el

ing I could never get used to, even if

ething easy to do, especially living here as the wife of the mo

all a dream-a very long one,

wolves, not to talk more of being m

life already. This was my senior year, which meant I was going to graduate and l

ore, because here I was in another

grees in just one night? How did I go from being beaten

it sounded u

of Woodson's 'Moonmaids,' as he called them, walked in. She

ad been tending to me ever since I got here, but she had never uttered more than a word. Other than to bring me f

got here. The room they had imprisoned me in was beautiful, to say the least. It was so

curtains. The walls were a muted cream, adorned with intricate gold accents and a few elegant paintings of serene landscapes. A grand four-poster bed with

was polished marble, with an ornate rug in hues of gold and red spread out beneath the seating. A large fireplace, it

t the light. The room was undeniably luxurious, a place of comfort and beaut

calm. With that, she turned and walked toward the door. I followed

and left me to stay in this unknown territory all by myself. He never spoke about the wedding, and I had been left in the dark abou

ied. What di

ad walked these hallways before when I was first brought here

, I

e elaborate chandeliers hanging above. Their crystal designs sparkled with each flicker of the flames from the candles. On either side of

, sconces with flickering candles lined the corridor, adding a soft, inviting glow. Every few steps, ornate pedestals held delicate vases or sculptures, adding a touc

m a place like this? Even if I managed to run, where would I

nother hallway. Their dresses were simple Victorian corset styles, cream-colored and short-sleeved, res

I saw her almost at the end of the hallway.

oor. It had all sorts of intricate markings

and then the door creaked open. She stepped inside fi

dy and unwavering. I took slow, cautious steps forwa

night he took me. His sharp eyes gleamed in the dim light. But

er her shoulders. Her eyes, piercing and cold, fixed on me w

ct with any of them. I felt like a little child standing in the center as they all studied me. The urge to ru

I send

Woodson, whose eyes were already on me.

? Don't you h

dn't still say anything; his eyes still fixed on me expectant

ou can't have a mute Luna to lead your pack now, can you?" T

head. The back and forth continued, and I zoned them out, r

and unreadable. His question echoed in my mind, the weight of

oul

es. Don't b

be acknowledging that this-everything-was real. That I was standing in front of a powerful,

ldn't

them from the burning sensation that was beginning to grow. Woodson didn't move. His expression didn't c

ces distant, drowned out by the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears. My th

t blink.

g with every second that passed. My eyes were begging for relief, for ju

oken challenge. It was as if he knew exactly what I was trying to do and was