Chapter 1: Bride Unseen

"Prepare yourself; tonight is the night," my father said, his tone firm yet filled with anticipation. After three long years, the much-awaited crimson moon would finally rise tonight, signaling the arrival of my fated mate.

I should be thrilled. After all, it’s the night I’ve waited for, the night that will bring Prince Giovan to me. I’ve always believed he’s my true love. He's not just strikingly handsome; the senior alpha of the royal family is also well-known for his snobbish, pompous manner. But somehow, I can't shake this nagging feeling that something doesn’t feel entirely right.

I’ve only seen him in passing, yet even from those fleeting moments, I can tell he’s attractive, powerful, charismatic, and well-respected in our culture. His strong build makes me feel safe, as though he could protect me from anything. It's undeniable that I’ve grown attached to him. And yet, my feelings toward him seem more human than wolfish. My parents say it's normal, that it takes time to feel the true bond of a fated mate, but deep inside, I wonder: Will that connection ever come?

"Indeed, father. I’ll be ready, as anticipated," I responded, trying to mask the fluttering in my chest. My excitement was almost unladylike, and I knew it, but I couldn’t suppress the rush of emotions. Most Lunas I know would be dreading this day, but not me. Maybe it’s because I’ve convinced myself that I’m already in love with him.

"I'm glad you're pleased with your mate; we didn't have to convince you," my father remarked, a proud look on his face.

"Dad, what do you mean? Shouldn't I be excited that my mate is an Alpha too?" I said, my voice louder than I intended. "You should be happy for me, Dad, because this is what being a Luna is all about. Think about our future, about our children." My words felt more urgent than I meant them to.

"Absolutely, sweetheart. I'm thrilled that you'll finally meet your mate tonight. I'm especially grateful that, unlike some others in the past, you don't oppose the tradition of an arranged engagement. Your acceptance means everything," he said, his eyes filled with warmth.

I forced a smile and hugged him tightly, reassuring him that I had no regrets or questions. He embraced me back, offering a comforting pat on my shoulder before turning me over to my mom, who was waiting by the door to help me dress. The arrival of Alpha Giovan’s family was imminent, and I could feel the weight of what was coming.

“Marriage isn’t easy, but the only advice I can give you is to stick with it, stay calm, and be patient. There will be times when you’ll feel like giving up, but always remember that your relationship with Prince Giovan is important. We arranged this when you were young," my mom said, her voice soft but serious.

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, Janine’s voice cut through the air. I hadn’t noticed her standing behind us. My mom, still sitting with her back to the door, watched as the maids prepared me.

“Oh, what’s going on?” I asked, glancing at my mother, hoping she would explain the situation. I wasn’t eager to deal with Janine. It was no secret that my parents didn’t approve of her behavior after learning about my arranged marriage to Giovan, and so my mom had kept the meeting a secret from her.

But why was Janine here now, at this moment, just as I was about to meet my fated mate? The tension was thick in the room, and I couldn’t ignore the unease spreading through me. What was she planning?

"Why is everyone so quiet? Is there some big event later? Why does it feel like there’s so much preparation happening? Look, the servants are struggling to make Crema look decent... Ugh! It's tough making someone who isn't naturally beautiful look good."

Janine’s voice cut through the air again, as cruel as always. It was true, she was beautiful, effortlessly so. Janine and I were like night and day; she was always perfectly groomed, stepping out only when she was sure she looked flawless. She was polished, while I was simpler, modest, and I didn’t care to go all out for social events. Maybe that’s why the men in our kingdom, both alphas and omegas, flocked to her like moths to a flame.

"Janine, I don’t appreciate your tone. Tonight, we’ll be meeting with Giovan’s family to discuss the marriage. I have one request for you, Janine," my mom said sternly, her patience running thin. "Please, for tonight, don’t provoke me. I've had enough of your obstinacy. Don’t do anything that could jeopardize this meeting."

I turned to face Janine, watching her closely. She was infatuated with Alpha Giovan, and now that my mom had spilled the news, I knew she'd do anything to derail things.

Janine seemed flustered. Her cheeks turned pink, and for a moment, I saw something like disappointment in her eyes before she forced a smile. She let out a long sigh before responding.

"Aunt, it's fine. I’m happy for Crema, truly, she’s finally getting married. Congrats, cousin!" she said with a smirk, before quickly adding, "But, unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the meeting. You didn’t inform me earlier, so I’m not sure if I’m considered family in this house," she said with a mocking smile. "Well, I’ll be on my way. Goodbye!"

"Janine!" My mom called after her, but Janine didn’t stop. She walked out without a second glance.

"Stubborn," my mom muttered under her breath. I chose to ignore it, grateful that she wasn’t tolerating Janine’s arrogance.

My mom looked me over, nodding in approval before dismissing the maids. We made our way to the living room, the air thick with tension. I wasn’t sure how I looked, but I trusted my mom’s judgment.

My simple dress fit my slender frame, and my hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, secured with a delicate butterfly ribbon. I wanted to look beautiful, but not like I was trying too hard.

"They’re here," my father’s voice echoed, sending a wave of panic through me. My heart began to race.

Fear wrapped around me like a tight knot. What if he changed his mind? What if Giovan didn’t want this union anymore? What if the king came here to call it off? The thought alone made my stomach twist in dread.

My mom squeezed my hand, her touch grounding me. "It’s normal to feel nervous," she whispered, her voice soft and reassuring. I smiled at her, grateful for her constant support.

As the guests gathered, I found myself scanning the room for any sign of Giovan. But he wasn’t there. My heart skipped a beat. Fear clenched in my chest, tightening with each passing second.

I could feel the fear creeping up again, suffocating me. What if he didn’t come? What if everything I’ve been anticipating was about to fall apart?

