ONE

KIARA

      "Kiara?!"

The throbbing in my head spiked up at the sound of Cassy's boisterous voice.

I winced at the sound of the loud thud that came from the action of pushing the door open. Cassy had just stormed into the room. Her strawberry scent announced her presence, accompanying her hurried footsteps as she made her way to my bedside.

Curled up under the comfort of my indigo blue duvet, I peeled my eyes open when Cassy's palm made contact with my burning forehead.

"Why didn't you say anything, Kiara? The ceremony is about to begin," she whispered, her voice laced with concern.

Pushing myself up to a sitting position, my gaze found her bright blue eyes staring at me with concern.

"I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine. I have to attend the ceremony" I said.

"But, you look so pale," she frowned, taking hold of my slender hands.

"I always end up failing to attend the ceremony of the twin moons. If I never attend the ceremonies, I'm never going to find my destined mate," I said, forcing out a smile.

Cassy lowered her head, a few locks of her short auburn hair falling over her heart-shaped face.

"Does it really matter? Your health is more important," She mumbled.

My smile widened as I freed my hand from her lax grip and placed it over hers.

"I know that you're concerned about me. But, I can't continue like this forever. I've decided to attend today's ceremony. It doesn't matter if I'm feeling unwell," I told her.

Cassy sighed, rising to her feet.

"If you're going to attend the ceremony, you should at least fix your make up," she said and I grinned.

With a hint of a smile on her face, she held out a hand to me, helping me out of bed.

Cassy was my personal maid. But, she was also my best friend. There was no one else who would put up with me. Just her.

It didn't take long before I was fully prepared for the ceremony. Cassy had used her magic to reduce the intensity of my symptoms for the night.

While I stood in front of the dresser in my room, my sea green eyes stared back at me from my reflection in the mirror.

Cassy had done a good job with hiding the pallor in my cheeks with makeup. Deciding that my half bun hairdo was perfect, I turned away from the mirror and headed out of the room under Cassy's watchful gaze.

She followed behind me as we strolled along the red-carpeted  hallway and walked towards the courtyard where the ceremony would be taking place.

My hands were trembling but no matter how weak I was feeling, I wasn't going to let it stop me. At the entrance of the courtyard, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"This way, your Highness," a standby guard led me into the lit courtyard.

The delicate but classy decorations in the courtyard were breathtaking and eye-catching. Ranging from the brilliant golden lights to the silk deep purple curtains.

Dignified men and women had started to arrive. However, the moment, I stepped into the yard, all eyes fell on me.

My stomach tightened with unease as I made my way towards my father who did not take his eyes off me.

I heard the guests whisper to themselves as I moved forward.

'She looks so fragile, poor thing'

'It's such a pity that King Fabian doesn't have a proper heir.'

'She isn't fit to be his heir.'

Clenching my fists, I halted in front of my father and curtsied right away. He nodded once. The blank look in his eyes hinted at his displeasure.

"You didn't have to show up here, Kiara," he said, coldly.

I gulped, lowering my head.

"I wanted to. I've never attended-"

"Retire to your bedroom right away" he ordered.

My eyes widened, tears filling my eyes.

"Father-"

Again, he cut me off.

"Did you not hear me?" those icy words made my heart sink.

A lump formed in my throat, my breathing quickening.

'Don't cry, Kiara. Don't cry,' I chanted these words in my head as I turned away from him, clutching at my ball dress.

Tears blurred my vision, my heart racing in my chest. It was never supposed to be like this. I was supposed to find my mate and receive my father's approval. If only I wasn't such a disappointment.

A tear rolled down my cheek. Then, another.

The air had grown thicker, almost suffocating.

I have to get out of here, I thought.

Increasing my pace, I hiked up my dress. Whispers and murmurs drifted into my ears as I rushed towards the exit.

A gasp slipped out of my lips as I bumped into a stranger. His large hand settled around my waist, steadying me when I started to lose my balance.

"Are you alright?" He said with a husky voice.

Still flustered, I looked up.

Another gasp slipped out of my lips at the sight of the man I'd just bumped into.

This man was handsome.

He had a scar across his left eye which was covered with a black eye patch. His left eye was the colour of glowing embers. His jaw length hair framed his face, complementing his rugged beauty. He was so tall and sturdy.

And, he smelt so...good.

This wasn't the time to admire a man; all I wanted was my mate.

He suddenly pulled me closer to himself, startling me.

