Elara's POV
Rowan's body flew through the air as though he weighed nothing.
One moment he was on top of me his breath foul, his hands cruel and the next, he was gone.
Thrown.
No… kicked.
I lay frozen on the ground, my heart slamming violently against my ribs as dust settled around me. Pain still throbbed through my body, but shock drowned it out.
Slowly, trembling, I lifted my head.
Someone stood a few steps away from me.
Tall. Broad shouldered. Wrapped in shadows.
I tried to see his face, but the torchlight behind him cast his features into darkness. All I could make out was his silhouette solid, unmovable, powerful.
Rowan lay motionless several meters away, sprawled across the ground like a discarded rag doll. It was obvious that who ever the stranger was he is not from iron claw pack. And he just messed with an Alpha's son.
A chill ran through me.
"Is this how the Iron Claw Pack behaves?" the stranger asked calmly.
His voice…
It was deep. Smooth. Melodious in a way that sent an unfamiliar shiver through my body.
It was obvious that he is a man filled with so much power and authority
"Quite shameful," he continued coolly, "especially on a ceremonious day like this."
The sound of his voice stirred something deep inside me.
My wolf.
She had been silent for days, weak, buried beneath whatever poison Luna Elenore had fed me. I still didn't know what it was, only that after drinking it, everything inside me had gone quiet.
But now…
She stirred.
A faint pulse. A whisper of awareness.
Who is this person? I murmured weakly.
Before I could find my voice before I could even gather the courage to speak the stranger turned.
Just like that.
He walked away, his steps unhurried, as though nothing extraordinary had occurred.
As though he hadn't just saved my life.
Wait—
"Thank you," I called out, my voice breaking as the words left my lips. "Thank you…"
The shadow did not turn back.
But his scent lingered.
It wrapped around me unexpectedly rich, unfamiliar, powerful. Not like Iron Claw. Not like anything I had ever known.
My wolf stirred again, restless.
Then chaos erupted.
"Elara!"
Luna Elenore's shrill voice pierced the night.
She came running toward us, her expression twisted with fury and panic as she saw Rowan sprawled on the ground.
"You slutty bitch!" she screamed, dropping to her knees beside her son. "What have you done to my son?!"
Before I could utter a single word in defense, pain exploded across my face.
Her palm struck me hard.
My head snapped to the side as I cried out, the taste of blood flooding my mouth. Stars burst behind my eyes as I staggered, barely keeping myself upright. I didn't do anything to him but I said nothing, I never did. Because arguing will only cause me more pain. They already saw there son motionless few meters away from me of course they will blame a powerless omega like me!
Knowing that my strength could never do that to an Alpha's blood.
They knew I was innocent but they wanted somebody to bear the blame, and I was that person.
Quite unfortunate.
Indeed today is the day I die.
Lyra rushed forward, kneeling beside Rowan. "Rowan! Wake up!" she cried, shaking him. "Wake up!"
He groaned faintly, his eyes fluttering open.
Relief washed over her face. "What happened to you?" she asked urgently.
For a moment, Rowan looked confused. His brow furrowed as though he were struggling to piece together fragments of memory.
Then his gaze snapped to me.
Pure rage ignited in his eyes.
"It's this bitch!" he roared, scrambling to his feet and charging toward me. "You! I'm going to kill you!"
I flinched, terror rooting me in place.
"Enough!"
Alpha Aldrich's voice thundered across the field.
Rowan froze mid step.
Alpha Aldrich strode toward me, his presence suffocating, his eyes burning with cold authority. Every instinct screamed at me to kneel but fear had locked my joints.
He stopped directly in front of me.
I trembled violently.
Then he pressed his claws into my shoulders.
Sharp. Deliberate.
Pain shot through me as I gasped, my knees buckling.
"Try this again," he said lowly, leaning closer so only I could hear, "and you're dead."
Tears streamed down my face as I nodded weakly. I had said it earlier today is the day I die.
He straightened and turned sharply to the servants. "Get her dressed," he barked. "Before I lose my temper." he then pushed and let go of me. As I staggered not to fall down.
The maids rushed forward immediately.
Hands grabbed me rough, impatient. I was dragged back into the pack house, my feet barely touching the ground as they hauled me down the corridors.
No one looked at me.
No one cared.
This isn't this first time I've been humiliated yet no one... No one ever cam for my rescue.
Except for the man today, no one ever did
Back in my room, they stripped me of my patched dress the only thing that had ever truly belonged to me and forced the wedding gown over my trembling body.
White silk brushed against bruised skin.
Pearls hid the marks of violence.
They adorned me like a sacrifice prepared for slaughter.
As they worked, my mind drifted back to the stranger.
To his voice.
To his scent.
To the way my wolf had stirred for the first time in days.
Who was he?
And why had he intervened?
No one in iron claw pack has ever done that for me.
They only watch me get bullied or they bully me that's how it works.
My reflection stared back at me from the mirror pale, hollow eyed, dressed as a bride.
A bride to an unknown groom.
As the final touches were made and the doors opened, one terrifying truth settled deep within my chest—
Whatever awaited me at the end of that aisle would change my life forever.
And somehow… I knew this wedding was only the beginning.
And whoever it was that saved me means nothing now because I am getting married tonight and even he wouldn't be able to save me.