Chapter 87
87
~Elara’s POV
“Enough about gifts,” I said, waving my hand lightly. “You two should tell me what you plan to wear to my wedding. I want you to look beautiful. I want people to remember that day p>
Lira laughed softly. “Do not worry about us. We will surprise you p>
Ronan nodded. “And our gifts to you will be special. You will not forget them p>
I clapped my hands, happy like a child. “I cannot wait p>
We talked for a long time after that. About the wedding. About the moon. About silly memories from when we were younger. We laughed. We teased each other. We played small games, like nothing bad could ever touch us. The sun slowly sank, and the room grew dim with evening light.
When the lamps were lit, Lira stood up first. “It is getting late. We should leave p>
“Yes,” Ronan said. “You should rest p>
I nodded, a little sad to see them go. “Come again tomorrow,” I said. “We still have so much to talk about p>
They bowed to me, respectful, proper.
“Good night, Princess,” Ronan said.
“Good night,” Lira added, smiling.
I watched them leave, my heart light, my mind full of dreams.
But my present self, trapped in the shield, felt something twist hard inside.
Because the moment the palace doors closed behind them, everything changed.
Outside, away from the lights and guards, Lira’s smile dropped.
“She thinks she has won,” Lira said sharply. “She thinks she is so special p>
Ronan frowned. “The wedding is real. Alpha Darlon is serious p>
Lira scoffed. “Then we will make sure it does not end the way she thinks p>
Ronan stopped walking. “What do you mean p>
Lira turned to face him, her eyes dark. “Tell me. When is the next full moon p>
“In a week,” he replied slowly.
She smiled. Not a happy smile. A cold one. “Perfect p>
Ronan hesitated. “What are you planning p>
“We go to Alpha Darlon’s pack,” she said calmly. “We follow her. And you will take what she treasures most p>
My breath caught inside the shield.
Ronan blinked. “You mean p>
“Yes,” Lira said flatly. “You will rape and ruin her. And Alpha Darlon will see it p>
Ronan was quiet for a long moment. Then he laughed. Low. Uneasy. “That is… bold p>
“It is perfect,” Lira replied. “He will see her as unclean. Promiscuous. Unworthy of being Luna p>
“And you think he will believe that?” Ronan asked.
“He will,” she said. “Men always do p>
Ronan rubbed his face. “And what about us? Do you think Alpha Darlon will let us go free after something like that p>
Lira nodded without doubt. “He will. That is the cruel part. He will punish her. Not us p>
Ronan’s eyes darkened. “And after p>
“After,” she said softly, “I take my place beside him. The one I deserve p>
Ronan exhaled slowly. “And me p>
She glanced at him. “You get her. Just like you want p>
He smiled then. “That is… a perfect plan p>
Inside the shield, I felt frozen.
My hands shook. My chest hurt so badly I thought it might tear open.
So this was it.
This was what lived behind their smiles. Behind the laughter. Behind the bows and kind words.
I stared at them, unable to move, unable to scream.
“So,” I whispered to myself, numb and broken, “this is what you planned for me p>
And the worst part?
The girl I had just watched, laughing in her room, dreaming of love and a future, had no idea.
I stayed in the vision as the days moved forward, one after the other, smooth and bright on the surface.
The wedding preparations went on like nothing dark had ever been spoken. Like nothing ugly waited underneath.
The royal tailor returned with her sketches, pages and pages of them, carefully rolled and tied with ribbon. She bowed deeply when she entered my chambers.
“Your Highness,” she said, spreading the drawings on the table, “these are the first designs based on what you and your majesty described p>
I leaned over them, my eyes wide.
“Oh,” I breathed. “They are beautiful p>
My mother stood beside me, nodding. “This one,” she said, pointing. “The bodice should be a little softer here. And the sleeves, maybe less heavy p>
The tailor nodded quickly. “Of course, Your Majesty. I will adjust it p>
I pointed at another sketch. “The embroidery here,” I said, “can it flow more, like vines instead of straight lines p>
“Yes, Your Highness. That will make it even more graceful p>
We talked and adjusted and imagined. She took my measurements again, careful and precise, calling out numbers to her assistant. Pins brushed my skin. Fabric samples were held against me.
I laughed, turning slightly. “I feel like I am dreaming p>
My mother smiled at me. “Enjoy it, my love. This is your time p>
Outside my chambers, the palace was alive.
Cooks worked day and night. Huge pots simmered. The smell of roasted meat, spices, and sweet bread filled the halls. Barrels of wine were rolled in, sealed, and marked for the wedding feast. Servants moved everywhere, carrying lists, arguing softly, laughing, rushing.
In the main hall, my father and mother received visitors.
Alphas from other packs came with their guards, dressed in their finest. They bowed deeply, offering congratulations and gifts. Gold. Weapons. Rare fabrics. Old artifacts meant to bless a union.
“May your daughter’s union be strong,” one Alpha said.
“And may her Luna reign be peaceful,” another added.
My father thanked them all, pride clear in his eyes. My mother accepted their blessings with grace, her hand resting lightly on her chest.
Sometimes, I was there too.
I stood beside them, smiling until my cheeks hurt, bowing politely, accepting kind words and warm looks. Everyone seemed happy for me. Everyone seemed sincere.
And through it all, Ronan and Lira stayed close.
They came almost every day.
They helped me choose small details. Flowers for the hall. Colors for the banners. Music for the feast. Lira held up fabrics against me, tilting her head.
“This one makes your skin glow,” she said.
Ronan laughed. “Everything looks good on her p>
I smiled, trusting them. Laughing with them. Letting them into every part of my joy.
Inside the shield, my present self felt sick.
Because I knew what they had said outside the palace walls.
But the Elara in the vision did not. She only saw friends. She only felt excitement.
One evening, as the sun dipped low and painted the sky gold, we sat together on the floor of my room, surrounded by ribbons and small boxes.
“I cannot believe it is so close,” I said, hugging a pillow.
Lira smiled. “Time moves fast p>
Ronan nodded. “Too fast p>
I laughed. “You both will stand beside me that day. I want you close p>
“Always,” Lira said quickly.
“Yes,” Ronan added. “Always p>
They stayed until the lamps were lit and the palace grew quiet. When it was time to leave, they bowed to me, as they always did.
“Rest well, Princess,” Ronan said.
“Dream of your wedding,” Lira added.
I waved at them as they left, my heart light.
Inside the shield, I watched them walk away.
I saw Lira’s smile fade the moment they turned the corner, and I saw Ronan’s jaw tighten.
And I knew.
Even as the palace glowed with preparation and promise, even as love and laughter filled the air, something rotten was already growing.
The dress was being sewn.
The feast was being planned.
The date was set.
And all the while, betrayal was walking freely through the halls, wearing the face of friendship.