Ari
Like any other she-wolf in the world, I looked forward to the day of my union with my mate. And finally, after years of waiting, my dream was fulfilled.
As I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but tear up as I saw myself in my white wedding gown. It was hard to believe that the hope I had clung to for so long, the hope of finding someone who would love me just as I had always dreamed, was now a reality. Kristoff was more than a dream; after today, he would be my new reality.
I recalled the way Kristoff had found me, in my pitiable state where my parent's bloodline had already defined me long before I was born. I had thought I would never bring honor to my father, who cherished me more than I could have asked for. Kristoff made me believe in the existence of fairy tales, that he was the prince destined to love me for who I was, not for what my genes dictated. I couldn't wait to begin my eternity with him, the wolf to whom I would willingly surrender my heart, my life, and my soul.
A tear welled in my eye as I reminisced about him, but I quickly wiped it away, reminding myself that today was not a day for tears. Meeting Kristoff had been my ultimate joy in this imperfect world, and I eagerly anticipated the moment we would exchange our vows under the sacred oak tree in the heart of our pack's territory.
I walked towards the hall, and everyone seemed to be enjoying every second of it. They were all happy to see me in a wedding dress. My happiness radiated and reached everyone I cared for. I smiled and cherished the moment.
Then, I saw my father, Alpha Eirik. I read his gaze, filled with love, happiness, and a tinge of sadness. I clasped my hands into my father's arms as I approached him.
"Are you ready, my child?" he asked, radiating the same intensity of joy in his eyes.
I nodded, and we both walked slowly toward the aisle. Everyone in the reception hall stood up as I entered the place. Though I wasn't used to being the center of attention, surprisingly, the stares of the people didn't make me nervous this time.
Upon walking, I noticed that Maddie and my stepmother weren't around. I leaned my face near my father's ear and whispered, "Dad, where are Maddie and Aunt Seraphina?"
Dad held my hand and continued smiling in front of the crowd. "Probably your sister is still upset, and you know her mother couldn't leave her alone like that."
I felt a slight pinch in my heart hearing that. On my most beautiful day, I was hoping my beloved sister would be there to witness my joy of loving someone as my maid of honor. However, she refused. The day Kristoff announced our engagement was the day Maddie refused to talk to me. Everything would have been perfect if only my Maddie was around.
I guess that was how the world worked; you cannot have the best of everything.
"Don't be sad, my child. This day is dedicated to you by the moon. Make sure to cherish every moment. Smile and be happy. Maddie will surely come to her senses in days to come. Just give her time to process everything, and I am sure that everything will go back to the way it was before."
With those encouraging words, I felt as if the heavy boulders crushing my chest were finally lifted off. Dad was right; I should not ruin my own wedding by being sad and anxious about what happened between me and Maddie.
I turned my face towards the aisle, and I finally saw my beloved mate.
The reception team had done a remarkable job capitalizing on the natural beauty that surrounded us. The sans tablecloths, the rustic bare wood, and the vases filled with lush eucalyptus seamlessly merged with the environment, as if they were an extension of our pack's very essence. The chairs were neatly arranged, and flowers adorned in every corner. Yet, what I cherished most about this entire wedding decor was the ceremony backdrop.
It consisted of nothing more than a gossamer curtain sheen drapery, suspended from the pack's oldest tree. This was the very tree under which I had pledged to marry only my mate, and that promise was now becoming a reality before our very eyes.
Kristoff welcomed me with a bright smile, waiting for me to reach the altar. Kristoff even managed to throw a small wave of his hand. I chuckled and waved back. I couldn't help but lock my eyes on my future husband. His dashing look and the warm smile dedicated only to me pleased my heart. He was more handsome than ever, and his eyes shone as he locked his gaze on me.
I was thankful that fate had allowed us to meet. My whispers to the moon had reached their destination, and now my wish was granted.
"My precious gift," Dad whispered, slowly approaching Kristoff as he gave my hand to him. It was the beginning of the new chapter of my life where Kristoff would be mine, a wonderful guy I never thought would come into my life in the most unexpected way.
