RISE OF A FALLEN WOLVERESS

ZEPHYRA POV

'Can’t believe you’re this pretty'

Cat,my wolf purrs, her voice bubbling with glee in my mind. I flick her off mentally, a playful smirk tugging at my lips as I admire my reflection

The girl staring back barely looks like me

My wedding dress hugs my chest perfectly, the light blue fabric shimmering like moonlight on water. My reflection glows with a joy I thought I’d lost forever.

"Hey, Zephyra," a deep voice calls from behind, solemn. I turn and freeze. He’s massive: tall, fair-skinned, with a tattoo curling around his neck like a shadowy vine.

"That’s Ronah, your brother," Naville, the sister of my soon to be husband says softly, as the guy steps closer.

The attendants and Naville retreats to give us space.

"I can’t believe I have a brother now," The word slip out before I can stop it.

Ronah rushes forward, pulling me into a crushing hug. My gown’s layers resist, but his embrace is warm, satisfied.

His palm soothes the back of my head, and I melt into the unfamiliar comfort of family.

"Fuck, it’s really you," he murmurs, voice thick with emotion.

Just last week, I was a rogue slave, no family of mine and now, I'm about to get married to an Alpha with a brother by my side.

"I can’t believe it either" I whisper back, my throat tight.

"You’re so fucking pretty" he says as he steps back to hold my arms out, studying me. His grin is infectious.

"You say ‘fuck’ a lot." I tease and his face break into loud laughter.

"Glad you haven’t changed."

"That’s what Evander said." He nods, then rolls up his sleeve, revealing a tattoo on his arm: bold letters spelling NO FUCK. My eyes widen.

"Remember this?" he asks, hopeful.

I shake my head, guilt twisting my gut.

"You've it too, same place" He says & I check . A dot is all I see

"You were five, I was nine. Mum and Dad nearly disowned us that day."

I laugh, picturing it. I’d lose it too if my kids came home with NO FUCK inked on them.

"How did they not disown us?"

His hand slides to my neck, pulling me closer, his voice tinged with sadness.

"They loved us too much." He pauses, eyes glistening.

"I’m sorry, Zephyra. For not finding you sooner."

I hug him tighter, my gown rustling.

"It’s okay," I say, meaning it.

You’re too soft, Zeph. Tell him to hurt that monster Zade in return

Cat snips, her tone sharp with defiance.

I'm putting that Family behind me, Cat

The maids and Naville return, bustling around me.

Naville takes my arm, guiding me towards my soon to be husband

You say ‘husband’ so easily Cat teases and I can’t hold back my grin. Husband.

The word feels like a promise, family. A pathway to a life I never dared dream of.

"Ronah, you can lead me too," I say firmly, Ronah’s eyes glisten as he steps to my right, his presence solid.

Naville kisses my cheek, then moves behind to lift my veil, its weight lightening with their support.

I exhale loudly, my world narrowing to one point: EVANDER. My man, buyer, Healer, Childhood lover. He stands at the altar, rubbing his thighs nervously, gawking at me with eyes full of awe and love.

"He never stopped loving or searching for you," Ronah whispers, his breath warm against my ear.

My heart leaps, wishing to remember the life I lived before becoming a slave

"Is it true I was mated to him when I was eight?"

I ask Ronah softly and he nods

Ronah's smile tighten.

"You were about to leave on a journey and asked him to marry you. The saints bound you both, and you did something with your High priestess power to seal it.... I never saw it, Twelve years old Evander just kept on weeping about his wife"

Me? High priestess?

Now, I'm intrigued but,

Van takes my hand from Ronah when I reach him, and I feel a tightening in my chest.

Cat stirs, stretching like she's waking from a long sleep.

His wolf is recognizing me he voice filled with joy

The priest's words blur as I focus on Van intertwining our fingers, on the slight tremor in his hands like I'll disappear soon

Then it's his turn for vows.

"“They stole sixteen years from us. Sixteen years you suffered while I searched. I can’t give you back that time, but I can give you this: You'll never be property again. You'll never be alone again. Not in your nightmares, battles or fears"

He slips in the ring and my tears drop on it, everyone gasps as a gold light curl around our wrists

"I claim you—not as my possession, but as my equal. My mate. My Luna. And if anyone tries to take you from me, they’ll have to kill me first. Even then, my wolf will hunt them from beyond the grave. You're mine Zephyra and I'm irrevocably, eternally yours. In this life and every life after."

He seals it with a kiss before the priest can say we could. I don’t mind... the world fades, and it’s just us, his lips warm and fierce against mine..

It tastes like sixteen years of longing and ache

His fingers dip into my waist, escaping a moan from me before I could stop it.

My body heats up as I feel his hardness..

"You're now pronounced Husband and Wife.

In front of the gods, witnesses, priests, Elders and your Family" The priest's words pull our lips apart.

Van's forehead against mine, I watch his chest heave rapidly. His lips part & eyes dark I can barely stare at it

He clenches his jaw like he's fighting his wolf for control

"Congratulations on your second marriage" I mouth

"To the same girl. No regret" He mutters back

"Finally, and again! House Homelin and House Arnauld are one. May your wolves grow stronger and flourish!" an elder proclaims.

The crowd erupts. I'm smiling so hard my face hurts.

Naville is crying.

Van's father claps

Ronah is grinning.

Van sweeps me into his arms, and for one perfect moment, I forget what I was.

Then a voice shatters it all

"This wedding cannot hold."

An old woman steps forward, each steps delebrate towards me.

Her venomous eyes fixed on me like target.

My blood turns to ice and heads whip to her

I clutch Van’s suit tighter.

Not of fear of the woman but on the man beside her.

Zade Astrid.

My captor, my nightmare, standing here to rip my new life apart.