The Lycan King and His Substitute Bride

Chapter 1 Abandoned

LIA BLAKE With force I pushed open the door and stormed into my room. The moment I slumped onto my bed, all the emotions I thought I had held back broke free and tears streamed down my face. I clutched my face in my hands and wailed. I wailed like I hadn't done before. As my tears flowed, the memories of the day flooded into my head. A day supposed to be one of the best days in my life turned out to be a painful one for me. <> Snatching myself up in the most pretty dresses I ever owned with a perfect make-over, the type I rarely do, I had dolled up myself for my school prom night. The last I would have as a high school kid. Yes, it shouldn't just be my last but my best as well, I had thought. I was totally over the moon and It wasn't just that I was attending my last school prom night but a part of it was that I would be attending it with my crush. I couldn't have been more excited. "Please have you seen Carlos?" "Have you seen Carlos? He is handsome and has this... curly pretty hair. He is tall and..." The extremely busy guy merely flashed me a glance as his eyes focused back on the cleavage he was gawking at. "Get lost bitch! Don't you see we are busy?!" The girl barked at me. I hissed and continued on. Bunch of lusty sex- starved simpletons! I kept asking whoever I bumped into as I surged and wriggled my way forward through the clustered sweaty bodies. The blasting music from the speaker didn't help matters. They banged at my head more than they drifted into my ears. "Gosh, where on earth would Carlos be..." I had wondered. He wasn't taking his calls nor did he return my numerous calls. I was beginning to get worried. The Carlos I know would never intentionally screen my calls. We were supposed to come to the school prom together for fuvk sake! Poor me. This was supposed to be my last prom in high school where I would have all the fun...but there I was running around. I feared how ruined my dress and makeover would be. I finally managed to struggle my way out of the crowd and dashed into the classrooms in search of Carlos. I figured he would probably be in one of the classes taking a rest or something. Carlos didn't like noisy places that much. I had checked like three classrooms when I heard a loud cheer from the dance hall followed by an abrupt stop of the music. I halted in my steps wondering what had happened to grab their attention. I was about to take a step to continue my search for Carlos when I began to hear chants of Carlos! Carlos! Carlos! I spun around and dashed back into the hall. That jerk! I would so punch him hard on his face. How dare he come to the prom without me. I had barely made it past the doorpost when my feet got stuck to the ground and my body went stiff. There, Carlos had his arms around the body of a girl and they were deeply immersed with each other, lips locked together. My whole world stopped that second. I totally forgot how to breathe as I stood there watching with a wrenched heart as my crush suckled the lips of another girl. My feet wobbled weakly and impulsively I had gripped the doorpost for support. The sadness that enveloped my heart, I doubt I had ever felt it before. It was so painful watching my crush make out with another girl that the pain reached into the core of my wolf and inside of me, she whined painfully. I must have been foolish thinking and hoping all these while that I could be with him in the beginning. When their lips finally pulled away, I saw his now deeply yellow eyes and then it dawned on me he had found his mate. Unable to watch while everyone cheered them, I had dragged my heavy legs and fled. The sound and vibration of my phone jolted me out of my thoughts. I sighed, making a mental note to ignore the phone until much later. The thought of my crush lips against the girl still felt painful to imagine. But my phone wouldn't stop ringing. I rose to totally shut it off but couldn't find it when I searched my purse. When I didn't find it in my purse, I forced myself to sit up and then I noticed it was ringing under the bed. How come...I was still wondering how it had happened but then I figured it could have fallen off my purse when I had angrily flung my purse towards the edge of the bed on storming into the room. The phone momentarily stopped ringing as though it saw through my hesitation to pick it up. But the ringtone brought up yet another sweet memory now turned painful. Carlos and I use the same ringtone. He had suggested we used this particular one. I swallowed painfully, forcing the memory away. Then I lay back in bed and pulled the covers over me. My whole life is over. My whole life... I have crushed on Carlos literally all my