Leon’s POV
I stood in front of the tall mirror in my dressing room, but I couldn’t bear to look at the man staring back. I was dressed in a suit that cost more than so pack mbers made in a year, but it felt like a burial shroud.
My hand trembled as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small, crumpled photograph. It was one of the most important things I possessed; it followed wherever I went. In the picture, Scarlett was laughing, her eyes bright and full of a life that I had failed to protect. I traced the outline of her face with my thumb, my heart squeezing so hard I could barely breathe.
"I always dread of this day, Scarlett," I whispered, my voice cracking in the empty room. "I dread of standing at that altar, watching you walk toward in white. I dread of the mont I would finally be able to call you mine in front of the whole world. I dreamt of a wedding, but it was supposed to be with you. Only you."
For a second, I saw it.
Scarlett in white... walking toward , her fingers clutching her dress slightly, that shy smile she always tried to hide trembling on her lips.
A tear escaped and hit the photograph. I quickly wiped it away, feeling a surge of bitterness. Today, I was going to give another woman the title that belonged to her. I was going to fake a bond that should have been our reality.
"I’m sorry," I choked out. "I’m so sorry I wasn’t strong enough to find another way."
A heavy knock at the door made jump. I shoved the photo back into my pocket, right against my heart, and picked up the small vial of Wolfsbane sitting on the table. It looked like liquid despair. I stared at it for a second before unscrewing the cap and swallowing the bitter poison in one go.
I felt my wolf thrash once in surprise before the darkness of the drug pulled him under. The silence that followed was terrifying. It was the silence of a grave.
I walked out of the room and toward the cathedral, feeling like a ghost.
The cathedral was packed with people, their eyes heavy with expectation. The sll of expensive flowers and heavy incense filled the air, but all I could taste was the bitter, awful taste of the poison in my veins. I felt weak and cold, my limbs feeling heavy, but I forced my legs to move. I couldn’t let them see stumble.
The High Priest began the ceremony. He spoke about peace, the moon, and the joining of two great packs. To everyone else, this was a beautiful day—a new beginning. To , it was a funeral. Every word he spoke felt like another shovelful of dirt thrown onto my dreams of Scarlett.
We reached the part of the vows. I looked at Talia. She was wearing a beautiful white dress that shimred under the lights, and she was smiling as if she truly loved . She was a great actress. She looked into my eyes, and for a second, the mask slipped. I saw the triumph in her gaze. She wasn’t looking at a husband; she was looking at a crown she had stolen. She had won.
"I, Leon of the Full Moon Pack, take you, Talia of the Silver Lake Pack," I said. My voice sounded hollow and strange in my own ears, echoing off the cold stone walls.
Liam and Leo were standing beside , saying the sa words to the other sisters. We were like three robots, programd to destroy our own futures.
Then ca the mont everyone was waiting for: the marking.
The music stopped. The room went so quiet you could hear the flickering of the candles. Our fathers were sitting in the front row, their chests puffed out with pride. I could see the look of pure relief on my father’s face. They didn’t care that our eyes were dead; all they wanted was this alliance.
I leaned in toward Talia’s neck. My heart was pounding against my ribs, not from love, but from fear that the plan would fail. I saw the tiny, skin-colored patch on her neck, hidden just under her hair. It looked perfect.
I opened my mouth and sank my teeth down.
I made sure not to bite too hard. I didn’t want to break her actual skin and trigger the very bond I was trying to kill. I felt my teeth hit the synthetic patch. Suddenly, the Moon-Lily ink inside the patch burst. It felt wet and cool against my lips.
Imdiately, a strong, sweet scent filled the air. It was thick and overwhelming, slling exactly like a fresh soul-bond. It was so strong that even the people in the back rows would be able to sll it and believe the lie.
Talia played her part well. She let out a soft, fake gasp of pain and then a sigh of pleasure, acting like the mark was sending magic through her body. She leaned her head back, showing off the neck where the ink was already turning into a dark, angry bruise in the shape of my teeth. To anyone watching, it was the perfect mark of a True Mate.
I pulled away, wiping a fake drop of blood from my lip with the back of my hand. My skin crawled at the touch of her.
I looked at Liam and Leo. They had just finished too. Camilla and Bianca were leaning against them, acting mate-drunk from the fake bond. The crowd erupted into cheers. People were crying, clapping, and howling with joy.
The sisters played their parts perfectly. They gripped our arms tightly and smiled at the crowd, looking like they were glowing with happiness. They were Lunas now.
"The bond is sealed!" the Priest shouted, his voice full of joy.
I felt sick. My stomach was churning from the Wolfsbane and the weight of the lies. I looked at the dark mark on Talia’s neck. To the world, she was my mate. To the world, I was hers. Our lives were now tied to these won who had drugged us, trapped us, and forced our hands.
"We did it," Talia whispered into my ear, her voice full of ice and victory. "Smile, Leon. You’re a married man now. Try to look like you’re enjoying your wedding."
I forced my lips into a small, fake smile as we began to walk down the aisle. The pack was screaming our nas, throwing flower petals, and blessing our union. They had no idea that behind my ribs, there was only silence. They had no idea that the man they were cheering for was a hollow shell, almost at the brink of collapsing.
We had saved the pack. The war was stopped... no warriors would die, and the babies would be safe in their beds. But as I walked out of the cathedral into the bright sunlight, I felt like I had just buried the only version of myself I ever liked. I had traded my soul for a treaty.
I looked up at the clear blue sky, and for a split second, the noise of the crowd faded. I thought of a girl with a soft smile and kind eyes. A girl who slled like ho... A girl who was gone because I couldn’t protect her.
I’m sorry, Scarlett, I thought, my heart breaking all over again. I hope you’re at peace, wherever you are. Because I will never be.
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