One of the greatest things about our pack was that there was no hierarchy when it came to marriage. Even though King Dior was the ruler, he followed tradition and always traveled to our home to meet with us, because in our pack, the man comes to the woman’s house.

After what seemed like an eternity of tense silence, King Dior’s voice thundered through the room, commanding attention. "If Giovan refuses to comply, bring him in."

I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that bubbled up in my chest. It wasn’t a laugh of joy, more one of self-pity. From the king’s words, I could already sense the obvious: Prince Giovan didn’t want this marriage. How could I not laugh, when it was clear my future husband didn’t care about me? But my mom’s sharp nudge reminded me to stay composed. She didn’t want me to show my true feelings in front of the king and his family. But was it really my fault for laughing when my husband-to-be was so openly reluctant?

Moments later, Prince Giovan entered our home, his face a mask of annoyance, clearly upset that he hadn’t been able to escape. Even though I’d prepared for this moment, everything felt pointless. All my efforts seemed to have been in vain, especially when faced with the cold indifference in his eyes.

Still, I couldn’t deny it, he was incredibly handsome. His semi-casual attire clung to his powerful, muscular chest. And despite my growing frustration, my eyes lingered on his form. After all, he was standing right in front of me, allowing me to take in his every detail.

But just as quickly as my thoughts drifted, the reality of the situation hit me like a wave. All the effort I’d put into looking my best tonight seemed so insignificant now. My heart sank. I remained silent, unsure of what else to do, waiting for King Dior to speak.

"Everything is set," the king said, his voice unwavering. "When the blood moon emerges, the wedding will proceed." His declaration hung in the air, leaving everyone stunned. Even my parents exchanged surprised glances. We thought tonight’s meeting was just about discussing the details of the wedding, not making a final decision.

"Pardon me for asking, my king," my father finally spoke, his voice trembling with surprise. "But this decision... it has caught us off guard. We weren’t expecting such an immediate decision. Might we know the reason for this change of plans?"

King Dior's gaze never wavered as he looked directly at my father. "I’ll be blunt. My son is being misled by a woman I don’t even recognize. Someone with no standing in our kingdom. That’s why we need to hasten the wedding, before my son’s future is ruined."

A woman? My mind raced. Who could she be? The questions whirled through my thoughts like a storm.

I glanced back and forth between King Dior and Prince Giovan, my heart hammering. I couldn’t stop myself from wondering, who was this mysterious woman? And what did this mean for my future?

"Have you nothing to say?" King Dior’s voice turned cold, snapping Giovan from his silence. Giovan’s gaze shifted to me then, his eyes scanning me from top to bottom, making me feel small and insignificant. It was as if he was silently judging me, telling me I didn’t meet his expectations. His lack of response only deepened the pit in my stomach.

And just like that, the king had decided. The wedding would happen in a few hours, no discussion, no room for objection. Everything had been arranged, including my wedding dress, which had already been delivered to our house. Without a moment to process, the king and his entourage departed. Prince Giovan left just as hastily, not sparing me a single glance.

What I didn’t realize, though, was that there was more at play than I could see. Whether my parents were aware of the full truth, I couldn’t tell. But one thing was certain, the road ahead was going to be far more complicated than I’d ever imagined.

Unknown to Crema, Giovan had already fallen for her, before their arranged meeting. He couldn’t deny the magnetic pull she had on him. Though her natural beauty was undeniable, it wasn’t just her looks that captivated him. Her long hair, secured in a simple ponytail with a delicate butterfly ribbon, framed her face perfectly. She wore minimal makeup, her features naturally radiant. Her eyes, those mesmerizing green and light blue eyes, held an intensity that stirred a yearning within him he could barely control.

Standing at 5'7", Crema was the perfect blend of graceful elegance and bold allure. Her slim figure was complemented by her well-rounded hips and an ample bust that only added to her charm. Every glance she cast in his direction filled him with a longing to claim her as his. But he had to keep up the act of indifference, no matter how much it ate at him.

As evening fell and guests gathered, anticipation grew in the air. Everyone eagerly awaited the bride’s entrance, but as time passed, there was still no sign of Crema.

"Janine, please! Stop this!" Crema’s voice shook with desperation as she struggled inside the dressing room. Janine, filled with frustration and anger, was viciously pulling at her wedding gown, trying to rip it away. "What are you doing? What have I done to deserve this?" Crema’s voice cracked as she fought to keep her composure.

"I can’t accept this! I met Prince Giovan first! He was with me first! I had him first!" Janine screamed, her voice laced with bitterness. "Why did you agree to this marriage?" She was losing control, her envy spiraling.

"Stop it, Janine! We both know what happened here," Crema shot back, her heart pounding in her chest. "You pursued Giovan intentionally, knowing he was my arranged partner. You knew exactly what you were doing."

"No!" Janine’s eyes were wild with fury. "I was first!" She yanked at the fabric, pulling it away from Crema's shoulders.

Crema was in shock. Her heart raced as Janine’s jealousy and desperation turned into a physical force, trying to undo everything Crema had worked for. Every word, every movement from Janine only proved how deep her envy ran.

“Enough!” Crema shouted, gathering the strength to break free. But it was clear, Janine wasn’t going to stop. She was determined to destroy the one thing Crema had ever wanted.

The wedding gown was torn, the fabric ripping as Crema struggled to hold onto it, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. The weight of Janine’s anger felt suffocating, and Crema’s heart wavered between confusion and pain.

Meanwhile, outside the room, the guests awaited the bride’s arrival, unaware of the turmoil behind closed doors. The tension in the air thickened, as everyone seemed to wonder if the wedding would happen at all.