life and I waited like an obedient child for the moment, the moment he will finally ask me out. How cruel could the Moon goddess be? Tears sting my eyes as the memories of all the times I spent together with him came rearing up in my head. He made me have a crush on him and he looked at me like I mattered in his life. All those times he held my hands and hugged me, was it all a joke to him? How could he treat me so well knowing he would abandon me the moment he finds his mate without a second thought. Even a distant friend doesn't deserve to be treated this way. I thought we were close and cool. He promised me...He swore to always be by my side. But now he doesn't even remember I ever existed. Fuck...Carlos...how could he forget his words. I could feel my heart knot painfully against my chest. I couldn't even shed another tear as I had probably shedded it all already. I was going to ignore my phone until much later since it stopped ringing but it soon started to ring again. Angry, I dragged my tired body out of bed and searched for it grudgingly. After a few minutes, I sighed as I sank back into the bed with the phone in my hand. Who else would be draining my battery with calls if not my best friends. Jimmy: eleven missed calls. Emily: twelve missed calls. I opened our group message where it was only the three of us and began to type. "I'm sorry Jimmy, Emily but I just feel like dying. I promise to call you both when I feel a little better..." I felt a sharp pain in my head as I tried to tap the send the button. My phone dropped from my hand and on impulse, I clutched my head in pain letting out a painful groan. My head was aching so much I thought I would die. The pain from my heart must have transferred to my head. A knock sounded on my door at the same time. "Lia!!! Are you in there?? Open up!!" I couldn't have missed that voice. I scrambled to my feet and dashed towards the door. Pulling it open and standing before me was my best friends, Emily and Jimmy. It couldn't have been anyone else. They both had a pity look in their eyes. "Come here you cute poor thing...group hug..." they pulled me into their arms and patted my back in a consoling manner. "It's fine baby. You will get your mate, I promise. The Moon goddess surely has the best charming man for you. Okay?" Jimmy said, pulling me in tighter. "What's even so good about him anyways? Toor! Right now girl, he is average! That jerk Carlos! How could he abandon you in such a manner! Middle finger for his darn self!" Emily cussed out Carlos. I thought I was past the sobbing stage but hearing the name Carlos triggered my tear gland again. I pressed my face against my friends' shoulders as I cried. "It's okay. It's fine...let it all out and you will be fine..." After some moments of mushiness, we gently pulled away. "Get dressed, we are painting the town red!!!" Emily screamed and gripped me playfully. "What?" I turned towards Jimmy and he flashed me a smile in agreement to Emily's words. "No guys, I don't feel like partying..." I said and got back into bed. "No no no...it's a must and we are not asking you for permission." Jimmy pulled the covers away and dragged me up. Emily had already flung open my wardrobe and had picked out a red dress for me. "Shhhhhush.. don't say another word and put this on!" She winked at me and shoved the dress into my hands. I let out a deep breath, unable to argue with them anymore knowing they would win at the end. I dragged my feet into the washroom where I changed into the dress after a quick wash. "Isn't this looking too short...and skimpy?" I said as I stepped out of the bathroom fully changed. "Of course not! This is perfect!" Emily squeaked and twirled me around. Jimmy drove us to one of the busiest clubs in town. Inside the car, Emily and Jimmy did all their best to get me out of my sour mood. Well, it sort of worked as I soon began to snap out of it and the fun mood started to grow on me. Minutes later, we were driving into the clubhouse. "And here we are!!" Stepping down from the car and my eyes jamming with my biggest fear happened at the same time. Carlos' hands were wrapped across his mate's waist as they sweetly walked into the clubhouse. Tears stung my eyes as I watched them step into the clubhouse looking like the best couple in town. "No, don't do that...come on girl, you can find better men." Emily held me. Maybe...Maybe there are better men out there but my heart has always longed for one man. Carlos. As if that wasn't enough, the chatt of people for the few minutes we got into the club were totally centered on Carlos and his mate. "I will be right back guys. Let me get us more drinks." Jimmy said and headed towards the bar counter. "More drinks!! Yeeey!" Emily