The hall roared with silence, a silence heavy enough to crush a heartbeat. The priest's voice thundered through the grand Lunaris Hall:
Priest: "By the bond of the Moon Goddess, I now announce you, Alpha Theodore and Isabella, husband and wife."
The words hung in the air like a curse and a blessing at the same time. The crowd erupted in cheers, yet every eye was fixed on the Alpha—waiting, watching.
Theodore stepped closer, his sharp gaze locked on Isabella. He bent forward, and for a fleeting second, the crowd thought he would claim her lips, her cheek, her forehead—some sign of belonging. But instead, his lips brushed the back of her hand.
A single kiss. Cold. Measured.
The hall gasped. Whispers rattled like dry leaves. "He won't accept her." "This is just a formality." "Poor girl…"
Isabella's face flushed crimson, her heart stumbling in her chest. For a moment, she had almost—foolishly—believed he would claim her truly. But he didn't. He wouldn't.
Theodore's smirk cut across his face, cruel and deliberate, as his lips barely moved, his words meant for her ears alone:
Theodore (mocking, low):
"Did you expect something else, little bond? My lips? My devotion? Tsk… You'll only get what I choose to give you. Nothing more. Don't mistake this cage of vows for freedom—it's just another leash."
Her breath caught, but she stood straight, refusing to bow under his cruelty. That, at least, made his smirk deepen.
From the corner of her tear-bright eyes, Isabella caught a glimpse—Seraphina. Standing at the edge of the hall, her trembling hands clasped together, tears rolling silently.
Isabella couldn't resist. She stepped away from Theodore's shadow, rushing to Seraphina. She threw her arms around her, clinging like it was her last anchor to the world.
Seraphina (whispering, voice breaking):
"Isabella… take care of yourself, please. I know you believe this bond is good… but it's not. It's a curse in disguise. You don't see it yet, but I do. Still—I hope the Goddess gives you strength. For whatever is coming… you must return to me."
Her words were drenched in sorrow, in love, in prophecy. Isabella's eyes burned, but she pulled away, forcing a small smile as her farewell.
Hand in hand, Theodore and Isabella then turned, facing the crowd, bowing their heads as blessings were poured upon them. The mask of ceremony was complete.
Later, as the car carried them away, silence cloaked the space between them. The new house—the luxurious gilded cage—awaited. Isabella's fingers tightened on her gown, her thoughts a storm. Beside her, Theodore leaned back, eyes half-lidded, smirk dancing at the corner of his lips.
The game had only begun.