The palace had never looked like this before.
Dark elegance wrapped around every corner-black silk draped across towering pillars, silver ornaments glinting under dim torchlight, and deep crimson roses arranged like drops of blood along the grand hall.
It wasn't a celebration.
It was a ritual.
A binding.
A warning.
Lyra stood in front of the mirror, unmoving.
Flowing layers of white and silver, delicate
The dress they had given her was... beautiful.
embroidery tracing along the fabric like frost. It should have made her look like a bride from a dream.
Instead-
She looked like a sacrifice.
Her reflection stared back at her.
Calm.
Cold.
Unbreakable.
A servant stood behind her, adjusting the final details with careful hands.
"You look perfect, Princess," she whispered.
Lyra didn't respond.
Perfect.
For what?
For whom?
Her fingers brushed lightly against the fabric.
"So this is how it feels," she murmured quietly.
"To be dressed for something you never chose."
The servant lowered her gaze, unsure what to
say.
Lyra didn't wait for an answer.
"Is it ready?" she asked instead.
The servant nodded quickly. "Yes. They're waiting."
Of course they were.
Lyra took one last look at herself.
Then-
She turned away.
Without hesitation.
The grand hall was filled.
Werewolves lined both sides, their presence heavy, their eyes sharp and watchful. Some curious. Some mocking. Some openly displeased.
At the far end-
Kael stood.
Dressed in black and silver, a dark crown resting lightly against his head, he looked exactly what he was meant to be-
A king.
Cold.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
But his expression....
Was unreadable.
As Lyra entered, the entire hall fell silent.
Every step she took echoed.
Slow.
Steady.
Unwavering.
She didn't look at the crowd.
Didn't acknowledge their stares.
Her gaze remained fixed on one person.
Kael.
And his-
On her.
As she walked closer, something shifted.
Not in the room.
But between them.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Taking in every detail.
The dress.
The way she carried herself.
The complete lack of fear.
She didn't look like prey.
She looked like-
Lyra stopped in front of him.
Close enough to feel the faint warmth radiating from his body.
Close enough to hear his breathing.
For a moment-
Neither spoke.
Then Kael leaned slightly closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
"You clean up well," he murmured.
Lyra didn't miss a beat.
"So do you," she replied coolly. "For a beast."
A flicker of something crossed his face.
Almost a smile.
Almost.
Then-
The officiant stepped forward.
An elder werewolf, his presence commanding, his voice deep and steady.
"This union," he began, "is not one of love... but of necessity."
The words echoed through the hall.
Harsh.
Honest.
Binding.
"Two bloodlines," he continued, "one of strength, one of fragility-"
Lyra's eyes darkened slightly.
But she stayed silent.
"-brought together to defy a fate neither can escape alone."
Kael's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
The curse.
Always the curse.
"Do you, Kael," the elder said, turning to him, "accept this union, bound by blood and fate, until its purpose is fulfilled?"
A pause
Just a second.
But enough to feel it.
Kael's gaze flickered to Lyra.
Then back.
"I do."
The words were firm.
Unyielding.
Lyra felt something twist in her chest.
Not emotion.
Just... reality settling in.
"Do you, Lyra," the elder continued, "accept this union, bound by blood and fate, until its purpose
is fulfilled?"
Silence.
The entire hall seemed to hold its breath.
Lyra didn't answer immediately.
Her gaze shifted.
Not to Kael.
But to the crowd.
To the place that would never accept her.
To the life she was about to step into.
A cage.
A battlefield.
A destiny she never chose.
Then-
She spoke.
"I do."
Clear
Cold.
Certain.
The words sealed it.
"Then by the laws of blood and bond," the elder declared, raising his hand, "this union is complete."
But before he could finish-
A sudden gust of wind tore through the hall.
The torches flickered violently.
The temperature dropped.
And then-
A voice.
Soft.
Familiar.
Deadly.
"How touching."
The entire room froze.
Kael's eyes darkened instantly.
Lyra turned sharply.
At the entrance of the hall-
She stood.
The witch.
Her presence twisted the air itself, shadows
curling around her like living things. Her dark eyes glowed faintly as she stepped forward, her
lips curved into a slow, mocking smile.
"I couldn't miss such a... special occasion."
A wave of unease spread through the crowd.
Even the werewolves stiffened.
Kael stepped forward slightly, placing himself
just ahead of Lyra.
Instinct.
Protective.
Unintentional.
"Leave," he said coldly.
The witch laughed softly.
Her gaze shifted to Lyra.
Sharp.
Piercing.
"Let me see the bride."
Lyra didn't move.
Didn't hide.
She met the witch's gaze directly.
Unflinching.
The witch's smile widened.
"How interesting," she murmured. "Stronger than she looks."
Lyra's expression didn't change.
"I could say the same," she replied.
A ripple of shock passed through the hall.
Kael's eyes flickered slightly.
The witch tilted her head, amused.
"Yes... you'll do nicely."
Her gaze moved between them.
Then-
Her voice dropped.
"And now... the true binding begins."
Before anyone could react-
She raised her hand.
A pulse of dark energy shot forward-
Straight toward them.
Kael reacted instantly, grabbing Lyra and pulling her toward him as the force struck-
Light exploded between them.
Pain-
Sharp.
Burning.
Not like before.
Different.
Deeper.
Lyra gasped, her hand instinctively clutching onto him.
Kael's grip tightened around her.
For a moment-
Everything blurred.
Then-
Silence.
The light faded.
The witch was gone.
Vanished.
Like she had never been there.
But something had changed.
Kael looked down.
Lyra was still in his arms.
Too close.
Their breathing uneven.
Their hands-
Still gripping each other.
And on their wrists-
A mark.
Faint.
Glowing.
Binding.
Their eyes met.
And for the first time-
This didn't feel like just a contract.
This felt like something else.
Something dangerous.