squealed with excitement. I just chuckled. Emily sure isn't much of the party type but seeing her squeak and squeal tonight, I wonder if I knew her at all. A few other people sat beside us. There was a table with people across us and two mini ones by the right and left. This particular table by our right had three girls sitting around it. They were so loud their conversation got picked up by my ears. Bottles of drinks and glasses sat on the table as they gisted and drank. "Hey, did you hear?" One of them said to the other two. "What? Is there any recent news?" The blonde one asked, her eyes piqued with interest as she pushed her chair closer to the table. She looked like the most curious one amongst them. Seeing it was gossip, I mentally forced my ears away from their discussion. I had a lot going on already to care about some gossip about someone. But the words of the first girl swept into my ears without my consent. It wasn't just any news but the news about me. "See her over there." She stylishly pointed at me to the other two who snickered the moment they saw me. "Well, I feel bad for her. It must be hard being mateless and having your crush find his mate." The second girl added with a shake of head. "But then, why is she in the club? She should go kneel and beg the moon goddess for a mate or something!". The other girl who hadn't said a word all these while finally spoke and the other two laughed. They kept on snickering and giggling to themselves as they pointed at me calling me unlucky and mateless. The rest I couldn't hear as everything began to turn hazy in my eyes. At that point, every urge to have fun had fizzled away and left me a broken shell. Tears slipped down my cheeks. I couldn't hold it back anymore. "Pull yourself together, Lia!" Emily yelled and gripped my shoulders. "How can I? Just how can I..." I stared at her, my eyes welled up in tears. "Should I go teach them a lesson?" She charged up. I held her back and stopped her. Being unlucky and mateless was enough. I couldn't let my friends soil their names because of me. Jimmy came back with drinks but my mood had already gone sour and all the effort my best friends made to get me back to a happy mood failed. Suddenly, I began to feel something charge up my throat as if I would puke. "Lia? Are you alright?" Emily asked as she rubbed my back. I looked up to meet her eyes and she understood at once. "It's all right...take a deep breath...you will be fine..." she continued to say as she patted my back. It wasn't new. I sometimes feel nauseous when my wolf is in a bad mood. Heck, why does it have to be right here of all places. I thought I could hold it in but it came rushing up my throat again that I could feel the taste in my tongue. Onions, cabbage... I quickly stood up and dashed out in search of the restroom.

Chapter 2 Kidnapped

LIA BLAKE Phew! I drew in a quick breath. I was standing at the cliff of a mountain. The air was light and as it brushed against my skin, it caressed my pores and left me feeling refreshed. That moment, I got a chance to not feel miserable. How sad must my wolf have felt. We just thought...just maybe Carlos and I will ever get a chance to be together. I beat my chest and bit my lips suddenly feeling a surge of determination. Yes, it was just a crush. I have to be brave now. For myself and for my wolf and brush this lurking sadness off me. I gulped thickly as I felt my tears choke down my throat. Yes, this was the best thing I should do for myself. The thought of seeing Carlos gallivant the entire pack with his mate was just a lot for me to handle. Yes, call me jealous, but it hurts me everyday. Maybe someday the moon goddess will be kind enough to give me my own mate. If she is even kinder and listens to Jimmy's prayers, she would make him the best man in the whole wide world. My wolf purred inside of me. A slow whine. Poor thing. She must have been more tormented than I am. I am already eighteen and without a mate for her. My crush, whom I had hoped would be my mate, found his mate and I was abandoned like I meant nothing to him. And here I am, in a totally different pack ready or maybe not really ready to start all over again. I would probably get into college or start a business. Whatever I do doesn't matter much as far as I am away from Carlos. Here, where I wouldn't have to bump into my ex-crush and his mate ever again. Here where they wouldn't have to rub it in my face how mateless and unlucky I am. I inhaled deeply, feeling the effect of the breeze the more. I have only heard a little about this new pack I packed in. I have heard father mention of it, the major pack of the four packs where the ruthless Lycan King lives, Harrow wood pack. Father told me a