It was her wedding day, and Reana had narrowly escaped another assassination attempt. But her mind was plagued with visions of her fated mate Hale dying in her arms.
Reana was a seer, so she could see the future.
However, seeing the future did not mean she could prevent it without fail. While she had killed the assassin that was sent after Hale, her stomach continued to churn restlessly, as though she had forgotten something important.
"You look gorgeous, Miss Reana. I'm sure Master Hale would be blown away by your beauty."
"Indeed. Her brothers would have been the–" the maid began but was nudged by the other maid when the temperature suddenly dropped.
"You may leave," Reana waved her hand, the air almost turning electric by the coldness she was exuding.
The maidservants didn't dare to linger. With a bow, they scurried away.
Left alone, Reana's eyes sparkled with unshed tears, her heart heavy with so many thoughts and grievances.
Her six brothers used to boast, shouting over each other on who would give her away to her mate. In the end, their father would always win the argument.
But now, no one would give her away to her mate…no one would walk her to the square. All of them were dead. Even with her Luna wolf, she could not save them.
Yet Reana forced herself to be positive on her big day. After the wedding, she would become the Luna of the Black Moon Pack, and Hale would be supporting her wholeheartedly. She would finally have someone on her side, someone who wasn't working for her wicked stepmother Katherine or her stepbrother Kael.
"Miss Reana, Madam Katherine is here to see you," a maid said, poking her head through the double entry door.
"Tell her she's better off at the square, where everyone else is gathered," Reana said coldly.
That woman was the last person Reana wanted to see, especially after she had sent the assassin after her on her wedding day. But Reana could not use her visions as evidence of her crimes, because she had to keep that special ability a secret. This was her father's last wish, to ensure that her gift would not be abused by other powerful alphas.
"Reana dear, don't be like that. You can't go out there alone without your family to accompany you. There are Alphas from other regions. You don't want them thinking you have little regard for me and your brothers…" Katherine paused, as if to remind Reana of their relationship.
"...But If you still don't want me to walk you to the square, at least let Karl and Kael do that. Your brothers want to help, Reana."
Reana scoffed. She had six brothers, and Karl and Kael were not included. She ignored Katherine, purposely letting her wait outside while Katherine grew more angry by the second.
It was only after Kira, her soon-to-be Gamma, entered to inform Reana that Hale had reached the square did Reana rise from her seat and stride out, carrying an air of quiet confidence and determination.
As soon as the doors swung open, an entourage of warriors and servants bowed at the sight of her, showing her utmost respect.
Madam Katherine stood with a forced smile on her beautiful face, "My dear, don't you look stunning!? Come, I'll walk you to the–"
"Hmph," Reana scoffed. Without giving her stepmother as much as a glance, she held her gown with the allure of a queen and strode forward, her entourage falling in line behind her. The moment she arrived at the square, the ceremony started.
Hale, a towering hunk with a chiseled physique, stood before Reana, his gaze locked onto hers, but his hands trembled from the overwhelming emotions coursing through him. He couldn't control himself. Hale couldn't believe that Reana, the Late Alpha's only surviving daughter would ever be his mate.
For years, he watched her from a distance. He caught her happy moments, sad moments, times she was enraged, times she showed bravery, and most of all, times she showed weakness. He was a warrior without a rank, so he couldn't go too close. Moreover, his build scared many women, and he was afraid to make her despise him.
Six months ago, when the tragedy struck her family, that was when she turned eighteen, and also when they realized they were mates. Hale was scared, thinking Reana would reject him - his looks were ordinary, his intelligence was lacking too. But he was loyal to a fault, and was willing to be her sword, after all, when it comes to brute force, no one could defeat him.
But surprisingly, Reana didn't reject him. She boldly took his hand to the Elders and requested they got them married. And now, he was standing before that woman that had long turned his world upside down, but still couldn't believe she was his.
"You look like you're about to cry," Reana pointed out, her tone laced with subtle teasing.
"I — I still can't believe I'm your mate," he smiled nervously, his fists clenched. He didn't know where exactly to put them.
Reana's hand suddenly brushed against his, sending sparks through him. Hale froze as if he'd been electrocuted, his heart thundering in his big chest. She touched him, again!
The first time was when she held his hand and led him to the Elders and now was the second time. He suddenly held her hands, eyes sparkling with tears. "I promise to be your rock and your pillar, Reana. I know I cannot fill the huge gap that your father and brothers left, but I'll do my best to make you happy. I'll love you till my last breath," he subconsciously squeezed her hands a little too tightly as he tried to contain his emotions.
Reana suddenly frowned, causing Hale to panic, wondering if he'd said something wrong.
"You're holding my hands too tight."
Hale abruptly let go, as if he was holding a hot coal. "I– I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
A slight smile tugged at Reana's lips. Although her face was cold, her eyes held warmth for this man. He wasn't very intelligent nor handsome. In fact, tracking him by his face, you could lose him in a crowd, but he was a fresh air from the toxicity that plagued her world ever since the tragedy. She could love him.
Reana cupped his face, "Hale–" but before she finished, her eyes suddenly froze in a trance. The same vision flashing in her eyes once more, but this time, it was clearer. The pieces she missed came together. Reana's eyes widened in horror as her heart ran cold, hands trembling like leaves against Hale's face.
"Reana? What's wrong with you!?" Hale panicked, worried about Reana despite the erratic beating of his own heart, but Reana didn't reply.
Her face was drained of color as tears welled up in her eyes. "Ha—" just as she began, Hale's brows suddenly furrowed as he let out a thunderous roar that shattered the merriment in the air, drawing everyone's attention. He clutched his chest and doubled over, his knees hitting the ground with a sickening thud!
"Hale!" Reana screamed and dropped beside him. She reached out and held his big body close, hugging him so tightly, as if she wanted to mold him into her, but her hands barely encircled his big frame. "Get the healer!"
"Hale, Hale, please stay with me. Please, don't leave me too, please!" Reana rarely showed vulnerability but right now, she was going crazy. Her mate was dying in her arms.
Chaos broke out in the square as people rushed to gather around them, but the warriors leaped into action, forming a tight circle around Reana and Hale. They didn't know what suddenly happened to their Alpha, so they couldn't risk anyone going close to cause more trouble. Until the healer arrived, no one would be let in.
Reana didn't even realize that her face was stained with tears until Hale lifted his shaky hand to wipe her tears. He forced a smile despite his weakness, despite the agony he was in, to comfort Reana. "I – I regret making you cry, Reana."
"Don't–" Reana choked. Her tears flowed even harder as she blamed herself for not being extra careful, for not being able to save her mate, the one person she had left that genuinely cared for her.
Hale tried to speak, trying to tell Reana he was fine, but just as he opened his mouth, a violent cough seized him as he choked out a clot of blood. And that was where it hit Reana in the gut.
She froze. This was the vision… This was the vision she saw! This was how he died!
As if to confirm her belief, blood trickled down Hale's lips, bloody tears running down his widened eyes, his nose bleeding crimson red, and his ears too. The warm blood pooled on Reana's body, yet she couldn't feel the liquid.
Hale's heart had stopped beating. His eyes widened in a permanent stare, and the last thing he saw was her face.