my love on you without getting something in return." His anger boiled over, and he paced back and forth, his eyes blazing with fury.
Then, with a sudden burst of violence, he struck me again, his blow landing hard and cruel. My vision began to blur, and my eyes were growing heavy as the wave of death washed over me. I tried to fight it, but it was too late. My gaze faded to black as Ray turned and walked away, leaving me lying there, my life slipping away.
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As I lay there, I was enveloped by the sounds of the background—the creaking of doors and the shutting down of mechanisms. I refused to open my eyes, fearing what I might see. Perhaps the moon goddess had deemed me worthy of punishment for my foolish love. But then, I felt the warmth of sun rays on my skin, and I remembered the stories of the moon goddess's realm, where the light was said to be brighter than the sun.
My thoughts were interrupted by the gentle touch of my lips on mine. My eyes snapped open to find Ray beside me, and my heart raced with fear and confusion.
"Ray?" I whispered, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "What's going on? Why are you here?"
Ray's expression was soft, and his eyes were filled with a gentle light. "I came for you, Asena," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I couldn't wait for you to wake; I miss you."
I tried to sit up, but a wave of pain washed over my head, forcing me back onto the bed. Ray caught me, his arms cradling me with a tender care that belied his earlier cruelty.
"Don't move," he whispered. "You're stressed from last night."
I glared at Ray, my mind racing with confusion and uncertainty. But then a sudden realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Wait a minute. I'm living a second life. I've been given a second chance to make things right. The thought echoed in my mind, and I felt a surge of hope and determination.
Just then, Ray covered me with a duvet and lay down beside me, his face inches from mine. His gaze was cold, like that of a lover, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. It was as if he could see right through me, into the depths of my soul.