few werewolves lived here but it was mostly the Lycans that dwells here. The Lycans had always acted superior to the werewolves. And even though much of us werewolves hated the thought of it, there was very little we could do. That makes it the perfect place for me. No one knows me here. No one knows my father is the Alpha of Blood Moon pack and that's fine. All I wanted was a fresh start. Away from the face I have loved all my life. Away from my pain and hurt. I started down the mountain cliff. The loud rumbling of my stomach as I walked reminded me I was yet to eat something. I needed to stop by a diner and stuff the worms in my stomach with something delicious. Out of the woods and heading into the town, I sighted one of these simple dinners. My pace increased as much as the wriggling of the worms in me did. But as I made to step into the place, a large palm covered my mouth. I tried to scream but I was smacked hard on my head. Nothing else did I hear nor see until when I woke up to the sight of myself in a strange room. I tried to move my body but realized I was tied to the chair. "Who are you!!! Show yourself and don't be a coward!!" I yelled hoping to get the attention of my capture. I wriggled on the chair against the rope I was tied with but ended up clattering to the floor. My face jammed against the floor and a muffled groan escaped my lips. I clenched my teeth hard. Whoever was doing this must be trying to mess around with me. Suddenly I started to hear the sound of a shoe sole coming towards where I was. "Who are you?" I said freezing in my spot while mentally calculating the distance of this stranger from me. He made to lift me up but I sunk my teeth into his arms. He let out a sharp painful cry and flinched back. While he massaged the pain from my bite, another sound of shoes started towards me again. I couldn't see who it was but with the way the sound went, it had to be the heels of a ladies shoes this time. "Lift her up..." I heard her say. I was right. It really is a lady. The man I had bitten earlier lifted me up. I was still tied to my chair. My eyes roamed from the man and settled on the woman. She was pretty no doubt but how dare she kidnap me and bring me here? "Who are you and why have you brought me here?" I asked with a serious face. She didn't say a word, instead she kept sizing me up. After which she turned to the man and said, "What do you think? You think she can fit in?" "We don't need her to fit in. We only need her to be there until you are gone." The man with his thick accent answered. She nodded, "Well, yes, you are right, I only need her to be there until I am away..." she mumbled to herself still nodding. Then she turned to face me. "There will be no need for introductions. I hate to do this but I have to." I frowned, confused. "Do what?" She folded her arms across her chest and faced me squarely. "You will be me...well it would only be for a few hours until I'm gone. Derrick would find out anyway..." she said, murmuring the last part. Unfortunately I had an unnecessarily sharp ear. "I don't understand. Why will I let you be me?" I frowned. I mean, I know my life is already shityy enough at this moment but I would rather be me than be some random stranger I know nothing about. "And, Derrick, who is he?" "You will know soon. Get her dressed." She said to the man I believe to be her guard or maybe a servant who dipped his head in respect and at once came and began to untie me. "This is kidnapping! Let me go! Let me go right now!!" My struggle yielded nothing but instead I got my lips sealed with a rope and my arms tied behind me. And whatever scream I let out afterwards ended up in muffles. I was dragged into another room. A beautiful one at that. Where on earth is this and why are they doing this to me? How could I have been made a target in barely twenty four hours of me arriving in this pack... I was made to sit in a chair and a gigantic mirror stood before me. I could see my own reflection in the mirror. I looked like shit, fuvk! My hair was all messy, my eyes droopy and my cheeks knocked in. I couldn't even find the courage to summon my wolf to help me. Asides from being weak from lack of food, Carlos had hurt her so badly. My eyes searched around. The thought of me being butchered in this room scared the shit out of me. I had to find something. Anything to get me out of here. This was basically a girly room, what sharp objects could possibly be here to help me...I sighed in defeat as nothing of interest caught my eyes. A moment later the door opened and another woman entered. She was carrying with her a somewhat big metallic four corners box. "Hurry up. Get her prepared." The first woman said. She seems to be pacing