"Lady Annika, would you like to proceed even without your parents?" I turn my head to the wedding organizer. What did she mean?

"They were here an hour ago, greeting the guests. What do you mean they are not here?"

She bowed her head. "They left a while ago after your father's beta told them something."

I sigh. I can't believe they chose work first. I understand they don't care much, but I still expected them to escort me to the altar.

"We are five minutes late already, my lady. Would you like to proceed?"

I looked around, hoping they could make it, but my hopes were unheard.

"Let's begin," I whispered.

Standing at the grand hall entrance, I gripped my bouquet tightly. The doors in front of me were like barriers, slowly opening for me to begin the next chapter of my life.

A tear escapes my eyes upon seeing Kios waiting for me. The music softly plays the most beautiful melody, which seems like flipping the page of my story, which I had waited my whole life to live.

Did he feel the same? Would he think, without a doubt, that we were meant to be?

A smile spread across my face when I saw him wiping his tears. I am glad that he felt the same way.

This moment, this love I was clinging to, was everything I had ever wanted.

I also smiled at the visitors, the pack members, and my few friends.

And then, King Deus. His face was covered, but his eyes reflected a sad expression. I looked away and fixed my gaze on Kios.

He extends his hand, ready to receive mine. But before I could reach him, the door swung open.

"You! Monster!" I turned my head and saw Fiona, her gown torn and covered with blood. Behind her were our parents. They look furious.

Their eyes were wide with terror. The crow gasped as my blood ran cold.

"What happened to you?" I asked. My stepmother started to walk towards me, followed by my father.

I felt a sharp pain in my cheek as she pointed her finger at me. "How could you do this, Annika? How can you order someone to kill my daughter?"

"I-I have no clue what you are talking about. Me? How can I do that to her?" I reasoned.

"You set me up," Fiona cried. Some people in my pack aided her when she collapsed on the floor.

"You hired someone for me to lose my dignity and to kill me after. What did I do to you?" I balled my fist. Is this what I am getting when I reject her pleas?

"Stop acting, Fiona. You are ruining my wedding!"

"Wedding?" My father, Theo, blurted with sarcasm. "There will be no wedding happening today. You gave me dishonor by attempting to assassinate your sister."

"How can you prove that I am the one behind it? It could be her plan all along! She went to my chamber a while ago, pleading with me. She wanted Kios, father! She is doing this because she can't get what she wants!" For the first time, I raised my voice towards my father.

When he gives me another stinging slap, I can't help but burst into tears. For years, he has never taken my side or listened to me.

I looked at the maid as she walked forward. "I can testify," She was the one who entered my chamber when Fiona and I were arguing. "I heard Lady Annika threaten Lady Fiona's life." I shook my head.

"I had said that because of anger. But I never mean it!"

"Annika, stop!" Kios snarled behind me.

"Kios, no—" I tried to speak, but he walked past me and went to Fiona's aid. The betrayal in his eyes cut me to the core.

Before I could defend myself more, pack warriors entered with two men in cuffs. They made them kneel.

"Confess!" My father ordered.

One of the men pointed at me, "Lady Annika paid me and even threatened me that she would kill my family if I failed her orders."

The other man also said, "She promised me that she would pay for my mother's treatment as long as I ruin the dignity of Lady Fiona. She also ordered us to make it look like an outside attack."

"Outside attack? It can ruin the relationship between packs!" I heard Council Member Mateo. "I will never bat an eye in this matter, Alpha Theo! Your daughter is bringing a war between packs!"

My father shot me a stare. "Arrest her!" He ordered.

The crowd erupted, voices shouting over one another, but all I could hear was the roaring in my ears. Kios' cold glare, the councils' condemning murmurs, the whispers of my pack. All of it suffocated me.

Two guards drag me, and I hopelessly plead to my father for him to hear me out.

Thrown in the dark cellar, I knelt.

Tears streamed down my face as I waited for what would happen next.

Footsteps echoed down the stone staircase, reminding me how far I had fallen. My pulse quickened as the figures stepped into the dim light.

I smiled upon seeing Kios, but all of it disappeared upon seeing Fiona clinging to his arm.

Kios's face was devoid of the warmth I once knew. His eyes, the same deep blue that had once held so much affection, now looked at me with cold detachment.

"At last, I get rid of you." He uttered. I can almost hear my heart shudder at what he said. I had spent years loving him, training to be his Luna, only to be brought to my knees by him.

"What did I do? Why did you betray me, Kios?" He smirked at me.

"Being existed. Being the best in every field. The oracle even foresaw that you would be the end of me." I shook my head, thinking all of this was a nightmare.

"I work hard for it because I love you, Kios."

"Loved him?" Fiona sneered. She crouches down to meet my gaze. "Oh, Annika, if you had accepted my effort to negotiate with you a while ago, you would have vanished without ruining your image. You could have died quietly? At least, it will be less embarrassing. Oh! How blind you have always been! You can't even catch on to our plan. You might be the smartest but the dumbest in terms of doubt."

"Doubt was never in my vocabulary. I trusted Kios and even you! Even you are the bitchiest girl existing."

"Should I be thankful for your trust or laugh because of your stupidity?" Fiona sneered.

I look at Kios, hoping that this is just a game, even though it was not.

"Kios, look at me, please." He sighs before meeting my gaze. 

"It's over, Annika. And to tell you the truth, you were not my fated mate in the first place."

"Kios and I have been together for years. He just played the part of being a mate to you. I am amazed how foolish you are to fall into a simple trap called love." Fiona added.

My eyes darted to Kios, desperately searching for some sign that it wasn't true. But his gaze was unyielding.

He threw a small bottle at me.

"Drink it." He ordered. I am not dumb enough to know what is in it.

"Don't be rude, Kios, help her. Her hands were tied."

He opened the cellar and picked up the bottle.

"What are you doing? Get out of me!"

He pinched my cheeks together and forcefully put the liquid inside my mouth. I am hopeless. I accidentally gulp, and the bitter taste lingers in my mouth.

I coughed hard and tried to puke when he finished pouring all of it.

But the numbness took in.

I lay my body on the cold floor, my eyes fixed on them. A tear escaped my eyes as I witnessed them exchange kisses as a sign of success in their plan, and then they left.

But before I can entirely lose my life. A familiar figure walks towards me, calling my name. It was King Deus.

I smiled. Somehow, I was not lonely living in this cruel world. If I had been given a chance, I would have accepted his offer to run away with him.