Chapter 5 Wedding

• "Today's the day," I mutter, staring at my reflection. The stranger in the wedding dress looks nothing like me.
• I'm not the dreamy type who fantasized about my wedding day. Unlike other girls, I spent my life feared for my potential and stuck in the sidelines. I was used only when necessary. When they needed an absolute killer on the field. The red phantom only came out when the situation was dire. Now, in this robe, I feel more a stranger than I ever have.
• But Elian isn't what I expected. He's kind. Honest. Someone I might actually be able to trust.
• My mother fusses over the ceremonial robe.
• "You look beautiful," she whispers. "Your father would be so proud."
• I nod, swallowing hard. The thought of him, of Aiden and Oliver, makes my chest tighten. But I can't break down. Not now. Today isn't about grief—it's about survival. My mother does not want me on the battle field, she wants me home. No doubt making babies for her so that our family would live to fight another day.
• She made Elian her that he’d dedicate his time and get me pregnant. As if I wasn’t embarrassed enough. She wants to turn me into a ‘proper woman’ as soon as possible. His family? His sister, Celeste, and his mother, Everett, are a bit salty for my liking. But I could care less about them. Mom doesn’t know that Elian agreed to be my eyes and ears on the outside.
• The doors swing open.
• Elian waits at the altar, looking almost as uncomfortable in formal wear as I feel. But when he sees me, his face transforms. He looks at me like I'm something precious, not dangerous. No one's ever looked at me that way before.
• Every step down the aisle, I remember our conversation last night. He also promised my mother to cherish me, to want only me. He promised to abandon the prospect of a future true mate, and give his heart only to me. To be loyal to me until death. For someone like me who's been betrayed by those who should have believed me, his vow matters more than he knows.
• The head Moon Priestess steps forward as I reach the altar.
• "Under the light of the full moon, we gather to unite two souls in the sacred bond of mates," she says. "Seraphine Velkan, daughter of royal Beta Damon and Sarrah, and Elian of the Eastern Shadow Pack, son of Nathaniel and Lila, step forward."
• Elian takes my hand. The Priestess wraps a silver cord around our wrists.
• "Do you, Seraphine Velkan, vow to honor, protect, and cherish Elian as your mate, to stand by his side in times of peace and war, and to bind your life to his under the watchful eye of the moon goddess?"
• "I do," I say, the words simpler than I expected.
• "Do you, Elian Morgain, vow to honor, protect, and cherish Seraphine as your mate, to stand by her side in times of peace and war, and to bind your life to hers under the watchful eye of the moon goddess?"
• "I do," he replies with a smile.
• The Priestess hands us a ceremonial dagger. "With this blade, you will seal your bond in blood, a symbol of your unity and strength."
• Elian takes it first, making a clean cut across his palm without hesitation. Healer's hands, steady even in pain. He passes the dagger to me, and I make my cut without flinching. We press our palms together, blood mingling as the Priestess finishes the blessing.
• "By the power of the moon goddess, I declare you mated. May your bond be strong, your love enduring, and your lives intertwined for all eternity."
• The hall erupts in howls as we turn to face the crowd. Elian leans in, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that catches me off guard. I've never been kissed before – too busy fighting, training, trying to prove myself.
• Is this what normal girls feel? That flutter that has nothing to do with battle?
• ...
• The celebration floods the hall with noise and movement. I navigate through the crowd, accepting congratulations I don't quite believe I deserve. I find Koda first, his massive frame easy to spot near the refreshments.
• "So you actually went through with it," he says, handing me a glass.
• "Seemed like the best option." I glance over at Elian, who's talking with some of his healer friends. "He's... not what I expected."
• "That's probably good," Koda admits. "You need someone who sees you, not just your reputation."
• I hadn't expected understanding from him.
• Vex appears beside us, already three drinks in from the look of her. "Well fuck me, you really did it. The Red Phantom, domesticated at last."
• "Watch it," I warn, but there's no real heat in it. Vex has earned the right to give me shit.
• Talon joins us, his expression serious. "Just don't forget who you are, Sera. The Northern Kingdom is mobilizing. When they strike, we'll need every blade we have."
• I look over at Elian again. The thought of breaking my promise to him, of going back to battle while he waits, makes something twist inside me. "I made vows today. I can't just abandon him when it gets inconvenient."
• "Since when do you care about convenience?" Vex challenges.
• "It's not about convenience. It's about honor." The word tastes strange on my tongue, applied to something other than battle. "He wouldn't abandon me. I won't do that to him."
• Koda studies me for a long moment, like he's seeing something new. Finally, he nods. "Family first. Your father taught us all that."
• I excuse myself before the conversation can get any heavier. As the last Velkan standing, I have appearances to maintain. I circle the room, making small talk with alphas, betas, and gammas from various packs.
• Then Alpha King Aldrich approaches, holding a small velvet box. He's almost smiling, which is disturbing in itself.
• "He looks like he's constipated when he tries to smile," Emogen snickers inside me. My wolf has never trusted the Alpha King. Every interaction with him leaves her bristling.
• "Seraphine," he says formally. "Congratulations on your union."
• "Thank you, Your Majesty." I bow my head, playing the part of the dutiful subject.
• He opens the box, revealing a silver anklet studded with moonstones. "A gift," he says. "Of the highest honor. I promised myself I would only give it to a warrior who earned my respect."
• I stare at the anklet, genuinely shocked. Emogen is equally confused. "He respects us? Since when?"
• "I... thank you," I manage, taking the box.
• "Your service to this kingdom has not gone unnoticed," Aldrich continues. "You are a warrior, Seraphine. Always will be."
• For years I've been treated like a liability in his court, a wolf too dangerous to trust. Now, as I meet his eyes, I see something unexpected – regret.
• "I serve at your pleasure, Alpha King Aldrich," I reply carefully.
• He nods. "Good. And if you have any more dreams... come to me directly. I'll listen. I've learned to trust your visions."
• The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. As he walks away, I wonder about the man behind the crown. His wife died years ago during an attack on the palace. Now he raises his five-year-old son in secret, hiding him from Canan's kingdom. Only the Velkans knew about the prince – protecting the royal family was our duty as betas. With my father and brothers gone, who's watching over the king's son now?
• As the night continues, I find myself drawn back to Elian. He doesn't boast about kills or territory. Instead, he asks questions about me that no one's bothered to ask before – what I want beyond battle, what I dream about when I'm not having visions.
• "You're not what I expected," I admit as we dance under the moonlight.
• "Neither are you," he says with that crooked smile. "But I think that's good."
• For the first time since the massacre, I feel something other than rage or grief.
• "Ready?" Elian asks, his eyes bright.
• "For what?"
• "Our honeymoon." He grins. "I've prepared something. You'll like it."
• My stomach does that stupid flutter again as he leads me away from the crowd.
• At the top of the stairs, I blurt out, "I'm a virgin."
• He doesn't laugh or look surprised. He just smiles that gentle smile. "We can wait. I'm in no rush, Seraphine. I want you, but I can wait however long you—"
• I grab his collar and pull him to me, cutting him off with a kiss. He responds immediately, his hands finding my waist, lifting me effortlessly. My ceremonial robe slips to the floor as he carries me toward our chamber.
• We break apart long enough for me to see what he's done to our room – candles everywhere, flower petals scattered across the bed. It's ridiculous and perfect all at once.
• I look at him, suddenly certain.
• "I don't want to wait. I'm ready."