slowly around the room as though something bothered her. But that isn't my problem anyways. I must get out of here. I stylishly checked the tightness of the rope my hand was tied with. It wasn't all that strong. Maybe a little wriggle will loosen it. But I had a bigger hassle. How could I take out the three of them? They must be Lycans. Lycans aren't easy to beat and definitely not in my weak state. The second woman came to me. She placed the metallic box she had entered with on the table and pulled at the four sides causing the box to open. When I looked closely, I saw it was a make-over box. What? Why am I being made up? She rolled the mirror away, took out a soft fluffy white wool from the box, leaned towards me and began to wipe my face with it. "What are you doing...what are you doing..." I started to struggle. I won't let them do anything on me. "Stay still!!!" The first authoritative woman thundered from behind. She marched towards me and gripped the handles of the chair I sat on and glared really hard at me. She was breathing heavily with her grip tightening on the chair handles. "Please, stay still and we will be done before you know it.... please..." she said breathlessly. Slowly she straightened up and shifted away. The make over woman came back and continued working on my face. I was still gathering what just happened now. This woman that kidnapped me is really acting strange. I expected to see this wicked glare in her eyes. Hell she kidnapped me! But why do I feel pity for her? There was so much sadness in her eyes. She acted like one without emotions or care in the world but she actually looked pitiful. I sat calmly and let the make over woman work on my face whilst hoping a better moment for me to escape would come. In another few more minutes, she straightened up and began to lock up her box. "I am done, Luna." She said as she bowed her head. The first woman, hands folded across her chest sized me up and then nodded her head approvingly. "That will be all." She faced the man and asked him to take the makeover woman away. I was left alone with her. She pulled down the rope that was tied against my mouth and rolled the mirror back to face me. I almost blurted out a scream as my mouth gaped in both shock and surprise the moment my eyes set on the mirror. I couldn't recognize myself. Total transformation! "What the hell have you done to me...."

Chapter 3 Seized

LIA BLAKE "What the hell have you done to me?" I muttered in disbelief. Gosh, what happened to Lia Blake that I used to know? The last time I came close to looking this snatched up was last summer at the school prom night. Of course it didn't end well for me. She walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a white long lacy and extremely pretty dress. Wait...isn't that a ...a wedding dress. "A wedding dress?" My eyes widened. She extended it to me and said, "Put it on...erm but before then I would like to say something..." Now this is beginning to get scary. Who exactly is this woman before me... She hung the wedding dress in one of the hanger, ran her fingers on it as though she didn't want to leave it but for some reason had to. "You know, I have always been excited for this moment...my wedding, the night I get to be fully joined in marriage to my mate and love of my life...well...life doesn't always go as planned..." her voice went low. I could feel the sadness in her tone. Who exactly is she and why does she sound so sad... "I have to marry someone who doesn't feel a bit of attraction for me. I can't bear it. I can't live my entire life in a loveless marriage...I just can't...That us why I need your help..." I could hear her sob even when I couldn't see her face. I had seen the sadness in her eyes but I had no single idea she was this sad. She sniffed back tears and turned to face me. "I'm really sorry I'm making you go through this, I'm so sorry... but I am going to stop here and take a step back and I will let you make the final decision. Please help me...just for tonight...be my substitute until I get away..." "What? I mean how I can be your substitute... we don't even look that alike..." She took my hands into hers and gazed into my eyes."We don't have to look alike. He won't see your face until later in the midnight during consummation but I will have my men take you away before that time. All I need from you is to be beside him during the ceremony and the vows. Please, help me..." she pleaded. My wolf purred pitifully. Oh, not now little wolf. This was as risky as it sounds. Her hold on my hand loosened. "It's fine if you don't want to do it. I completely understand. I guess I can't run away from my sad fate." "Wait! I will help you!" I blurted out as she turned to walk