Instinctively, my hands fell on his hard chest.

"You smell divine,.....mate" he breathed.

My eyes widened.

What?

"Mate!" My wolf, Allure, growled in my head.

A giddy smile curved my lips as I met the stranger's gaze.

This was a dream come true. Maybe coming to the ceremony wasn't bad after all.

"You must be the South King's daughter" the stranger said and I grinned, nodding in response.

"How can you tell?" I asked.

"Your necklace. It has the crest of the Royal family of the Southern Werewolves" he responded.

"What's your name?" I asked fiddling with the necklace hanging around my neck.

Bringing a hand to cup my face, his fingers stroked my cheek, sending my heart pounding.

"Lucas. Lucas Fynnian," he said, not taking his eyes off me.

"Ruler of the Lycans."

I turned around at the sound of my father's voice. To my surprise, everyone was watching with so much interest.

Wait, Ruler of the Lycans...

Surely, he didn't mean-

"Greetings, King Fabian. I apologize for my late attendance to the ceremony."

"What do you want from my daughter?" My father asked, his expression schooled.

I bit my lower lip, tension settling over me.

"I wish to marry her. She's my fated mate" he announced and everyone gasped.

I fought the smile that was coming on. So far, everything was going just the way I liked it.

...

"Drink with me" my mate said, holding out a glass of wine to me.

We had left the courtyard after Lucas had received my father's hesitant approval.

My gaze fleeted from the wine to his face. I'd never had a sip of wine before. I also didn't think it was appropriate to drink with him since we weren't fully mated yet.

"Go on, princess. Don't hurt my feelings" he said, his brows slightly furrowed.

"It's Kiara" I said, chuckling.

He blinked, a confused expression on his face.

"What?"

"My name."

"Right. Forgive me, Kiara. Since we're on a first name basis, drink with me?"

I sighed, accepting the glass of wine from him.

"Fine. Only because you insist."

The corner of his lips curved upwards slightly.

Clinking our glasses together, I took a sip of the wine. He nodded in encouragement. So, I took a bigger sip.

A wave of nausea washed over me and I doubled over, my head swimming.

"Are you alright?" I heard him ask me. I could feel him take the glass of wine from me. His hands settled around my shoulders. Then, he cupped my face. I couldn't make out the expression on his face. Everything had gone blurry.

I parted my lips to say something. But, failed to. His lips crashed onto mine and he pulled me closer to himself, his hands crawling up my body.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of you. I promise" he whispered.

A mixture of fear and anxiety settled in my heart. But, it wasn't long before I faded into oblivion.

...

I sat up in bed with a jolt, wincing at the pain in between my thighs. A cry of panic slipped out of my lips when I realized that I was naked. Tears filled my eyes at the thought of what I'd done.

An arm snaked around my waist as someone traced kisses along my spine. The familiar scent of my mate washed over me and more tears rolled down my cheeks.

He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his embrace. I stiffened.

"I promised you, didn't I? I would never abandon you. I want to spend the rest of my life with just you" he whispered softly.

Somehow, these words made me relax. 

He cupped my jaw, a smile tugging at his lips.

"You're so beautiful" he said, his gaze roving over my face. I felt my cheeks heat up, butterflies swarming in my stomach.

"Our mating ceremony is in four weeks. We will get married after that. You will become my queen" he whispered in my ear, pressing a gentle kiss to my neck. I melted into his touch and closed my eyes.

This was everything I'd ever wanted.

Four weeks rolled by in a short time and soon, it was the night of my mating ceremony. Dressed in a white ankle length dress, I stood in the courtyard of Lucas' palace waiting for him to join me.

The romantic music, the flowers, the lights... everything was perfect.

The doors opened and Lucas walked in, dressed in white, as the tradition required.

However, following behind him, was a beautiful woman clad in white.

An ominous feeling settled on me as I watched them approach me. I couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding.

Something was awfully wrong.

Lucas joined me in front of the mating pillars of flames. Beside him stood the woman who'd followed him in.

"Today, we're gathered to bear witness of the Union of our king, Lucas Fynnian and his chosen mate, Hellen Viram" one of the elders announced.

I froze, my blood running cold in my veins.

It has to be a mistake.

They must have gotten my name wrong.

So I thought.

But then...

He took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to her forehead... while I stood there... and watched, tears pooling in my eyes.

No, this has to be a dream.

But, why does it hurt so much?