Raven
The wedding came sooner, much sooner than I expected. Somehow I had hoped that by not dwelling on it, it might never come, but I was wrong.
The dresses were made and a small celebration was prepared. The pack was buzzing with a weird sort of glee that seemed out of reach. Even Lilian seemed excited as she stood with me while I tried on the clothes.
Mother stood beside me, and it was the first time I had seen her smile as she stood next to me. Realizing that, with her brown eyes, it was indeed impossible for her to be my real mother. Father managed to also show up, something that was shocking considering how little he thought I was worth.
"You'll satisfy him and maybe, just maybe, he will treat us better," he said, making it clear that Yemac, my soon-to-be husband, had a hold on them that wasn't going to disappear any time soon.
Quietly, I lowered my head without saying a word. I wanted to run and disappear, but recalling what happened the last time I did made me settle into my seat even harder.
"Of course, Father," I responded, not strong enough to finish the rest of the lie, only relaxing after they had all gone except Lilian, who somehow saw a need to stay closer than a thorn.
"You should be happy! After one or two children he will no longer have any demands for you," she said, and part of me hoped so as tears flooded my eyes. Childbirth wasn't easy in the slightest, but werewolves healed quickly and recovered from it.
It took me longer, much longer, to heal wounds. My body began to tremble again and I had to grit my teeth together to get it under control, trying to remind myself that I would be fine, but God forbid Lilian give me the space to do just that.
"You're weak! It's the best thing that can happen to you. At least you'll be protected," she continued, and out of curiosity I jerked my head back, only to be taken aback to see the tiniest bit of care in her eyes before it was gone in a flash.
"…serve your husband properly. Don't resist and you'll be able to live a normal life," she said, turning around to leave and head out of the room. My hands balled together. There was one more thing I needed to know.
"…is it painful? Some people say it's bliss and—" I began, saying the things I'd heard about lovemaking, but I had just spoken when Lilian let out a laugh that might as well have been the harshest thing I had ever heard.
"…just remember to bite down on your arm or something," she said as she left, slamming the door behind her. Trepidation built in my chest and I raised my hands to cover my face, trying to settle the racing of my heart, but it didn't help.
Much sooner than I would have liked, evening arrived and I was called to step out.
Covered with a red veil to match my red dress, I was led by a maid with my vision obstructed as I followed her outside. I could barely see a thing, but I could hear voices around me. The air also smelled delicious, of freshly grilled meat and spices, enough to make my mouth salivate.
But I had only taken a few more steps forward when the thought was pushed away as I caught a whiff of a smell I recognized and wanted nothing of. My hand was passed over to someone else and even before I gripped his hand, I knew it was him.
Yemac.
"You look ravishing," he said, and the compliment made me want to throw up all over the clothes I wore as I bowed my head. I couldn't see his face, but I could hear the excitement in his voice. It made my stomach rumble in fear as he pulled me right beside him until I could smell nothing else but him.
I didn't have to wonder what was going on for much longer as a voice I didn't recognize began to speak clearly, the person in charge of the ceremony.
"In the presence of the Moon Goddess, vows will be said and held," he began, but it was all I could do not to roll my eyes beneath the veil. Werewolves broke marriage vows like humans broke their strange fasting rituals. It had become a norm, something that no longer came as a surprise.
The Moon Goddess was yet to strike us down, so that meant something.
"…Yemac, do you take Raven to be your partner from now until the end of time?" he asked, and Yemac could barely wait until he heard the full question before he responded.
"Yes," he said, squeezing my hands so painfully it was all I could do not to jerk them out of his grip.
"Do you, Raven, take Yemac as your partner from now until the end of time?" he asked, and I knew better than to hesitate. Opening my mouth to speak when a whistle rang out as screams followed and someone shouted.
"Arrows! We're under attack!" someone screamed as my heart thumped wildly in my chest. Yemac instantly let go of my hands and I knew I shouldn't be as relieved as I felt.
We were under attack, but I didn't care, something I would later regret, as I yanked the red veil off my head only to see men dashing into the clearing. My eyes widened as I caught the scent of earth and iron, which was much different from how werewolves smelled.
Humans?
The thought was more surprising than what was going on as I saw an arrow embed itself into a woman to my right in her wolf form. It was silver and she howled in pain only to change direction and hunt down the shooter.
I turned around and ran back to my house, hoping to hide until the strange attack was over, while also silently hoping that Yemac would die—something that was unlikely considering his strength.
Turning around to look back just before I headed through the door, only to pause as I caught the face of a man I thought was long dead. He was bigger now and somehow looked even taller as he wore nothing but pants, which showed he was prepared to transform. His hair was black and long, reaching his back, but his brown eyes had a gold sheen to them that I recognized instantly.
Rex.
It was Rex.