out. She stopped in her tracks and turned to face me again, her face lit up. "You will help me?" "Erm, well, since you said it will only be until midnight..." She gripped my hands again, "Yes, I will make sure you go back to your life before he discovers the truth." She went over to where she hung the wedding dress and brought it to me. "Go on and put it on." Lia Blake, what exactly are you doing...oh shit shit shit!! "Go on," she urged me on. With slightly shaking hands I collected the white dress from her and slipped my body into it. And then slided my feet into an equally pretty white shoes that matched with it. "You look so beautiful. As if this dress was made for you..." she said as she smiled at me. "Go on, take a look at yourself in the mirror..." Okay. Breathe...breathe Lia. It will be fine. It's only for a few hours. Just a few hours... I took plenty deep calming breaths after which I turned to look at myself in the mirror. Oh my...oh my! I was frigging dazzling! "Woww..." My moment of awe was cut short by the barging in of the man from earlier. "We have to leave now." He told the woman. "Yes, there is no time." She faced me and handed me a soft thin light fabric. "Wear it," she said. And I looked at both her and the fabric confused. "I don't understand. What is that?" "It's a veil. No, sit. I should install it myself." She made me sit and she quickly brushed my hair after which she installed the fabric on my hair. "You can pull it up for now. When the time comes, someone will come pick you. Just wait here." "Excuse me...I don't understand most of what you just said." "It's fine. You only need to do as I told you. One of the servants will come pick you up when the time comes. Don't take the veil off before midnight..." She took my hands, her expression softened. "I'm sorry for putting you through this. And, thank you..." "Ma'am we must leave here if we are to make it." The man reminded her. Slowly she left my hands, turned and sauntered out of the room with her crew. I exhaled sharply the moment I was left all alone in the room. Now what Lia? Well, I might as well just admire my beautiful self in the mirror until I am needed. My dress was one of the most beautiful wedding dress I had ever seen. I looked like a really perfect bride. Unfortunately it will only last for a few hours. I sighed when I remembered I hadn't even asked for her name. Well, it will only be for a few hours. I thought of Carlos, if he hadn't abandoned me, no, if the moon goddess hadn't been cruel on me and mated him with someone else, I could have had a moment like this with him. I was still admiring myself in the mirror when I heard a knock on the door. I quickly pulled down the veil over my face. "Who is it?" "Luna, it's time. The Lycan king is waiting." Luna? Lycan king? Waiting? I was still munching on the words I just heard when the knock came again. This time the door was pushed open and a woman entered. I presume she was the servant that would lead me into the wedding hall. She was dressed in a servant dress confirming my assumptions. "Please come with me, my Luna, the Lycan king awaits your entrance." "Erm, excuse me...what do you mean Lycan king..." I blurted without thinking but I was quick to hold back knowing that a slip from me would only give me out. The woman looked at me. "Is there a problem, my Luna?" "Of course not! Lead the way, please..." I said, twisting my voice a bit. Okay I am actually terrible at imitating accents especially not when I had barely known this woman I am supposed to act as until midnight. Good thing the woman hadn't noticed. When I stepped out, I noticed a few other servants waiting too. My suspicions heightened. Who exactly is this woman I am impersonating? Why did the woman call her Luna and why was the Lycan king waiting for her? What exactly is going on... I couldn't ask questions lest I give myself out. And so I held it all in and followed the group of servants. They led me through a corridor, out of a building and into the next building. It was a huge and beautiful place well decorated. They were guards around and that increased my suspicion which had grown into fear. What if...what if I was really impersonating a Luna...oh god, I will really be dead if the Lycan king finds out. I have heard stories about him. Scary ones. A hard hearted, rigid and ruthless Lycan king. No, this can't be happening right now. My legs became heavy and my heart started to hammer against my chest. What have I gotten myself into... With heavy legs I managed to drag myself with the servants until we got into the building. It was there it dawned on me what terrible mess I had gotten myself into. Oh Lia, I am in a deep shit. A man walked up to me. He flashed me