Akira had dreamed of this day since she was old enough to braid her own hair. She had weaved the wedding into the fabric of her dreams, the moment when she would step into her future as Luna of a large allied pack, the day her heart would finally rest in certainty. And today after seasons of waiting it came to pass. She was to marry Alpha Kaden of the Night Walker Pack's which are also the strongest neighbors, the venerated and feared king of the Ironhide Wolves.
Her hands shook as she raised the delicate hem of her heritage garment. Dark blue fabric which seemed to shift and change like moon washed water covered her and was decorated in silver which told the story of her blood a royal blood that ran back to the first wolves which the Moon Goddess had blessed. Her hair which was dark and soft had been decorated with small beads which came from river stones, each one which echoed softly as she moved.
Ares, Akira's best friend, was all over her like a giddy dog. "Still a little longer" he teased, as he fastened a clasp at Akira's waist. "You're trying to escape if I turn my back for a second.
I am nervous," Akira said, she looked at her reflection. "Do they see it?
Oh of all people and also the trees out there. -- Ares grinned, he prodded Akira's shoulder. You look gorgeous. Kaden is going to pass out.
Akira's face heated. At the thought of Kaden tall, with golden eyes, fierce and proud her heart flared. A few months back when he put the question to her she was so overcome with love she cried in his arms. She recalls the heat of his hands at her waist, the promise in his words, the quiet surety that they were meant for each other. He had chosen her. Out of many worthy wolves he went to her.
Akira turned to the mirror again, she saw the woman within it. She appeared strong. She was ready. And so. happy. Truly and also impossible.
This feeling, Akira spoke out to herself, of all times I will hold this to my heart.
Ares blew out a breath. "Cut it out. You'll cry and mess up your face.
Akira laughed and put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Alright, alright. Are you finished? Mom is taking me to the altar.
I need to run out for a second to get the last detail which is everything at the same time don't go anywhere don't you dare to move, don't breathe and try not to even blink if you can.
With that she left the room.
Alone Akira took in deep breaths, she felt her heart steady. The air was charged with excitement. She was at the edge of her seat for the ceremony to begin. She pictured Kaden standing by the decorated canopie, herself going to him as the pack looked on, saw his smile when he saw her.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The patience wore thin into anxiety. She tapped her fingers against her silk dress, looked at the door. Ares had said it would be fast, but Ares was never quick at anything. Akira tried to be patient some more but her heart was pounding so loud in her ears she could hardly think. She had to walk. To breathe. To move.
Maybe on the chance that she may meet up with Ares in the middle, or track down her mother. Also -- she knows the way to the ceremonial grounds. No danger in that direction.
She left her room and in her dress which trailed touchingly at the floor she began to walk between the rows of tents which made up the temporary celebration area. The sun was warm upon her skin and as she passed each wolf they would bow to her, bless her, or smile. All Kaden's face would appear in her mind how he held her hands when he said he would always protect her, how he would whisper her name as if it was a prayer.
Her chest tightened with love.
As she came to a known trail she stopped. That which was to bring her by Kaden's private camp. A moment of sight of him even in the distance would still the nerves. She smiled to herself and set out that direction, raising her dress a bit to avoid the dust.
As soon as she got close to the tent she furrowed her brow, there was a sound coming from within a low moaning that beat out a tune. Not the sound of servants getting ready, not that of warriors going over ceremony details.
Something else.
Something wrong.
Akira went still. Her wolf ears perked up at instinct, taking in the foreign yet familiar sounds. A butterflies worth of unease flew in her stomach. She grabbed at the tent flap before she talked herself out of it.
"Kaden?" she called softly.
No response. Only more noise.
Her heart thudded.
Slowly, she pushed the flap aside.
For a while she was in a void.
Her breath caught in her chest. Her pupils contracted sharply. Her throat closed up so that it was hard to swallow.
Within aglow with the soft light of lanterns was Kaden.
And he wasn't alone.
Akira had as much with his cousin as you see with a very close relative.
Her cousin's arms in his hair. Kaden's body against hers. It was clear what they were doing.
Akira's world went out of focus. Sound faded away into a sharp silent ring.
Her mind struggled to wrap itself around what was happening, to turn it into something else a dream, a misinterpretation, a prank but the truth was right in front of her, unignorable and harsh.
Her heart cracked cleanly in two.
Kaden. she said, but it was almost a breath.
He jumped at the surprise, spinning to face her, eyes wide.
Akira left before questions were answered.
As the tent flap fell from her hands she stumbled back, her breath left her, her world crumbled, everything fell apart.
Her vision swam.
Her knees almost gave out.
And before Kaden could call out her name before he could get to her Akira turned and ran.