Reaching the altar, we both shared sweet smiles and continued to lock eyes.
"You look lovely," Kristoff said.
"And you look like a real Jarl," I replied.
Kristoff chuckled. "But I am a real Jarl... A Jarl that only belongs to you."
Then, Gamma Austin, the wedding officiant, started the ceremony.
“Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion. We are here together to unite Jarl Kristoff Bjorn of Ironflame Pack and his mate Arianna Lynn Rosenberg in mar—”
But before he could finish, I saw a man stabbing him in the back. Gasps and screams filled the air as the people from Ironflame started stabbing people around. My eyes went to my father. He was shocked as well. Before he could even react, I saw Ulf, a loyal guard of the Ironwolf, stabbing my father from behind. My Dad stared at me, blood spilling from his mouth.
“Dad!! No!!!!” I shouted as reality set in. I continued to call out to my father, who was now on the ground, wounded and helpless.
Everyone panicked and ran around to flee for their lives. It was quite surreal how my dream wedding had become a nightmare in the blink of an eye. Disbelief filled both Kristoff and me. My wedding turned into a bloody ambush, and the mastermind was the Ironflame Pack itself.
AriMy eyes widened in disbelief as the air seemed to get sucked out of the whole surround. I rushed to my father's side, my heart pounding as I held him close, feeling warm liquid dripping onto my hands. Dad was coughing in shock and confusion, completely unaware of why this betrayal was happening.Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn't help but scream in frustration, confronting the people responsible. "Why? Why on my wedding day?" I couldn't fathom the cruelty of their timing.I saw the Ironwolf raise his hand, and his men moved to separate me from my father.“No! Let me go! Dad!! Dad!!” I protested, but the men holding my arms were deaf to my pleas.“Let my mate go!” Kristoff demanded, but his men refused to listen. Fueled by anger, he rushed to his father's side, demanding answers."What's the meaning of this, father? It's our wedding! Why did you allow this to happen?"But the Ironwolf didn't offer any explanations. He simply nodded to his men, providing an unspoken command
Kristoff "Let me go!! DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH!!!" I shouted at the men who were detaining me. They remained silent, completely ignoring my demands. This only fueled my fury, as they intentionally ignored my authority as a Jarl. "Are you out of your mind!? I am a Jarl—the future Alpha of the great Iron Flame pack! How dare you ignore my commands!" I raged on, desperately trying to make them see reason. One of the men finally responded with a calm voice, "We are well aware of who you are, Jarl Kristoff. Nobody here disagrees with everything you have said. However, our loyalty still lies with the Ironwolf and our pack. It is our duty to bring you back to the Ironflame safe and sound, just as your father wants." I screamed out of frustration, "BUT HAVE YOU REALIZED IT IS MY WEDDING DAY!!? You have ruined the most precious day of my life!!" Their silence continued as they dragged me away, leaving me feeling devastated and helpless. It was supposed to be a joyful day, a fai
Kristoff"Why, father," I stammered, my heart heavy with a mix of anger and confusion. "Why did you do it? Why on the day of my union with my mate?"There, I had finally said it. I was now confronting the Ironwolf, demanding an explanation for the events that had unfolded. My fists were clenched, and my breaths came out in labored bursts as I tried to control the overwhelming surge of emotions rising up inside me.But instead of responding, he took a deep breath and implored, "Can you calm yourself first, son?""Calm myself?! After everything you've done?!” I had never raised my voice to my father, but I had reached the limits of my patience. “I want to see my bride, and NOTHING CAN STOP ME!"I strode past my father, my determination unyielding. In that moment, I had shown a level of disrespect I had never displayed before. As I approached the door, my heart raced, each beat echoing the urgency of my desire to see my bride. However, before I could reach the door, a deep, visceral roar