a big grin. Who could he be...her father? I leaned towards the servant woman. "Who is he?" She turned and looked at me as though I had asked the silliest question on earth. I know I know, it really is. I mean how could the Luna not know him but then I am not the Luna. "He is your father's closest friend and has been acting as your father since your father's death. The Lycan king's family favors him. Did you forget? Is your head hurting somewhere? Should I get your herbs?" "Ohh, no, no, I am fine. I mean I didn't forget. I was just pulling your legs...hahaha..." I said and laughed, doing my best to hide my nervousness. Fuck! This is crazy. This is fuvking crazy!!! Okay okay, calm down Lia. That woman has promised to get me out of here by midnight and I will be gone. Yes, I won't have to face the Lycan King. I just have to put on this veil and never take it off till then. The man opened his arm for me. I took a long deep breath before I sling mine into his and we started to march forward. The scent of Lycans couldn't have been missed by my nose. It was hard to tell which was Lycan or werewolf in the midst of the crowd when all were in their human form but their scent? My nose couldn't miss that. I wondered if father was here too. As an Alpha of one of the four packs, there was a high chance he would be here. For my sake, I hoped he wouldn't. In front, I could sight a man suitly donned.Tall and muscular. Despite my veil, his charm and dazzle under the lights couldn't be missed. His high nose stood firm and straight atop of his rigid face. His grey eyes are strikingly beautiful. But there was something in them. Just something that eluded my understanding. As I got closer to him, I could feel his strong aura and I needed not to be told he was the Lycan king. Derrick Kings. My body shivered and goosebumps ran down me at the sight of him. He wasn't just as scary as they said. Everything about him was intimidating. His countenance and demeanor. How on earth did those around him cope? I unlinked my arm from my stand-in father. He patted me and walked to the section where others stood. My heart flipped as I turned and faced the Lycan king. It's hard to tell if it was the extremely handsomeness of his face that had my heart misbehaving or the fear from being caught. Gosh, he was a fucking demi-god! I had never seen a more perfectly carved face. We faced each other and there was an unusually large woman, a Lycan who presided and read out the vows to us. All through the vows, his gaze remained fixed on me but he barely blinked much. He only spoke when it was needed of him. Not even a word to me, his supposed bride to be. Well, not like I am his bride. What was all this coldness in his face? Now I realize why the woman sounded pitiful and ran from the marriage. No woman could put up with this much coldness. "Now, you may share a kiss to seal this bond, forever." The presider said. Share a kiss??? This wench didn't tell me this part. Shit!! My heart was beating so fast as he took two steps towards me, closing up the space between us. His hands went around me and he pulled me to himself. I gulped hard, forcing my breath to a halt. I fear at this point, he would hear how crazily my heart was beating. The only thing stopping me from taking to my heels at that moment was the fact that he wouldn't have to completely take off my veil that moment. Slowly he shifted away a portion of the veil covering my lips region, bent and claimed my lips. But it only lasted for a moment as a group of guards scampered into the place. "That woman is an intruder! The Luna is gone!" Derrick King tore his lips away from mine at once. "What!!!?" He growled and with a pull,he fling the veil off my face. "Seize her!!!" He ordered and in a matter of seconds a good number of guards had gripped me. I thought to plead but I feared the terror in his eyes would have me dead even before I finished my words. "Lock her up in my dungeon right now!!!" He roared and the guards started to drag me away. As I was being dragged away, the memory of his eyes the moment he realized I wasn't his rightful bride kept flashing in my head. I hadn't seen such darkened grey eyes in my life before. I was thrown into the dungeon. The coldness and foul smell of the place welcomed me the moment I was pushed inside. When I looked to my right, I saw a man half-dead and brutally wounded. The foul smell came from his untreated rotting body. He flashed his greasy dirty teeth at me the moment our eyes jammed, perhaps pleased to see a dungeon mate. I collapsed onto the ground knowing I most likely wouldn't make it through the night. If the ruthless Lycan king didn't have my head, then the coldness and the foul smell here definitely would.