Ari"Can you still walk, Lady Ari?"Igor's concerned voice cut through the weariness that clung to me like a heavy cloak. The silver shackles on my hands weighed me down, making every step a struggle."Yes, Igor. Please, focus on your mate. I'll manage," I replied, my voice carrying the fatigue of a long journey. I tried to pose an “okay” smile, but Igor was not convinced.“Are you sure, my lady?”“Yes, Igor. I am fine. This is nothing compared to what they did to my father.”Jackie and Igor exchanged glances, sympathy etched on their faces. My supposed dream had twisted into a nightmare, and the endless walk drained the last ounce of hope from my soul. The forest, once full of life, now seemed like a place full of sad memories. Every tree cast shadows that told stories of our freedom that we lost.Barefoot and broken, we moved along the captive path. The cold ground sent shivers down my spine. The shackles on my hands made a clinking sound with every painful step, cruelly reminding u
Ari As I saw Seraphina emerging from the shadows, my heart raced. Anger filled me, and my breathing became rough. My eyes were locked on my evil stepmother, and my body moved as if it had a life of its own. Seraphina smirked at me, intensifying my stirred-up feelings. My body shook from too much anger, and I had never felt this angry before. I stepped forward, about to say something—something I should have done a long time ago, but at the last minute, Jackie grabbed my arm to stop me. Jackie knew I couldn't hold my anger any longer, so she quickly leaned in and whispered something in my ear. "Stop, Lady Ari. I understand your feelings, but it's not the best time for it. We are in a very bad position right now. Lashing out at Seraphina will only make it worse." I turned my face to Jackie's worried expression. "Please, Lady Ari, listen to me just this time." I took a deep breath and stepped backward. Jackie held me, protecting me from a possible assault. Seraphina approached the s
AriI stood up, trembling, in front of the mirror. My gaze fixed on the stranger staring back at me, and I forced a bitter smile onto my lips. My fingers traced the shortened strands of my once-long hair, and I hated the way it looked. It served as a stark reminder of the humiliation and loss I had endured because of my stepmother. I couldn’t help but wonder when this series of misfortune would come to an end, silently pleading with the moon goddess.Tears welled up and streamed down my cheeks, distorting the reflection I could no longer bear to confront. My hair, once a source of pride and dignity, had become just another casualty of my stepmother's cruelty. She had taken everything from me—my family, my happily ever after, the dream of a fairytale wedding, the loyal people who had faithfully served us, and even my deceased father's honor. The Ironwolf and my malevolent stepmother had left me with nothing. I felt utterly depleted, my will to live extinguished.Sinking to the floor, I
KristoffMy room felt like a prison, suffocating me with its confinement. The house arrest imposed upon me was driving me mad. An intense desire to break free and see Ari was gnawing at my every thought.I needed to find a way to get out of this room. And fast."Your mate is waiting, Kristoff. How can you afford not to find a way to get out of here?!" Ivar, my wolf, complained within the depths of my mind. I tweaked my hair in frustration as his words added to my distress."Ivar, trust me, if there was a way out, I would've taken it already. Guards are stationed all over, and this window might as well be sealed shut."Frustration welled up within me, eventually finding release in the forceful slam of my hand against the table. "I hold the title of Jarl and the crown alpha to this pack, yet here I am, confined like a prisoner in my own room!"Ivar acknowledged my exasperation, recognizing the severity of the predicament.The strong wish to be with Ari filled me with sorrow. Since the b
AriI kept my gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding any semblance of eye contact with the imposing omega leader. Jackie stood beside me, equally guilty for allowing me to skip my duties without reporting it. The omega leader's piercing stare made it clear that we were in trouble, and in this place, we couldn't afford even the slightest misstep."May I remind you that your privileged life is over? So why are you still acting like one? Don't you think it is unfair for the other omegas here that you skip work?"Jackie and I exchanged uneasy glances."I apologize, madam. But it was a decision I made. Jackie asked me to work that day, but I was the one who refused because I was not feeling well. I will take responsibility for my mistake. Just spare Jackie because she is not at fault here," I spoke, humbly.But the omega leader responded with a sly smirk. “So you think your little apology can change everything? You’re wrong, half-rank! This isn’t your father’s house! You need to work here just